The Billionaire's Twisted Crown

Scarlett's heart shattered.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Harry, her boyfriend...no her now ex boyfriend was asking if he knew her. As if they hadn't dated for two years back in college. As if he hadn't once called her his dream girl. He had been Prince Charming, the man every girl wanted. And she felt lucky.

Now, it felt like a nightmare.

Her jaw dropped, her heart pounding in disbelief.

Then Isabella launched into her performance.

"I'm your cousin," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "You should be happy for me, not ruin my engagement and embarrass yourself. Don't go giving Harry a name that's not his. I mean, where would you find a man like him with your poor-ass life, bitch? Like he said...he doesn't know you. And I don't think I've ever introduced you to him. So what are you saying? Don't tell me you've gone crazy."

Scarlett stared at them, stunned. Their lies were so smooth, and rehearsed, painting themselves as innocent and her as some jealous lunatic.

Isabella hadn't expected Scarlett to cause a scene at her engagement party. Thankfully, Harry had thought fast. Good, Isabella mused. When I get home, I'm going to put this girl in her place. Teach her a lesson she won't forget.

Scarlett opened her mouth to defend herself, but Harry cut in.

"Apologize to my fiancee and me now!," he said coldly, "or I'll have you kicked out."

He hadn't expected Scarlett to show up tonight. But now that she had, he wasn't going to explain anything. He didn't love her. He just didn't want his image ruined in front of the crowd.

Scarlett's eyes widened. Apologize? To them? After everything?

She clenched her fists, her voice trembling with fury. "You should be apologizing to me."

Scarlett, not wanting to be around them, turned and stormed out.

Isabella made a move to follow her, but Harry grabbed her wrist. "Not now, let's act generous. People are watching. You can deal with her as you please later."

They both composed themselves, turning their attention back to the crowd.

Isabella smiled sweetly. "Sorry about that," she said with a light laugh. "She's not really... okay. If you get what I mean."

The crowd chuckled awkwardly, murmuring in agreement, eager to stay in Harry's good graces. No one wanted to be on the wrong side of the man with connections.

Scarlett, meanwhile, grabbed two drinks from a passing waiter and downed them in quick, angry gulps. Then took a third drink. The alcohol burned her throat, but she didn't care. She was completely drunk now as her eyes locked onto Isabella and Harry with pure venom.

Isabella caught her gaze and smirked, lips curling in a way that screamed loser.

Scarlett couldn't take it anymore.

She snatched her bag, ready to leave...even if it was midnight, even if she had no ride home.

But just as she reached the door

It burst open.

***

Earlier at the gate of the estate.The tires of Alejandro Moritz's Maybach moved against the gravel as it pulled into the driveway. He hadn't planned to return tonight, his penthouse would've sufficed If not for his supposed fiancee, invading his privacy and insisted on moving in, so he made an excuse and left, he couldn't be under the same roof with her, he needed a quiet place away from...everything and everyone.

Instead, he got...a loud noise coming from his mansion.

Alejandro turned to his assistant David. And asked "what's going on?"

But David was just as shocked.

Music pulsed from inside the house, vibrating through the marble walls. Cars lined the driveway like a showroom. The scent of smoke and alcohol hung in the air like a fog. Alejandro's jaw clenched as it clicked immediately in his head.

A party in his own house. His property. He immediately stepped out of the car without waiting for David to open the car door, who could have the guts to throw a party In his property and how did they pass through his securities. Alejandro was so furious as he emmited a murderous aura.

David, his assistant couldn't help but shiver, as he trailed behind Alejandro, he was pale and silent. He knew the storm brewing beneath that tailored suit.

Alejandro Moritz was not a man to be crossed. He was power incarnate intimidating, magnetic, and merciless when provoked.

When they stepped into the mansion.

The grand foyer had been transformed into a club. Strobe lights danced. Strangers laughed and drank on his Persian rugs. And there, in the center of "HIS FUCKING LIVING ROOM" was Harry Kosh, Beatrice Simpson cousin, laughing and drinking, with his arms wrapped around a woman, Alejandro didn't care to know about and at the top of his wall was a decorative banner and written on it was "Happy birthday Harry".

The music didn't stop as everyone's attention was so drawn to the newly engaged couples who were now kissing.

In the next second Alejandro's voice thundered through the room, silencing their laughter and freezing their movement.

"What the hell is going on here?"

***

When the door slammed open, Scarlett was the first to see him.

Alejandro Moritz.

The man Harry had always idolized. The man she had only seen in magazines and headlines. The billionaire enigma with cold eyes and colder reputation.

She blinked, too stunned. Alejandro was beautiful at the same time handsome, he was easily the most handsome man she had seen. With an aura that screamed danger.

She remembered how Harry used to brag about being "connected" to the Moritz family. How he'd drop Alejandro's name like a badge of honor, hoping to impress anyone who'd listen. He'd always wanted to be seen as someone important. Someone powerful.

But this...this was the first time Scarlett was seeing Alejandro in person.

And something reckless bloomed inside her.

She was tired. Tired of being invisible. Tired of betrayal. Tired of being used and discarded like trash.

Before logic could intervene and her fear could stop her, Scarlett walked straight toward Alejandro.

Standing on her tiptoe and trying her best to keep her balance.

She kissed him...softly and deliberately.

And whispered against his lips,

"Will you marry me, Mr. Moritz?"