The Cruel Billionaire's Unwanted Perfect Wife

The heater in the Maybach blasted warm air. Ellery leaned her head against the leather headrest. The painful spasms in her stomach slowly began to fade.

Holland drove with one hand on the steering wheel. He glanced at her pale face out of the corner of his eye. He reached over and turned the heat up another notch.

The car slowed down and pulled up to the curb in front of the Tumi Exclusive Club, a highly private venue in Manhattan. A valet immediately rushed forward to open Ellery's door.

Holland stepped out of the car. He walked around to her side and grabbed her freezing hand.

Ellery tried to pull her fingers away. "I don't want to go in here."

Holland ignored her resistance. He laced his fingers through hers, locking her hand in a tight grip. He pulled her toward the entrance.

They walked down a dimly lit, luxurious hallway. A waiter in a crisp suit opened the heavy, soundproof door to the VIP room at the very end of the hall.

The room was thick with cigar smoke. Holland's childhood friends-Pierce, Sterling, and Julian-were sitting around a poker table.

When they saw Holland walk in holding Ellery's hand, the room went dead silent. The three men stared in shock.

Pierce was the first to recover. He let out a low whistle. "Well, look at this. You actually brought the legal wife out to play."

Holland shot Pierce a look so cold it could freeze water. He pulled Ellery toward the main leather sofa and forced her to sit down next to him.

Julian, the doctor of the group, quietly poured a glass of warm water and slid it across the table toward Ellery. She gave him a tight, forced smile of thanks.

The men resumed their conversation about Wall Street mergers. Ellery sat stiffly, feeling completely out of place.

Suddenly, the heavy VIP door burst open. The bright light from the hallway spilled into the dark room.

Crystal stood in the doorway. Her mascara was smeared under her red, swollen eyes.

She had clearly tracked Holland down, desperate to win back her meal ticket.

Crystal ignored the shocked stares of the men in the room. She ran straight toward the sofa, throwing herself toward Holland's chest.

Holland's eyes narrowed. He shifted his body sharply to the side.

Crystal missed him completely. She tripped and fell hard against the edge of the leather sofa, her knees hitting the floor.

She looked up, tears streaming down her face. "Holland! She canceled my card! She humiliated me in front of everyone!" Crystal pointed a shaking finger at Ellery.

Pierce and Sterling exchanged awkward glances. The tension in the room skyrocketed.

Ellery felt a fresh wave of nausea hit her stomach. She couldn't stand being part of this pathetic soap opera. She placed her hands on the sofa to push herself up.

Holland's large hand clamped down on her thigh, pinning her to the seat.

He looked down at Crystal, who was still sobbing on the floor.

"She is my legal wife," Holland said. His voice was loud, clear, and absolutely merciless. "Canceling your card is her right."

Crystal's mouth dropped open. The color drained from her face as the reality of his words hit her.

Holland reached over and slammed his hand down on the service bell on the table.

"Get this crazy woman out of here," Holland ordered the two massive bouncers who appeared at the door. "And put her on the permanent blacklist."

The bouncers grabbed Crystal by the arms. She started screaming hysterically as they dragged her out of the room and down the hall.

The VIP room fell into a heavy, uncomfortable silence. Pierce cleared his throat, trying to think of a joke to break the ice.

Ellery couldn't take it anymore. The cigar smoke, the violence, the absolute control Holland exerted over everyone. She stood up, ripping her leg away from his grip.

She grabbed her coat and walked out of the room without looking back.

"Damn it," Holland muttered. He slammed his whiskey glass onto the table and chased after her.

He caught up to her halfway down the hallway.