Chapter 1

I had just left the biggest tech summit in the world when my mentor, who I considered a mother, called me.

She’d arranged a marriage for me, with Charlotte Thorne, the daughter of her good friend. Charlotte was one of the most brilliant business minds in this city. I’d licensed several of my patents to her company, and they were currently the core technology for their new products.

I finished up my lab work, slipped into a carefully chosen suit, and headed to the engagement party.

But Charlotte Thorne’s male assistant, Leo Stone, blocked me right at the entrance of the ballroom.

He was wearing a sharply tailored, luxury suit, looking meticulously groomed, more like the groom than I did.

“If you know what’s good for you, just scram. An orphan with no connections, do you really think you’re good enough for our Ms. Thorne?”

I shot back, “Does Charlotte Thorne know you’re acting so high and mighty?”

Leo Stone sneered, a dismissive chuckle escaping him.

“A pretty boy who only climbs high because of his mentor’s name, how could you ever understand how important I am to Ms. Thorne?”

As he spoke, a trace of obsession and smugness actually flickered in his eyes.

I watched him for a moment, then pulled out my phone and called Charlotte Thorne.

“If your hospitality means keeping your fiancé blocked at the door, then I suppose I could just let you see the contract for my patents, and then sell them to your rival company?”