Chapter 1

I was sitting on Leo Miller's lap, my sheer stockings rustling, and he instantly flushed from his neck to his ears.

He was so damn innocent, it was almost painful to watch.

I deliberately ran my fingers up his chiseled nose.

"Isn't your grandma in desperate need of life-saving surgery? Rip these sheer stockings off, and I’ll cover all her medical bills!"

Leo's breathing grew ragged, and I could feel something hardening against me.

Just as he started tearing at my stockings inch by inch with his teeth,

Julian Harrington, my ever-dignified and esteemed guardian, burst into the VIP room, enraged. He shoved Leo away and relentlessly pounded the scrawny guy.

Then he turned, gripping my shoulders so hard it stung. "Stella Harrington! I told you, no dating! How can you be so disobedient? Are you just ignoring everything I say?!"

I scoffed, meeting his scarlet eyes. "Isn't this just your way of making sure I'm 'suitable' for an arranged marriage? Fine! I'm in!"

That night, curled up in the wardrobe, I heard Julian’s conversation with his younger sister echoing in my ears again:

"I heard that little girl likes you. What do you think?"

"She’s just a stray I picked up from the rubble of that disaster, groomed precisely so she could be married off for us someday!"