Chapter 1: Abandoned on My Wedding Day
Sophie's POV
"Sophie," his deep voice carried a warmth that seemed at odds with his powerful presence. "I want you to marry my grandson. Today."
I nearly choked on my coffee. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Adam. I want you to marry Adam. I know this is sudden—"
"Mr. Foster," I cut in, my heart racing. "I don't... I've never even met your grandson."
"Adam needs someone like you." he leaned forward. "Someone pure, untainted by our world."
I shook my head, trying to make sense of this surreal conversation. Just minutes ago, I'd been thanking him for his years of financial support. Now...
"But why me? Why—"
His eyes softened. "And a chance to help someone who's lost as much as you have."
"Lost?" The word caught in my throat.
"Adam lost his parents too, Sophie. But he... he never recovered. There's a darkness in him that needs your light."
My hands trembled. "This is crazy. I can't just—"
"Please consider it, Sophie." His voice was gentle, filled with the same kindness that had led him to support my education all these years. "I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't think it was important."
I looked at William Foster, the man who had changed my life and given me opportunities I had never dreamed possible. His eyes reflected sincere concern for his grandson. After everything he had done for me, how could I refuse?
"The ceremony will be at the courthouse in an hour."
Before I could process what was happening, I found myself being whisked away to City Hall. Everything moved in a blur - signing papers with a tall, imposing man who barely looked at me, and then...
"Remember this," Adam's first words to me came as he roughly pushed me against the wall, his green eyes blazing with cold fury. "Whatever game you're playing with my grandfather, don't think you can climb into my bed just because you have his support."
His voice made me flinch. "I-I'm not playing any games."
Something flickered in his eyes as he caught my scent, his grip on my shoulders loosening slightly. For a moment, he seemed almost dazed. Then his expression hardened again.
"Keep your mouth shut about this marriage," he snarled before storming off to confront William, leaving me trembling against the wall.
Hours later, I stood alone in the grand entrance hall of the colonial mansion on Agate Island. The driver who brought me here, Richard Parker, had departed without a word of instruction. The sound of raucous laughter and clinking glasses drifted from somewhere deeper in the house.
Following the noise, I found myself in a luxurious living room filled with young people dressed in designer clothes.
No one seemed to notice me until a tall man in a garish Hawaiian shirt blocked my path.
"Hey!" He called out, swaying slightly. "Who let the help in through the front door?"
Several heads turned, conversation dying as people noticed me. The man – clearly drunk – stepped closer, his expensive cologne overwhelming.
"Chase," he introduced himself with an exaggerated bow. "And you must be new. Though I have to say," his eyes raked over me in a way that made my skin crawl, "you're prettier than our usual maids."
I tried to step around him. "Excuse me."
His hand shot out, gripping my arm hard enough to bruise. "Not so fast, sweetheart. And what are you going to do about it?"
"Let go." My voice was steadier than I felt.
"Or what?" His grip tightened painfully. A circle of spectators had formed, drinks in hand, watching the entertainment. "Going to file a complaint with the agency? Good luck with that."
"I said, let go."
Chase raised his hand again, but this time I was ready. Years of fending for myself hadn't left me helpless. As his arm swung down, I caught his wrist in a firm grip. His eyes widened in shock.
"You—" He yanked his arm back, but the sudden movement combined with his drunken state worked against him. He stumbled, losing his balance completely, and crashed to the floor with an undignified thud.
The room fell dead silent. Even the music seemed to stop.
"What's going on here?"
Adam's voice cut through the silence like a blade of ice. He stood in the doorway, his tall frame radiating cold fury as he took in the scene – Chase sprawled on the expensive carpet, me standing over him.
"Your maid," Chase spat, struggling to his feet, "just attacked me!"
The crowd parted like water as Adam strode forward. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
Adam's cold gaze settled on me, his lip curling slightly. "Apologize to Chase."
"Apologize?" I couldn't keep the disbelief from my voice. "He attacked me first. I only defended myself."
The crowd collectively held their breath. Chase, who had been brushing off his designer clothes, froze mid-motion, his eyes darting between Adam and me. Even in his drunken state, he seemed to realize something unprecedented was happening.
The whispers started, spreading through the room like wildfire.
"Did she just..."
"Is she insane?"
"Nobody talks to Adam Foster like that..."
"God, she's dead."
"Even the Mayor backs down when Adam gets that look..."
"Poor thing has no idea who she's dealing with..."
"The Devil of Bay City... she's finished."
No one talked back to Adam Foster. Not in Bay City. Not if they wanted to survive in this world of wealth and power.
Adam's eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "Either get out, or apologize!"