The Billionaire Hotel Owner Was Forced to Marry a Crime Boss’s Daughter — Then His Ex Came Back,….
Chapter 1
Adrian Vale had three rules.
Never stay with the same woman too long.
Never promise anything you couldn’t guarantee.
And never let anyone believe they owned a piece of you.
For ten years, those rules had worked perfectly.
At thirty-two, Adrian owned one of the most prestigious five-star hotel chains in Europe.
He drove expensive cars.
He attended exclusive parties.
He appeared in magazines.
And almost every week, another beautiful woman appeared beside him.
People called him a playboy.
Adrian called it freedom.
That Friday night, his flagship hotel was hosting a private charity gala.
The guests included actors, politicians, athletes and billionaires.
At the center of the ballroom hung a priceless nineteenth-century masterpiece.
Adrian had been warned not to touch it.
Naturally, he did.
It wasn’t intentional.
A heated argument with a business associate ended with Adrian stepping backward.
His elbow struck the display.
The painting fell.
The sound of breaking glass silenced the entire ballroom.
Adrian stared at the ruined frame.
“Oh.”
Nobody laughed.
Then a man slowly walked toward him.
Victor Moretti.
Adrian knew the name.
Everyone did.
Victor was one of the city’s most powerful businessmen.
And one of its most feared men.
Victor looked at the damaged painting.
Then at Adrian.
“You have destroyed something worth eight million dollars.”
Adrian swallowed.
“I’ll pay for it.”
Victor smiled.
“I know.”
Adrian relaxed.
Then Victor continued.
“But I have another offer.”
“What kind?”
Victor looked toward the ballroom entrance.
A woman stood there.
Elegant.
Calm.
Dark-haired.
She walked toward them.
“This is my daughter, Elena.”
Adrian stared.
Elena looked at the painting.
Then at him.
“You’re the famous Adrian Vale.”
“Unfortunately.”
She almost smiled.
Victor placed one hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
“You will marry her.”
The ballroom became completely silent.
Adrian stared at him.
“You’re joking.”
Victor wasn’t.
Elena sighed.
“I wish he were.”
And suddenly Adrian realized that his biggest mistake had nothing to do with the painting.
