The Billionaire's Secret Spy

Chapter One

Seraphina

Darkness settled over the hall before a tiny flame sparked to life, casting soft light across the room. A dozen pairs of eyes widened, turning warm shades of amber as everyone shouted, "Happy Birthday, Aria!"

On cue, Marisa the housekeeper flipped the lights back on. I stepped toward the coffee table and gently placed the strawberry cake in the center. Sitting on top was a custom candle shaped like the number seventy-six.

Unable to hold back my laughter at the way everyone eyed the dessert like starving wolves, I clapped my hands. "Come on, come on, everyone. It's time."

Like a swarm of elderly bees, forty residents hurried forward, circling around a blushing Aria who, even at her age, looked straight out of a fairy tale in her fluffy pink gown.

"Cut it already, Laurie. I'm not getting any younger," Ben called out, bouncing his fragile body as much as his old bones allowed. The whole room erupted into laughter.

Handing the knife to Aria, I stepped back a few feet and raised my camera. "Ready."

When the birthday girl blew the candle out, the hall rang with another enthusiastic chorus of happy birthday, and I snapped picture after picture.

Another memory for the keeper.

Aria carefully sliced small triangle pieces and fed the eager mouths one by one until her soft blue eyes landed on me. "Seraphina, darling, what are you doing standing over there? Come here." She held out a rather generous slice.

"Yes, yes go on. I'll take the pictures," Joseph said, taking the camera from my hands.

"Alright!" I smiled and made my way through the crowd.

The pure happiness glowing on Aria's face showed just how grateful she was.

"Thank you for everything, Seraphina!" She pulled me into a warm motherly embrace. "I don't know if I'll be here for my next birthday, but I'll die peacefully knowing you're here to look after these Oompa Loompas." Her voice wavered as she finished speaking.

Pulling away gently, I wiped the tears on her wrinkled cheeks and readjusted her party hat on top of her little gray bun. "Don't talk like that. You're going to live to a hundred, and all these Oompa Loompas will make sure of it." I giggled and nudged her hand, the one holding the cake toward her lips.

She offered it to me instead, so I leaned forward and took a bite. My taste buds sang in delight at the soft, sweet goodness.

Once every crumb of the cake was gone, everyone began presenting their gifts, one after another. When my turn came, I pulled out the flat red-wrapped present and handed it to Aria

"Thank you, sweetheart." She tore the wrapping delicately.

All eyes watched, breath held. I knew they would love it. I had been preparing this gift for the last two months.

When she revealed the velvety book inside, confusion clouded their faces. But Aria opened it anyway.

The moment the cover turned, the room filled with gasps. Everyone crowded around her, flipping through each page, laughing and marveling at the collection of memories.

A single tear slipped down my cheek, and my heart felt impossibly full watching these elders light up like children again. I had spent weeks arranging pictures I'd been storing since Mom first brought me here. She wasn't here anymore, but I still had her family, the people she loved, the place she called home.

A gentle pat on my shoulder made me quickly wipe my eyes. Joseph stood beside me, his warm brown eyes gleaming with the same happiness.

"Your mother would be proud of you, kid."

"Thanks." I wrapped one arm over his hunched shoulders, exhaling softly. "I'm never leaving you guys again."

"Hey now, don't go making us your burden, alright?" he teased, ruffling my hair.

"Correction," I said, mussing up the few strands left on his head, our long-standing tradition. "You all are my strength, old man."

A sudden gasp stole our attention.

"Oh look! It's a picture of Joseph picking his nose!"

Oops. My eyes widened as I fought back a laugh.

Of all the elders, Joseph prided himself on acting cool and composed and never caught slipping. But when I was younger, I made it my mission to expose him. And one lazy summer morning, I finally captured the photo that doomed his perfect image.

The hall roared with laughter.

"Seraphina, you did it!" Chester cheered.

I gulped, released Joseph, and darted behind the L-shaped sofa. He followed limping but determined, holding his cane high like a weapon.

"Where do you think you're going, kid? You're not escaping me today."

"Not my fault! Donald dared me!" I shrieked between laughs.

"What? No!" Donald protested in horror.

Everyone feared Joseph except me. I knew him better than anyone.

Then Joseph suddenly froze, clutching his chest, and my heart dropped to the floor. I sprinted toward him, and so did the others.

"Joseph! Joseph, are you alri "

Before I could finish, his arm hooked around my shoulder and his pained look morphed into pure mischief. "Gotcha!"

I gasped. His hand lifted, and my eyes squeezed shut.

The room went dead silent.

One second...

Two...

When nothing happened, I cracked an eye open. He was smirking, his hand landing on my back in a gentle pat. "You got me, kid."

The tension dissolved instantly, the room bursting into warm laughter again.

"You got me too, old man," I chuckled.

Looking at all those joyous faces of people who had once forgotten how to smile my heart felt lighter than it had in six long years. For the first time since Mom died, I felt... whole. I felt home.

The sudden crash of the front door slamming into the wall jolted everyone.

"What was that?" someone whispered.

Frowning, I hurried down the hallway toward reception and froze in horror.

A group of men in black stormed in, wielding baseball bats. Before I could react, they began smashing furniture and decorations things Mom had carefully put together with her own hands. Every blow shattered something inside me.

Jeremy, the security guard, rushed to my side.

"Seraphina, stay behind me," he ordered, drawing his gun. "Stop right now, or I'll shoot!"

"Jeremy, boy, no need for all that fuss," a gravelly voice replied, one I recognized instantly.

My head whipped in the direction of the sound.

Ryan, my stepfather's head of security, walked in with a wide smirk, his eyes settling on me.

My jaw tightened, anger surging through me like molten lava. Shoving Jeremy aside, I charged forward. "Stop this now!" I yelled.

But the destruction continued. Glass shattered across the hardwood floor, pieces of the walls crumbling under each hit.

Exasperated, I turned my fury on the smug man in a suit. "Ryan," I growled.

He chuckled as if bored and lifted one hand, palm open.

"Stop."

The men obeyed instantly, bats resting on their shoulders like they were ready for the next order to burn the place down.

"What the hell is happening?" I demanded.

"Calm down, princess. Boss's orders. We need to clear this place out."

"What are you even saying? This is my mother's property."

"Not anymore," he smirked. The scar on his cheek stretched with the motion, making him appear twice as sinister. "Perfect spot for a new resort."

"What? Have you lost your mind?"

Ryan stepped forward, the smirk never leaving his busted lips. "Why don't you ask your daddy?"

I glared at him but said nothing. My gaze drifted to the end of the hall. The elders were huddled together, terrified. My heart, which moments ago soared, now plummeted into a dark pit.

He took everything once. And now he wanted the last thing I had left.

I swiped my tears away. Over my dead body.

Facing the devil's watchdog again, I glared. "I'm going to talk to him. Get your men out."

Turning to the staff, I said, "Take care of them until I return." Then, pausing at the exit, I tilted my head with a cold smirk. "Ryan... if anyone here gets hurt, your wife will hear about it."

His eyes widened the exact reaction I expected. I had photos of him cheating, and he feared his gangster wife more than anything. Knowing someone's weakness was always an advantage.

I jumped into my Chevrolet and drove straight to Creed Inc.

After riding up to the fifteenth floor inside one of the most corrupt buildings I'd ever stepped foot in. I headed for his office. His secretary, who gave strong Amy Dunne vibes with her bobbed hair and piercing dark eyes, rushed to stop me.

"Ms. Vale, wait! You can't go in-he's in a meet-"

I didn't let her finish. I pushed through the door, fury burning in every breath. "Mr. Creed!"

Three heads turned two startled, one annoyed.

The feeling was mutual. But I couldn't hide the flicker of fear crawling up my spine.

"Sir, I tried to stop her, but she"

"Out." He flicked his hand at the men and the secretary. They scrambled out.

Silas Creed rose from his chair, his tall sculpted frame rounding the desk. With everything perfectly groomed and tailored, he could fool anyone into thinking he was some respectable gentleman-but his eyes betrayed him. They were dark, deep, cold... and deadly. One look could make your soul cower.

"Seems living abroad ruined your manners," he said.

My teeth clenched. This was the first time I'd seen him since he forced me to Canada. Back then, I hadn't been brave enough to fight him.

But now I am twenty-four. He wasn't my guardian anymore. He had no power over me... or so I wanted to believe.

"You can't do this."

"As the testament states, I can do whatever I wish."

"The testament is forged!"

Mom died before writing her will. Miraculously, a shiny new one appeared days later-with her signature. Everything went to him except my tiny two-bedroom apartment.

Even a drunk lunatic could smell the fraud.

"That place is prime gold. Right in the center of the city. Perfect for my resort. Most profitable one yet," he said, greed gleaming in his eyes.

"How can you be this cold? Where will they go? They're homeless!"

"Not my problem. Now if you're done, go escort your friends off my property," he said dismissively, emphasizing the last words as he turned away.

Fear coiled around my heart, squeezing until breathing felt impossible. If he tore down the home, where would they end up? On the streets?

My chest tightened painfully. I had to protect them. I promised Mom. I promised myself.

So I swallowed everything, even my pride and let the desperation spill.

"Please. Don't do this. Please."

He looked at me with a smile that vanished instantly. "No. My business is suffering because of those Thornes. Why would I give up such a perfect location?"

"I'll do anything. Please." Even I could barely believe the words escaping my mouth.

His brow rose. "What?"

My fists trembled. "I'll do anything you want. Just don't touch that place... or the people."

His grin widened like he'd been waiting for this exact moment. "Anything?"

I nodded, terrified but determined.

"On second thought, maybe I won't demolish it. I'm not entirely heartless." His wicked smile twisted into something monstrous.

My breath hitched. "What do you want?"

"It's simple." He stepped closer, bending down. "Bring me information."

I frowned. "Information about what?"

"The Thornes."

My frown deepened. Thorne Corporation owned more than a hundred thriving hotels, motels, and resorts worldwide. Creed had sixty-five half failing miserably.

He circled back to his desk, poured himself wine, and continued, "Their plans, their strategies, their future projects. Bring all of it to me."

"What?" I blurted, utterly baffled. "How am I supposed to get that?"

"By working for them, of course. My little spy."

His nauseating nickname made my stomach twist. "Th-that's illegal."

"Not unless you choose to think of it that way. Think of it as a daughter doing her father a favor."

"You're not my father!" I snapped.

His jaw ticked. "Watch your tone if you want to keep your elders well fed and sheltered."

My rage had to be swallowed again. I was trapped. "Please... not this. I can't hurt anyone."

"In that case..." He tapped his lips thoughtfully, then looked up with icy finality. "Watch your people rot."

My blood went cold. Expecting kindness from him was like begging snow to fall in hell.

I looked away, biting hard on my lip. If this was the only choice, then I would take it. I'd do anything whatever it cost to save my family. Even if it meant breaking laws. Breaking morals. Breaking myself.

How bad could it be to steal a little from a billionaire? They were all monsters anyway corrupt and heartless.

"How?" I whispered. "They won't just hire me."

"Oh, they won't." His smirk sharpened. "Someone else will."

He already had a plan. Of course he did.

"What position? I can't get anything important enough to access confidential info."

"Oh, you'll hold a very, very important position." He took another sip of wine. "You'll be the secretary."

My stomach dropped.

How could he have arranged something like that? "Secretary to who?"

"Jaxon Thorne."

My eyes almost shot out of my skull. "WHAT?"