A Deal With the Billionaire : Revenge to My-Ex

"Happy 22nd birthday, Emberly. Your dress tonight is so gorgeous. It makes you look like a fairytale princess."

Victoria's gaze fell on her happy stepsister. She talked with her friends, who gave her gifts, took selfies, and congratulated her with their prayers.

It wasn't long before Alden, Victoria's fiancé, who seemed to have just arrived, joined them instead of meeting her first. Victoria stood nearby, watching them both interact with a glass of lemonade.

"Happy birthday, my little sister-in-law," Alden said as he presented the rectangular gift he carried.

Emberly, who had turned her attention to him, was surprised and smiled even wider when they locked eyes. Without hesitation, she hugged Victoria's fiancé and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad you came, Alden! I thought you wouldn't come."

Alden's response showed no sign that he was uncomfortable with Emberly's behavior. Instead, he put his arm around her, brushed the top of her hair, and kissed her back.

Victoria didn't see it once or twice. Despite that, there was no denying that as a woman, she felt jealous, even of her sister. Her little heartfelt scared, afraid that Alden would fall for Emberly.

It was not without reason that Victoria was afraid of this possibility. She and Emberly could not be said to have an excellent sisterly relationship. Since childhood, since her father brought Emberly home with her stepmother, they began to take many precious things from her. Victoria can't help but feel afraid that Alden will also be taken.

Suddenly, Alden turned his attention to her, breaking Victoria's reverie. The man smiled and walked towards her after waving. Once they were close, Alden unhesitatingly put his arm around her waist and kissed her lips before the guests. It drew some attention towards them. Naturally, Victoria's cheeks were red from being the center of attention.

"Alden...!" whispered Victoria warningly.

"What's wrong, babe?" asked Alden with a mischievous smile.

"We're in the middle of a party! Don't kiss me for nothing," said Victoria, still holding back her embarrassment.

"Alright, alright. There's nothing I can do when my fiancé is so shy." Alden's words only made Victoria even more misbehaved. She tried to remove Alden's hand from her waist while changing the subject, "Do you want a drink?"

"No, I'm not thirsty yet. By the way, did you organize this party?" Victoria nodded in response, immediately getting a smile and a look of pride from Alden. "My fiancé is so awesome. You must have prepared it with all your heart for your sister, right?"

His smile was contagious. Victoria also felt a sense of pride when she received those words of appreciative praise. When she didn't hear that from her father or stepmother who was ordering her to, or even her stepsister. All the resentment, disappointment, and jealousy had disappeared entirely from that one compliment Alden had spoken.

Victoria may hate and distrust Emberly, but she trusts Alden. Since they first met and got to know each other in university, Alden was the only one who saw and cared about her. Alden's personality had stayed the same when they were dating and engaged. Victoria was sure Alden only loved her because of their five years together.

"Excuse me- Ahh! I'm sorry, Mr. Benedict!" Amid their conversation, a woman suddenly fell near them, spilling the drink she was carrying and hitting Alden's pants. Both of them were shocked and looked at the woman who smelled of alcohol and looked drunk. She staggered to her feet and repeatedly bowed while saying sorry. "Please forgive me, Mr. Benedict."

With a calm, emotionless smile, Alden said without causing further commotion, "No problem, Miss."

Victoria looked at the bodyguards who were guarding the event. Through her gaze, she asked them to take the woman to the restroom on the second floor.

"Babe, I think I need to go to the toilet. Wait for me," Alden said after two bodyguards took the woman away.

"You're okay, right?" asked Victoria worried.

Alden smiled soothingly and nodded before waltzing away. After the man's departure, Victoria returned alone without her lemonade. The music and other noises of the party could not accompany her lonely self again.

Soon, someone handed her another glass of lemonade. She smiled broadly as if asking for mercy not to be refused. Ultimately, Victoria was forced to accept the glass and took a small sip.

"Sis, why are you alone here?" she asked to start the conversation.

"I was with Alden before he's went to the toilet." Victoria's answer received a nod from the young woman beside her. "Then, why are you here instead of accompanying my birthday sister?" Victoria asked back.

"Unfortunately, she also went to the toilet," she replied carelessly.

Victoria glanced briefly at her before retaking another sip of her lemonade. Karina Hurlington was one of Emberly's close friends, whom Victoria knew quite well. Not because they were close but because Karina sometimes approached her as if they were close. On top of that, her last name was so famous that no one in this country who didn't know. All thanks to the achievements of her brother, who was able to compete as Victoria's fiancé business rival.

"Sis, aren't you jealous of your fiancé and sister's closeness?" asked Karina.

Karina's question drew Victoria's full attention and broke her wandering thoughts. Then she asked her, "What do you mean by that?"

"Their behavior and interactions, don't you feel-"

"Karina, I don't understand why you're saying this. I trust my fiancé completely. Please don't say anything out of your line." Victoria cut off the unfinished speech first. She suddenly felt uncomfortable, whether it was because she was offended that her fiancé was seen as bad or because she was just scared if that was true.

"I'm sorry. Your fiance can't keep his boundaries and is too friendly with women. That was my thought."

Victoria tried not to overthink Karina's words because she knew Alden's personality. She didn't understand what Karina meant by saying that. Besides, Karina was quite close friends with Emberly, and Victoria hated Emberly.

"Did you prepare this party?" asked Karina again, changing the subject.

"Yes, I made it." Her answer had a sense of pride, as Alden's praise boosted her confidence.

"Wow, you don't seem close to Emberly, so everything at this party doesn't match her. Or do you not recognize her?" Victoria gasped at the comment.

Both Victoria and Emberly have the image of stepsisters who get along and love each other. It's all done to honor the excellent name of the Agriche family. It doesn't matter how broken and rotten their family relationships are. They did all they could to keep it in front of the public. While Karina, who was only an outsider, could only find out how this party was made.

Victoria didn't want to continue the conversation. So, she changed the subject. "Karina, I think I gave your brother an invitation too. Why don't you come together? Is he too busy to talk with my parents, who are dying to meet him?"

"Please forgive his behavior, Sis. He'll come for sure. Just a little late." Karina gasped and laughed discordantly to cover up her obvious guilt. She touched her ear nervously. "Mr. and Mrs. Agriche will understand, right?"

Victoria didn't answer. She didn't know the answer, but she thought it was right. There was only one reason her stepmother insisted on inviting the man to this party, if not for business.

As they continued their conversation, Victoria's stepmother, Rosalee Agriche, came over. From the look on her face, it was clear that she was upset for whatever reason, so she didn't hide it in front of Karina, who was still with her.

"What's wrong, mom?" asked Victoria as Rosalee stood before her.

"Where is Emberly? How come the owner of this party is nowhere to be found?" The blame-laden question was thrown at her. She didn't even hear her answer first or care who was more at fault.

"Emberly said she wanted to go to the toilet, Mrs. Agriche. I think she ate too much of the cake." Karina raised her voice in response, making Rosalee realize her presence.

"Oh, Karina, I didn't realize you were here. I was worried about her, so I unconsciously took it out on Victoria." In that instant, her demeanor changed, and without being asked, she explained.

The woman turned her attention back to Victoria. Approaching her and whispering, "Hurry up and find her. How can you, as her sister and the creator of this party, be so indifferent!"

Victoria didn't argue, even though this was not her fault. She left the party and went to the hotel's toilets on the ballroom floor to search for Emberly.

Victoria frowned in confusion as she didn't find her stepsister in any toilets. She continued her search to the second floor, where guests could rest. Her destination was the room previously occupied by Emberly. Her steps were a little hasty when she saw that the door to the room was not closed tightly. She was just about to barge in, but the sound of moaning from inside the room stopped her. Her body froze with wide eyes in disbelief as she stared into the room from the crack in the door.

"Al-alden, don't leave any kiss marks!"

"I left it somewhere out of sight. Don't worry, Babe."

The man's voice and name were so recognizable to Victoria that she could not think.

"This is your special gift, babe," Alden said, kissing Emberly's forehead.

Their bodies were so perfectly pressed together that each other's breathing could be felt. Their messy clothes gave away what had happened earlier, and it was not a normal conversation or interaction between sister and brothers-in-law-coupled with what Victoria had heard.

Victoria was not too stupid to not know what was going on between them. Even so, her trust and love for Alden kept her in denial.

"What a liar! You kissed Victoria before too!" Emberly exclaimed as she smacked Alden lightly on the chest.

The man laughed as if Emberly's jealousy-laden words were a joke. "You wouldn't believe my charade of loving your stepsister, would you?"

Alden's confession pierced Victoria's deepest heart. It slowly made a wound that caused pain. Tears naturally produced and began to rush out of her eyelids. She covered her mouth to prevent any audible sobs. She could not move from here. Her legs were too weak to leave or go to them.

"But how long?! How long do I have to endure this, Alden?" Emberly asked urgently.

"Wait a little longer, babe; she'll finish her studies soon, and I'll pretend to marry Victoria. Then I'll take all her shares to be ours. Then we can get married."

Victoria staggered back and almost fell over, having heard another confession from her fiancé's mouth. However, she did not fall to the floor but into someone's arms. Victoria was quite surprised and looked back to see who was holding her.

"Mr. Hurlington?" Without realizing it, her voice was heard by the two persons in the room who did not close the door tightly. "Wait, isn't that Victoria's voice?"

Victoria gasped and panicked. Before she could think, the man grabbed her and made her walk into the room right before Emberly's room. Again, Victoria was shocked but couldn't say much because everything was so fast.

Now, she was alone in a room with a man who, for whatever reason, had suddenly helped her hide. They stood before the door, facing each other with Victoria in his arms. Just like the distance between Emberly and Alden that she saw.

"I thought I heard Victoria's voice out here." Alden's voice could be heard clearly from inside this room.

"If she had been here, there's no way she would have left this quickly. It's probably just your feelings." Emberly's voice replied.

"We can't get caught before I get hers, Emberly!"

"Calm down, she's not here, anywhere! Now we'd better go inside, get ready to return to the party, and act normal again."

Victoria's eyes were opened again with the evidence she had seen. It was more than enough to make her stop loving her fiancé. She must not believe him or deny it.

After the sound of the door closing, there was no more sound. Victoria let out a sigh of relief. But then, her cheeks flushed, realizing where they were. The sadness, disappointment, and anger she had previously felt vanished as if they had never existed. An awkward atmosphere enveloped the room.

"Mr. Hurlington," Victoria called back to him without daring to look into those eyes again.

The man finally let go of Victoria and stepped back, keeping their distance. Then came a harsh snort from him.

Victoria broke out in a cold sweat, unsure of what to say. Either thank him, apologize, or change the subject as if it never happened. Things got worse because the man before Victoria saw her pathetic self. And he also caught the affair of her fiancé and step-sister.

"W-why are you here? The party is being held on the ballroom floor," Victoria said to start the conversation, pretending everything was fine.

"I had come to the party and intended to stop by the room for a while, but I didn't expect to find something interesting."

Victoria flinched. Her heart was racing after the fall that caused her legs to weaken. What did this man want by insinuating her instead of pretending not to see it? Was he trying to humiliate her?

"I thank you for helping me, Mr. Hurlington. However, as for that incident, please forget it as if it never happened." Victoria said firmly and straightforwardly.

This man, Maverick Hurlington, is Karina's brother, known to be a cold man because of his strong charm and also known for his arrogance personality. Victoria thought that would make him let it all go. However, Maverick is increasingly meddling beyond his line.

"You're going to foolishly pretend the affair never happened and still accept it because you were blinded by love?"

Victoria didn't answer. She even still hadn't decided anything. Even if she knew about the affair, she couldn't just break off her engagement to Alden. More than that, Victoria must first maintain the dignity of her family. This man, whom she did not know very well, seemed interested in her matters.

"That's my business, so-"

"They've been planning it for a long time, have been doing it since the beginning because they think you're stupid. Aren't you angry, disappointed, and resentful of them for betraying you?" Victoria was getting increasingly clueless about the motives of the man in front of her who was provoking her. "Mr. Hurlington, I don't understand what you want. I reiterate this is my matter. Please do not argue any more beyond your line."

"Be my wife for one year. I will help you take revenge on those two traitors." Victoria's heartbeat again accelerated in pumping blood. She stared at the man in front of her, whose expression had not changed. Maverick held out a hand, signaling he wasn't playing with his words. "Let's make the deal."

"What makes you want that from me?" asked Victoria confused.

"You probably already know how bad my relationship with your fiancé is. I have the same goal as you. Destroying Alden Benedict to be the one."

Victoria was not thinking in that direction at all. She had not even thought about what she should do next. However, remembering everything that had happened in her life and all the pain in her heart from the loss made her desperate, which was all because of her stepsister. And now her fiancé was cruelly using her and wanted to take what was hers with Emberly. It was remembering all that made the anger reach its peak again. Revenge, was that the answer to this anger?

"Isn't this a good collaboration?" Victoria looked at the hand that was still towards her.

"Good morning, Alden." Emberly opened the door and greeted Alden's arrival as she did intentionally every time the man came to pick up Victoria.

"Hi, morning, Emberly."

Whenever Emberly did so, Victoria would feel upset and jealous. But this time, she stared indifferently at the two people walking to the dining table. She was no longer competitive or jealous of Emberly's attention-seeking behavior towards Alden.

After last night's party, everything went back to normal except for Victoria, who couldn't go about her day as usual. She, who has learned the rotten secret of her fiancé, can't behave normally anymore. While she was experiencing the pain of betrayal, the two perpetrators of this betrayal were chatting warmly in front of her as if they had no guilt.

If it were Emberly, Victoria would have gotten used to her innocent yet cunning face. But Alden, whom she had known for five years, never thought he would betray her. She believed Alden was different from her friends, who would leave her and go to Emberly's side. But in reality, he was no different from her old friends. Or the men who approached her with ulterior motives.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Agriche." Alden greeted two both, who had also arrived at the dining table. They returned his greeting with warm smiles, already accustomed to Alden's presence as part of the Agriche family.

"Good morning, baby." Then, after he sat down beside her, Alden gave Victoria a soft peck on the cheek.

"Yes, good morning, Alden." Victoria tried hard to act normal in front of them all.

The kiss Alden gave her, which always felt sweet, felt disgusting this time. The memory of last night that suddenly flashed added to Victoria's disgust at Alden's attitude. How could these two cheaters behave as if they only had a normal sister-in-law relationship?

The sound of cutlery began to be heard as breakfast time progressed. During this time, Emberly engaged Alden in conversation. Again, Victoria ignored them entirely or tried to get into their conversation. She never thought that her life could change completely in just one night. Just a few days ago, she was still feeling the throbbing and flushed cheeks of Alden's attitude, as well as the jealousy of her step-sister.

"Emberly, do you like the gift I gave you?" Petter Agriche, the head of the family also Victoria and Emberly's father, spoke up.

"Of course, I love it very much, Dad. Thank you so much. I'm already quite happy we can celebrate my birthday together again," Emberly replied excitedly.

"My daughter's birthday should of course be celebrated," he said without mentioning that Victoria was also his daughter.

"Yes, especially since Victoria is so good at organizing parties that they run smoothly," Rosalee added, complimenting her, which did not move Victoria at all. She was getting tired of the whole charade. She wondered if her father was too, so he no longer showed the attitude that she was his real daughter. "Thank you, Mom. I learned a lot from you," Victoria answered.

"Next time, on my sister's birthday, I'll prepare the party!" continued Emberly.

Victoria no longer talked. She focused on eating breakfast until it was finished and invited Alden to leave.

"We're leaving first, Mom, Dad," Victoria said goodbye to the two, followed by Alden.

"Bye, Alden, sister!" Emberly kept trying to get close to Alden until the end as if continuing to pull Victoria's jealousy.

"Babe, are you not feeling well today?" Alden asked when they had gotten into the car and started driving.

"No, I'm fine. Just still feeling tired after the party last night," Victoria replied. "And I don't think you should bother coming to pick me up to go to campus every day. Your office and my campus are in opposite directions," she continued.

"It's not a big deal. I can also see you every morning and get to know your family better." Alden took Victoria's hand and kissed the back of it.

Victoria looked at Alden from the side, focused on the road. She felt so special and loved hearing what Alden said in the past. However, she, who was no longer stupid, already knew what this bastard man who was still her fiancé was doing.

Victoria pulled her hand away so that Alden could not hold it. She said nothing and turned her face away from the windshield. Victoria tried to hold back the anger that again rose to its peak because she remembered Alden's betrayal.

After an eternity, they finally arrived at Victoria's campus parking lot. This time, Alden followed Victoria out as she was about to leave. He walked over and was about to kiss her, but she quickly avoided him.

"What are you doing?" asked Victoria coldly.

"Why have you been like this all day, babe? Are you mad at me?" Alden's face seemed hurt, having received such a rude gesture from her.

Victoria immediately controlled her facial expression. She smiled, showing her guilt, and said more softly. "No, I told you that I was just too tired. And this is a public place, I'm embarrassed, Alden."

Alden finally let out a small chuckle, hearing the confession that was always the reason Victoria did not want to accept his kiss. Instead, Alden rubbed his fiancée's cheek gently. "After I finish the work today, let's date tonight. I still miss you."

There was no happy heartbeat when Alden uttered that rare line of invitation. She was no longer excited and looking forward to it after knowing it was just Alden's ploy to keep her obedient. Even so, Victoria had no choice but to nod and smile, showing enthusiasm.

"See you tonight," he said before returning to the car and driving off.

After watching Alden's car leave the campus area, Victoria picked up her cell phone and called someone. Not long after, a man's voice answered from the other side of the line.

"Can we meet to discuss the deal, Mr. Hurlington?" Victoria immediately asked.

His distinctive baritone voice is heard answering, "I Don't think it will be too long since I offered you the deal, Miss Agriche."

"Where can we meet?" Ignoring his words, Victoria asked again.

Maverick replied briefly, "Come to my house. I'll send a car."

"Then I just arrived at the campus," answered Victoria informingly.

"Okay, I'll send it to your campus. Send me the address." Maverick hung up the phone.

Since last night, Victoria had been suffering and crying from desperation and anger. She was determined to avenge the pain she had received. She was fed up with her stepsister's attitude of constantly taking what was hers. She would also avenge her bastard fiancée, who brazenly wanted her money.

'Just wait, you both!' Victoria spoke inwardly with hatred after deciding.