Billionaire Redemption

CHAPTER ONE

"Have you seen the news? He is everywhere. And for what?! Sleeping with numerous ladies. Is that who you want me to marry? All for what?! Money?!" Lila screamed at the top of her voice

"Those are all rumors darling" Her father said in a comforting voice

"And what would someone like him want from someone like me? What does he stands to gain? Have you asked yourself this?!" she yelled again trying to force the threating tears from dropping.

"Lila, can you not be selfish for once in your life?! Magnus Thompson angrily yelled. "Will you stop thinking about yourself alone and think about your mother! You're marrying Damien Kingston, and that's final. This isn't a suggestion, it's an order. Quit Arguing because it won't change a thing. You are meeting with him tomorrow by 3pm, Eleven Madison Park!" he said in a more frustrated voice now.

Lila furiously ran up the stairs as tears streamed down her face, her father's voice echoed through the corridor. She was done arguing with him; and it was obvious he wasn't changing his mind anytime soon.

She quickly banged her room door and snapped the lock forcefully. Her mind is racing with emotions. She leaned against the door, trying to steady her breath.

"I am almost fucking engaged," She yelled at the top of her voice

"You have been almost fucking Engaged for three years now, darling" she heard her father said from the hallway, "Admit it baby, Richmond doesn't have what it takes to marry you." he continued, in a calm voice.

"I can't marry Damien Kingston! I don't love him. How can you force me into marrying someone like Damien Kingston, that ruthless business tycoon?"

Everywhere became silent, he didn't bother replying this time.

Tears rolled down her eyes as she sank to the floor, pressing her knees firmly to her chest. The reality of her situation was suffocating, and she hadn't a say to it.

She lay on the cold floor hugging her knee so close to her chest.

#########

The beep from Lila's phone woke her up about three hours later. She couldn't believe she slept the whole time on the floor.

"Ouch..." she groaned as she stretched, placing her right hand at the back of her neck as she winced from the pain that enveloped her whole body . "Hello" she said, her voice still thick with sleep. She sluggishly sat up rubbing her palm over her temple.

"Wha...what?! No! Doctor, you can't do that! I'll be there in a jiffy!"

Her mind raced with fear as she took a cab to the hospital.

When she arrived, she burst through the door and walked hurriedly to the reception's desk.

"Where is Dr. Stevens?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The receptionist looked up before replying. "He should be in his office. I'll let him know you're...."

She didn't bother waiting for the receptionist to finish her sentence before walking down the hallway as soon as she got a glimpse of Dr Steve.

"Dr. Stevens, please, you can't stop my mother from receiving treatment. Lila pleaded immediately, her eyes were hot from the tears boiling in them. "I just need a little more time to get the money."

He sighed, his expression softening. "Lila, you've been saying this for a week now. We've done all we can, even without the necessary funds. I'll give you until the end of the week to come up with the remaining balance. If you can't raise it by then, we'll have no choice but to stop the treatment."

Lila nodded. "Thank you, Doctor. I will, I promise." She softly brushed her thumb across the stream of tears on her cheek as she watched him enter his office.

########

Lila decided to see Richmond before heading home.

"Hey babe! Open up?!" she said while knocking on his door.

Richmond's face brightened when he caught sight of her from the window. "You didn't call before coming" he said as he opened the door and gave way for her to go in.

"Oh, I didn't realize I needed permission to see my favorite guy," Lila teased.

Lila hugged him tightly as soon as she got in. His musky scent filled her senses. "I love you, sweetie," she whispered.

"I love you too," Richmond replied, as he softly brushed his index around her hairline.

"Coffee? Juice?" He asked

"Coffee would be great baby"

"Okay," He concurred.

He frequently stole several glances at her while making the coffee. "So, how was your day?" he finally asked.

"It was good," She lied as a smile curled up her lip. "But being with you makes everything even better."

Richmond squeezed her hand, grinning. "Same here, but you've got me curious ever since you texted. So, what's on your mind?"

She took a deep breath, she had texted him earlier after the argument with her dad, that she needed to talk to him, but looking at his cute face now she didn't think she had the courage to tell him what her father was plotting.

"How would he take it, I can't afford to tell him, I'll just sort things out myself" she thought to herself.

She let out a faint smile before speaking "I'm just worried baby. About my mother! She keeps getting worse with each passing day and I feel helpless not being able to do anything. She's been on oxygen for months now, and the tumor in her heart has gotten worse. She needs an urgent heart transplant, or... she won't make it." Tears rolled down her eyes freely as her voice cracked.

Richmond's expression grew serious as Lila continued, "I've poured every bit of profit from my fashion house into my mom's treatment, and now the business is on the verge of bankruptcy. I even took a loan, using the company as collateral. I'm trapped, Richmond. I don't know what to do, I feel helpless."

He held her arm firm as he heaved a helpless sigh while she continued "Now, the doctors are threatening to discharge my mom if I don't deposit some money" her eyes were already red from the severe flow of water that was rushing down "A day without the oxygen and she is gone".

Richmond reached to dry her cheeks, not taking his eyes away from her eyeball. He was silent for a long while, not saying a word, just admiring the beauty in front of him.

He paused, his mind racing for a solution. "What if we launch a crowdfunding campaign? We can share your mother's story and reach out to people for help. I can talk to a few friends, I am sure a few will be moved to support us. We can also organize a charity event to raise funds. There has to be a way."

She looked at him, her heart aching with the weight of their situation. "Do you really think we can raise enough money in time? The surgery needs to happen soon."

He took her hands in his, his eyes filled with determination. "I believe we can do it, Lila. We have to try. We can't give up on us or your mother."

Lila shook her head, "No Richmond, we won't give up."

"You can't force me to get married!" Damien declared, his voice calm but resolute. "I am not prepared for that, and when I am, I will marry someone of my own choosing, not someone you've picked for me. My final answer is No."

Damien sat with his legs crossed, speaking with an air of indifference. His Grandfather stood towering over him, face flushed with anger, shouting at the top of his lungs. The old man's fury only grew as his grandson maintained his nonchalant demeanour.

"It's either you get married to Lila or you give up the CEO position to your Uncle, Liam" Richard Kingston ordered.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Liam, who was Richard Kingston's illegitimate son, had managed the company for twelve long years after Damien's father passed away. Reluctantly, he handed over the reins to Damien four years ago, right after Damien completed his master's degree at Harvard Business School. Ever since, Liam had kept a close eye on the company, willing to do anything to reclaim it.

He was furious that his father had handed the company over to Damien, despite all his years of loyalty and hard work. Liam couldn't shake the feeling of being overshadowed by Damien's arrival. Even though his father had given him a smaller company to run, it felt like a consolation prize compared to the empire Damien now controlled.

"You won't do that! This is my father's company we're talking about, and I've worked so hard over the last four years to bring it to where it is now," Damien finally broke the silence.

Richard's eyes narrowed as he replied, "Your father inherited this company from me. It's still mine. It seems you take pleasure in ruining everything you've worked for in the past four years."

Damien's jaw tightened. "How was I supposed to know that Dianne would go to the media and falsify stories against me?"

Richard sighed, his expression softening slightly. "This is exactly why I want you to marry Lila. Your marriage with her will help rehabilitate our image and stabilize our business. The scandal with Dianne has done enough damage, and we must change the narrative."

Damien couldn't believe Dianne would go as far as she did. They had dated for two years, even though he wasn't in love with her. She had become persistent about marriage, which he diplomatically refused several times. She had always seemed sweet and easygoing, until she suspected he was having an affair with Carlie, Hawaii's corporation's biggest rival's daughter.

In a fit of rage, she posted a series of damning accusations on her Instagram, accompanied by photos and falsified documents that painted Damien in the worst possible light. She accused him of manipulating business deals to his advantage, and engaging in unethical practices to crush competitors, such as sleeping with their wives, daughters and secretaries in order to get information from them.

Her posts were eloquent and persuasive, bolstered by her high status and influential connections, owing to the fact that she was the vice president's daughter. The media frenzy that followed was relentless, tarnishing Damien's reputation and causing investors to lose faith in the company.

Dianne claimed that their two-year relationship was a sham, insisting he only dated her to boost his company's status. She alleged that Damien regularly cheated on her with the daughters of other influential men, accusing him of lacking the ability to elevate his company on his own and using these relationships as leverage.

"Listen, Damien, Lila is not like the other women you've been with. She's the daughter of an old acquaintance of mine, a struggling entrepreneur trying to make her way in the world. You have nothing to gain from this marriage, which is precisely why she's perfect. The media will see that this isn't some calculated move to boost your status; it's a genuine connection. It will humanize you in the eyes of the public." Richard pressed on, determined to convince his grandson.

Damien raised an eyebrow. "But it still doesn't change much, how do we handle the backlash? The media is still obsessed with that story." He stood up from the chair and paced towards the window.

Richard nodded, having anticipated the question. "Leave that to me. We'll craft a narrative that explains everything. We'll say that you realized Dianne wasn't the right fit for you, that her ambitions were in conflict with your vision for the company and your personal life. We'll emphasize that you and Lila share common values and a vision for the future, and you will choose a resilient entrepreneur any day over a spoiled brat. The media loves a redemption story, and we'll give them one. This is our chance to turn things around, Damien."

Damien tightened his jaw. "So, the only solution is being stuck with someone I don't love, forever?"

"Damien!" Richard yelled, He let out a husky cough before continuing. "I've always taught you that marriage is an institution for business, not love. Your father's downfall was his senseless love. If he hadn't let his emotions cloud his judgment, he might still be alive today." Richard's eyes were steely.

"Damien, this isn't just about you. It's about preserving everything we've built, everything I, your father and Liam have worked for.

Damien sighed, He knew his grandfather was right, even if he wanted to rebel against the idea. "And the girl in question is in agreement?"

"She has no say in this. I've spoken to her father, and he consented to it. He is a desperate old colleague of your father's in need of money to pay for his wife's heart surgery. I promised him the money if he gives his daughter to you in marriage, ensuring he won't have to pay back the loan. You need to meet with her as soon as possible to get on the same page," Richard instructed firmly.

Damien nodded, resigned to his fate. "Fine, set up a meeting for us tomorrow at Eleven Madison Park. 3 PM."

He angrily made his way out of his grandfather's residence.

Lila walked into the grand entrance of Eleven Madison Park timidly, anxiety taking its toll on her.

She had worn an emerald colored flair lacy gown, which was above her knee length. The neckline was V- shaped which gracefully highlighted her collarbone, neck and a part of her cleavage. Her gown flared out from the waist, creating a beautiful A-line silhouette that swayed with every step, paired with a stunning pair of silver stiletto heels that complemented her emerald gown perfectly.

Damien sat gracefully on the restaurant's sofa, his legs crossed. His tailored suit, a deep navy blue, exuded both elegance and authority. His gaze was fixed on his phone, his demeanor calm and collected.

"Nice to meet you, Damien!" Lila said, extending her hand for a handshake. Her voice was warm, though a hint of nervousness betrayed her composure.

He didn't bother looking up, his gaze remained fixed on his phone "You are two minutes late, each second of my time is very important to me, never keep me waiting again" he said with an icy voice, his eyes still fixated on his phone.

She put down her hand in embarrassment, not saying a word, she sat on the sofa opposite his.

About ten minutes later, he briefly took his eye off his phone for a few seconds and gave her an icy, scrutinizing glance before returning to his phone.

"The dress," he muttered.

"You love it?" Lila asked, excitement in her voice. "I sewed it myself."

"It's exposing too much cleavage. Don't wear it again," he continued without looking up.

Lila was taken aback, her excitement instantly turned into disbelief. She spent a moment trying to process his words. "Excuse you?! Last time I checked, you have no right to tell me what I can or can't wear," she retorted, her voice tinged with a mix of anger and hurt.

He finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a cold, detached stare. "You are about to become my wife, what you wear reflects on me, and I won't have you parading around like that."

Lila's expression shifted to one of shock, her eyes widening. She heaved a sigh. "About that, I don't know what you discussed with my father, but I can't marry you, Damien. Besides, I have a boyfriend who I love deeply. I doubt you can understand, as you seem to enjoy sleeping around with other people's wives and daughters. But there's something called love, and it's real."

Damien's face hardened, a flicker of anger in his eyes. "I see you believe everything you see in the media?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. "Love?! Is love the price you're willing to pay your mother's life?"

Lila was silent, not knowing what to say.

"Your father agreed to this arrangement, and you will honor it," he continued.

Lila took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I won't be forced into a loveless marriage, Damien. Richmond and I have plans for our future, I won't marry you!"

Lila stood up and walked towards the exit, leaving Damien, who unconsciously admired the rhythmic movement of her waist and fine curves from behind.

There was something about her that was uniquely her own, something that set her apart from all the other women Damien had encountered.

Perhaps it was the way she challenged him, unlike any woman before her. Others were too engrossed with his handsomeness to even think of defiance. Or maybe it was her innocent and calm demeanor, which seemed to contradict her stubbornness. This intriguing blend was something he had never experienced before.It fascinated and infuriated him at the same time.

He signaled to Hakim, his most trusted staff, who was sitting at the far end of the restaurant.

In his car, Damien drummed his fingers on the armrest, his gaze fixed out the window. Her defiance was unexpected, and it stirred something within him. Damien prided himself on being in control, yet here was this woman challenging him. It was both a thrilling and infuriating prospect.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to Hakim, who was driving. "Tell me everything you've gathered about Lila Thompson," Damien said, his voice steely.

Hakim glanced at him in the rear-view mirror before responding. "Lila Thompson, 25 years old, only daughter of Magnus Thompson. She runs a small but notable fashion house that's been struggling financially. Her mother is critically ill, and the medical bills are mounting. That's why her father was so quick to accept."

Damien's grip tightened on the armrest. He knew the basics, but he needed more. "What about her personally? Her strengths, her weaknesses?" He asked coldly.

"She has a reputation for being kind and loyal, but also for having a fiery temper when pushed. She is in a relationship with a certain Richmond"

Damien nodded, processing the information. "Find out everything about this guy. Where does he work, what does he do, what commitments does he have with her-everything."

He waited for a reply from Hakim, but when none came, he looked up at the rearview mirror, locking eyes with Hakim. "Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir," Hakim said, quickly diverting his gaze from the mirror.

"Do you have something to say?" Damien asked, his tone sharp as he continued to watch Hakim through the mirror.

Hakim hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Sir, with all due respect, you're not the type to chase after a woman. If Dianne said some shady things about you on the internet, she should be the one to come out and fix her mess. You know how to make her do so. Why are you being so soft with her?"

Damien didn't respond immediately, the car falling into a tense silence. After a long pause, he finally asked, "What would my father have done in this situation?"

Hakim locked eyes with him in the rear-view mirror before speaking. "That I can't say for sure, but I'm sure your father wouldn't want you to ruin your life in pretense based on some loveless marriage, He was always a preacher of love, he loved your mother and you know that"

"And where did that get him to? Six feet?! Besides in his last words he clearly stated that I run the company and avoid whatever would make Liam take over. That's priority and that is what I'll do"

Hakim nodded, not altering a word again, this was one quality Damien liked about him, and he knew when to speak and when to hold his peace.

"If there's anything I've learned from Dad and Mom, it's that true love really never exists, one has to love and the other pretends to love. In Lila's case, we both pretend to love which makes it less deceitful. Plus her resilience just makes me want to have her" A mischievous smirk slowly made its way to his lips.