The Blind Billionaire's Fake Fiancée

"Slap!"

The slap landed on the porcelain-like face of the young girl, leaving a vivid red mark that gleamed in her eyes. The stinging sensation on her cheek left Annie momentarily stunned, her lips slowly oozing blood. She instinctively covered her face, unable to believe the disappointment in the eyes across from her.

"Don't look at me with those innocent eyes; it's disgusting. I've just asked you to help Sofia look after her blind fiancé for a while, but you can't even do that. What a selfish girl."

After striking Annie, Calliope retrieved a handkerchief from her purse and delicately wiped her hand as if she had touched something filthy.

"That's right, my sister. Just a little favor, and you can't even graciously agree to help me."

Sofia, bored, inspected her freshly painted nails with indifference. She expressed her disdain while glancing in Annie's direction, and she couldn't stand the sight of this run-down house either. If it weren't for things to do, she would never willingly approach Annie or set foot inside this impoverished home.

"Furthermore, if you still want to play the noble one who doesn't want to get involved with me, that's fine; I won't force you. But I've heard that your weak mother needs a huge sum for her medical treatment, and with your impoverished appearance, can you even afford those medical bills?"

"Don't blame me for not warning you earlier. If you help me, I'm more than willing to give you a million dollars, and the medical expenses won't be an issue anymore. But if you remain clueless, helplessly watch your mother deteriorate and die soon."

Upon hearing this, Annie had fear and disappointment brimming in her wide eyes and couldn't help but exclaim, "Sofia, how can you say such heartless things? She's still your mother!"

Annie raised her voice as a reminder, but it was clear that Sofia paid no attention to this. She scoffed and looked disdainfully at Annie before intimately wrapping her arm around Calliope's and sweetly saying, "Mother? Is she worthy of being my mom? I only have one mother named Calliope, and that poor, ignorant woman is your mother alone, Annie."

Sofia retorted with a cold and cutting tone, and each word left Annie feeling increasingly crestfallen, her petite face turning pale.

"So, you can utter words as cruel as these?"

Isolde was the mother of Annie and Sofia, a destitute woman who worked as a nanny for the wealthy to make ends meet. Back then, she married her father, Galvin, while both of them were impoverished, and together, they raised Annie and Sofia. The four of them lived relatively harmoniously as a family.

However, later on, the daughter of Galvin's company's CEO, Calliope, falls head over heels in love with him and relentlessly urges Galvin to divorce Isolde to be with her. At that time, Galvin was drawn to power and wealth, directly divorcing Isolde and wanting to take Annie and Sofia to Calliope's mansion to enjoy a life of luxury.

Sofia, eager for wealth and happiness, agreed, severing her ties with Isolde to curry favor with her stepmother Calliope to become a noble heiress. Meanwhile, Annie steadfastly wanted to stay behind and care for Isolde, living with her in a small and humble house. A once-close family of four eventually fell apart, and since Galvin led Sofia away, Annie has never seen them again.

Today, Sofia, with an air of refinement, came to Annie's house along with Calliope, and to Annie's surprise, she made a direct proposal. She wanted Annie to look after her blind fiancé for two years, in exchange for which she would pay Annie one million dollars.

Annie did not agree, and the situation escalated like this:

Upon hearing Annie's response, Sofia, with a triumphant expression, burst into laughter with an air of superiority. She tilted her chin towards Annie and smirked, handing Annie a business card.

"Fine, I'll give you three days to think it over. If you agree, give me a call."

With that, Annie haughtily raised her head and led Calliope away, not forgetting to mutter condescendingly before leaving.

"What a wretched place this is; I can't stand it. Mom, it's such a good thing that I followed Dad to live with you back in the day, or else I'd have to endure this decrepit and decrepit house. Just the thought of it is terrifying."

Terrifying? Annie couldn't help but burst into a bitter laugh. Her younger sister, who used to be the picture of beauty, had turned into this cruel and haughty demeanor after several years of not seeing each other, making her feel like a stranger.

The pain on her face didn't compare to the ache in her heart. Annie sighed deeply and took a deep breath to calm herself. Annie went to the kitchen, packed the food into a thermos, smoothly placed them in a white cloth bag, and carried them to the hospital to visit her mother.

Indeed, what Sofia said was true; their current situation was dire. Isolde had kidney problems, and every hospital visit incurred a substantial cost, a financial burden that weighed heavily on Annie. However, whenever she faced Isolde, Annie tried to appear normal and avoided mentioning her encounter with Sofia and Calliope that afternoon.

"Mom, I brought dinner for you. How are you feeling today?"

Isolde was staring out the window, and when she saw Annie approach, her face softened. She gently took Annie's hand and spoke softly.

"It's not a big deal for me, dear. I'm fine. You don't have to cook and bring food here. I can eat the hospital food just fine."

Annie didn't agree with that for a moment. She carefully took the steaming hot meal from the bag and placed it on the table, offering a spoon to Isolde.

"How can hospital food possibly provide the nutrition you need? I have the time to cook dinner for you, and your health is the most important thing."

Isolde sighed as she ate, her thoughts lingering in the quiet moments, her eyes downcast.

"The medical bills this time are quite high, aren't they, Annie? It's all because of my incompetence. I'm not only poor but also in poor health. It's hard on you, my child."

"Actually, you don't need to take care of me and bear this burden, Annie. You can leave me and go to your father's home. You'd have a better life without worrying about me. Please don't worry. I've grown accustomed to living with this illness."

Annie choked back her emotions, hastily taking hold of Isolde's hand and speaking soothingly.

"Mom, please don't say that. I've never regarded you as a burden. You have always been my source of motivation, and you're the most cherished person in my life."

"Don't worry about money," Annie reassured, gently soothing Isolde's emotions to ensure she finished her dinner. She fabricated a story, explaining that she had recently secured a job at a renowned restaurant, earning a substantial income with generous tips from my customers. Afterward, Annie sat with Isolde for a while before preparing for her evening shift. Before leaving, she reminded Isolde not to dwell on things too much and to relax and unwind at the hospital.

"You're truly fortunate to have such a beautiful and well-behaved daughter. Every day, I see her coming to take care of you and bring you meals," Joyce, the woman sharing the hospital room with Isolde, praised, her eyes filled with admiration. Isolde smiled warmly, her gentle demeanor radiating contentment.

"Yes, having her as my daughter is my greatest blessing."

As Annie left the hospital room, she crossed paths with the doctor primarily responsible for her mother's treatment. Annie engaged in a brief conversation, taking the opportunity to inquire about the status of the medical bills.

"Doctor, can I delay my mother's medical bill payment for a few more days? I really don't have enough money right now," Annie said sadly. She had been working multiple jobs lately, but the enormous medical expenses remained a pressing issue. No matter how hard she saved, it never seemed to be enough. The doctor empathized with Annie's family's situation and shook his head helplessly.

"Unfortunately, that's not possible. What a pity, we can only proceed with treatment after receiving the payment."

"And your mother's condition is specific, requiring timely and regular treatment; otherwise, it could lead to health complications."

Annie looked down at the ground in despair, thanked the doctor, and promised to do her best to gather the money. She then left and headed to the bar where she had recently started working, thanks to a friend's referral. Despite the chaotic atmosphere and environment, the pay was substantial. Annie gritted her teeth and went to work on her first day, feeling exhausted but determined.

Annie wears a slightly short uniform dress, snug enough to reveal her long, porcelain-white legs. Her face was heavily adorned with makeup, exuding a captivating allure. As she moved through the bar, there was no shortage of men whistling and playfully teasing her.

Feeling uneasy, Annie discreetly adjusted her dress and carried a tray of drinks into the private room 103 of the bar, commencing her evening shift in a perpetual atmosphere.

About ten men were sitting inside the room, each dressed in upscale suits, emanating an air of affluence and sophistication. Beside each sat a beautiful young woman, serving them fruits from the table. Annie composedly placed the drinks on the table, intending to leave. However, her spine suddenly stiffened as she felt a man seated nearby reaching out to caress her back, smirking and teasing.

"Sweetie, you look this beautiful, and you're just here to serve drinks? How about sitting on my lap and having a drink with me? I'll pay you whatever you want; how does that sound?"

The man likely had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol, and his breath reeked of the strong liquor. His arm gradually moved down to her hip, making her tremble as she quickly brushed his hand away, her voice tinged with fear.

"Please, don't, don't do that. I'm a waitress, and I can't sit and drink with you. Please understand," Annie implored.

Frustrated by Annie's rejection, the man angrily grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit beside him, drawing dangerously close. He held her chin to make her look directly into his eyes, a menacing grin spreading across his face.

"Don't act all innocent and pure. I know what kind of girls work here. Tonight, be a good girl, serve me some drinks, let me touch a bit, and I will buy you an expensive purse tomorrow, okay?"

Annie continued to evade his advances, attempting to stand up, but the man's grip on her arm remained tight, like a vise, preventing her from moving. The woman sitting next to the man now chuckled, offering a soft word of advice to Annie.

"Yes, that's right. Duane is a wealthy and generous billionaire. If you sit down and drink with him for one evening, he won't let you leave empty-handed."

"Last time, I sat with him for one night, and he immediately bought me three designer handbags."

Annie bit her lip once more, stood up, and made a determined effort to escape from Duane's embrace again, stammering as she spoke.

"I'm sorry; I already said I'm not."

Perhaps Annie's repeated rejections had genuinely infuriated Duane. He slammed the wine bottle she had just brought onto the ground, creating a loud noise that startled everyone in the room. Duane's face darkened, and his forehead veins bulged as he yelled at the woman beside him.

"Quickly, call the manager over here. I'm losing my temper. Suddenly hiring such a foolish employee, who dares to act so high and mighty even when favored by me, disgusts me."

The woman was genuinely frightened and hurriedly went to find the manager. When the manager arrived, Duane raised his voice, recounting the incident from earlier and pointedly declaring it was Annie's fault.

"Today, I have to resolve this peacefully. I'm a regular customer at this bar, and she doesn't respect me, acting all high and mighty, which has killed my interest in drinking."

"Now, there are three options. One is fire Annie, two is let her spend the night with me, and another is all of you can forget about doing business in this city."

Duane, a wealthy and powerful billionaire, could shut down this bar within half a day. The manager didn't dare delay and quickly complied. Duane wanted to persuade Annie to reconsider and accompany him to a hotel tonight, but Annie was resolute. She had come here to work seriously and earn clean money, not to sell herself or sleep with playboy billionaires.

So, Annie was directly fired and didn't receive any payment. Before leaving, the manager couldn't help but offer some advice.

"You may appear beautiful, but don't be so stubborn. Sometimes, a little compromise can make life easier. He just made a pass; you wouldn't have lost anything. Sometimes, you have to be more flexible."

"For instance, if you had obediently followed Duane's orders tonight, he would have generously given you a significant tip. You wouldn't have been fired, and if luck favored you, your life might have taken a different path."

Annie left, returning to her empty home. She was alone inside, not turning on the lights, sitting quietly on the bed, tears falling silently. The lingering feeling of disgust on her back continued to haunt Annie, making her loathe herself even more. Her cheap pride had made everything worse, and now, the medical bills remained unpaid, her mother's condition deteriorated, and even her sole family member couldn't receive proper care. The sense of helplessness overwhelmed Annie, causing her tears to fall on her pale face, wetting her collar.

What was the value of her pride now that Annie had fundamentally succumbed to life's hardships? She sobbed for a while until her tears seemed to dry up. Annie turned around slowly, got up, and went to the bathroom to clean herself thoroughly. She scrubbed her back so hard that it felt like she was peeling off a layer of skin, trying to rid herself of the feeling of disgust. Then she retrieved Sofia's business card, which she had neatly stored in a drawer.

Annie stared at the phone for a while, finally making up her mind. She picked up her phone and called Sofia. Sofia picked up quickly, and in the stillness of the night, her cheerful laughter was crystal clear in Annie's ears.

"Well, my dear sister, isn't this a surprise? The girl with so much pride and purity is calling?" Sofia teased, not waiting for Annie to speak.

Without waiting for Annie to respond, Sofia already knew what she wanted to say and chuckled teasingly. She pursed her lips, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, and after a few seconds, she continued, "I'll ask again: are you willing to help me take care of my crippled and foolish fiancé, Finn?"

Annie clenched her lips, reluctantly accepting even though her heart was unwilling.

"I agree."

Sofia scoffed, her arrogant and cold attitude unchanged. "Agreeing sooner would have been better, my dear sister. Showing hesitation and reluctance is quite repulsive."

Sofia then briefly recounted her situation and that of her current blind fiancé, Finn, to Annie. The engagement between Finn and Sofia had been arranged when both families were wealthy and prosperous. At that time, Finn was the only son in his family, handsome, talented, and possessed strong business acumen, making him a dream marriage prospect for many young women. Given the affluent circumstances of Sofia's family, they were considered a suitable match.

However, recently, after Finn's mother passed away, his father hastily remarried a younger, beautiful stepmother, who had a son from a previous marriage, older than Finn by two years. Finn's father appeared to favor this stepson, Hubert and even had plans to groom him as the future heir to the family business. Consequently, Finn went from being the esteemed heir to an outcast in his family.

Subsequently, a series of events led to Finn's temporary blindness, and whether or not he would regain his sight depended on luck and fate. In such circumstances, as Finn's fiancée, Sofia naturally had the responsibility to take care of him, be by his side, and encourage him to overcome this predicament.

However, Sofia, now living a lavish and privileged life as an aristocratic young lady, despised Finn's blindness and his abandonment by his father. She had no intention of caring for Finn.

"Why should I endure this hardship when he's blinded and disowned by his father?" Sofia remarked. "If it weren't for fear of public opinion and the disdain for greed and poverty, I would have abandoned my fiancé's status long ago."

"Furthermore, while Finn may no longer be the heir to the family fortune, he still holds shares in the company and has his own successful business. Who knows, circumstances might change, and Finn could become even more successful and wealthy than he is now. Then I could enjoy wealth and bask in the praise of others as a virtuous fiancée."

"So, your current task is to take good care of Finn for me; as I promised, I will pay you one million dollars. If you perform well, there may even be additional rewards."

Sofia had no concerns about Annie potentially replacing her as Finn's fiancée, as the two were identical twins, and their striking resemblance often led people to mistake them for one another. Even their parents had occasionally mistaken them for each other when they were young. Besides, Finn had only met Sofia a few times before, so Sofia was confident that this switch would go unnoticed.

"Do you understand?" Sofia concluded, condescendingly asking if Annie comprehended. Annie obediently responded that she understood and would do her best. Satisfied, Sofia provided Finn's address to Annie, reminded her of a few crucial points, and then hung up.

Finally, the space returned to silence. Annie sat in her empty house, feeling suffocated to the point where she couldn't breathe properly. Once again, she found herself doing something she hated, using deception to gain money. Annie sat motionless on her bed in the midst of the pitch-black night, feeling like her life had become just as blurry and uncertain as that of a blind person.