The CEO's Priceless Bride

It was agonizing.

Daniela Pearson felt as if a car had run her over, pain radiating through her entire body.

When her eyes fluttered open, a good-looking face was right in front of her.

She was stunned.

Why was Kevin Bradley here?

Daniela was horrified to realize that after being drugged the previous night, she had ended up in Kevin's room and...

As she looked at Kevin, once the object of her deepest affections and now her worst nightmare, memories of the past three years flooded back.

Three years ago, for his sweetheart's sake, Kevin threatened her with her brother and mother, forcing her to move overseas.

Her brother had disappeared in the process of looking for her.

Three years passed; her mother's health, already frail from a car accident, had worsened, compelling her to return to the place she detested.

Yet, Daniela hadn't anticipated that within days of her return, she would find herself in bed again with Kevin, the man who had haunted her thoughts all these years.

Her feelings towards Kevin were now tinged more with fear than hate.

If he woke up and found her naked in his embrace...

Fearful of what might follow, Daniela's first instinct was to run away.

She attempted to free herself from Kevin's arms carefully.

However, the moment she moved a little, Kevin's eyes snapped open. He grabbed her neck and pinned her beneath him.

He looked down at her with a ruthless expression, filled with undisguised sarcasm and disgust.

"Daniela, you just couldn't wait to sleep with me, could you?"

Sleep with him?

She hadn't even planned to see him upon her return, much less this.

Daniela met Kevin's gaze and retorted with a forced smile, "Mr. Bradley, I came to the hotel with my fiance yesterday, but now here I am with you. If anything, I'm the one being taken advantage of. I haven't even confronted you about it. Why the anger?"

Indeed, she and her fiance, whom her father had arranged for her, had checked into the hotel together. Her father and her sister, Katherine Pearson, had drugged her in a ploy to force them into having sex.

Daniela mused bitterly about how Katherine would react if she knew her scheme had thrown her most despised sibling into her fiance's bed.

"Don't play games. Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself," Kevin warned.

Daniela's thoughts were interrupted.

Kevin leaned in, his breath warm on her face, but his words sent a shiver down her spine. "Katherine and I are going to be married soon. If you dare tell her anything about us, I will kill you."

How absurd!

Why would she bring Katherine into this now? Did he really think she wanted to force him into loving her again, hoping for even a shred of affection like before?

Well, what a stupid idea she used to have.

Daniela felt a sting of bitterness but managed a smile. To provoke Kevin, she put on a confused expression and asked, "What do you mean by 'anything about us'? Are you referring to three years ago when Katherine was in the hospital, and we were secretly together? Or last night, when I just returned from abroad and you couldn't wait to sleep with me?"

"Daniela Pearson!"

Kevin's grip on Daniela's neck tightened, and her smile vanished. As she struggled for air, her face flushed red. In a frantic attempt, she tried to pry his hand off.

Seeing the fear in her eyes, Kevin scoffed, "Do you think I'd have any trouble getting rid of you? Or someone would avenge you after I strangled you and left you in the street?"

Yes, Kevin was capable of that.

The Bradley family was a globally recognized financial dynasty, owning banks in major cities around the world. They had established a bank network that spread all over the world and wielded immense power and wealth.

As the new leader of the family business, Kevin was known for his ruthless demeanor.

If he killed her, no one would intervene.

Her family couldn't help-her brother was missing, and her mother was seriously ill.

Daniela frantically slapped at Kevin's hand, convinced he would go through with it for Katherine.

Desperate, she kicked him sharply between the legs.

The pain made Kevin release his grip, and Daniela quickly escaped the bed.

Clutching her neck, she coughed violently and gasped for air.

Seeing Kevin's grim expression, she realized the gravity of her actions and felt a surge of fear.

But in the end, Kevin just spat, "Get out."

Daniela didn't hesitate. Wincing from the pain, she stooped to gather her dirty clothes, her body marked with red bruises. She dressed slowly, then straightened up and walked out.

Once the door closed behind her, Daniela burst into tears.

She had cried for Kevin for years. Though she thought she was over him, the tears still came.

It was unfortunate. After all their history, here they were again, and still, she had nothing.

Daniela headed to the bathroom to clean up and carefully washed her face. Once sure there were no signs of her tears, she prepared to go home.

If not for her mother, she would have never come back. She would have stayed far from those disgusting people.

Daniela went downstairs. When she just arrived at the roadside, her phone rang. It was Katherine.

"Daniela, something's happened to your mother. If you want her to be okay, come to my birthday party now!"

Daniela's anxiety escalated and she was about to ask more questions, but there was silence on the other end of the phone. She checked her phone and saw it had powered off.

Growing more anxious, Daniela needed to take a taxi but didn't have any cash on her.

With her phone dead and no cash in hand, and the sparse traffic in the area, she had no choice but to walk.

By the time Daniela reached home, it was already the afternoon.

The Pearsons were throwing a grand birthday celebration for Katherine.

As Daniela approached the front door, she noticed servants bustling in and out. With Katherine poised to become Kevin's wife, the villa was crowded with guests bearing gifts.

Kevin had arrived early and was sitting on the living room sofa with Katherine by his side.

They were surrounded by relatives. Daniela couldn't make out their conversation, but Katherine's smiling face suggested she was basking in their compliments.

With an expressionless face, Kevin looked like an outsider.

The room's focus was on Kevin. While many wanted to approach him, his aura was daunting. The women there stole glances at him and looked enviously at Katherine.

Ignoring the crowd, Daniela made a beeline for Katherine, desperate to learn about her mother's condition.

"Daniela!"

Just as she took a few steps, someone called out from behind.

It was Vince Pearson, her hypocritical father, whose mere presence disgusted her.

Vince caught up to her and scrutinized her disheveled appearance, saying with disgust, "Today is your sister's birthday. Stay in your room later. The guests today are all distinguished. Don't embarrass us."

As soon as Vince finished speaking, Paulina Pearson, a relative of the same generation as Daniela, sneered, "Look at that contemptuous expression. Does she think she still has Cayden to protect her? Everyone says Cayden is just missing, but I think he's long gone. He had it coming."

Cayden Pearson was Daniela's brother.

In the past, Cayden was the only one who could match Kevin, though his dealings were somewhat shady.

Cayden had always doted on Daniela, indulging her every whim, even trying to sway Kevin, who was usually indifferent to women.

Upon hearing her brother maligned, Daniela, who had remained stoic, spun around and confronted Paulina. She glared at her intensely. "Who gave you the right to speak ill of my brother?"

Unlike Katherine, Daniela was known in the country because of Cayden. With Cayden gone, many relished the chance to see Daniela fall from grace.

At Daniela's outburst, the other guests turned to watch the confrontation.

"Daniela, Paulina didn't mean it. Please, let it go-do it for me."

It was Katherine speaking.

Daniela wanted to ask about her mother's condition, but Katherine intercepted her with a smile, grasping her hand subtly. Under the guise of friendliness, Katherine whispered threateningly, "If you want to know about your mother, keep quiet."

Daniela's brow furrowed as she stared at Katherine. For her mother's sake, she restrained her anger.

Katherine put on a gentle look and asked Daniela, "What's troubling you? Has someone hurt you? Let me know, and I'll have my fiance support you."

Katherine was showing off. Her words seemed absurd to Daniela, though.

Support her?

Katherine's fiance had tortured her in bed the night before.

Daniela scoffed inwardly. She felt Kevin's stern gaze on her at that moment. His eyes seemed to warn her that if she dared to reveal their encounter, he would end her life.

Daniela composed herself and forced a smile. She pulled her hand away from Katherine's grasp and said, "Who would hurt me? I was merely bitten by a dog. It's nothing serious."

Kevin narrowed his eyes and gave Daniela a colder stare.

She had just referred to him as a dog.

Katherine didn't expect Daniela to have changed so much. She had expected Daniela to remain gullible and easy to manipulate. Seeing her now, so composed, Katherine was noticeably surprised.

Daniela didn't appear as depressed or defeated as Katherine had expected. Nor did she seem willing to quietly endure any harsh slander.

Despite her displeasure, Katherine maintained a poised smile. "Today is my birthday. I hadn't intended for such a lavish celebration, but Kevin insisted on going all out for me."

Was being such a scumbag's fiancee really something to brag about?

Daniela was still calm with a perfect smile on her face.

She knew she had to keep her composure when provoked.

If she showed no reaction, Katherine would eventually stop.

Observing Daniela's unaffected demeanor, Katherine's irritation intensified, her fingers tightening as a flicker of anger passed through her eyes.

She provoked Daniela in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"When your mother realized you hadn't returned last night, she was distraught and implored me to spare you. She declared she would die if it meant your safety. She fell down the stairs before I could respond. Now, no one knows if she's alive or dead. What a way to ruin my birthday!"

Her mother had suffered a fall, and her condition was uncertain.

Daniela's smile vanished. She seized Katherine's wrist firmly. "What did you just say? Tell me again!"

Katherine attempted to free herself from Daniela's grip. "You're hurting me. Let go."

Daniela didn't care about that and said through clenched teeth, "What have you done to my mother, Katherine?"

Katherine's face was a mask of terror as she struggled. "I don't know what you're talking about, Daniela. Let go of me."

Others thought that the two sisters were talking about something private, but when they saw the painful expression on Katherine's face, they came to understand something.

Ignoring the stares from the crowd, Daniela was not about to let Katherine manipulate her with threats against her mother.

Daniela raised her hand in anger.

Katherine flinched away in fear.

Before Daniela could land a slap, someone caught her wrist mid-air, and she was shoved back forcefully.

Daniela lost her footing and stumbled backward, crashing into the corner of a table. The pain whitened her face as she doubled over, nearly collapsing.

She clung to the table's edge to steady herself.

She refused to appear weak in front of the onlookers.

Daniela looked up.

She then saw Kevin shielding Katherine behind him, standing protectively as if to block any further attempts from her.

"Daniela."

Kevin's frown was deep, his gaze cold and disdainful. He looked down at Daniela as if she were beneath contempt. "Who gave you the right to touch her?"

This was the sweetest dream Daniela had ever had as a young girl.

Yet, the person he protected wasn't her.

She should have let go by now, but the different ways he treated her and Katherine intensified the ache in her heart.

Daniela's smile twisted into a sneer, but before she could speak, Katherine, who stood behind Kevin, gazed at her with a mix of fear and innocence, pleading, "Daniela, if I've wronged you in any way, I'm truly sorry. But your mother is still in the hospital. How could you leave her to come and cause trouble at my birthday party?"

So, her mother had been taken to the hospital.

Daniela felt a bit relieved. Just as she was about to inquire about which hospital her mother was in, she overheard the surrounding crowd casting judgment.

"Daniela has been utterly spoiled by her brother. She always creates a scene, no matter the occasion. Thank goodness Mr. Bradley is here. Without him, who knows how she'd bully Katherine?"

"Exactly. It's a disgrace for the Pearson family to have a member like her."

Daniela walked towards Katherine, but Katherine immediately hid behind Kevin, looking scared.

"Daniela, don't overstep!" Kevin warned in a cold voice.

Daniela shivered slightly, yet she managed to lift her gaze and smile despite her pale face. "I haven't laid a finger on her. Are you really that concerned about her?"

"Yes. Stay away from her." Kevin's voice was emotionless. "Next time, I will cut off your hand."

"Cut off my hand? That's all?" Daniela, glaring at Kevin's expressionless face, scoffed. "You should keep your fiancee under control. If my mother doesn't make it, Katherine's life is on the line."

Daniela had anticipated that Kevin would lose his temper and possibly end her life right there. However, he merely gave her a dispassionate look.

Daniela looked away.

She was done competing with Katherine. Since Katherine was under Kevin's protection, she knew she stood no chance against Katherine.

Finding her mother was now her top priority.

"Which hospital is my mother in?" Daniela stared coldly at Katherine, with frightening ferocity in her eyes.

Her mother was her only hope in life. If anything happened to her, Daniela would bring Katherine to hell together.

Worried that Daniela might cause further disruption, Vince quickly interjected, "What's gotten into you? Isn't your mother at the same hospital as before? Do you have to make a scene at your sister's birthday party?"

Daniela didn't respond. Getting the information she needed about her mother's whereabouts, she turned and strode away.

Despite feeling pain throughout her body, she held herself erect and proceeded towards the exit.

Just as she reached the doorway, she was tripped and came crashing down onto the floor. Her knees and elbows smacked the tiles with a loud impact.

It was a painful falling down.

For a moment, various expressions-from disdain to pleasure to sympathy-were directed at Daniela.

Perhaps it was because there were too many wounds on her that Daniela was numb with pain. Propping herself up, she tried to stand up slowly.