Chapter 1

After landing a ten-million-dollar deal during the Black Friday madness, I was exhausted.

Still, I couldn't refuse my girlfriend's advances after being busy for days.

We spent a wild night together before finally drifting into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by something heavy slamming into me.

I opened my eyes to see my own suitcases scattered across the floor.

"Alright, time's up. You should be moving out today," Winona said coldly.

"I've already transferred your service fee along with your salary to your card. Now, get moving."

I was confused and tried to get up to demand an explanation.

But she jabbed her finger hard into my chest, pinning me back.

"Foster Sterling, remember your place. You're nothing but a boy toy to me."

"If you beg me, I might consider letting you stay at the company."

I froze for a second, my hand hovering near hers.

Then, I let out a sharp, dark chuckle.

"Winona Thorne, you've got it all wrong. It's not me who needs the company."

"It's the company that can't survive without me."

1

One month ago, during a corporate retreat, I got incredibly drunk with my CEO, Winona Thorne.

When I woke up the next morning, we were both naked in bed.

I was about to say something, but she pulled me back down and kissed me hard, wanting more.

For the past month, we've been inseparable, constantly wrapped up in each other.

Whenever she had a free moment, she'd drag me into the bedroom.

Even last night, I was exhausted from leading my team through the Black Friday sales war.

I hadn't slept in days, yet I still had to satisfy her every whim.

I thought our physical chemistry meant something deeper.

I honestly believed we were in a committed, unspoken relationship.

I never expected to wake up and hear her call me a gigolo.

Winona dressed quickly, her voice dripping with ice.

"Foster, I'm warning you. Don't come looking for me after this."

"We live in different worlds. We were never meant to cross paths like this."

I stared at her, struggling to maintain my composure.

"So, what you're saying is... I'm not good enough for you?"

Winona spun around, her eyes full of pure contempt.

"Exactly! You were just a warm body to satisfy my needs. Now, I'm bored of you."

I was stunned for a moment, still reeling from the sweetness of the past month.

"Can you at least tell me why?" I asked quietly.

She let out a mocking laugh.

"Why? You're just a pretty face living off a woman's wealth. Why should I explain anything to you?"

I frowned and grabbed her wrist firmly.

"I'm not leaving until you tell me the truth."

She shoved my hand away and thrust her phone screen in front of my face.

"Look at him. Only an elite like him is worthy of being my husband."

"You... you don't even come close."

The screen showed a man in a sharp, tailored suit. It was her assistant, Zander Brooks.

A month ago, he was sent to New York to negotiate a massive deal.

Based on the timing, he was supposed to return today.

Winona took my silence for intimidation and grew even more vicious.

"I promised Zander that if he landed that New York contract, I'd give myself to him."

So, it was all about that ten-million-dollar deal.

I looked up slowly, a meaningful glint in my eyes.

"Winona, do you really think your assistant was the one who closed that deal?"

Her face paled with anger.

"Of course he did! Zander has worked his tail off for this company while you've done nothing."

"Do you think a useless loser like you could ever compare to him?"

I almost laughed out loud.

In reality, Zander had been living it up in New York on the company's dime.

He hadn't even met the client, spending his days posting bragging photos on social media.

I only stepped in because I knew how much Winona cared about the project.

One phone call to my contacts in New York was all it took for them to sign with her.

Now, Zander was taking all the credit while I was being treated like trash.

A fire started to burn in my chest.

"Winona, I'll ask you one last time. Are you sure you want to end this?"

She didn't hesitate for a single second.

"Yes! As of now, we are nothing. I've paid you in full. Now get out."

When she mentioned the money again, my confusion returned.

"What money are you talking about?"

She sneered at me.

"Stop acting. Every time we slept together, I had accounting transfer $99 to your account."

I suddenly remembered the random $99 deposits that kept appearing in my bank.

I thought it was some kind of weird coffee or travel bonus from HR.

I never imagined it was Winona's way of insulting my dignity.

I sighed deeply. It was hard to find someone who was such a good match in bed.

I looked at her with a sudden, serious intensity.

"I just want to know one thing, Winona."

"In this past month, did you feel anything for me at all?"

Winona arched an eyebrow, looking completely disgusted.

"Feelings? Are you insane? I'm the CEO of Thorne Industries."

"Why would I fall for a leech like you? You're good in bed, sure, but you have nothing else to offer."

Her gaze turned sharp and cold.

"Foster, people of my status don't end up with people like you."

I held back a smirk and mimicked her arrogant tone.

"Well, Winona, since we're being honest, let me tell you something too."

"The world you think you know is just the tip of the iceberg."

"Without me, your precious company is absolutely nothing."