"Beneath His Lies: A Billionaire's Double Life"

Chapter 1: A Desperate Deal

Emily Dawson stared out the window of her boutique, her heart heavy as she watched the bustling streets of New York. The city moved on, indifferent to her struggle, while inside, her dream teetered on the brink of collapse. The store had been her father's vision-a sustainable fashion line that could make a difference in the world-but now it was little more than a sinking ship, and she was the captain who couldn't abandon it.

"Emily, you should look at this."

Her best friend and assistant, Lisa, appeared at the counter, holding a thick stack of papers-more invoices. Lisa's expression said everything Emily didn't want to hear.

Emily pressed her palms against the wooden surface of the counter, trying to gather strength. The store was filled with carefully curated clothes, each piece designed with eco-friendly materials, each one a piece of her heart. And yet, despite all the care she'd poured into it, customers had stopped coming.

"How bad is it?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lisa bit her lip. "Bad. If we don't pay the suppliers by the end of the month, they're pulling out. And the landlord called again-he's not waiting on rent anymore."

Emily inhaled sharply, feeling the walls of her dream close in around her. She had maxed out her credit cards, and the bank had already rejected her loan request. Her father's vision was slipping through her fingers, and there was nothing she could do.

Except one thing.

Her phone buzzed against the counter, the name on the screen catching her eye: L. Hartman.

Liam Hartman. His name was legendary in the business world, and not in a good way. He was a billionaire investor known for turning struggling businesses into global empires-but at a steep cost. Rumors whispered of hostile takeovers and ruthless deals. People said he didn't save companies, he devoured them.

And now, he had taken an interest in hers.

Emily had ignored his previous email, hoping to find another way, but there was no other way. Her finger hovered over the reply button. She didn't want to get involved with someone like him, but what choice did she have?

She clicked on his message and typed quickly.

"Mr. Hartman, I'm ready to meet."

•[{Scene Shift: The Deal}]

The next morning, Emily stood in front of a towering glass building, her stomach churning. Liam Hartman's office was everything she imagined it would be-cold, sharp, and imposing. The kind of place where emotions were dangerous, and power ruled.

She stepped inside, clutching her bag like a lifeline. Polished marble floors stretched out before her, and the air was thick with the quiet hum of success. Emily's nerves tightened with each step as a sleek-haired assistant guided her to Liam's office.

The doors opened, revealing a space that screamed wealth-floor-to-ceiling windows, modern furniture, and a view that made her feel smaller than ever. And there he was.

Liam Hartman stood by the window, his back to her as he gazed out at the city. He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto hers. In person, he was even more intimidating than she had expected-tall, with sharp features and dark eyes that seemed to see straight through her. There was no warmth there, only calculation.

"Miss Dawson," he said, his voice smooth, yet cold. "Thank you for coming."

Emily swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing. "I didn't think someone like you would be interested in my small business."

Liam walked toward her, his movements precise, controlled. "You'd be surprised. I see potential where others see failure."

She bristled at the word. Failure.

"You're struggling," he continued, as if reading her mind. "But that's why I'm here. I can offer you the resources to save your business, to take it to the next level. But I don't make charity deals, Miss Dawson. There's always a cost."

Emily's heart pounded in her chest. "What kind of cost?"

Liam's lips twitched slightly, though it wasn't a smile. More like the ghost of one. "I want forty percent of your company. In return, I'll invest the capital you need to keep it alive-and expand."

"Forty percent?" Her voice cracked. That was almost half of everything she'd built. "That's-"

"Generous," he interrupted. "Considering the state of your finances, I could demand much more."

The air between them thickened with tension. Emily's thoughts raced. Forty percent was huge, and handing it over to someone like Liam felt like giving away a piece of her soul. But without his help, her business wouldn't survive another month.

"I need time to think about it," she said, her voice shaking despite her best efforts to stay calm.

Liam's eyes darkened, but he inclined his head slightly. "Of course. Take your time. Just don't take too long, Miss Dawson. My offers don't last forever."

As she turned to leave, her heart pounding in her chest, Liam's voice stopped her.

"One more thing, Emily."

She turned back, meeting his gaze. There was something unsettling in his eyes, a flicker of something darker. "Remember this: when I make a deal, I always get what I want."
•----**----**----**----**-----**-----**----**----**---

°[{Chapter End: A Dangerous Proposition}]

Emily stepped out into the cold New York air, her mind swirling. Liam's words echoed in her head, heavy with both promise and threat. She knew that getting involved with him was dangerous, that accepting his deal could cost her more than just her business. But what choice did she have?

As she walked away from the gleaming building, her phone buzzed in her hand. Another email-from L. Hartman. She hesitated before opening it, her pulse quickening as she read the single sentence on the screen:

"Decide soon, Emily. Your time is running out."

A chill ran down her spine. She could feel it now-this was no ordinary business deal. There was something far more dangerous lurking beneath Liam Hartman's polished exterior, something that threatened to pull her in deeper than she ever imagined.
•---------------------------------------------------------•
Thank you For Reading...
Please Provide your Valuable Feedback...
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Move on Next part..
************************************