CHAPTER 3 — The Contract That Destroyed Her Pride
By morning, Victoria Ashford was no longer laughing.
Her name was everywhere.
“Heiress Humiliates ‘Poor’ Boyfriend—Then Learns He Owns a Billion-Dollar Empire.”
The video had millions of views.
But the worst part wasn’t the comments.
It was the phone call from her father.
“Get dressed,” Richard Ashford said coldly. “We’re going to see Lucas Carter.”
Victoria swallowed. “Why?”
Her father’s voice dropped.
“Because our company is dying… and Lucas is the only man who can save us.”
One hour later, Victoria walked into Carter Tower wearing a white designer dress, perfect makeup, and a fake smile.
But the moment the elevator opened, her confidence cracked.
Hundreds of employees stood in silence.
Everyone recognized her.
Everyone knew.
At the end of the marble hallway, Lucas stood in a black suit, calm and unreadable.
Victoria rushed forward.
“Lucas, please. I made a mistake.”
Lucas didn’t move.
Richard stepped in quickly.
“Mr. Carter, my daughter was emotional. She didn’t understand—”
Lucas raised one hand.
“Your daughter understood perfectly.”
The room went silent.
Then Lucas placed a folder on the table.
“Carter Aerospace will invest in Ashford Properties.”
Victoria’s eyes lit up.
Richard nearly smiled.
Until Lucas continued.
“But under one condition.”
He slid the folder toward Victoria.
“She must work inside my company for thirty days…”
“As a regular employee.”
Victoria froze.
Lucas looked directly at her.
“No title. No luxury office. No father protecting her. No rich friends laughing behind her.”
His voice became colder.
“For once, Victoria will learn what it feels like to be treated like someone with nothing.”
Victoria’s mouth opened.
“You want to humiliate me?”
Lucas stepped closer.
“No.”
“I want to see if there is anything real beneath your pride.”
May you like
And for the first time in her life…
Victoria had no power to say no.
