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Copyright ✔@vanshikayadav

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This is a work of fiction. Names,characters, places and incidents either are the product of author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, business establishment, events or locales is entirely coincidence.

This book self published by author Vanshika Yadav on only at ******* through id vanshika231 and on inkitt through Vanshika Yadav. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without agreement and written permission of the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author's right.

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...Prologue...

I was travelling from Hungary to New York when my father called me to tell that we would have to shift to New York for the benefit of our company. My mood was already ruined.

After stepped into New York, I was getting my luggage and passing through the road to my car. The road was somewhat muddy due to the rain.

When the driver and my bodyguard were putting my luggage in the backside of my car, another car came in a very high speed and flew the mud from the road to my dress and hands. Aahh! Poor soul. He is really going to die from hand.

The driver stopped the car and came towards me in an apologetic manner.

"Sorry mam, we were getting late that's why it happened. Really sorry mam.," he said.

"It's okay. But really late or anything you should drive carefully—" I was speaking when the man in the car spoke "Give her some money and leave her. Don't listen her bullshit. We are getting late."

The ****? What kind of man is he? Instead of apologizing, he is showing his money.

I will teach him a lesson. I went to his side and knocked his window one time.

"You mister, who do you think you are? Instead of apologising you are throwing your money at my face. Don't you dare do that. Do you even know who I am? I don't need your stupid mon—"

I was speaking when he shouted at the driver to drive.

Driver glancing at me last time apologetically, drove away the car.

The ****. Sue him.

What a day!

Author's note:

Hey, buddies!

This would be my first book here and I'm sure you will enjoy it. The book is still under the process of writing ✍ and is not edited yet. But I keep on editing in between, therefore I cannot assure you that it is free of errors both grammatical and words but I can assure you that there are not so many errors. When you will read it, you will find it fun! I know, I'm taking your time by this note but in order to complete the length of the chapter I had to write it.

Take care

With Love 🖤🖤🖤

"I want this deal at any cost. We will gain a huge profit from this. I was not present last time here to buy the opposite land but this land will be ours." I said to each member of the staff in the meeting, loud and clear in an authorative voice.

"Mam, this land is cheap, I get it, but this is of no use. It's nothing more than a barren land. So, why are we buying it?" Mr. Faraday kept his views, looking confused at my idea.

But I'm also not in a good mood either. I like to keep it in suspense, so I'll keep it. If he wants to know, he should study the project clearly.

"Tsk. Tsk. Mr. Faraday. Now is not the time yet. Keep patience and wait for the correct time. You will get to know or I've a better option. Do your work more attentively. If you would have read the area blueprint more carefully, you would not be asking me such stupid questions." I replied him curtly with an underlining threat in my voice. His face paled after hearing me speak those words.

"Oh sorry mam. I would read it again." he replied, lowering his eyes.

"Keep your sorry with yourself, Mr. Faraday. Next time don't interrupt me with your this thing. I pay you to suggest, not ask." he nodded his head while keeping his eyes downcast.

I motioned to everyone in the board room that meeting is over and they may go now. 

"Jake, tomorrow is a big day. See to it that everything happens correctly. We cannot afford even a single silly mistake because of any little dumbshit."

"Yes mam." My secretary replied to me in a business tone. 

Drop the look man! For pete's sake, he is my friend for years and then he calls me mam. Urgh! I want to strangle him. Why am I annoyed so much today?

Oh! I know the reason.

These stupid periods and mood swings. God!

                                        ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

"Cait, we got the land." Jake informed me as he barged into my cabin without knocking.  That's the reason, now I get it that why he is smiling and grinning like a lunatic person.

Mam.

Well! I knew it the land would be ours. Let's have some fun with him.

"We are in office secretary. It is not very professional to call by first name." I faked a formal and stern tone. Listening to my words, he paled. I was really biting my inner cheeks and lips to stop myself from laughing and smiling at him.

But me being me, started rolling off. I hugged my stomach due to the pain I was feeling from laughing till atleast three minutes and there he was standing with a poker face on.

His eyes widened as he saw me laughing. Then, naturally his face turned into an annoyed look. His cheeks and ears were all red.

"Jake, I love red." I decided to tease him some more. I can do that much, I guess. Hell yes!

"I know." He muttered with a duh tone, really not interested in conversation. He fixed himself on the sofa in my cabin and rested his head comfortably .

"And your face is not pink but red right now. Oh! I love it." and again I started laughing at him.

"You little devil." he spoke, annoyed and stood up to leave the room.

"I'm leaving. Get ready. We have to leave for the bidding function for new mansion." He muttered while glaring at me. Work. Work. Work. No doubt, he works like a god. He is irritated. I would have to do something later.

But now I've to buy that beautiful dream house of mine.

Yup!

                                          ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫

"It will go high." Jake nudged me in the shoulder.

"I agree." We were discussing about, how much high will the bid go for this newly built mansion.

It took eight years for them to make it. It is fabulous! A touch from royal past to this scientific world was given to it. Extremely beautiful.

"Welcome to all our bidders of the day. Meeting will start in five minutes. The auction will start from 40 million USD. Hold your hands and see who will become the owner of this beauty." the host announced from the stage in a mic.

We were served drinks and water and soon after the meeting started.

It was half and hour late that the bidding only went to 100 million USD.

"100 million USD 1"

"100 million USD 2" the host announced in mic.

But then I interrupted.

"200 million USD" I stated.

"250 million USD" a man in blue suit in specs stated.

I stated "300 million USD" if he wanted to compete then he will get the competitor.

He stated "500 million USD "

I sighed heavily. He is going too far for my liking. Why is he so bent over to buy that house? I get it. It is beautiful but is not worth that much.

Jesus! Help me! I cannot go far from 700 million USD.

"700 million USD" I stated hoping that he will fall for it. And luckily this time, he did not spoke instantly like others time.

"1" The host's voice boomed.

"2"

"And last is -" He was going to say three but then a loud voice cut him off.

"1000 million USD." Everyone including me turned to the source of the voice.

There stood a tall and grey eyed man in black armani suit with polished black shoes. His grey eyes pierced into the blue ones of the host.

"Your table number?" Host asked confused at the sudden interruption.

My heart was beating loudly. At last I was going to buy it but this man ruined it. Why?

I closed my eyes in irritation. I cannot afford to buy this house in the current month. Next month I can buy it for the double price he was buying for. But not now.

"He is my boss." The man at table no.12 spoke. The one in blue suit who was fighting against me.

"Anyone who wants to bid more?" Host yelled through the mic.

It was silent everywhere. After everything, I could not buy it. I cannot believe it. I'll ruin those Japanese investors. They are the ones responsible for this. If not for them, that they would have done their work efficiently and not lost the designs we made,  I would not have thought twice to bid more. Not to forget that our company's earning decreased 2%. Because of them.

"Congratulations! This beauty goes to the owner of table no.12." The host cheered as if it was him who bought the house.

The man who bought the house had mask on. Only his eyes were visible. He walked elegantly with attitude to sign the house papers. It was weird that he had mask on but not his shades. As if he was some important personality but the people here were no less.

I kept on looking at him. I don't know why but I did.

As he talked to the host, host suddenly paled and his eyes widened enough to come out of their socket anytime. But he regained his posture but started sweating.

Beads of sweat were clearly visible on his face. I wanted to know who bought this house. Such a curious woman, I am!

After, I guess, signing some papers, he nodded to the man in blue suit and started walking towards the back entry.

Jake went to office at the starting of the auction due to some urgent work leaving me alone. I followed that man. Little did I know, that this is what I will be going to regret so much in future but I did not know that at that time.

He was about to step in his car but I stopped him.

"Please stop." I breathed out heavily as I was chasing after him from a very long distance and time. And he too was walking very fast.

He turned and his stealy yet beautiful and eye catching gaze landed on me. And by now his mask was off.

He was really an epitome of beauty. His tanned fair skin matched his dark black hair which looked so silky that I wanted to touch them. His sharp jawline, beautiful nose and red lips were so captivating.

Shut up woman! You sound like those cheap sluts dying for one night stands with rich and handsome bastards. Excuse the profanity.

Back to business. I straighten myself and looked into his eyes which was a wrong move.

"Why did you buy that house?" I questioned genuinely interested and irritated both at same time.

"For my fiancé." He spoke coldly and stared at me. I guess for explanation. Okay, truly saying, by his attitude, I wonder even if anybody even wanted to marry him.

"I wanted to buy that house but you ruined everything. I can pay you double for the same but next month if you handover those papers to me." I spoke with business tone hoping he would consider it.

"You won't need to do that." he smirked and spoke as he nodded his head to the blue suit man who was fighting against me. I guess his secretary or whatever.

I looked at him questionably. "What do you mean, Mr....." I trailed off.

"You will marry me after three days and this house is for you." he spoke as he stepped forward threatingly, trying to  intimidate me. As if he could.

I could not process his words. At last what felt like hours, I raised my head and my eyebrows shot up unbelievingly.

"I did not hear you, come back." I asked him attentively.

"Come to my office tomorrow. Address will be messaged to you."

"Are you mad? Neither I'm your fiancé nor am I going to marry you. Go and clear your head." I whisper yelled at him.

He muttered something under his breathe and closed his eyes. He opened his eyes and looked straight into my eyes. I was somewhat startled at that action.

He came near me and raised his hand enough to touch my neck. He moved his finger slowly from my neck to shoulder making me shudder at his touch.

I did not make any move to remove his hand from my neck and shoulder. My mind was screaming to do so but I was so much captivated by his eyes that I did not hear what he said but then after sometime I realised what he said to me.

"You will marry me either willingly or forcefully. I don't mind the latter."

After that he stepped back to his original position making me shiver due to the cold breeze hitting my body.

"Get to the office on time or else you won't like the outcome." He whispered in a deadly low voice which sent shivers to my spine but at the same time sparked more anger in me.

"Who are you and what do you think you are doing?"

"None of the question is your concern and my name you can read on every front page of the magazine. I don't think I need to answer that." he said arrogantly and cockily.

"I will never marry you."

"I don't need your permission to marry you." After that he fished out his phone from his pocket and threw it to the person beside him, whom I guess was his secretary.

His secretary or what so ever dialed someone and put the phone on speaker.

"Parker, go to the King mansion and make them leave that house within next two hours."

I panicked as his voice reached my ears. Who is he? What is he trying to do? My parents are the most respected here. They have also gained the title of King and Queen here because of their power and also that ours is a royal family.

He is nothing but a piece of trash. He really does not know who is he talking to.

"STOP." I shouted since my mind could not function anything right now besides my parent's house.

My father built it with his sweat and blood and he, a ruthless man is talking like he owns that house.

He stared at me with a hardened expression in his eyes. It was as if he could see through my soul. I was getting little unsure of my confidence due to his intimidating presence.

God knows, why he has such a effect. Believe me when I say it's not only on me that he has the effect, but on everyone present here.

All guards here surrounding us with revolvers in their hands, I doubt anyone of them have the courage to even speak without stuttering in front of him. I can very well read that on their faces. Experiences have taught me so well. A bitter smile fought to escape onto my face at the thought.

"Alone." is the only word that left his mouth. It was so strong that it made everyone leave before I blink.

Well, now I was confirmed that they were really his slaves.

He turned around and opened his car and brought one folder in his hands. It was a brown coloured folder in which 'panther' was written in silver at the corner.

He came to me and threw the folder near my legs. I was shaking with anger then was to say the least. I looked into his eyes which were blank. His grey orbs daring me to do otherwise. I felt like I've seen same eyes before but of a lighter shade. His eye colour was different, a rare one to see.

I blinked twice and hard and carefully I picked up the folder from the floor and opened it to see what was there. I had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was wrong here.

I read and they were land papers and when I saw the area of land, I nearly slipped the folder from my hands. It was my parent's bungalow papers. It was written in that

'They were no longer the owner of the house but Theodre Bradford.'

This is fake. How? It can't happen.

And I've heard this name before.

Ah!

Why am I not able to recall it?

A word rang in my head.

Panther.

That was the moment when, I knew, I got the answer. He is THE BLACK PANTHER of market. Everyone knows him.

"This cannot be real." These words slipped out of my mouth before I could conclude what I said.

He smirked and spoke with aura and confidence oozing out of him, "Indeed, it is. Prove it. Your father signed it."

"No, he would never do that." I yelled at his face.

"Don't raise your voice in front of me ever or else I know to how set you straight. And for your doubt, he did." He muttered in a dangerously low voice. I had to strain my ears to listen to him.

I neglected his first sentence and focused on the second one for the time being.

"You tricked him." I accused him to get the truth out of him.

But all he did was, he spoke with no guilt, shame or fear "Yes, I did."

He kept on standing there motionless with a blank face and all I wanted to do was rip him apart. I closed my eyes to take control of my increasing anger and tried to breathe calmly.

"I can't marry you. I'm already engaged." I tried to make him understand.

"Doesn't matter. Your marriage will happen but with me." he spoke calmly like it was the obvious thing.

"I love my fiance. I can't leave him. He would hate me. What would I answer to his parents? My parents? Why do you not understand?" 

Still, I tried to make him understand. Because now I know who he is, it will be of no matter to shout and yell at him. He gets what he wants and that is all I know about him.

"Come near me." he ordered me like I was his slave.

Even though I was angry, my heart was then also beating loudly. But still I followed. I hesistantly went near him and stood at a distance of one metre away from him.

I cannot fear him. It will end up on my defeat that way. But somewhere in my heart I knew I will be defeated this time.

He suddenly inched closer to me and yanked me towards him by my hairs.

My eyes widened with fear and a low scream left my mouth at his harsh behaviour. My eyes started to water with the force he put on my hairs. I clenched my jaw and tried to remove his hand from my scalp.

"You will do as I say, am I clear?" He whispered lowly into my ear. His breathe fanning my neck in the process, making me shudder.

When I didn't respond, he tugged at my hair again. I gasped at that unintentionally and nodded, left with no option. My mind started flooding with the memories of my past. I shut my eyes to stop them.

"Good. Now listen. You will tell everyone that you are going to marry me. That is your concern how to tell. Marriage will be after three days. You will come to my office for arrangements and for your dress fittings. And last thing, mind it, you are going to be my wife so don't try to meet your ex-fiance at any cost. Mind my words, Caitlyn." He hissed into my ear and abruptly left me with a push. I stumbled backwards and saw him looking at me victorously.

I did not know what do do. I'm ruined. He just blackmailed me and there is no instant solution for that. A lone tear landed on my cheek. I doubt where did it come from. From my eye? I mentally scoffed at that.

But now, I'll not let my pride and love down. I'll marry him and make him divorce me for good. He does not know maybe that he is talking to Caitlyn King. I did not become famous business women like shit. It took every piece of hour, hardwork and mind. If he thought he could play with me so easily, so no. He can not. I do not allow that.

"I will ruin your life, mind my words."  I mocked him and left him there.

I laughed bitterly at my luck which seems to hate me so much.

... 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️...

"Mom, Dad, I don't love him. I love Theodre. Try to understand." I almost yelled at them. They are not ready to believe me. I turned my back to them to hide my tears from them.

"Let her do that, darling. She loves him then let it be." My mom coaxed my angry father at the time.

I love my dad the most but at this time I loved her for being so cooperative. I couldn't let them risk their life at any stake. They are old. I doubt my dad can handle the reason I'm marrying that shit of a man. He is already a patient of high cholesterol.

I sighed grimly and let my eyes soak the tears. I turned to him and kneeled beside him giving my mom an assuring smile and after that she left the room.

"You are my princess. I won't let anything happen to you. I would never force you. Do what you want.I trust you."  I mimicked my father's voice. At the time of my graduation when I denied to join his company and asked him that I want to open my own work with my hardwork, he supported me. These were the exact words he spoke at that time.

This cracked a smile on his angry face and he looked up at me with more softened eyes.

"Don't you trust me anymore, dad?" I asked him, looking into his eyes with a pleading look.

He sighed heavily and and put his hand on my right cheek. "I do princess." he paused and again sighed, most probably searching for the words, "But it's too sudden. One month ago you came with Drake and now.." He trailed off after that.

"Dad, I'll talk to Drake, he cares for me and we do not even love each other that way. It's just friendship between us. It can't work that way. I love another person not him, dad." I spoke with care so that he does not catch on my bundle of lies. He knows me very well.

He looked at my face for a minute then nodded. I instantly grinned. 

"Ok. Who is the man? Repeat the name, I am not able to  recall." He asked me, furrowing his eyebrows.

And I knew there will be a problem now. Once he gets to know who I'm going to sacrifice my life, he will fight again.

"Theodre Bradford." as I spoke these words, his body stiffened.

He turned to me and gave me an angry glare. I did not dare to look into his eyes this time.

"Black Panther." he nodded to himself like he was absorbing the information.

And I very well knew this was the calmness that resides before the storm comes.

"Do you even know, Caitlyn, whom you are talking about?" I flinched as he shouted and cringed at my name. He calls my name only when he is very angry.

I nodded to his words. He walked to the window frame and calmed his mind by his rubbing his fingers on his forehead while I stood there gazing at floor playing with my fingers nervously. I felt like a small child that time caught stealing candies and chocolates from fridge.

"He is cruel." he spoke but this time in a very calm voice. I did not speak anything.

"Does he love you too?" he asked again.

"Yes." once again I succeeded in speaking a lie in front of my father. Thanks to him that he was looking outside the window, not in my eyes. Jesus!

My father turned and looked at me and then came near me and hugged me.

"Ok, Princess. You have my blessings." he spoke while stroking my hairs in a calmly manner.

I felt safe in his embrace.

"Thank you dad. I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart."

It's time to confront Drake which I fear the most.

Don't hate me, Drake. Please. For what I'm going to do to you.

"But if he even hurts a single hair on you body, I'll guillotine him with my bare hands." he spoke as we chuckled softly.

I love this moment a lot.

But only if dad knew that he has already hurt me.

His princess has already been hurt.