Chapter 2: The Ruthless CEO
The heavy rain had not stopped.
Natalie Lopez sat silently in the back seat of the black luxury car sent by the Vance family. The city lights blurred through the rain-covered window as the mansion she had called home disappeared behind her.
She had not shed a single tear.
Perhaps because there were no tears left.
Her adoptive father had lowered his head in guilt, unable to look at her. Victoria had hurriedly packed Natalie's belongings as if she couldn't wait to get rid of her.
And Melanie...
Melanie had stood at the top of the staircase, wrapped in an expensive silk robe.
"I'm sorry, Natalie," she had whispered, though there wasn't an ounce of regret in her eyes. "I know you'll understand. Sebastian Vance is dangerous. You have always been stronger than me."
Natalie had stared at her younger sister.
Stronger?
No.
She had simply been easier to sacrifice.
The car finally slowed to a stop.
Natalie looked up.
Before her stood the legendary Vance Mansion.
Tall iron gates slowly opened.
The estate looked less like a home and more like a castle hidden in darkness. The fountain in the courtyard sparkled beneath the stormy sky, while guards stood near the entrance with expressionless faces.
The rumors echoed in her mind.
Sebastian Vance.
The youngest CEO in the city's history.
Cold-blooded.
Merciless.
A genius businessman.
After a terrible car accident two years ago, he had become crippled and withdrawn from society.
People whispered that his personality had changed completely.
Some called him a monster.
Others called him a devil.
The driver opened the door.
"Miss Lopez," he said respectfully. "Please come inside."
Natalie stepped out.
The rain soaked the hem of her dress as she climbed the marble stairs.
The grand doors opened.
A middle-aged man with silver hair bowed politely.
"I am Mr. Harrison, the butler. Welcome to the Vance family."
His gentle voice surprised her.
"This way, Miss Lopez."
They walked through endless hallways decorated with priceless paintings and crystal chandeliers.
Despite the luxury, the mansion felt cold.
Empty.
As if no laughter had existed there for years.
Mr. Harrison stopped before a pair of large wooden doors.
"Young Master Sebastian is waiting."
Natalie's heart tightened.
She took a deep breath.
Then pushed the doors open.
The room was dimly lit.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the storm outside.
Near the fireplace sat a man in a wheelchair.
He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His sharp features looked almost unreal beneath the soft glow of the fire.
His eyes were dark.
Cold.
Unreadable.
The atmosphere around him was enough to make anyone afraid.
Sebastian Vance raised his gaze.
The moment their eyes met, Natalie froze.
This was the man everyone feared.
He studied her without speaking.
Seconds passed.
Finally, his deep voice broke the silence.
"You're Natalie Lopez?"
"Yes."
"You know why you're here?"
"To marry you."
Sebastian's expression remained unchanged.
"You don't seem frightened."
Natalie lowered her eyes.
"I don't see the point in being afraid."
Something flickered across his face.
Interest.
"Do you know what people say about me?"
"They say you're cruel."
"They say I torture people."
"They say I became insane after the accident."
Natalie looked directly into his eyes.
"They're rumors."
For the first time, Sebastian appeared surprised.
"You don't believe them?"
"I don't believe everything I hear."
Silence filled the room.
Then—
A low chuckle escaped him.
It wasn't warm.
But it wasn't cruel either.
"Interesting."
Mr. Harrison nearly dropped the tray he was carrying.
The servants exchanged shocked glances.
Young Master Sebastian had smiled.
Even if only for a second.
Sebastian looked at Natalie.
"You should understand one thing before this marriage."
His voice became colder.
"I don't believe in love."
Natalie nodded.
"Neither do I."
He stared at her.
Most women who approached him desired his wealth, status, or appearance.
This woman...
Had eyes devoid of expectations.
As if life had already disappointed her too many times.
Sebastian slowly handed her a document.
"The marriage contract."
Natalie accepted it.
"There are conditions."
She read quietly.
One year of marriage.
No interference in each other's private lives.
No romantic obligations.
Public appearances as husband and wife when necessary.
At the end of the contract, she would receive financial compensation and freedom.
Natalie closed the document.
"I accept."
"You didn't even negotiate."
"I have nowhere else to go."
The straightforward answer caught him off guard.
Sebastian looked toward the rain outside.
"You should know something."
"What is it?"
"If anyone in this mansion mistreats you, tell me immediately."
Natalie blinked.
This wasn't what she expected.
"I thought you didn't care."
He met her gaze.
"You are marrying me."
His voice was calm.
"The Vance family's dignity includes you now."
Heat spread through Natalie's chest.
It was strange.
No one had ever protected her before.
Not even the people she called family.
Mr. Harrison cleared his throat.
"Young Master, dinner has been prepared."
Sebastian looked away.
"Join me."
Natalie hesitated.
Then nodded.
The dining hall was enormous.
A table meant for dozens seated only two people.
The atmosphere remained awkward.
Sebastian ate quietly.
Natalie did the same.
Halfway through dinner, Sebastian suddenly spoke.
"What did you want to become?"
Natalie looked up.
"What?"
"If you weren't forced into this marriage."
She gripped her fork.
No one had asked about her dreams before.
"I wanted to be a fashion designer."
The answer slipped out softly.
Sebastian paused.
"You gave it up?"
"My family needed me."
He studied her expression.
"You don't resent them?"
Natalie smiled faintly.
"I think I stopped expecting anything from them a long time ago."
Sebastian's hand tightened around his glass.
For some reason...
He understood that feeling.
After dinner ended, Mr. Harrison led Natalie toward her room.
She stopped at the doorway.
"Mr. Harrison?"
"Yes, Miss Lopez?"
"Is Sebastian Vance really as terrible as people say?"
The old butler smiled gently.
"I have worked for Young Master since he was a child."
He glanced down the hallway.
"He's not a monster."
"What is he then?"
Mr. Harrison's eyes softened.
"A lonely man."
Natalie entered her room.
The bedroom was larger than her entire room at the Lopez mansion.
But she couldn't sleep.
Standing by the window, she watched the rain.
Everything had changed overnight.
She had become the wife of a man she barely knew.
A man feared by everyone.
Yet behind those cold eyes...
She had seen sadness.
At that same moment, in his study across the mansion, Sebastian stared at Natalie's file.
He had investigated her thoroughly.
Adopted daughter.
Excellent academic records.
No scandals.
A quiet life filled with sacrifices.
He closed the file.
For years, people had approached him with greed hidden behind fake smiles.
Natalie Lopez was different.
She had looked at him without fear.
Without pity.
Sebastian gazed out at the storm.
Perhaps this marriage would remain a business arrangement.
Perhaps they would simply become strangers living under the same roof.
But deep inside, a small voice whispered—
The arrival of Natalie Lopez was about to change everything.
And neither of them knew that the greatest storm of their lives had only just begun.
End of Chapter 2
