Chapter 1: The Wrong Door, The Right Trap

"Please, just let me meet Mr. Malhotra once! My brother's life is in danger!"

Mehak begged, clasping her hands together in front of the towering bodyguard standing in the hospital corridor. Her tears streamed down uncontrollably. Her younger brother had met with a terrible accident, and they desperately needed ₹10 lakhs for his emergency surgery. Her stepmother had flatly refused to give a single penny.

Now, she had only one option left—to beg for help from the city’s richest, most ruthless billionaire, Aarav Malhotra. People said Aarav didn't possess a heart; he only possessed a sharp mind and endless wealth.

Mehak had found out that Aarav was currently staying in a VIP suite at a top luxury hotel in Srinagar for an important business meeting.

On the 7th floor of Hotel Grand Palace, Mehak was trembling with fear. A suffocating silence surrounded her.

"Suite number 707..." Mehak whispered to herself. Her vision blurred from sheer panic. She quickly pushed open a door and stepped inside.

But in her frantic state, she had mistakenly opened the door to Suite 708 instead of Suite 707.

The lights inside were dimly lit. A tall, muscular man stood by the massive window with his back turned to her. He held a glass of wine in one hand, and his entire presence radiated an overwhelming aura of power and danger.

"M-Mr. Malhotra?" Mehak’s voice shook.

The man turned around slowly. The moment he revealed his face, Mehak’s breath caught in her throat.

It was indeed Aarav Malhotra. He had breathtakingly sharp features, slightly messy hair, and most terrifyingly, eyes as cold and deep as ice. He looked like a wolf marking his prey.

"Who are you? And how dare you step inside?" Aarav’s voice was so deep and icy that it felt as if the temperature in the room instantly plummeted.

"Mr. Malhotra... I... I need your help. My brother had an accident..." Mehak sobbed, taking a hesitant step closer to him.

Aarav scanned her from head to toe with his freezing gaze. He suspected she was either a honey trap sent by his business rivals or an intrusive media reporter.

"Get out of here before I have my men throw you out," Aarav said, completely devoid of emotion.

"Please! I beg of you! I will repay every single penny of your debt!" Mehak cried, desperately grabbing the edge of his expensive suit jacket.

Aarav yanked himself away with a sharp jerk. The sudden movement caused Mehak to lose her footing, sending her crashing straight into his firm, muscular chest.

To prevent her from falling, Aarav instinctively locked his large hand around her slender waist, pulling her flush against him. The distance between them vanished instantly. Mehak's tear-stained, bloodshot eyes locked directly into Aarav's dark, penetrating gaze. Looking closely, Aarav realized this girl wasn't a spy—there was only raw pain and pure innocence in her eyes.

A sly, ruthless smirk played on Aarav's lips. He reached up and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was so searingly hot that a shiver ran down Mehak's entire body.

"Help? Aarav Malhotra never does anything for free, sweetheart," Aarav murmured darkly, leaning down right next to her ear. His warm breath fanned against the sensitive skin of her neck.

"I'll... I'm willing to do anything. Whatever you ask," Mehak stammered, driven to utter desperation, gambling away her entire future.

"Anything?" Aarav stepped back slightly, hooking his finger under her chin to force her face upward.

"I need a Contract Wife for one year to appease my grandmother and shut the media's mouth. Marry me, and your brother's treatment will begin tomorrow morning at the finest hospital in this country. Tell me, do we have a deal?"

Mehak was utterly stunned. Marriage? To the most terrifying and ruthless man in the world?

"Are you ready to step into my cage?" Aarav asked, tightening his grip on her chin just a bit more, a sinister glint of victory flashing in his eyes.

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