THE SACRED CONTRACT OF A BILLIONAIRE

The line at the café was longer than Chloe Harper anticipated. Clutching her tattered portfolio under one arm and juggling her phone in the other, she scanned the menu absently. She wasn't here for gourmet coffee; she was here for fuel, both caffeinated and emotional. In less than two hours, she had to convince one of the city's most prestigious gallery owners that her late father's small, struggling gallery deserved a second chance.

Her stomach churned. The gallery had been her father's dream, and since his death, Chloe had poured her heart into keeping it afloat. But passion didn't pay the rent, and if she couldn't secure funding soon, she'd lose everything.

"Next!" yelled the barista, jolting Chloe out of her thoughts.

Fumbling for her wallet, she dropped her change on the floor. Bending to pick it up, she heard an impatient sigh behind her.

"Some of us have meetings to get to," a deep, clipped voice muttered.

Chloe straightened and turned to face the source of the complaint. Her breath caught.

He was tall, handsomely dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, and exuded an aura of power that made everyone around him seem insignificant. His steel-gray eyes met hers, cold and assessing, as if he were deciding whether she was worth his time.

"Sorry," Chloe muttered, her cheeks flaming.

He didn't respond, merely adjusted his watch and turned his attention back to his phone. Chloe rolled her eyes and returned to her order, deciding she didn't care who he was.

Minutes later, she grabbed her latte and turned to leave, only to feel her world slow in horrifying clarity. The lid on her cup popped off, and a tidal wave of hot coffee splashed over the man's pristine papers on the nearby table.

"Oh my God!" Chloe gasped, scrambling to set down her cup and grab a handful of napkins. "I'm so, so sorry!"

The man froze, his expression a mask of icy control, but the tension in his jaw was unmistakable. Slowly, he raised his gaze to meet hers.

"You've just spilled coffee on a billion-dollar investment deal," he said, his tone eerily calm.

Chloe's heart sank. "I-I didn't mean to! I'll pay for....well, I can't pay for it, but I'll........" she stuttered.

"Stop," he interrupted, holding up a hand. "You've done enough."

Chloe bit her lip, horrified. "Let me help you clean it up at least."

He gave her a long, measured look, as though trying to decide if she was worth the effort. Then, with a curt nod, he said, "Sit."

Confused, Chloe hesitated before lowering herself into the seat across from him. The man handed the soggy contract to an assistant who had appeared out of nowhere.

"I'll salvage this later," he said to the assistant before turning his attention back to Chloe. "What's your name?"

"Chloe," she said, swallowing hard. "Chloe Harper."

"Chloe Harper," he repeated, leaning back in his chair. "You've just cost me millions. Tell me, why shouldn't I sue you?"

Her eyes widened. "Sue me? It was an accident! I didn't........"

"Relax," he interrupted, his lips twitching in what might have been amusement. "I don't have time for lawsuits but you do owe me an explanation. Why were you so distracted?"

Chloe hesitated, unsure why she felt compelled to answer. "I... I'm on my way to a meeting. I'm trying to save my dad's gallery."

"A gallery?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Chloe said, her voice growing firmer. "It's not some big-name gallery or anything, but it's all I have left of him. I've been trying to keep it alive since he passed, but it's been... hard."

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Interesting," he said, his tone neutral.

Before Chloe could respond, he extended his hand. "Alexander Steele."

Her jaw dropped. Alexander Steele. Of course, she'd heard of him-the ruthless billionaire tycoon known for acquiring businesses and turning them into gold. He was one of the most powerful men in the city, if not the country.

"Wait," she said, narrowing her eyes. "If you're so rich, why are you in this café?"

He smirked. "Even billionaires need coffee, Miss Harper."

Chloe flushed but said nothing.

Alexander studied her for a moment longer before leaning forward. "I have a proposition for you," he said.

Her brows furrowed. "A proposition?"

"Yes," Alexander said, his tone sharp and decisive. "You've ruined my contract, but perhaps you can still be of use to me."

Chloe's stomach twitched with unease. Whatever this man had in mind, she had a feeling it was about to change her life forever.