Chapter 1: Do you like cash?

In a room that was more shadows than light, two people were all tangled up in the sheets of a huge, comfy bed, totally into each other. The guy's back was like a work of art with all the marks from the girl's nails — a mix of hot and a bit of ouch. Liam had just gotten back from being away for weeks, and he was like a starving wolf, all over Charlotte, with this intense need. In the heat of the moment, Charlotte bit into his neck pretty hard. Liam let out a hiss, half hurt, half annoyed, "What's with you, biting like a wild thing?" Charlotte was panting hard, moving under him, trying to tell him without words that she needed him to ease up a bit. She knew how to play this game, knew just how to make him feel good. "Mr. Parker," she gasped, her muscles burning, "Can we take a quick break?" Liam stopped for a moment but then kept going like she hadn't said a thing. "Do you like cash?" he asked while still in the groove. Charlotte caught her breath, "Yeah." "Then hush." He looked down at her. She was all curves and soft looks, gorgeous in a simple kind of way. Her brown hair framed her small face, and she was usually so innocent-looking but now seemed to be up for some trouble. When things got steamy, her lips would part just so, like she was calling him without saying a word. All of it pulled at his heartstrings, his affection undeniable, yet... Liam's mood darkened as old memories crept in. "I'll give you three hundred thousand." Charlotte's eyes lit up for a second, thinking about the cash, but she was also deep in thought. Three hundred grand was a big step towards what she needed. Liam saw her reaction and felt a spark of anger, "Is money all you're after?" No, that wasn't it. She wanted him, his love, really. But that was impossible. Charlotte half-opened her eyes and looked up at Liam. He was all high-class chill, the big shot, the guy with all the power, and for her—a way out. … Half a year back, her dad got them into a mess with his gambling and mistakes, and now her family was in deep trouble. Threats had sent her racing home, only to be knocked out and wake up here, in Liam's bed. Word was, she looked like someone Liam used to be with. Then, a phone call smashed the silence. Charlotte took the chance to wash away the night and grabbed the phone in the bathroom. "Lottie, can you help out? Your dad's business is tanking, and we're in deep. Can you..." "Mom, why can't you see he's just gambling again? It's always the same, isn't it?" Charlotte saw the signs of last night in the mirror, frustration written all over her face. "It's business! Your dad's just trying to make things work. When he hits it big, you'll be proud, and it'll help you find a good guy. Don't worry about us; just get back after work." The line went dead. Charlotte took a deep breath, bracing herself to go back out there. Since she was a kid, Charlotte had to be the one holding her family together. She did all the chores and put up with a lot, but no matter what, her dad never seemed happy with her. Whenever he lost money, he'd take it out on her. She always tried to protect her mom, but in the end, her own dad double-crossed her, using her to pay off the debts he racked up. Staying meant losing a little more of herself every day. She had to get out! For that, she needed cash. So when it came to what happened with her and Liam, she didn't kick up a fuss. She just quietly took the money he offered. She crawled back into bed and hung onto Liam, asking, "Mr. Parker, can we make it another two hundred grand for what I went through tonight?" An irritated click of the tongue was his only reply. He gently cupped Charlotte's chin, his gaze lingering on her cheeks that blushed prettily as if kissed by the rosy fingers of dawn. She was a vision of loveliness, her peach-blossom eyes always brimming with unspoken tales of the heart. Her lips, shiny and full, would make anyone look twice, and her eyelashes were wet from crying a little while ago because he had been a bit too rough. She had somehow found a spot in his life without even trying. But her eyes always seemed to be looking for cash, and she kept making one bad decision after another. Liam's face got hard and cold. "Are you just with me for the cash, Charlotte? Is that all this is to you?" His words were harsh and unfair. Charlotte got a worried look on her face. After all, it was Liam who turned love into something you could buy, and it was Robert who made sure she ended up in Liam's bed. If she hadn't taken the offer, someone else would have. This was just a deal that helped both sides, so how could he blame her for wanting something more from life? "Mr. Parker, shall we proceed?" Her eyes lowered, she inquired, her voice a hushed whisper of silk. "You truly are beyond reason!" he exclaimed. As his words dissipated into the tension between them, his robust form descended upon her once more, a storm cloaked in stillness. —— Charlotte woke up feeling sore all over like she had spent the night sleeping on rocks. She checked her bank account on her phone and saw that it had $1.7 million in it. She only needed $300,000 more to finally find her sister's location. The sale of her innocence was fueled by this singular goal. Memories of her sister sent away in their youth gripped her heart with a vice of anguish – her sister had made sacrifices for her... Liam had sent her a text: "Time to get to work! You know what you need to do after getting paid. Don't forget your duties!" His words hurt, but she was used to it by now. On top of everything else, she still had her regular job as the CEO's assistant. Charlotte got ready quickly and managed to get to work on TimeTime. She went straight to the 24th floor and into the pantry. After making the coffee, she knocked on the CEO's office door, waiting for Liam's secretary to give her the go-ahead before putting the coffee down on his desk. "Mr. Parker, your usual Mantenian coffee, deep roast, exactly 208°F, black, no sugar, no cream," She said, making sure everything was just right. Liam didn't say anything until after he tried the coffee. Then he looked at her with a cold expression. "It's too hot, do it over." "Right away." Charlotte went back to the pantry and started making a new cup of coffee. "Make one for me, too, while you're at it," someone else ordered. She was used to these kinds of tasks by now. "Hey." another woman came in and saw Charlotte by the coffee machine. "Charlotte, clean up my desk later, okay? There are crumbs everywhere." "You'll take care of it after that. Can't I ask you to do something?" The woman sounded annoyed, "Look, you got your job with that basic degree, which is like hitting the jackpot. Be happy about it. What do you think you're here for? Making coffee isn't some big win, you know?" "I'll get to your desk when I'm done here," Charlotte responded. The woman was the deputy manager, so Charlotte knew she had to be careful. "Just clean it now! How long does it take to wipe down a desk, really?" While she was talking, the woman pushed past Charlotte, causing her to spill some of the hot water on her hand, leaving a painful red mark. Charlotte was about to retaliate when a trembling voice from behind intervened. "Mr. Parker."