Although Yvonne didn’t need the money, she wanted it, for good reasons. Not to mention, she hated the idea of her half-brother getting what was rightfully hers. Nicholas had already stolen all her father’s love and attention growing up, and now he was going to get this too, on top of all the money her father had left him. And her brother was, quite simply, an asshole. He’d made Yvonne’s life hell growing up.

She finished off her coffee. As she did, Ruby walked through the door.

Yvonne couldn’t help but stare. Ruby had cleaned up since the morning and was looking just as captivating as the night before. She sauntered over to Yvonne and slid into the seat next to her.

“You look like you’ve come to a decision,” Yvonne said.

Ruby smiled slightly. “Not quite.”

Yvonne stifled a frown. “You haven’t decided yet?”

Ruby caught the eye of the bartender and ordered a drink, taking her time. Yvonne narrowed her eyes. What was the woman playing at?

Finally, Ruby turned back to Yvonne. “I’m not going to lie. Your offer is very tempting. But I’m just not sure it’s worth my while.”

Yvonne raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to negotiate with me?”

“I’m just saying, I think you need me more than I need you.”

Yvonne pushed her irritation aside. Apparently, she’d underestimated Ruby. “What do you want? More money?”

“We both know that a million dollars is nothing to you.” Ruby crossed her arms. “I know who you are, Yvonne Maxwell. You own Mistress Media.”

So Ruby had looked Yvonne up. That explained it. “I don’t own it outright. I’m one of the owners. There are five of us.”

“The details aren’t important. What’s important is that you own a stake in one of the biggest media empires in the world. You’re worth millions. Billions, even.”

What Ruby was saying was true, but all Yvonne’s money meant nothing when she couldn’t access it, like right now. It was why she wanted her inheritance in the first place. Once it was in her hands, all her money troubles would disappear.

Yvonne folded her arms across her chest. “How much?”

“Ten million,” Ruby said.

Yvonne scoffed. “I don’t think so.” Ruby had guts, to say the least. Yvonne didn’t know whether it made her like Ruby more or less. Unfortunately for Ruby, negotiating was what Yvonne did for a living.

“Fine. Eight million.”

“Perhaps I wasn’t clear,” Yvonne said calmly. “You’ll be living with me, in my apartment, with every expense paid for, for an entire year. And not just the basics. Everything. Clothes, shoes, jewelry. Expensive dinners. Luxury cars taking you wherever you want to go. Or even a car of your own, if you’d like.” Yvonne locked her gaze on Ruby’s. “You’ll be my wife, after all. If you’re going to play the part, I’m going to give you everything you need to make it so. You’ll have everything you could ever want. Everything you’ve ever desired.”