Billionaire's Hated Wife

Judy POV

In my small apartment in Canberra, Australia’s capital city, I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of a lovely morning, surrounded by a soft breeze and mild sunlight. I'm happy to have been given the opportunity to enroll in the highly sought-after MBA program at a prestigious university. While merit is of utmost importance, financial support is also necessary to achieve my educational goals.

Once I get a proper job, I will bring my grandmother to this lively city. She lives in a small village and has been working hard to support my my dreams. Now, it is my turn to bring her utmost happiness in her life.

"Granny, wait a little longer, and we will live a life full of joy and contentment."

After completing my MBA, I see a future illuminated with lots of job opportunities that will remove our financial constraints. My heart is full of hope and positivity. Despite the struggle of finding suitable employment without extra degrees and professional experience, I am working part-time to support my academic dreams. My grandmother's reassuring smile always lifts my spirits, even when I feel utterly low. Since I lost my parents as a child, I only have hazy memories of their faces, but my grandmother has always been my constant source of love and support.

"I don't know how long I'll have to make you wait, Granny..."

Unknowingly, a long sigh leaves my lips. "Oh, no!" I quickly check the time—my work shift has already started! What a life! Can't even get sad for a while in peace.

I hurriedly get ready and leave my small, cozy apartment for Purple Heart Restaurant. It takes me 30 minutes to reach my workplace by bus. As soon as I step inside, I've found my best friend, Daisy.

"Morning, Daisy." I wave at her, feeling instantly relieved by her presence. Daisy is a cheerful and enthusiastic girl with mesmerizing eyes and straight blonde hair. We've been best friends for five years, sharing every joy and sorrow without hesitation. She waves back, walking towards me.

"Hey, good morning, dear." We both work as part-timers at this restaurant—I work as a delivery person because of my excellent biking skills. However, I am a bit of ashamed to flex. Daisy suddenly lowers her voice and leans in with a poker face.

"Do you know the news, Judy?" I frown, sensing something unusual.

"What news?"

"Our restaurant has been taken over by an arrogant billionaire, and after reading the new rules, I think we're going to lose our jobs soon." She lets out a deep sigh, frustration evident in her tone. My heart sinks. We depend on this job. A friendly and understanding owner matters a lot. However, I try to lighten her mood.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine." She exhales, shaking her head.

"I hope so..." We keep talking, laughing, and joking around until suddenly, Daisy stops responding. She gives me a pointed look.

"I think our new boss is going to terminate us today because we've been chit-chatting instead of working." I roll my eyes at her sudden shift in mood.

"What would happen if we spent some time being silly or careless?"

"Nothing more than a careless, silly dismissal from the source of our income!" She crosses her arms, unimpressed.

"Huh, it's not that easy."

"Yes, my mom. Now let's get to work!" She pulls me toward the kitchen, and we finally start our shift.

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After completing a delivery, I stand next to my bike, preparing to leave from one of the mansions on my list. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car speeds past—splattering muddy, dirty water all over me! I freeze. My clothes, my hair—everything is drenched in filth. Irritation and embarrassment burn through me. I scan the area to find if someone is there but there’s no one around. I signed in relief otherwise it would be a great embarrassment. The silence is deafening.

"Ugh! Can't you see?!" I shout at the driver, who has already disappeared down the road.

"How will I manage to get back to work now?!"

I'm just p*ss*d off. That jerk didn’t even stop to apologize! My hands curl into fists.

"I swear, if I find you anywhere, I'll show you your level!" My eyes fall on a large stone.

Without thinking, I grab it and hurl it in the car's direction with all my strength. I have no idea if it hits or not, but the act itself gives me some relief. I pull out some tissues, wiping my face as best as I can, then hop on my bike. Just as I start pedaling, a sleek black car stops in front of me. My breath hitches. Isn’t it the same car? Gritting my teeth, I get off my bike, my anger boiling over.

"Yah! Get out right now!"

I’m not the type to mess with people foolishly, so why am I unable to contain my fury today? Well, it's not my fault but his/her and maybe that is the reason. A wicked thought crosses my mind. Should I treat him and his car the same way he treated me? Yes. A perfect idea. With a smug grin, I get on my bike and spin around his car at least four times. Each turn splashes more mud onto the sleek vehicle. By the time I finish, the once-glossy car is covered in layers of filth. A sigh of relief escapes me. But the driver still doesn’t step out. The car’s windows are completely blacked out, now dirtier than before. I have no idea if it’s a man or a woman inside.

Using some water, I clean a small section of the windshield. Then, without hesitation, I raise my middle finger.

"Hmph!"

Victory instill happiness inside my heart. It genuinely pure joy. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to savor my triumph—

SPLASH!

A fresh wave of water hits my face, drenching me again. I snap my eyes open, wiping the water away in shock. And then—I see him.

A man steps out of the car, radiating an aura of disobedient and ruthless human being. However, his towering height, sharp jawline, dark brown doe eyes, and alluring pink lips leave me momentarily breathless. His stylish man bun, with a low fade cut on both sides, only adds to his striking presence.

His perfume—powdery and intoxicating—fills the air, making my heart race. He grabs a water bottle from my hands and throws the water onto his car, washing the windshield and revealing something alarming— A crack. His fierce gaze locks onto me.

"What is this?" His voice is deep and controlled, but the tension in it is unimaginable. Somehow, the pervert side is regretting so hard for messing with this heartthrob. However, I also have a positive attitude that always inspires me to do that feels right.

I fold my arms defiantly. "Can't you see?" His jaw clenches at my nonchalant response.

"How dare you ruin my super expensive car?" I scoff.

"The way you dared to ruin my clothes, my bike, and my work hour." He scans me from head to toe, making me uncomfortable.

"This car costs five hundred and ninety-six thousand dollars." He steps closer.

"You are only expected to pay a paltry fifty thousand dollars to cover the damages."

"WHAT?!" My eyes widen in pure shock.

"Have you lost it?! You were the one who messed with me first!"

He smirks.

"Your violence caused my vehicle to be equally drenched. Equal, equal. But how about the damage? And the middle finger?"

This man's behavior is driving me crazy. How can he make such a scene? From where will I bring that much money?

"Though I know you must be a poor girl, I have no intention of granting you forgiveness. You must either provide compensation or agree to my terms, and failing to agree to either option will result in your detention!" The man's words are causing me confusion.

"What is he even saying? Should I really be sent to jail over something so trivial?" Oh, no, no, but how about the condition?

"Tell me your condition because I don't want to go to jail." At the sound of my words, a smirk creeps across the man's lips, but I am left to wonder what sort of conditions he might have in mind.

Moving with slow steps, he begins to approach me, causing me to feel trapped between him and my bike. There is no distance between us now. His malevolent gaze leaves me feeling numb and unsure of how to proceed.

I groan, "What do you want?" He leans in dangerously close.

"You have two choices: pay me or accept my condition." I swallow hard.

"What... condition?" His lips curl into a smirk.

"A one-night stand obviously." My blood boils. Without thinking—

SLAP!

Ellen POV

Beside my girlfriend Rylee, I wake up and look at her sleeping figure while trailing my finger over her cheek.

"Morning, baby," I whisper near her ear.

"Umm, morning," she says with her husky, alluring tone. The sound of her voice, which as usual seems preoccupied with attempting to entice me, causes me to scoff. With the lobe of her ear, I tinker around, enjoying the opportunity to tease her.

"Uh, Ellen!" I'm all too accustomed to hearing my name come out of her mouth after hearing it countless times throughout the night. It makes me suddenly detest it.

My parents selected the name Ellen John for me, but it has never felt right to me. Despite being the 26-year-old son of a rich family, enormous wealth, and the company of my girlfriend, I always want my father's attention and love.

Even my mother, who has only occasionally talked with my father since my birth, makes me even more heartless, at least in my eyes.

"Oh, no! What is the