CAUGHT IN THE BILLIONAIRE’S GAME

 “Seduce him. Make him fall in love with you.”

Carly stared at the smiling, dark-haired man in the distance, every ounce of confidence she had managed to summon shattering instantly. This had to be a hallucination, right?

Because why was she looking at Alexander Lennox?! This was the man she was supposed to seduce?

Some days ago…

“Carly, sweetie, I need money… your old man’s in a bit of trouble again…”

Again.

There was no one in the world more familiar with those words than Carly. Her ‘old man’ was a gambling addict—a fact she knew all too well.

She had tried everything to make him stop: therapy, new hobbies, even ultimatums. And every time, he’d promise to quit. But within a month, he’d be right back at it, dragging a fresh pile of debt along with him.

That debt always ended up being her responsibility. She loved her dad, but it was exhausting.

Taking a deep breath, Carly tried hard to stay calm. “Dad… I told you, I just got a new job. I haven’t even received my first paycheck yet. The last money I had went to pay off what you borrowed from Mr. Spencer. I don’t have anything left.”

“No, sweetie, you have to help me. I—”

Beep.

She cut the call. It was no use; he would only repeat the same tired excuses. She didn’t want to hear them anymore.

But still… she couldn’t just abandon him.

Her dad hadn’t always been like this. He’d completely fallen apart after her mom passed away. And even now, years later, he hadn’t recovered. She couldn’t let him sink further. So, she’d pay. Again and again.

But where was she supposed to get the money this time?

She’d barely started her new job. There was no way her employer would give her an advance on her salary.

What am I supposed to do now?

“Ugh…” She groaned, already feeling a headache coming on.

Suddenly, she noticed someone staring at her intently. The person was dressed in a hoodie with oversized glasses covering most of their face, but something about them felt oddly familiar.

The figure stood up and approached her table, sitting opposite her before pulling the glasses down to reveal their face.

Carly’s eyes widened. Madison Fletcher?!

Madison Fletcher was an actress who had skyrocketed to fame a couple of years ago. She was a hot topic everywhere. But why was she here?

Madison peered at Carly curiously before gasping. “You really do look like me!”

Carly raised her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

Madison seemed to realize how strange she sounded and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. I should introduce myself. I’m Madison,” she said, holding out her hand.

Carly shook it warily. “I know who you are. Why are you here?”

Madison smiled. “I overheard your call. Are you in need of money?”

The question was abrupt, and Carly frowned. “What’s it to you?”

“Well, I have an offer for you,” Madison said, leaning in. “It might sound strange, but I need you to seduce someone—”

And that “someone” was the man Carly was looking at right now: Alexander Lennox, one of the famous Lennox brothers and her boss.

Yes, her boss.

The company Carly had just joined was owned by him and his brother. Barely weeks into her job, here she was, on a mission to seduce her boss. How exciting.

Come on, Carly, she thought as she stared at him, downing another drink. Seducing your boss—easy peasy. Right?

“Um… what’s up with her?” Chris Lennox asked, nodding toward the auburn-haired woman seated by the bar. “She’s been staring at Alex for hours.”

Chris’s gaze locked onto the woman. She sat drinking glass after glass, her eyes fixed on his brother.

His first assumption? She was probably one of Alex’s ex-lovers—an obsessed one. It wasn’t surprising.

Alex had a knack for breaking hearts in the most polite, gentlemanly way possible, leaving women hung up on him. He was a real b*st*rd, but somehow, they never seemed to notice.

Chris sighed and turned his attention back to the woman draped over him, her hand resting on his lap. She smiled, pressing her chest forward.

“What do you say we head upstairs, Mr. Lennox?” she purred, her other hand trailing over his chest.

Chris leaned in, his cold gray eyes meeting hers. “Tell the old man I said hi,” he murmured before standing and walking away, leaving her stunned.

Another one sent by the old man, he thought grimly. This needs to stop.

Back at the bar, Carly was, well… drunk.

This wasn’t part of the plan, but at this point, it felt necessary. She glanced around the room. Where’s my target?

Her world tilted slightly as she staggered to her feet. Madison had told her Alexander’s room number.

She stumbled to the elevator and pressed the button. Stepping out on the right floor, she spotted a man unlocking a door.

Relief washed over her. This is it.

“Oh, there you are,” she called out, her voice slurred as she hurried over. She hooked her arms around his neck. “I’ve been looking for you.”

The man turned, his gray eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”

Carly didn’t bother responding. Her gaze dropped to his lips. This is my job. Just do it.

“Stop moving. I need to kiss you,” she slurred.

The man’s eyebrow arched in amusement. “Are you sure you’ve got the right person?”

“Uh-huh,” she murmured, leaning closer. “Now stop talking.”

She tilted her head up and pressed her lips to his.

For a moment, nothing happened. She pulled back, pouting. “Why aren’t you… doing anything?”

The man chuckled, a smile playing on his lips. “And what exactly am I supposed to be doing?”

“Kiss me back!” she huffed.

He held her steady, his stormy eyes glinting. “Is that so?”

Before she could reply, he lifted her effortlessly and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was deep, consuming, and completely unlike anything she’d experienced before. Her hands clung to his shoulders as he pulled her closer.

When he finally pulled away, Carly was breathless. She looked up at him, her heart racing.

He leaned in, his voice low. “Well, dear… do you still need help?”

She didn’t come downstairs.

“Ugh,” Madison groaned, looking away.

There was no need to keep checking. Carly had probably met Alex by now, and they’d already made their way to bed.

Alex was undeniably charming, and Carly, apart from looking eerily similar to her, was beautiful and seemed intelligent. Of course, Alex would fall for her. He’d make her swoon, and they’d end up together.

Maybe one day, she herself might even be invited to their wedding—as the matchmaker. They’d have a kid and...

Stop! That’s none of your business. You need Alex off your back, and that’s all that matters, she told herself firmly.

She wasn’t jealous. Good for him. Good for her. It’s not like I care.

But she did. Admitting that made her even more frustrated. After all, this whole situation had been her plan. Her stupid, foolish plan to make Alexander Lennox leave her alone.

Madison and Alex had dated while she wa