Chapter 1 You're Mine

General POV

"Hi, I'm Ethan Moore. You're mine from this moment onward," he declares, holding the car door open for her.

"What?-" Elizabeth exclaims.

"Get in the car," Ethan commands, unfazed by her protest.

"What-I don't even know who you are-you think having a baritone voice can make you stand in front of me and spout rubbish from that godforsaken thing you call a mouth?!" Elizabeth's irritation is palpable.

Ethan smirks. Nice, she's got a sharp tongue-he likes sharp tongue.

Turning to the nearest bodyguard, he orders, "get her in the car."

Meeting Elizabeth's gaze, he adds, "if she resists, throw her in the trunk."

Elizabeth almost loses it. Did the guy just say to throw her in the trunk? Her, Elizabeth Claire? Is she some piece of garbage?

Having said his piece, Ethan steps into the car and sits calmly like he isn't about to abduct a stranger.

Having a family that insists he brings a wife home is exhausting. They don't care about his happiness; all they want is a wife, no matter where she comes from.

Ethan sometimes wonders if they expect him to find one on the streets. Well, he practically did just that.

Like many billionaire bachelors, Ethan Moore finds little time for himself amidst the constant stream of business trips and obligations that come with running his father's company.

So, Ethan's parents are eager for him to find a wife, someone to stand by him. Their main goal is grandchildren, about five as his mother often mentions. But to have grandchildren, they need a woman. Ethan can't have children on his own, hence the need for a wife.

His parents, who fell in love and married willingly, don't want to impose any of their family friends' daughters on him, fearing it would lead to a loveless marriage for their son.

But when they realize he's not willing to comply, they threaten to set him up with Anna Campbell, the one and only.

Ethan can't stand her. She's arrogant and constantly seeking attention. Being an only child and heir to Bell Magazines, she's extremely spoiled.

Anna never misses a chance to vie for Ethan's attention whenever possible.

Whether it's at gatherings or social events, she flaunts her artificial charms, batting her long eyelashes and casting seductive glances his way. It's all nonsense.

One of the reasons he dislikes her is that Anna doesn't hold a candle to his mother. Ethan's mother is calm, collected, and reserved.

All Ethan desires is what his parents have-their love, their bond.

He's aware that Anna is only interested in becoming the lady of ENQ Company. She's obsessed with the fame and title that comes with being his wife, not with actually being his wife.

Anna annoys him to no end, and he'd never be with her, no matter what. Even if it means resorting to kidnapping a stranger, as he's doing now. He'd choose anyone over Anna Campbell.

Elizabeth stands her ground by the car, ignoring the bodyguards urging her to get in. "I refuse to get into this damn car!"

She briefly considers running for her life, but she knows it's futile. They'd catch up to her before she could take five steps.

Who are these people, Elizabeth wonders. Why is today turning out to be so cursed? She just finished defending her best friend from some harassers, and now this?

Elizabeth realizes she can't possibly stand up to these bodyguards; there are too many of them, and they seem like professionals. Besides, she's already worn out from fighting those thugs.

Arthur, Ethan's personal and most trusted bodyguard, closes the gap between him and Elizabeth. In an instant, she finds herself hoisted onto his shoulder.

"Goddammit! Let me go! Put me down!" Elizabeth screams hysterically, pounding his back with her small fists. But the man remains unfazed.

It becomes clear that he's as solid as a brick wall, and she's only wasting her energy.

Elizabeth quickly closes her mouth.

"Okay, wait. Please, put me down," her voice turns meek and sweet.

Arthur's eyes sparkle, complying with her request, hopeful that she'll willingly enter the car.

Elizabeth awkwardly clears her throat when her feet touch the ground, watching Arthur cautiously from the corner of her eye. She edges closer to him.

Standing on tiptoe, she whispers in his ear, "How much did he pay you? I can pay you even more. Just please, let me go. Name your price."

Arthur scoffs quietly, muttering a curse under his breath. Does she not realize who his boss is? Funny.

Without a word, Arthur sweeps her off her feet and tosses her over his shoulder again, then drops her into the trunk. He had intended for her to sit beside his boss at first, but since she's unwilling, the trunk will do. At least she'll be alone, free, and comfortable.

He slams the trunk shut and locks it before getting into the driver's seat. His subordinates join the convoy, and the vehicles begin to drive out of the rural area.

Throughout the drive to Ethan's mansion, Elizabeth doesn't stop banging against the inside of the car trunk, cursing and yelling at the top of her lungs.

For some unknown reason, Ethan doesn't find her outburst annoying. Instead, he finds it oddly amusing.

In fact, it's precisely Elizabeth's spirited defiance that initially caught his attention and drew him to her. Her fiery spirit is something he finds captivating, a quality that sets her apart from the monotony of his usual encounters.

***

Earlier that evening, after finishing his discussion about transferring land ownership for a new project with the sellers, Ethan needed to relieve himself urgently. With no other option in the slum, he sought out a secluded spot.

Approaching a narrow alleyway, he noticed a group of men surrounding a small woman. She had striking emerald green eyes and fair, clear skin.

All Ethan wanted was to sign the transfer papers and leave the slum as quickly as possible. So, he proceeded to relieve himself, completely ignoring the situation.