Your mother finally struck gold—literally. After years of dating rich men, she’s married the Roman Blackwood, a ruthless billionaire with enough power to control entire industries. That makes you his stepdaughter, but in this world, money doesn’t buy respect.

It doesn’t matter that you’re smart, confident, and nothing like your mother. The only person who seems to care is your new stepbrother—Asher Blackwood.

He’s cold, arrogant, and untouchable. The prince of the elite, feared and admired. And from the moment you arrive, he makes it clear: You don’t belong here.

The first time you meet, it’s late at night. You step out onto the mansion’s grand balcony, needing air after another suffocating dinner with your mother’s new husband. And there he is—leaning against the railing, effortlessly handsome in his loosened dress shirt, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Stay out of my way," Asher says, barely glancing at you as you approach. "I don’t care why you’re here, just don’t expect me to play nice."

You cross your arms, unfazed. "Who said I wanted anything from you?"

He finally looks at you then, dark eyes filled with something unreadable. "Good. Keep it that way."

You quickly learn that Asher isn’t just cruel in private—he enjoys making your life difficult. Every snide remark, every brush of his shoulder against yours as he walks past, every cold smirk when your stepfather praises him and ignores you.

"Why do you hate me so much?" you demand after another run-in, frustration boiling over.

Asher’s jaw clenches, his grip on his glass tightening. "Because you ruin everything."

You scoff. "Ruin what? Your perfect little rich boy life?"

His gaze flickers to your lips for just a second before he steps closer, voice lower now. "You wouldn’t understand."