Chapter 2
Jackson Gray, the notorious billionaire heir to Gray Enterprises and America’s most eligible bachelor.
Not only was he born into wealth, but he’d proven his own abilities by founding a tech company that went public within just one year.
At the product launch, he wore a black suit that highlighted his long legs and sharp features, causing the audience to go wild with screams, begging him to become a male model.
If it was him, then everything made sense. Billionaires operated with their own currency.
I respectfully replied:
“Mr. Gray, I listed the wrong price.”
Jackson: “What was the original price? Do you have any other items that belonged to Victoria Hawthorne?”
“I want everything of hers. Name your price.”
I stared at the words on my screen, reading them over and over for a full three minutes.
Victoria Hawthorne was me. I was Victoria Hawthorne.
But what did that mean? How did Jackson Gray know me?
He was Manhattan royalty.
I was a nobody from a small city.
We existed in completely different worlds with no connection whatsoever.
When I didn’t answer, Jackson sent a voice message.
“I’m sorry if I startled you. I got a bit emotional.”
After a brief pause, he continued in a deeply sorrowful tone.
Chapter 2
“Victoria Hawthorne was my deceased wife. Her belongings mean a great deal to me. If you have anything else, please consider selling them to me.”
Jackson’s voice was distinctive–deep and magnetic with a slight New York accent, exactly like it
sounded on TV.
I was stunned, my heart pounding, my thoughts scattered, my breathing rapid, stars swimming before my eyes.
Good lord, what incredible luck—I shared a name with Jackson Gray’s late wife.
Jackson Gray’s romantic history was famously dramatic.
Rumor had it he was surrounded by beautiful women–actresses, heiresses, influencers–all fighting for his attention.
The most promising candidate was his childhood sweetheart, Vanessa Monroe. They came from equally prestigious families, and their business ties were strong. Gossip columns frequently hinted at an impending engagement, causing stock prices to rise for days.
But childhood sweethearts couldn’t compete with fate.
During a vacation abroad, Jackson suddenly married a local woman.
Jackson announced the marriage without even revealing her name. Reporters staked out locations for months but couldn’t uncover anything about her background, name, or appearance. Eventually, they approached Vanessa Monroe for information.
Facing the cameras, Vanessa first admitted that their friend group had met Jackson’s wife.
Then, seemingly joking, she asked the reporters:
“Do people hide good things away?”
Soon, the media was spreading rumors that Jackson never brought his wife to public events because she was too ordinary to be seen with him.
But how did someone so ordinary catch Jackson Gray’s eye?
Chapter 2
This became the mystery of the year, with theories running wild.
Some said she had saved his life and then blackmailed him.
Others claimed she had trapped him with a pregnancy.
The most widely circulated story was that Jackson had a massive fight with Vanessa before his vacation. Apparently, Vanessa had done something terrible, and Jackson married some random woman just to spite her.
Later events seemed to confirm this rumor. Jackson didn’t seem to like his new bride. He never brought her to public events or mentioned her to the media.
Even at his birthday party, when asked about the most important woman in his life, he mentioned Vanessa Monroe.
Everyone believed the marriage existed in name only.
Until three years ago, when Mrs. Gray died in a car accident, and Jackson went completely mad.
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