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Taming The Cold Hearted Billionaire Novel Cover

Taming The Cold Hearted Billionaire

Natalie Hamilton is gentle but determined, fighting to keep her family's small shop alive while convincing herself she's found love with a boyfriend she believes will protect her heart. Xavier Ashford is the opposite: cold, controlled, and ruthless, a rising CEO feared by everyone. His anger is legendary, his silence sharper than a blade, and the scars of his past have taught him to let no one close. When Natalie crosses his path, Xavier's carefully built world begins to crack, and long-buried family secrets claw their way back into the light. Pulled into a storm far bigger than she imagined, Natalie must face rising danger and old wounds reopening. Will she stand by Xavier when the past finally explodes, or will the truth tear them apart before love has a chance?
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Chapter 1

Natalie's POV

I finish getting ready for work in my bedroom. Taking one final glance at my outfit in the mirror, I step out into the hallway. Instantly, my dog Buddy starts barking and leaping onto me.

"Morning, Buddy," I say with a smile, scratching behind his ears. He barks once more before racing down the staircase. I follow him down toward the kitchen. My family doesn't reside in some grand mansion filled with extravagance. We survive on what we're able to make.

Something mouthwatering fills my nostrils as I enter the kitchen. My mom is preparing breakfast. Grace Hamilton-she works as a baker.

"Good morning, Mom," I greeted her, settling into my seat at the dining table.

"Morning, Nat," she replies, beaming at me.

"Where is everybody?" I ask while serving myself some pancakes.

"Derek is right here," my eighteen-year-old brother announces, strolling into the kitchen shirtless, his hair still damp from his shower.

"Where's your shirt, Derek?" Mom asks, carrying over the remaining pancakes. He gives a careless shrug and drops into his chair.

"Somewhere in my bedroom," he responds, piling the leftover pancakes onto his dish. What an animal.

"Save some for your sisters, you animal," my sixteen-year-old sister says as she enters. I shake my head at our identical reaction. He truly is an animal.

"Then you should move faster, sis," he mumbles through a mouthful of food. Mom smacks the back of his head and prepares my sister Claire's plate herself.

"Learn some manners, Derek," Mom scolds. Claire grins at Mom and accepts the plate, taking a seat beside Derek, who's now shooting daggers at Claire with his eyes. I glance at Mom.

"Where's Dad?" I inquire.

"He's already left for the bakery. There was an early delivery this morning. I'll head over after you all leave," Mom explains while tidying up the kitchen.

"He needs to take better care of his health, Mom," I say with concern.

"I tell him that constantly, but he refuses to listen," she sighs. I turn my attention toward my siblings.

"How's school treating you both?" I ask.

"It's ," Derek mumbles with his mouth crammed full of food. I stomp on his foot beneath the table. He yelps in pain.

"Don't speak like that-it's revolting," I say, narrowing my eyes at my brother.

"You just voiced my exact thought," Claire says, smiling at me.

"Mine's going well," she adds, continuing to eat. We finish our breakfast and say our goodbyes to Mom and Buddy. I watch my brother and sister climb into his vehicle, heading off to school. I slide into my car-or rather, my dad's car-and drive toward my workplace.

Both my siblings attend school. Derek is in his senior year and will soon be heading to college. He has a deep love for football and captains his school's team. He's awaiting news about a scholarship to Stanford University. We can describe him as your typical bad boy-popular and quite the player. He's the spitting image of our father, Richard Hamilton, with brown eyes and brown hair.

And my younger sister Claire is a sophomore. She's performing admirably in her classes. We share similar mindsets. We both inherited Mom's blue eyes, though our hair differs. She received Dad's brown hair while I inherited Mom's dark blonde locks.

My parents operate our family bakery called 'The Golden Crust.' This establishment has been functioning for nearly forty years. My grandfather established it in memory of my grandmother, and eventually my dad assumed control. Dad fell into despair when Grandfather passed away five years ago, but Mom helped him recover. They adore each other deeply. This bakery provides an adequate lifestyle. We manage reasonably well despite occasional challenges.

As for me-Natalie Hamilton, twenty-four years old. I completed my education in business. I've been employed at various smaller firms for two years. And currently, I'm working for one of the top three corporations as an executive assistant to the CEO for ten months. The compensation is excellent.

I arrive at the building within fifteen minutes and exit my vehicle. I wave at my friend Jessica at the reception desk and step into the elevator. I reach my floor and head to my office. I grab the boss's agenda and knock on his door. He calls out, "Come in."

I enter and observe the CEO of this corporation. Dominic Sterling-one of the most sought-after bachelors in Seattle.

"Good morning, sir. Here's your schedule," I say, offering him a smile. He smiles back, his eyes roaming over me.

"Good morning, Miss Hamilton," he says, accepting the folder. He outlines my assignments for the day as I jot down notes.

"Okay, sir. Anything else?" I inquire.

"No, that's everything for today," he says, his gaze still fixed on me. I nod and exit his office. I return to my workspace and search for the file he mentioned. Suddenly, someone embraces me from behind. I gasp in surprise.

"What are you doing tomorrow on Sunday?" a deep voice asks. I relax, recognizing the voice immediately.

"I'm heading to my parents' bakery to assist them. They have a large order to fulfill," I explain, placing my arms over his.

"Can't you visit my place instead? We can stream a movie, or I can take you somewhere," he suggests. I spin around and face Dominic.

Yes, he's my boyfriend. We've been involved romantically for approximately six months now. He was the one who pursued me initially. I accepted because I'd developed feelings for him when I first came here for my interview. Now I care for him deeply. He's the most wonderful boyfriend I could ask for. He's taken me on numerous dates.

"If I had the time, I'd genuinely love to visit. But not tomorrow," I say, meeting his eyes. He appears disappointed.

"I'll contact you the moment I complete my work. Does that sound acceptable?" I ask. He immediately brightens and presses his lips to mine. I return the kiss, smiling against his mouth. I can honestly say I'm falling for him. We've been maintaining this as a secret.

I pull back and gaze into his green eyes.

"Let's resume our work. Don't want to leave things unfinished," I say, removing his hands from around me. He pecks my lips once more and returns to his office.

I settle into my chair, smiling to myself. I feel fortunate to have him. I haven't mentioned anything to my parents about this relationship. I know they'd be supportive, but Dominic insisted we keep it private. This is the longest relationship I've been in. Every boyfriend-I can count only two-betrayed me within a few weeks. I didn't bother pursuing relationships after that. But I sense something different with Dominic. I know he won't hurt me.

I continue working, and soon lunchtime arrives. I met Jessica in the cafeteria. We're the same age. We chat while having lunch. She knows I'm dating Dominic. Suddenly, she stops eating and stares at me.

"Natalie, can I ask you something?" she asks, studying me with concern.

"Sure," I responded, taking a bite of my food.

"What would you do if you discovered Dominic is betraying you?" I start coughing at her words. I gulp down some water and compose myself.

"Why are you asking that?" I have a question.

"Just curious," she says, avoiding my gaze.

"Well, I know he'd never do that to me. He cares for me deeply," I say, smiling at her. She smiles back, but it appears forced.

"Okay," she says, resuming her meal. I also continue eating. We finish and return to our work.

Soon it's time to leave for the day. I gather everything and head to Dominic's office. I knock and enter. He appears startled and looks at me. He quickly shoves his phone into his pocket.

"What are you still doing here?" he asks, approaching me. I look at him, confused. Why is he behaving like this?

"I'm heading home. I came to say goodbye," I explained. He sighs and draws me into his arms.

"Sorry, I was just surprised when you entered like that," he says.

"It's fine. I'll contact you tomorrow," I promise.

"Okay. And I've arranged something special at my place tomorrow. So don't miss it," he says, winking at me. I blush, looking down.

"I'll leave now," I say. He suddenly grabs my backside.

"Okay, bye," he says but doesn't release me. I feel uncomfortable when he grabs my backside. Like I don't want him doing that here. I gently push him away, creating some distance between us. He releases me.

"Bye," I say, waving at him. I exit the room. As I'm heading toward the elevator, I notice a woman seated in the waiting area. She appears to be a visitor, but she's stunning. I simply shrug and step inside. When I reach my car, I search for my keys. But I can't find them. Then I remember I left them in my office.

I head back inside the building to my office. I hear some commotion in Dominic's office as I pass by. He must be speaking on the phone.

I retrieve my keys from my desk and walk out. I freeze when I hear a loud noise again from Dominic's office. I move closer to it. The sounds resemble someone groaning and moaning. My heartbeat accelerates as I hear more.

Don't let it be what I'm thinking.

The door is slightly ajar. I push it open a bit more and peer inside. My heart stops at what I witness inside.

Dominic is having intercourse with a woman. Both are completely undressed as Dominic takes her against his desk. I feel a tear escape from my eyes. The woman who's with Dominic is the same woman I noticed before I entered the elevator.

"Who was that girl who exited your office when I was waiting?" she asks, moaning.

"She's nobody to me, just my assistant," he says, groaning. Nobody.

"When will you end these secret encounters? You've been summoning me up here for four months now. I want to see progress," she says. I press my hand against my mouth when a sob escapes from me upon hearing her. He's been betraying me for so long.

"I've been anticipating something, and I believe I'll receive it tomorrow. I'll be a fortunate man if she provides what I desire," he says. Tears stream down my face hearing him. He isn't the Dominic I've known.

"Who is she? What are you referring to?" she asks.

"Nothing important. Now let me complete what I summoned you for," he says, continuing what he's doing. I look away, not wanting to witness what they're doing. I sprint to the elevator, crying. When I'm about to reach my car, I collide with someone. I look up and see Jessica. She appears confused. But I embrace her immediately.

Did she know Dominic was betraying me? That's why she asked what I'd do if I discovered it.

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