New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 71

Chapter 71 A surprise call

Ales and Lisaarived at the penthouse, the evening's events lingering in the air between them. Lisa's usual excited anorected subdued as she made her way Lowards their room, her thoughtsclearly elsewhere. Concerned by Lise's quietness, Alex followed her, his footsteps echoing softly.

"Hey, is everything okay?" he asked gently as he entered their mom

Lisa turned around, berexpression a mix of disappointment and frustration. She shook her head, not needing to voice the reason for bemood, though Alex akare! anyway, knowing it had to do with Claire's unexpected presence. "Are you okay, love!" alex inquired, his concem evident in his eyes.

Today was supposed to be special for Lisa, and she couldn't hide her disappointment. "It was supposed to be our night. Why did Claire have to show lamented, bertane finged with sadness.

Alex sighed, sitting beside her on the foot of the bed. "I didn't know Claire was coming Dad imited her he explained, hoping to ease Lisa's mind.

Lisa sat back, letting out a sigh of resignation. "Your father doesn't like me," she admitted, her voice tinged with insecurity.

Alex wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "That's not true, Lisa, Dad can be a bit reserved, but it's just his way with people," he reassured her, hoping to dispeller doubts.

"But why does be act differently with Claire?" Lisa pressed, her eyes searching Alex's for answers.

Alex took a moment to choose his words carefully. "He's known Clair for a long time, tince we're married, Jilled with conviction

sarm up to you, I'm surent it," he said, his voice

Lisa nodded slowly, still feeling a bit disheartened, Alex tamed to her, wanting told her spirits. "You were the star of the show for me tonight, Lisa I prefer beating you play the plates over anyone else," he said sincerely, though he knew it was a little white lie. Lisa's smile brightmed at his words, and she leaned in to kiss him affectionately. "I'm lucky to have you, Alex," she murmured against his lips.

o their wedding planti

Alexretumed her smile, feeling grateful for Lisa's understanding. She then suprised him by bringing up th

we should have the wedding?" Lisa

to make Lisa happy. "You decide, love, When would

do it

sudden timeline, but he nodded with a smile, "Sure,

you are tired," Alex caress her shoulder

not going to bed?" Lisa looked

H

going to check on my emails. 1'll be in bed before you know it." he smiled softly and kissed her cheek before heading out of their

of her phone. Groggy and disoriented, she tumbled for her phone and answered

instantly snapping her into alertness, Lisa glanced over at Alex, still peacefully asleep beside her, and quietly

my number?" speaking in a hushed yet in tone, Lisa demanded to know how the caller obtain

dark chuckle. "I have my ways, my

as she realized this wasn't a casual call.

need money, Liu. And I know you

and this added pressure only made it worse. "I won't give you anything. I don'Lowe

nun cold. "If you don't send me

panic. She couldn't let that happen, not when she was so close to marrying Alex. She

ser in you

sex

but kw she had to find a solution. "Fine,

mocking. "Of course, once I receive the

asked,

an esorbitant amount,

I don't have that kind

The

response was chilli