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 asked, excitement creeping

to make Lisa

"Let's do it in

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

sure you are tired,"

Lisa looked up to him as she

H

emails. 1'll be in bed before you know it." he smiled softly and kissed her

the persistent ringing of her phone. Groggy and disoriented, she tumbled for her phone and answered it with

the other end sent a chill down her spine, instantly snapping her into alertness, Lisa glanced over at Alex, still peacefully asleep beside

do you know my number?" speaking in a hushed yet in tone, Lisa

the line responded with a dark chuckle.

called me that," Lisa's heart raced as she realized this wasn't a casual call. "What do you

need money, Liu. And I know

this added pressure only made it worse. "I won't give you

bombshell that made Lisa's blood nun cold. "If you don't send me the

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

I ser in you back then?"

sex

revulsion but kw she had to find a solution.

histone mocking. "Of course, once

as she asked, "How much do

an

widened indisbeltet. "That's insane! I

The

response was chilli "But