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

should have the wedding?" Lisa asked, excitement

wanted to make Lisa happy. "You decide,

it in a month!" she exclaimed,

by the sudden timeline, but he nodded with a smile, "Sure, in a month it is," he agreed, not wanting

some rest, Lisa, I'm sure you are tired," Alex

about you? You're not going to bed?" Lisa looked up to him as she

H

be in bed before you know it." he smiled

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

into alertness, Lisa glanced over at Alex,

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

man on the line responded with a dark chuckle. "I

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

to the point. "I need money, Liu. And I know

pressure only made it worse. "I won't

a bombshell that made Lisa's blood nun cold. "If you don't

when she was so close to marrying Alex. She gritted her teeth, regretting ever

did I ser in you back then?" Lisa muttered in

sex with ine," he

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

mocking. "Of course, once I receive the payment, we

as she asked, "How much

an

insane! I don't have that kind

The

was chilli "But your boyfriend