The Male Lead Goes Rogue

By the time reporters from every major news outlet swarmed Lewis Hale's doorstep, I was soaking in my enormous bathtub and watching a reality show.

The scandal shot to the top of the trending charts. I gladly added fuel to the fire by posting the suggestive photo Lewis had sent me.

Fiona Casey called nonstop, desperate to track me down. My phone practically rang itself to death.

By then, I was at a nightclub, tipping the dancers onstage.

Fiona didn't run a major corporation for nothing. Within an hour, her bodyguards had tracked me down and hauled me back to her villa.

She glared at me, her face tight with anger.

"Joel! What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you realize what you've done? You could ruin Lewis's career! Was getting my attention really worth making this much of a scene?"

I shook my head and made myself comfortable on the couch. "Get your attention? That's quite an ego you've got. I just wanted to ruin you and Lewis. You both had it coming."

I didn't have any particular talents, but I did have three wish-fulfillment novels under my belt. If those taught me anything, it was how to hold my ground and make myself at home.

Sure enough, Fiona frowned at me for several seconds, clearly thrown off. She expected the usual pleading, and instead, I gave her an insult.

Her confusion turned to anger.

"Lewis is just someone I know from high school. Just because your mind's in the gutter doesn't mean there's anything going on between us!

"If you want to stay with me, and you want me to keep your father's company afloat, here's what you're going to do.

"Go online and post a public apology to Lewis. Tell everyone you faked the photo and the messages. And I mean now!"

That gave me pause. My father's company needed her help to stay afloat?

Right. I almost forgot.

The original Joel Johnson's father was a powerful crime boss who preferred to settle things with his fists. His mother was a ruthless businesswoman who ran a multibillion-dollar empire.

When Joel first started dating Fiona, he worried she would judge him for his family background, so he told her a little white lie. According to him, his parents owned a small family business that brought in just enough to get by.

Fiona had no idea how much of her wealth and success came from his parents quietly backing her. Yet somehow, she acted like she was the one keeping the Johnsons fed.

I crossed my legs and leaned back against the couch. "And what exactly are you gonna do if I say no?"

Fiona shook with anger and raised a hand to slap me. Before she could swing, I pulled out my phone and started recording.

"Go ahead. Right across the face." I pointed at my cheek. "Touch me, and I'll put you right back on the trending list."

Her hand stopped in midair. She didn't dare hit me, but lowering it meant backing down.

Luckily for her, the sharp click of dress shoes broke the silence. A moment later, Lewis Hale hurried in and slipped his arms around her.

"Fiona, leave it. There's no point arguing with Joel over me. I sent the text, so I'll take the blame. I just wanted him to know you were safe. Figured it'd save him some worry."