All Chapters of FAKING IT WITH THE BILLIONAIRE : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Alex played the recording three more times before Izzy finally stopped him."You need to stop," she said, closing the laptop. "You've heard enough.""She wants the estate. Lila's estate." His voice was flat. "That's what this was always about.""And now we can prove it.""Lila left everything to me. Vivienne contested the will and lost. She's been planning this for two years." He stood abruptly. "I need to call the lawyers.""It's three in the morning.""I don't care."Izzy grabbed his arm. "Alex. Wait. We need to think this through.""Think what through? We have evidence. We present it at the hearing and end this.""If we show our hand now, they'll know someone leaked the files. They'll cover their tracks, claim the evidence was fabricated, tie us up in court for months." She pulled him back down. "We need to be strategic."He wanted to argue. She could see it in his eyes. But instead, he exhaled slowly. "What do you suggest?""We sit on it. Let them think they're winning. Then at th

The gala preparations consumed the next four days.Izzy had never seen anything like it. The estate transformed into something out of a fairy tale, with white flowers everywhere, crystal chandeliers hung in the gardens, and ice sculptures that cost more than her old apartment’s yearly rent.She tried not to think about the price tags.“Stop fidgeting,” the stylist said, pinning another section of Izzy’s hair.“I’m not fidgeting.”“You’ve moved three times in the last minute.”Izzy forced herself to sit still. The dress hung on the door—midnight blue silk that probably cost more than her car. She’d argued about it, but Alex had just handed over his credit card and walked away.Her phone buzzed. A text from her mom: *Good luck tonight, honey. You look beautiful. I saw the photos from the rehearsal.*Izzy smiled. Her parents had been surprisingly supportive once she’d explained everything. Well, most of everything. She’d left out the fake engagement part.Another text, this time from Sar

The gala was in six hours, and Izzy's dress didn't fit."I told you to try it on last week," Sophie said, tugging at the zipper that wouldn't budge past Izzy's ribcage."I've been slightly busy preventing corporate espionage and emotional blackmail." Izzy sucked in her breath. "Try again."Sophie yanked. The zipper moved half an inch. "We need a backup dress.""There's no time for a backup dress.""Then we need a miracle."Izzy's phone buzzed. A text from Alex: *Julian's at the venue. Says Vivienne showed up.*"Damn it." Izzy grabbed her jeans. "Sophie, find me something, anything, that fits. I have to go."She was out the door in ninety seconds.The Plaza ballroom was organized chaos. Florists arranged centerpieces, caterers set up serving stations, and Julian Blackwood stood near the stage, arms crossed, staring down Vivienne Dane."You need to leave," Julian said."I have every right to be here. I'm honoring my sister's memory.""You're violating the agreement you signed twelve hou

Izzy didn't move. "You're sorry.""I know you don't believe me." Vivienne took off her sunglasses. Her eyes were red, exhausted. "I don't blame you. But I need to say it anyway.""Say what, exactly? That you're sorry for abusing your sister? For trying to destroy Alex? For bribing my ex to sabotage my relationship?""All of it." Vivienne's hands twisted in her lap. "I've spent the last twenty-four hours watching everything fall apart. My reputation, my career, my life. And all I can think about is Lila.""Convenient timing for remorse.""It's not remorse. It's clarity." Vivienne looked at the fountain. "When Lila and I were kids, our parents were never home. I raised her. Fed her, helped with homework, scared away bullies. She was my responsibility.""That doesn't excuse.....""I'm not making excuses. I'm explaining." Vivienne's voice hardened. "When Lila grew up, she didn't need me anymore. She had Alex, the foundation, and her own life. And I couldn't handle it. I told myself I was

The wedding planning started three days after the Morrison family dinner.Izzy wanted something small. Alex agreed. Then Maria got involved."Small?" Maria clutched her chest dramatically. "My only daughter's wedding and you want *small*?"They were sitting in Alex's apartment, surrounded by bridal magazines that had mysteriously appeared overnight."Mom, we're thinking fifty people maximum. Just family and close friends.""I have forty-seven cousins.""Exactly my point."Alex diplomatically intervened. "Mrs. Morrison, what if we compromised? A hundred guests, but we keep it intimate. Garden ceremony, small reception."Maria's eyes lit up. "The Plaza has beautiful gardens.""Mom, we're not getting married at The Plaza.""Why not? Alex can afford it.""That's not the point.....""Actually," Alex said slowly, "the foundation's estate in Westchester has gardens. Lila designed them. We could get married there."The room went silent.Izzy stared at him. "Are you sure?""It's time. Lila wou