All Chapters of Faking it with the NHL’S Golden Boy: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

***THE TRAP***Flora's POV"Forgive the delay, everyone. Flight from London was a nightmare," a smooth, cultured voice chimed.Allie walked into the dining room like she owned the space.She was wearing a cream silk pantsuit that looked effortlessly expensive, her blonde hair perfectly blown out.Arthur Sinclair’s entire face transformed. The cold, lethal expression he had worn just seconds ago evaporated into a genuine, proud smile. "Allie, darling," Arthur said, his voice warm and welcoming. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it.""I wouldn't miss a Sinclair family dinner, Arthur," Allie replied smoothly, stepping forward to press a graceful kiss to his cheek."Allie! Oh, thank goodness," Megan gasped, her patronizing smile instantly turning genuine as she practically vibrated in her seat. "You look incredible. Come sit here!"Aunt Beatrice leaned forward, her heavy gold jewelry clinking excitedly. "Allie, dear, congratulations to your father! I saw the press release about

***MILLION DOLLAR DEAL***Flora's POVA sharp knock on the door made me freeze mid-step. Tyler’s warning from earlier flared in my mind.My heart did a sudden, violent flip against my ribs.Holding the plush fabric of the towel tightly against my chest, I crept toward the door and cracked it open an inch.The butler stood in the corridor and behind him, a young maid held her hands clasped over her apron, stationed next to a wheeled silver cart. Resting on the bottom tier of the cart was a crisp cardboard box.“Courtesy of Mr. Sinclair, miss,” the butler said smoothly.“He instructed us to bring you breakfast and something comfortable to wear.” He gestured slightly to the maid, who carefully wheeled the cart past me into the room.“Mr. Sinclair also explicitly stated that you may use any skincare and perfume from his personal collection,” the butler continued, stepping back into the threshold.He turned slightly and pointed a white-gloved hand toward a subtle, recessed archway further d

***THINGS FALL APART***Flora's POV"...are you aware we're to close a million-dollar deal with you and Mr. Tyler?"The words echoed in my head, loud and violently disruptive.A million dollars.Is this a prank?My mind spun out of control, reeling so fast that the breath caught in my throat."Mrs. Flora? Are you there?" The CEO’s sharp, professional voice pierced through my panic, dragging me abruptly out of my racing thoughts."Y-yes! I’m here. Sorry, I just… wow. That’s… a lot.” I stammered, my voice sounding incredibly small in the quiet car. "Excellent," she continued smoothly. "Our first meeting is officially scheduled for 12:00 PM today. We look forward to seeing you both." I hung up, heart racing like I’d just run a marathon, and immediately called Tyler.He picked up on the second ring. “What?” “Tyler! I got a call from Auren beauty, did you really go all the way out for me.” I blurted, my eyes widening in excitement. “They said something about—”“Yeah…Yeah.” He interrupte

***EVICTED***Flora's POV“Our hotel stay expired today,” I said, staring at the flashing red text. “We’re supposed to be out of Chicago this morning.” “This is exactly what I’ve been trying to discuss with you. Where do I get to stay for the next three months? And what about my best friend? We can’t exactly pitch a tent on the sidewalk while I play the part of your doting fake girlfriend.”Before he could answer, a frantic, rhythmic knocking rattled the door. It swung open immediately. Lucille burst in, holding three cups of coffee.“We've got a problem, Lucille,” I said, tapping the space beside me on the bed. She sat down and I thrust the phone into her face.Lucille’s eyes skimmed the text.She let out a long breath that deflated her shoulders. “I got it earlier this morning,” she whispered, rubbing her temples. “Forgot to tell you.” She looked up, her gaze shifting between Tyler and me, wide and uncertain. “So, what’s the play? Are we booking a one-way flight back to Los Angel

***PUBLIC EXECUTION***Tyler's POV“...allegations that have reportedly left you blacklisted from working anywhere in your field. Considering Tyler comes from one of the most prominent, wealthy families in the country… Do you honestly believe a middle-class girl with a compromised financial background fits into his status quo? And more importantly, Flora… are these criminal claims true?”The air in the room became tense immediately. Beside me, Flora went entirely still. The soft, rhythmic breathing I’d been tracking for the last twenty minutes flatlined.The mechanical click-whir-click of the media camera and keyboards exploded into a frenzied, chaotic roar. Reporters were already leaning over their small desks, pens tearing into pads, their heads bent in frantic, venomous whispers.“Did you get that?”“Check her records now.”“Jesus, the Sinclair brand is going to take a massive hit.”Flora opened her mouth. Her lips parted, the pale pink skin trembling against the stark white glare