Chapter 195
Chapter 195:
“Read it,” Liam growled.
Lee sighed. “Victoria Hayes, the heiress to the Hayes shipping fortune and long-rumored fiancée of Alistair Thorne, touched down at Heathrow this morning. Sources say she is back to claim her man and plan the wedding of the century p>
Liam stopped chewing. A slow, cruel smile spread across his face.
“So,” Liam said softly. “The perfect Mr. Thorne has a secret p>
“It’s likely a business arrangement, sir,” Lee said. “The Thorne and Hayes families have been allies for decades p>
“I don’t care what it is,” Liam said. “I care what it looks like p>
He picked up his phone. “Call our media contacts. I want this story everywhere. Thorne’s Secret Fiancée. Skye Sterling: The Other Woman. Make her look like a homewrecker p>
Skye walked into her office at Oracle Holdings, feeling lighter than she had in years. The divorce was filed. The stock acquisition was complete. She was winning.
She’d spent the morning finalizing the hostile takeover of Gabriel Ross’s agency. It was the last piece of the puzzle to dismantle Liam’s media influence.
But her victory lap was interrupted.
Harper was waiting for her, looking anxious. She slammed an iPad onto Skye’s desk. “Have you seen this p>
Skye looked.
The headlines screamed: SCANDAL! SKYE STERLING CAUGHT IN LOVE TRIANGLE WITH ENGAGED BILLIONAIRE.
There was a photo of a stunningly beautiful woman—Victoria Hayes—walking through the airport, looking elegant and sad. The caption read: The Betrayed Fiancée Returns.
A cold knot formed in Skye’s stomach.
“He’s engaged?” Skye asked quietly.
“According to everyone, yes,” Harper said. “Victoria Hayes. Old money. They grew up together. Their parents have been planning this since they were in diapers p>
𝖥𝘪𝗻𝘥 𝗒𝗼u𝘳 𝘧а𝘃𝘰𝘳іt𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘦 оn 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝗻о𝘷𝖾lѕ.𝘤o𝗆
Skye sank into her chair. She thought about Alistair’s declaration on TV. I intend to catch her. And keep her.
Was she just a conquest? A distraction before he settled down with the appropriate wife?
“I’m sure there’s an explanation,” Skye said, though she didn’t sound convinced.
“Men always have explanations,” Harper muttered. “Usually lies p>
The intercom buzzed. “Ms. S? Mr. Thorne is in the lobby. He says it’s urgent p>
“Send him up,” Skye said. She stiffened her spine.
Alistair walked in moments later. He looked tense. He marched straight to her desk.
“The news is garbage,” he said without preamble. “Victoria is not my fiancée in any real sense p>
Skye looked at him. She wanted to believe him. But the doubt—planted by years of Liam’s gaslighting—was a weed that grew fast.
“Why is she here, Alistair?” Skye asked. “If there’s nothing between you, why did she fly back the moment you went public with me p>