21
The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 83
I watched her face closely, panic rising as I saw the uncertainty in her eyes. Mom’s brow furrowed as she seemed to mentally sort through her options. For the first time, I realized she might not have an immediate answer. The thought was terrifying
“Mom, don’t you love me anymore?” The words came out childish and desperate. “Are you just going to watch while someone
destroys me?”
Her expression hardened at that, her spine straightening. “How could your say that? Of course I love you! She pulled me into her arms, stroking my tangled hair. “You’re my only daughter that matters. I’d do anything for you. There is a solution, but….
Hope flared in my chest, bright and desperate. “But what?” I grabbed her hands, squeezing them tightly. “Mom, I knew you’d have a plan. What is it?”
Mom’s eyes met mine, calculating. “What
about Alexandert
you forgotten him?”
“Alexander?” The name felt strange on tongue.
chaos of the past few days, I’d barely thought about my fiancé
Oh God, Alexander. Had he seen the headlines? The photos? The accusations? Panic clawed at my throat. What if the Stark family decided I was too much of a liability? The engagement had never just been about love–it was a business arrangement too, a way to secure my family’s standing with my shares in Capital Corp.
My fingers dug into Mom’s arms with bruising force, my nails leaving half–moon imprints in her skin. She winced, drawing în a sharp breath.
“Victoria! What are you doing?” Her voice was tight with pain.
I released her immediately, summoning the expression that had won me my first movie role–wide eyes, trembling lower lip, the perfect picture of vulnerability. “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It’s just… Alexander hasn’t even called to check on me.
I…”
Mom’s expression suddenly shifted, the slight narrowing of her eyes indicating she’d just had an idea. “Do you remember that important guest at your grandfather’s birthday party?”
The question seemed odd, disconnected from our conversation. “Mom, you mean… Brandon Stark?”
“Exactly.” Her eyes gleamed with purpose. “Isn’t Alexander related to Brandon? If Brandon Stark helps us, your problems will disappear overnight!”
But I remembered our last encounter–how he’d looked straight through me, pretending not to even know who I was. The memory stung. My brief moment of hope deflated.
“But that Brandon Stark is so awful,” I began, the complaint automatic. “He-
“Do you want to salvage your career or not?” Mom cut me off sharply, her voice like a whip,
I flinched at her tone.
“If you want to stay in Hollywood, sometimes you need to swallow your pride,” she continued, her eyes hard. “Besides, if our family connects with Brandon Stark, your father wouldn’t need to beg the Windsors for anything.”
-I knew what she wasn’t saying. The Windsors had pulled their investment after that disaster with Summer at Grandpa’s birthday
party. No one on Wall Street would touch Taylor family businesses now. Dad had been locked in his study for days, making desperate calls to save Capital Corp.
Chapter 83
But still…Brandon Stark?
The man intimidated me in a way few people ever had. There was something in those cold eyes that made me feel transparent, like he could see through every calculated i move I’d ever made. If he’d been so dismissive before, why would he help me now?
Unless… Alexander could convince him. After all, they were family, even if distant.
I needed to believe this would work. “Alexander and Brandon must be close, right? Alexander and Brandon will definitely help me!
Mom’s smile was triumphant. “Of course he will. You’re gorgeous, darling. Any man would fall for you!”
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