Page 46 of My Big, Fat, Fake Billionaire Wedding

For the briefest moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like if this were real. If I were actually Gideon King’s actual partner, not just a convenient business solution. The thought makes my heart do something complicated in my chest.

Danger, Ava. Red alert. You’re paid not to have feelings for him.

“Ready to face the lions again?” he asks, nodding toward the crowded ballroom.

I take a deep breath and square my shoulders. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Just promise to keep saving me from social suicide.”

“Deal.” The warmth in his voice feels dangerously close to genuine.

14

Gideon

Icheck my watch for the third time. The boardroom is filling with executives, their polite chatter masking the undercurrent of curiosity. Eight minutes until we start. Where the fuck is she?

The double doors open, and my shoulders relax imperceptibly. Ava enters with Ray hovering at a respectful distance behind her. My head of security catches my eye with a subtle nod that tells me everything proceeded according to protocol.

Ava looks... different. The tailored navy suit from my stylist fits her perfectly, but she walks like she’s wearing armor rather than clothing. Her wild curls are pulled back into a severe bun that makes her cheekbones more pronounced. The minimal makeup enhances her features while projecting professionalism.

She looks beautiful. She also looks nothing like herself.

“You’re early,” I say when she reaches me, keeping my voice neutral despite the relief I feel.

“Diana insisted we leave twenty minutes beforeyour driver said was necessary.” Ava tugs at her blazer sleeve. “Is this really what people wear every day? It feels like a straitjacket.”

I suppress a smile. “You look the part.”

“I look like I’m playing dress-up in someone else’s life.”

That’s exactly what this is, I remind myself. A performance with a contract and an expiration date.

“Follow my lead,” I murmur as I guide her to her seat at my right hand. “Remember, you don’t need to prove anything. Your presence and signature are what matter legally.”

She nods, but I can see the determination in her eyes. Ava Redwood—correction, Ava King—isn’t content to be a silent figurehead. She’s going to try to understand everything.

I wouldn’t expect any less of her.

Still, this could go badly.

Very badly.

Jonas enters, carrying a stack of presentation folders. He gives Ava a polite nod before leaning close to my ear. “Blackwell’s team filed additional paperwork this morning. Ella’s reviewing it, but initial assessment suggests they’re probing for weaknesses in our structure.”

“Expected. We’ll discuss after.” I turn to address the room as the last executive takes his seat. “Let’s begin.”

I maintain my usual efficiency as we move through the agenda. Quarterly projections. Acquisition updates. Development timelines. Throughout it all, I’m acutely aware of Ava beside me, her pen moving across the notepad as she takes careful notes.

When we reach the critical item, the establishmentof the Spousal Asset Protection Trust, I introduce her formally.

“As you’re all aware, recent changes to our corporate structure include the creation of a parallel investment entity with my wife as trustee. The board will now formally recognize Ava King in this capacity.”

All eyes shift to her. I can practically hear their thoughts: Who is this woman? What does she know about business? How did she convince Gideon King to marry her? Or worse, they suspect the ruse, and wonder if I’m using her to save the company.

Fuckity fuck.

Ava straightens in her chair. A slight blush fills her cheeks with red heat. “Thank you for the welcome. I recognize my appointment is unconventional. I won’t pretend to have your experience, but I take this responsibility seriously.”

Simple words, delivered with unexpected poise. She’s not trying to be someone she’s not. That’s refreshing.

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