Page 97 of My Big, Fat, Fake Billionaire Wedding

“About that... I’m not actually here to deliver paperwork, Mrs. King.” Burt’s voice sounds different than his professional boardroom tone. Colder. “I think we need to have a conversation about your extracurricular activities.”

What the actual fuck?

“I’m not sure what you mean.” Ava’s voice remains steady, but I detect a slight tremor.

“Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit someone of your talents.” There’s a threatening pause. “Your little investigation into my communications. Very thorough for an art student.”

My blood runs cold as understanding clicks into place. Burt knows Ava’s been investigating him. But why would she be investigating him at all?

“I was just familiarizing myself with the company systems,” Ava says smoothly. “Since I’m a trustee now.”

A harsh laugh from Burt. “Is that why you took screenshots of my private communications? Why you’ve been compiling evidence against me? You think Gideon will believe your amateur detective work over my years of loyalty?”

My fingers tighten around the phone. She found something on Burt. Something serious enough that he’s confronting her alone in our home.

I quickly pull up the security app on my laptop, activating the penthouse cameras. The feed shows Burt standing too close to Ava in the living room, backing her against the wall. Her expression is defiant despite her physical retreat.

I’m already on my feet, grabbing my suit jacket from the back of my chair as I send an emergency alert to building security. “Sebastian, car now,” I bark into my office intercom, not waiting for a response.

I continue listening on my phone as I stride through the executive floor, ignoring startled looks from staff.

“You should have minded your own business, Mrs. King.” Burt’s voice drops lower. “Blackwell would have preferred you remained ignorant. Now we have a problem.”

Blackwell. The name ignites something primal inmy chest. Burt is working with Blackwell. And Ava discovered it.

“What do you want, Burt?” Ava asks, her voice remarkably composed despite the situation.

“Simple. Delete everything you’ve collected. Tell me exactly who you’ve shared this information with. Then perhaps we can forget this unfortunate situation.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Your position in Gideon’s life is temporary at best. We both know that. A convenient arrangement that will end when it’s served its purpose. How tragic would it be if something accelerated that timeline?”

Thatfucking bastardis threatening my wife.

The elevator doors slide open and I step inside, jabbing the button for the garage level. Fifteen fucking minutes across town stands between me and Ava. Too long.

I send a text to Ray Donovan, my head of security: “Burt Lee threatening Ava in penthouse. Building security alerted. Detain immediately. Evidence of corporate espionage with Blackwell. ETA 15 minutes.”

“You’re making a serious mistake,” Ava’s voice is steel now. “Gideon will—”

“Gideon will what? Believe the woman he married for convenience over the executive who’s been by his side for years? You overestimate your position, Mrs. King.”

Sebastian already has the car waiting when I reach the garage. I slide into the back seat, my phone still pressed to my ear.

“Get me home now,” I tell him, not bothering to hide the urgencyin my voice.

Sebastian meets my eyes in the rearview mirror, instantly understanding. “Yes, sir.”

The car peels out of the garage, tires squealing against concrete.

“You need to leave now,” Ava says firmly through the phone.

“Not until you delete those files and tell me exactly what you’ve shared with Gideon.”

“I’m not deleting anything.”

“Then I’ll have to insist more forcefully.”

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