Page 28 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

“I hadn’t thought of that, but I suppose it is.”

Even though she couldn’t see him, she could sense Felix’s smirking smile.

“You’re going to be disappointed,” she told him. “There is nothing unusual in Andrés’ program. Diet, grooming, and training and exercise methods are above board, and nothing is different from what I did at Bankes Farms for you. After speaking with the racing secretary, nothing indicates anything unsavory in his business practices.”

“That is not what I want to hear. And you didn’t tell me he’s continuing his breeding operation with a stallion purchase in Argentina.”

Piper tried to hold her temper. “Felix, I don’t consider that important until the stallion is in our stables and breeding begins. Should anything be unusual at that time, I’m obliged to let you know.”

“Piper, I’m immensely disappointed. If you don’t have something useful for me in our next update, I will be forced to rethink the motivation for not making your subterfuge public knowledge.” Once again, he hung up on her.

Piper heard the threat in his voice, and a chill ran through her.

CHAPTER13

FELIX

Felix was livid.That imposter, Olivera, has to be doing something illegal, unethical, or both.She’s not trying hard enough to find out.

His father and new stepmother—number four—were in the ballroom, celebrating their wedding with a dinner for seventy-five intimate friends. Felix had come into the library to take Piper’s call.

He would never admit it to Piper, but he knew she was one of the best trainers Bankes Farms ever employed and could read horses like no one else. If she suspected nothing, then there was probably nothing to be found.

“No, no, no. The man is a fraud, and I know it.”

Since Doncaster, Felix had been hearing nothing but praise for Olivera’s triumph over Sir Valor, and he was getting sick of it. He had used all his racing world contacts to find out as much as possible about Olivera’s business interests. That was how he knew of the Argentina trip to purchase a horse for breeding. Felix also learned Olivera was actively talking to successful breeders to add to his racing yard and was perturbed Piper hadn’t mentioned that to him either.

He poured himself a whisky and sat on the Victorian leather Chesterfield his second stepmother had insisted on buying for the library. There would be no more celebrating until Felix devised a backup plan in case Piper didn’t come through for him, and he had his doubts that she would, even though it would be a disaster for her duplicity to be exposed. She may be deceitful in her identity, but Felix knew she had been honest with him in every other aspect of their association. He would go as far as saying she had principles she truly lived by more than any of the titled set he associated with on a daily basis.

The door to the library opened. The brunette who had sat with Felix at the Doncaster race stepped in, closed the door, and stood before him, hands on her hips.

“There you are! Your father was looking for you; he wants you to give a toast before the wedding cake is cut. Not to mention you left me sitting next to that grotesque duke who kept wanting to whisper in my ear.”

“Candace, darling, I’m sure you are more than capable of handling Duke Avonleigh. As far as my father goes, I have no doubt there will be another one of his weddings at which I will be expected to give a toast. No one can live more than five years with him,” pointed out Felix. “But I don’t want to keep you from the party. I must make a business call now; I will return to your side shortly.”

Her irritation was evident from the scowl she was giving him. “Fine, but don’t be too long. You’re the one who didn’t want to come alone to this reception.” Candace’s long brown hair flew through the air when she whipped around and slammed the door behind her.

Her exasperation didn’t faze Felix. He continued thinking about the Olivera situation. He considered having Olivera’s personal life investigated but decided that wouldn’t necessarily stop his horses from winning races.

“It has to be disreputable enough to topple his recently won admiration from the racing society.” Felix’s eyes widened. “No, not even I could do that, or could I?”

He started scrolling through his contacts and found the name and number he needed. He momentarily hesitated to call as he thought the idea through but, in the end, entered the number.

“At least I gave it a second thought,” he said smugly. The number he dialed was ringing, and finally, it was answered. “Let me speak to Adamson, and tell him it’s Felix Bankes.”

CHAPTER14

ANDRÉS

Andrés was always happy to return home from a trip to be with Luis, but he added Piper to the reason for happiness on his return from Argentina. He had focused on the purchase negotiation, but his thoughts bounced between how crazy it was that he should have feelings for her in such a short time and getting back to her as soon as possible.

The flight from Buenos Aires to Tacuarembó was short, and Gregorio was waiting with the limo to take his employer to the hacienda. When they arrived, Andrés asked Gregorio to take his briefcase and carry-on bag to his study, and he found Piper in the barn with Magnum. He thought of taking her in his arms but glimpsed a frown on her beautiful face.

“Are you coming or going?” he asked, standing with his hands in his pockets and smiling.

Piper looked briefly in his direction as she took the saddle blanket off Magnum and threw it over the stall door. “Coming back from a good ride on the best horse. You look distinguished in your suit. Did you win the negotiation?”

She gave her horse his treat of cut-up apples, spoke some sweet words, and closed the stall door. It seemed to Andrés that she was preoccupied and, for some reason, could not or would not look at him.

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