Page 160 of Most Eligible Billionaire CEO

“Not at all. They wanted to stone me to death.”

“Since you’re still alive, I assume no one attempted to re-create that Biblical scene?”

“It’s only when I showed them a screenshot of a text exchange between Brad and me, where he spelled out what our partnership would look like, people cut me some slack. It was proof I didn’t steal their money. I was as much of a victim as they were.”

His lips twist in a fierce scowl. “I want to punch Brad in the face.”

“Stand in line.”

“What happened to the property?”

“The contractors were unwilling to finish the work.”

“Understandably.”

“I don’t blame them for not wanting to work for free, but it didn’t help my situation. I couldn’t afford the property anymore. The bank repossessed it. Same for my car.” His lips compress into a thin line. “In a blink of an eye, part of my life savings disappeared. And now I have a noose around my neck. I’m drowning in debt because of all the material, new toilets and HVAC, other expenses, and appraiser’s and legal fees associated with closing the property—I charged it all on my credit cards.”

A growl slips out of his throat. “What Brad did is disgusting. Only low lives prey on people like that, robbing them of their hard-earned money.”

“He looked legit. I trusted him.”

“The best scammers often do. And they’re masters at gaining your trust.”

“When we first met, I was lost, without a compass. Brad seemed to be the captain of a boat heading to the Promised Land. I was all in. Instead, I bought a ticket on board the Titanic.” I fidget with the hem of my t-shirt. “Like they say, hindsight is 20/20.”

“The Titanic was an accident no one saw coming. Master shyster Captain Fuckwad sold you a lie from day one, Sofia.”

I’m sure his words are meant to make me feel better, but they do little to dissipate the gray cloud I’ve been walking under for months now.

I’m the gullible fool who got suckered.

“To pay off your creditors, you started working for Todd?”

“Yes.”

“What about the other part of your life savings?”

My face contorts.

“What?” he asks.

“You were paying attention.”

“What happened to you matters to me.”

I place a hand against my heart.

I didn’t think I could love this man any more than I already do.

“To answer your question, I helped a family who had mortgaged their Queens house to buy into Brad’s scam. They were hoping to secure passive income to help with the cost of taking care of their three kids—a tween, an autistic child on the severe spectrum, and another with down syndrome—”

“Oof.”

“Their situation is heartbreaking.”

Flash backs of the devastation on the couple’s face pierce my heart.

My chin wobbles.

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