Page 15 of Seduced by Her Billionaire Fake Fiancé

“You could offer them the same deal I’ve suggested to Andie. If they agree, I’ll happily step away from the business,” Max suggested smoothly, already knowing the answer. There was no way the Santoros would accept these terms.

“What deal?” Conrad asked, eyes glinting.

“I’m buying half the company, so Andie retains her role as CEO and controls the direction of Acto’s growth. That’s all I care about. I want to inject enough money to give Acto wings—Andie will make her fly.”

A lump formed in Andie’s throat at his evocative words, never mind that he’d left out the more salient details, such as his insistence that he buy the controlling stake and become executive director.

“They won’t go for that,” Conrad dismissed. “It’s all or nothing.”

“Then nothing it is,” Andie insisted. “I want this, dad. All of it. Marriage to Max, and the company secured, for our children.” The lie was almost impossible to say. She loved her dad and the idea of putting hypothetical grandchildren under his nose to tempt him to agreement seemed beneath her. She stopped short of reminding him it’s what her mother would have wanted too, though Andie knew that to be the case.

“Your mother and I built this place from the ground up,” Conrad said, lost in thought. “It was just us against the world. Or it felt like it, a lot of the time. She was an integral part of this success. She was so good at it, just like you,” he said with a shake of his head. “You’re a natural, Andie.” He looked at Max then, studied him long and hard. Andie followed her father’s gaze, saw Max unflinchingly returning Conrad’s. Her stomach clenched. “You think you two can work together?”

“I know we can,” Max replied, his confidence strengthening Andie’s spine.

“Your mother would want this,” Conrad said quietly, echoing Andie’s thoughts, so she closed her eyes and dug her fingernails into her palms to stave off the tears that were threatening.

“I know she would.”

“I know there’s no love lost between you and the Santoros,” Conrad spoke once more to Max.

“That’s true,” Max agreed, but without giving any indication the Santoros had formed any part of his consideration.

Conrad didn’t push further. If he was suspicious on that score, he let it go.

“Honey,” he walked to Andie, put a hand over hers, and saw the engagement ring for the first time. Emotions flitted across his face, emotions that made Andie want to sob. “This is really what you want?”

She nodded.

Max was at her side then, a hand low in her back. “I know it’s sudden,” he said, his voice soothing and hoarse all at once. Andie’s pulse flared. “But I am not a man to mess around. When I know what I want, I act quickly, and I wanted Andie in my life the moment I saw her. The business considerations are peripheral—it’s something I want to do for Andie, because I know it matters to her, but what we care about most of all, is the life we’re going to build together. With or without Acto.”

Conrad finally smiled a genuine smile and Andie relaxed. It was all worth it. She had to secure the company. One day, her father would understand what she’d done and why.

“Then you have my heartfelt congratulations.” Tears filmed his eyes. “As for the Santoros, let me deal with it.”

“No, dad,” Andie put her hand out, covering his. “You’ve got enough on your plate. I’m the reason the deal’s off; I’ll be the one to explain it.”

“I’m not afraid of them.”

“I didn’t think that you were,” she smiled. “But I’m CEO,” she flexed that muscle, liking the way it felt. “This is my responsibility.” She kissed his cheek. “You can relax. The company’s in safe hands.”

They’d almost madeit out the door, having each finished a glass of champagne, before Conrad spoke again. “We should go for dinner, to celebrate properly, and so I can get to know you better, Max,” he said. Andie, with her back to her father, almost groaned. Pretending to be Max’s doting fiancé had been a lot more taxing than she’d expected.

Max though, clearly didn’t pick up on those cues. “Sounds great. Let us know when and where, and we’ll be there, right,bella?”

She could havebella’dhim right in the jaw. “Sure,” she said with saccharine sweetness. “Can’t wait.”

In the elevator, she turned to Max, angry and impressed all at once. “You’re a natural liar.”

“I could say the same for you.”

Fair point. “Actually, I found that difficult.”

“You didn’t show it.”

“I couldn’t,” she scoffed. “You saw how suspicious he was. If he’d had any idea it wasn’t genuine, there’s no way would he have agreed to set aside the Santoro deal.”

“I can see that.”

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