New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex)
Chapter 71

Chapter 71 A surprise call

Ales and Lisaarived at the penthouse, the evening's events lingering in the air between them. Lisa's usual excited anorected subdued as she made her way Lowards their room, her thoughtsclearly elsewhere. Concerned by Lise's quietness, Alex followed her, his footsteps echoing softly.

"Hey, is everything okay?" he asked gently as he entered their mom

Lisa turned around, berexpression a mix of disappointment and frustration. She shook her head, not needing to voice the reason for bemood, though Alex akare! anyway, knowing it had to do with Claire's unexpected presence. "Are you okay, love!" alex inquired, his concem evident in his eyes.

Today was supposed to be special for Lisa, and she couldn't hide her disappointment. "It was supposed to be our night. Why did Claire have to show lamented, bertane finged with sadness.

Alex sighed, sitting beside her on the foot of the bed. "I didn't know Claire was coming Dad imited her he explained, hoping to ease Lisa's mind.

Lisa sat back, letting out a sigh of resignation. "Your father doesn't like me," she admitted, her voice tinged with insecurity.

Alex wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "That's not true, Lisa, Dad can be a bit reserved, but it's just his way with people," he reassured her, hoping to dispeller doubts.

"But why does be act differently with Claire?" Lisa pressed, her eyes searching Alex's for answers.

Alex took a moment to choose his words carefully. "He's known Clair for a long time, tince we're married, Jilled with conviction

sarm up to you, I'm surent it," he said, his voice

Lisa nodded slowly, still feeling a bit disheartened, Alex tamed to her, wanting told her spirits. "You were the star of the show for me tonight, Lisa I prefer beating you play the plates over anyone else," he said sincerely, though he knew it was a little white lie. Lisa's smile brightmed at his words, and she leaned in to kiss him affectionately. "I'm lucky to have you, Alex," she murmured against his lips.

o their wedding planti

Alexretumed her smile, feeling grateful for Lisa's understanding. She then suprised him by bringing up th

"When do you think we should have the wedding?" Lisa asked, excitement creeping into her voice,

Alex hadn't give it much thought, but he wanted to make Lisa happy. "You decide, love, When would you like it to be?

Lisa's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Let's do it in a month!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

Alex was taken aback by the sudden timeline, but he nodded with a smile, "Sure, in a month it is," he agreed, not wanting to disappoint Lisa.

"You should get some rest, Lisa, I'm sure you are tired," Alex caress her shoulder as Lisa nodded.

"How about you? You're not going to bed?" Lisa looked up to him as she raised her brows

H

*I will but I'm going to check on my emails. 1'll be in bed before you know it." he smiled softly and kissed her cheek before heading out of their room

In the dead of night, Lisa's peaceful slumber was abruptly shattered by the persistent ringing of her phone. Groggy and disoriented, she tumbled for her phone and answered it with a sleepy

The voice on the other end sent a chill down her spine, instantly snapping her into alertness, Lisa glanced over at Alex, still peacefully asleep beside her, and quietly slipped out of bed, heading to the bathroom for privacy.

"How do you know my number?" speaking in a hushed yet in tone, Lisa demanded to know how the caller obtain her number.

The man on the line responded with a dark chuckle. "I have my ways, my sweet Lisa,"

"Do not called me that," Lisa's heart raced as she realized this wasn't a casual call. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

The man got straight to the point. "I need money, Liu. And I know you have it."

Lisa's day had already been difficult, and this added pressure only made it worse. "I won't give you anything. I don'Lowe you a thing," she stated nmly.

But then he dropped a bombshell that made Lisa's blood nun cold. "If you don't send me the money, I'll send your sextape to Alex or worse, upload it online."

Lisa's mind aced with panic. She couldn't let that happen, not when she was so close to marrying Alex. She gritted her teeth, regretting ever being involved with this mam

"What did I ser in you back then?" Lisa muttered in dispust.

Berase you enjoyed having sex with ine," he retorted callously.

Lisa sunched her face in revulsion but kw she had to find a solution. "Fine, I'll transfer the money. But you have to delete the video."

The man chuckled again, histone mocking. "Of course, once I receive the payment, we can discuss that."

Liu's mind whided as she asked, "How much do you want?"

the named an esorbitant amount, "£299,111"

Lisa's eyes widened indisbeltet. "That's insane! I don't have that kind of money.

The

m's response was chilli "But your boyfriend does."

Lissa took a deep barath. "We know each other for so long, how about List, 500? it still much money and sure you can live with that amount comfadably."

A mocking thon kledempted from him and Lisalows negotiating with her exisawaste of time, but she has to try

Chapter 71 A surprise call

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"Lisa, my dear. You have very wealthy boyfriend. I'm sure he will gladly give you the money if you ask nicely. I want £219,123 no less than that, but if you want to give me a bonus, I will gladly accept it." a laughed boom from the other line icing Lis even more. Lisa's grip on the phone tightened as panic and anger surged within her. Before she could respond, he added the final blow

"You have three days, Lisa. Fall to deliver, and your future with the heir of Harris Company will be ruined."

With that ominous threat, the line went dead, leaving Lisa seething with anger and desperation. She felt trapped and unfairly targeted. This wasn't how she imagined her life, and she refused to let anyone destroy her dreams,

For a while, Lisa stay at the bathroom, needing the solitude to collect her thoughts. How was she going to come up with that much money in just three days? The weight of the situation pressed down on her, and she berated herself for ever getting involved with someone like her ex-boyfriend.

Her thoughts were buzzing with options, each one appearing more daunting than the last. She couldn't take out so much money with Alex's credit card without drawing attention to herself. She did not want Alex to start doubting her goodness.

Not wanting Alex to wonder het disappearance, Lisa exited the bathroom and retum to bed, she lay down, her heart still racing with anxiety. She couldn't let anyone, especially her manipulative ex, derail her life and happiness.

Lisa was determined to tackle the problem, no matter how challenging. She could not allow fear to take over her.

She took a deep breath and made a vow to herself. She wouldn't let anyone come between her and the future she had worked so hard for

Chapter 22 W