Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 112: Secret

Chapter 112: Secret

Ashley giggled all the way to the room, wriggling under Lorenzo’s hand as he kept rubbing her ass in a way that tickled.

"OMG... Hey..." she laughed, looking between him and the four cartons of Godiva chocolate in front of her.

Lorenzo scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "You don’t like it?" he asked softly.

Ashley blinked. "Hell, I love it. I mean, it’s still my favorite. I’m just kinda speechless. Four cartons? People might think I’m opening a chocolate shop," she joked, her eyes gleaming with emotions she couldn’t name. She’d probably give some to Claire tomorrow, maybe even a few others at work. Even Cassie.

"I wanted you to have enough," Lorenzo whispered.

Ashley opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her heart was racing just from looking at him. She could afford those chocolates now—packs, even cartons—but there was something different about him getting them for her. So much of it. Just because he wanted her to have enough. It was ridiculous. But his ridiculous gestures always left her breathless.

She didn’t even realize when she closed the small gap between them and pressed her lips to his, kissing him with all the feelings she couldn’t find words for.

They forgot entirely about the woman waiting downstairs. One thing led to another—they moved to the bathroom to shower and ended up having several rounds of sex.

By the time they finally made it back downstairs to meet Lorenzo’s mother, Ashley was drowning in emotions she didn’t know how to handle. The chocolates hadn’t been the end of it. He had gotten her all the same body wash products she used back in Charlotte’s house. The exact ones her mother had bought for her before that trip.

How the hell did he even remember those? Her heart kept thudding, wild and loud.

Dinner was full of laughter—mostly Lorenzo’s mom telling stories about his childhood that had Ashley rolling. But not once did she mention anything about Charlotte or the things they’d gone through because of her. Lorenzo never mentioned it to his mom that Ashley was in anyway related to Charlotte. Ashley couldn’t stop thinking how she’d react if she knew. Would she hate her? The thought made her swallow a hard lump.

When Margaret found out Ashley was Michelle’s granddaughter, she was overjoyed. She couldn’t stop teasing Lorenzo, saying he’d never have gotten such a lovely girlfriend if she hadn’t forced him to Ashley’s CEO ceremony.

By the time they dropped Margaret off at her place, Ashley was in love with the woman. She never knew a boyfriend’s mom could be so warm. Katelyn—Christian’s mother—had never shown her even the smallest bit of kindness. But Margaret made her feel like she already belonged, like she was part of the family.

"What are you thinking about?" Lorenzo asked as he made a turn leading back to his estate.

Ashley gave a small smile. "Everything kinda feels like a dream," she said quietly. "You. Your mom being so kind to me... Your whole family." And it scared her. When was the last time her life felt this happy, this close to perfect? It would’ve been perfect if her daughter was here.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, making her heart skip.

"Don’t you like kind people? We could be wicked for you instead, baby."

Ashley rolled her eyes at him, and he laughed.

"Mom always says being kind isn’t really about who you’re doing it for—it’s about you. It gives you fulfillment."

She had never heard it put that way before. And it felt... beautiful.

As they reached the house, Lorenzo answered a call from his sister. When the call ended, a deep frown settled on his face.

"What’s wrong?" Ashley asked, walking over to join him on the couch.

But instead of answering, Lorenzo pulled her onto his lap, making her straddle him.

"It was Genevieve," he said finally. "I was supposed to take her to get a new car in tomorrow days."

Ashley blinked. "Oh? I thought she already had one. The one she drove here?"

"Yeah. I just wanted her to have two. In case one isn’t available."

Ashley nodded slowly. "So... what happened?"

He exhaled. "She changed her mind. Now she wants the cash instead—same amount. For her boyfriend."

Ashley blinked again. "Oh wow..."

"Exactly." His jaw tensed. "She wanted a Bugatti. That’s three million dollars. Now she wants to hand that over to some guy."

Ashley shrugged a little. "Maybe he needs it more than she does?"

Lorenzo’s brows drew together. "What the hell does he need $3 million for? What if he’s just using her?" His voice was low but angry now. "I would hate for anyone to take advantage of her little kind heart."

"Hey," Ashley whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and brushing a kiss against his lips. He smiled now.

"Just talk to her, okay? Maybe she’s just trying to help someone she cares about. I mean... it’s what you would do, right?"

Lorenzo hesitated, the storm still in his eyes, but eventually nodded. "She better have a good explanation," he muttered, circling his arms around her waist. "Anyway... want to tell me about your meeting now?"

Ashley hesitated, her pulse skipping. She wasn’t sure how he’d react once he knew the board asked her to break up with him—because of the drug allegations.

Lorenzo noticed her hesitation instantly, his brows knitting together. "You don’t want to tell me?"

"No, it’s not that," she said quickly, pouting as she leaned back a little, fiddling with her fingers. "They’re just... making some really stupid demands."

"Like what?" he asked softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

"It’s about that interview Christian did... about the drug thing. The board said I’m an heiress now and it’s bad publicity to be dating someone with a... criminal history. They want me to break up with you."

Silence fell between them. Lorenzo’s chest rose and fell, his jaw clenched so tightly he thought he might crack a tooth. But he held himself back, wanting to hear the rest.

"What did you say?" he asked, voice low but rough. "Are you going to break up with me?"

"Of course not," Ashley replied almost immediately, frowning.

Lorenzo released a breath he hadn’t even realized he was holding.

"They threatened to strip me of my position and hand it over to my uncle until Grandpa returns," she continued, her voice fierce. "But I told them if they tried it, I’d make sure every partner I brought in pulled out—especially Grey Group."

Lorenzo’s lips stretched into a smile before he could stop himself.

Without thinking, he blurted the next words. "If they try it again, just say the word and I’ll have Grey Group pull out."

Silence.

Ashley blinked. Slowly. "What do you mean you’ll have Grey Group pull out?"

Lorenzo froze. Shit. He hadn’t meant to say that.

"I—" He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "I mean... I could talk to someone. I have some... connections."

Ashley raised a brow. "Connections?"

He didn’t answer.

"Lorenzo." Her voice was calm, but gaze suspicious. "You own Grey Group, don’t you?"

He looked into her eyes, and for a second, he debated lying—but what was the point now?

"Yeah," he said quietly. "I do."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.