I Became the Billionaire's Fake Lover to Get My Revenge
Chapter 40: Someone Important

Chapter 40: Someone Important

"So many incredible art pieces this year," Sophie remarked, flipping through the brochure with a look of delight. "Susanne, you must be over the moon! Your boyfriend’s painting is here too!"

"Oh?" Anna cleared her throat, trying to push down the lump of discomfort lodged in her throat. "Which painting did he submit, if you don’t mind me asking?"

Susanne smiled, taking a deliberate sip of her wine. Her eyes flickered with a hint of amusement, as if savoring the moment. "There’s no fun in revealing it just yet. You’ll find out who he is once the auction results are announced."

Mrs. Bastien let out a dramatic sigh, pressing her brochure to her chest as if overcome by the weight of her curiosity. "It’s such a shame that all the submissions are kept anonymous until the end. I’m dying to know!"

"They have a good reason for that, Mother," Sophie chimed in, her tone slightly condescending. "It’s to prevent favoritism and bias. After all, some of the artists might have connections with the participants. This auction is for charity, you know."

"I know, I know," Giselle groaned in exasperation. She turned back to Susanne, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Say, Miss Hyde, maybe you can at least tell us something about his painting?"

"Mother!" Sophie scolded, but Susanne only laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I can’t give you any details," she said with a wink. "But my boyfriend has worked incredibly hard on his submission. He’s so underrated, but I truly believe he’s exceptionally talented. I’m convinced he has a real shot at getting the highest bid. He deserves both the money and the fame that will come with it."

"Looks like you have a lot of confidence in your boyfriend’s success," Anna remarked, her gaze scanning Susanne for any hidden reaction. "But I don’t think I caught his name. What’s your boyfriend’s name again?"

And there it was––a brief flicker of hesitation, a subtle shift in Susanne’s demeanor, as if she felt an unexpected pang of guilt at saying his name aloud.

"Is there a problem?" Anna pressed, her voice calm but firm. "If he’s as talented as you say, it makes me wonder why he needs additional exposure to become famous. I mean, I know a lot of names, so perhaps your boyfriend is already one of them."

Anna’s comment hung in the air, and everyone’s eyes shifted toward Susanne, putting her on the spot. Now, there was no easy way for her to avoid the question.

And, as expected, it worked like a charm––with a resigned sigh, Susanne twisted her lips into a tight smile and finally relented. "His name is Oscar Pierce."

For a moment, Anna stood still, her expression unreadable, as she processed the answer. Then, the realization hit her––she knew exactly who he was.

Anna had spent years carefully navigating Robert’s social circle from the shadows, ensuring that he built a strong network of influential connections in high society.

After a series of unfortunate missteps on Robert’s path to success, many had distanced themselves from him, but Anna always managed to find a way around the obstacles, helping him regain status and recognition. And now, Oscar Pierce... He was a name that carried weight.

The Pierce family had been the first to reconnect with the Hydes once Robert’s company finally overcame the strain caused by the stock manipulation accusations.

Oscar Pierce was the second son of Martin and Jane Pierce––a renowned medical lawyer and the heiress to a sports clothing brand.

Oscar comes from money, Anna mused quietly, even if his family disapproves of his career choice as an artist, he hardly needs to go to such lengths to gain fame. Especially not with someone like Susanne Hyde helping him.

But then, another important detail flashed through Anna’s mind––Oscar had once been engaged to another woman.

That’s right. Even before I left the country, he was still engaged to Ruby Doyle while Susanne mentioned her boyfriend’s name was Freddy... Aha, now it all makes sense.

It clicked into place. Susanne had long had a reputation as a homewrecker, and for her, it seemed like a game––a way to earn the validation she had never received from her family, having achieved little of real value in her life.

Since Oscar was already publicly known as her boyfriend, it meant she had been the reason he broke off his engagement with Ruby, tarnishing his reputation in the process. His family must have cut him off without his inheritance, and Susanne, unable to support their relationship on her own, was now desperate to make money. That was why they needed the highest bid––they were practically broke.

Anna clicked her tongue in disdain, feeling a wave of disgust at how pathetic Susanne truly was.

"Well," she said finally, forcing a sweet, fake smile. "I wish your boyfriend the best of luck."

The moment the words left her mouth, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, and Anna found herself enveloped in the warm embrace of a man. A soft kiss brushed her neck, and she smiled, turning her head to accept the kiss that moved up to her lips.

"Gosh, honey, behave yourself! People are watching!" She teased, but William only tightened his hold around her waist.

"I don’t care," he said, planting another kiss on her shoulder. "I simply can’t keep my hands off you."

"Aww, aren’t they sweet?" Giselle cooed, glancing at Gabriel, who frowned and turned his face away.

"Yeah, yeah... I’m about to get diabetes just from watching them..." Gabriel muttered.

Lost in William’s feigned affection, Anna casually shifted her gaze back to Susanne, grinning at the sight of her widened eyes.

"No way," Susanne whispered, her voice filled with disbelief. "William Stark is your boyfriend?"

Both Anna and William ignored her question, continuing their playful display of affection. When William finally pulled away, he smiled and said, "Now that I’ve had my fill of you for the next twenty minutes, there’s someone very important I’d like you to meet."