Chapter 5

5

Liora's POV

The CEO in front of me is either crazy or insane. Same thing? Yes, but he's double. I've never associated with any rich people, aside from Ronan, in all my 25 years of life.

Then how is he expecting me to respond to his very ridiculous question? This has to be a prank.

“Mr. Valesca. I don't know who you think you are and why you think you can make me leave home and come here to entertain this silliness. But I'd have you know it's not funny.”

“....”

I huff when the man remains silent. Instead of acknowledging me, he picks up his pen and starts signing some documents. Hell no. I'm not staying here and letting him insult me like this.

Turning on my heels, I start walking toward the door when someone finally speaks. I whirl around fast, noticing it's not him but a male reporter on the TV.

He places the remote on his desk, leans back in his seat, and pulls off his tie.

“We are at the house of Nicholas Romero, where the 65-year-old CEO of Romero Corporation is undergoing treatment after being poisoned two nights ago at the gala held to celebrate the merging of the Romero Fuel Corporation and the Valesca Energy Group.”

I gape, my mouth parting like the Red Sea, but no words come out. Poisoned... how is this even possible?

“.... w-what?”

“The Valescas have said nothing so far about what could have happened, and the Romeros have still not pressed charges. What could be going on? And who would attempt to poison Mr. Romero? Stay tuned as we unravel more of the mystery.”

Silence descends on the room as the TV is switched off by the assistant who brought me here. I had been so lost in thought I didn't notice when he came in.

“Miss Wilder. I'm sure you don't need any more explanations for this.”

I don't. It makes sense already. No wonder they had me come here with a lawsuit. My company catered the event. Whatever happened, I'm trapped in the middle.

“I didn't do it. None of my employees would do anything like this. Please believe me," my voice cracks at the end of the sentence.

Evren Valesca, for the first time in minutes, finally pays attention to me. He glances at me, tilting his head to the side as if trying to study me well. His intense gaze makes me shiver. Hopefully, none of them notice.

“Miss Wilder. There's no need to try defending yourself. You cooked, my guest ate, and now he's fighting for his life.”

He doesn't say anything further. It seems he's a man of few words. Taking that to my advantage, I start pleading.

“Mr. Valesca. I know exactly what you mean. But I can assure you, I had nothing to do with this.”

“What proof do you have then, Miss Wilder? The judge won't listen without seeing evidence.”

My mind starts buzzing. “Maybe it's something else he ate or drank. The party was at night. Mr. Valesca, there's no way Mr. Romero couldn't have eaten something before that.”

When he nods, I let out a smile. Phew, he believes me. Yay! Now I can go home in peace.

“Thank you so much, sir. I knew you'd believe me. I should get going now. My daughter will be waiting. Nice meeting you, sir.”

"The cops are still outside, right, Levi?"

"Yes, sir, they are waiting for her outside."

I freeze in my spot, my heartbeat rising. Cops? “What cops?”

"The cops that will be taking you to jail. You don't just try to kill an important person and think you'd go free, do you?" He speaks, pursing his lips.

My eyes involuntarily land on them. I gulp, turning away fast as I try to prevent the thoughts rising in my mind.

I can't believe in a moment like this, I am distracted by his body. He's a gorgeous man, no doubt. With a body women will fight for, the most intoxicating scent ever, and his smooth jawline. My throat clogs as I remember that I'd kissed him before.

"I didn't do anything. Why would cops want to take me away?"

"Ms. Wilder, when you walked in here, I thought you were very intelligent, but now all I see is someone really dumb. Or were you just pretending? You really think we believe that you didn't poison him when he ate your food at the party, and the doctors have confirmed that it was indeed from that night. Trust me, you will have a long, long time in jail. Call the cops in, Levi."

As Levi pulls out his phone, I hit it, and it falls to the ground with a loud clank.

"What the hell? Why did you...?"

I push past him and toward Evren's desk, slamming my hands on it. Pain shoots up my wrist, but I bite back a wince. Ouch.

"You cannot be serious. I have a little daughter. You can't lock me up for something I didn't do." I tell him, my heart pounding so loud, I am sure they can hear it.

He doesn't respond but rather raises a brow at me.

"Please, sir,” my voice drops to a low whisper. “I haven't done anything. I would never. I can't go to jail."

Tears fill my eyes, and I struggle to blink them back, but one slips down.

Evren faces away from me for a few seconds. Then, when he turns back, his sharp grey eyes land on mine.

"I will help you out, but I do hope you know you are going to pay me for it. The Romeros were already about to press charges, but I told them I would look into it. I am going to take care of everything. You have nothing to worry about. Levi, give her the documents."

My brain freezes. What documents is he talking about?

"Yes, sir, right away," Levi says as he walks toward the counter in the corner and picks up a file with a pen on it. "Here you go, miss. You have to sign here and here."

Once I take a look at the title of the documents, it all makes sense to me. I should have known. They had to blackmail me. This is blackmail.

All tears forgotten, I square my shoulders and give him my fiercest glare, making his lips curl. “Are you this desperate, Mr. Valesca? There was no poisoning. You're blackmailing me. Are you for real? I don't want to be a surrogate for an arrogant asshole like–”

"Funny how you think you have much of a choice. But it's okay. If you really want Selena to be out there without a mother, while her mother is in jail, then you are free to walk out that door without signing. But we both know you won't, right?"

I grip the pen and paper so tight, wishing I could rip it to pieces or maybe turn the pen into a sword and stab him between those beautiful eyes.

Such an asshole. Bringing my daughter into this. He knows I would have to be his surrogate or go to jail for something I didn't do.

But I am a Wilder. We are the strongest family on earth. There is no way I am going down without a fight. If he wants me to be his surrogate, I don't care if he is blackmailing me into it. He would have to do something as well for me.

“Okay, Mr. Valesca. You win.” I flash him a bright smile. I notice his eyes narrowing as he exchanges a worried glance with his assistant.

“I am going to sign these documents. But I also have a condition.”