All Chapters of The Billionaire's Pawn: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

LONDON I sat across Neke at the coffee shop. “It’s just been twenty-four hours, right?” Who was I trying to convince? Neke or myself? Reed was back as my bodyguard. He could be less chatty, so bored I could die to death, or lenient if he wanted to. “Tell me why you like Striker so much. I mean, I get it. He’s hot and all, but why, of all the hedge fund guys or billionaire boys club, what did you see in him?” “I first met him two years ago.” “Wait. Hold on.” Neke held my hand. “What do you mean you met him two years ago? What happened then?” “He was a member of the team that saved me.” “You’re kidding. How in the hell did I not know that?” “He got another assignment, I guess.” I looked down at my hands. “I know I’m sick in the head. I tried to forget him, I swear. But he’s like a plague in my brain. It wouldn’t just let me. I mean, I’m so tired of hoping and waiting, and then he’s gone again.” “Oh, baby girl.” She held my hand, squeezing it. “I couldn’t fathom what you’ve been

LONDON “I feel like I’ve been called to the principal’s office for misbehavior. It makes me nervous, Dad.” I kissed Dad on his cheek. I always loved his home office. I had plenty of good memories, and so as in those difficult times. “Have a seat, London.” “Thanks.” I sat on my favorite sofa. Dad couldn’t just throw it away. He re-upholstered it because he knew the recliner meant a lot to me. During my darkest day, I slept in here while he was working. “How was your date with Striker?” My brow arched. “Date? It wasn’t a date. We just met with his friends and had some fast food. The burger is good, though. And why did you have to fire him? What happened was out of our control, and we didn’t—” “Save your strength. I don’t wanna hear about it, London. What’s done is done. I have given you everything and anything you’ve asked because I wanted you to be strong and proud of yourself. One day, I will step down as Chairman and president, and you will take that position.” “I hope not too

LONDONAfter our yogurt dinner together, I couldn’t even look him in the eye anymore. I was ashamed. Striker was a good man, and my father handpicked him for me for some reason, and he was okay with it—it was too good to be true.“What’s wrong? You’ve been awfully silent.” He sent me to the guestroom, opening the door for me. “Is the room okay?”“I should check in at the suite if I want a 5-star treatment, Cade. You’ve been nothing but kind and hospitable to your unwanted guest.”He smiled at me. “You’re not my guest anymore, Vanderford. You know that.”I took a deep breath and looked up when my eyes stung again.“No more crying. We will figure it out together, okay?”“I came here to discuss my father’s ridiculous arrangement with you. You can’t do this. This marriage life is not the life that you want. Please, do something. Try to reconsider and change your mind.” I held his arms tight as I looked him in the eye, but nothing could persuade him since he had already made a deal with m

LONDONI was furious at Dad. He was always one step ahead of me. He did not even ask my permission to announce my relationship to his millions of followers on Twitter. Why did he have to do that before I could?I mean, yeah, he was my father, the billionaire, investor, philanthropist, capitalist, the chairman of the Vanderford Group, compared to me, just the daughter. I wouldn’t even have a job and a clothing line in my name if it was not because of him and his influence.Then my day turned out to be great. I just got engaged. I still couldn’t believe it was happening. I should have been terrified by the drastic change in my life, but I was inwardly giggling. And my ring was gorgeous. If I were to choose my own engagement ring, without a doubt, I would choose this one—a four-carat radiant cut with blue diamond side stones which fit perfectly.Right now, I was starving, and we just got down to the lobby for the late lunch. Earlier, Striker patiently awaited me and did another design—a

LONDON “I’ll be right back.” I ran away toward the bathroom. Things happened so fast. Days ago, I survived life as Vanderford’s daughter and the CEO. No dramas—just work. I went home after work, put myself to sleep after dinner with my boyfriend, or a good movie with Neke. And here I was, opening my heart to a man, a stranger, who saved my life, and now, my fiance. Despite my past and who I was, Striker never judged me as a spoiled brat billionaire’s daughter. Yes, I was a spoiled brat because I could get what I wanted if I wanted to. But that was not the case right now. Dad switched the game. Everything had changed— it turned 360 in just a snap of his fingers. His fortune, my future, and my legacy depended upon the man a few feet away from me. I blew my nose clean, washed my face, and removed the smeared makeup on my face. I pulled a clean towel and patted my face dry. Then I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked different than days ago, more mature, in a good way. And I sa