Page 2 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“Hey,” Grant snapped, “watch it, Lydia. Before I bounce you from this house.”

“Bounce me from the house? The last time you tried to do that, Julia had something to say about it. Are you willing to risk her ire?”

Grant clenched his jaw before he waved a hand at Worthington. The man strode from the room, closing the doors behind him. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, a weary sigh escaping him. The weight of keeping Sierra safe, the constant charade with Lydia–it was like juggling grenades. And with Julia caught in the crossfire…He couldn’t let her down. “Okay, what are you bilking me for now?”

She ignored the insult. “I’m starting a charity.”

Grant barked out a laugh. “For who? Oh, let me guess, you.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. This charity will be doing the hard work to provide theunderprivileged with opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had.”

Grant arched an eyebrow. “How philanthropic of you. I can hardly wait to hear what you’ve suddenly become so passionate about.”

“I’ll get to that in a minute. Before that, we need to talk about something.”

Grant shifted in his seat. “What?”

“I need you to host a lavish charity gala within the next month or two. I don’t have the dates pinned down just yet, but I want work started immediately, so I can approve the details.”

“Wait, wait, you want me to host a gala to feature your charity?”

“Yes,” she said with a self-satisfied smile.

“What’s the charity?”

Lydia lifted her chin, her eyes staring into space as she swept a hand through the air. “High Heels for High Achievers.”

“What?” he asked.

Her eyes gleamed with mock benevolence as she outlined its purpose. “It’s a charity dedicated to providing luxury high-end shoes to businesswomen.”

Grant couldn’t help but snort. Empowerment, Lydia style. “Lydia, that’s the most ridiculous charity I’ve ever heard of in my life.”

Lydia glared at him, her eyes like daggers. “Oh? Is that your professional opinion since you know so much about being a woman? You have no idea what a pair of Louboutins can do for a woman’s confidence, and hence, her career. Of course, I won’t be giving them Louboutins.”

“No? Maybe another outrageously priced brand?”

Lydia arched an eyebrow. “Yes–my own. LydiLuxe.”

Grant stared at her, unable to process the information even without the added complication of her being the driving forcebehind a company out to ruin him. “You’re starting a shoe company?”

“Yes, I am. It’s going to take the world by storm. Now, as I said, I need a gala put together. I need it to be extravagant, luxurious, nothing less than perfect. And I need to ensure I’m the star of the night…well, of course, next to my shoes.”

“Lydia, I can’t–”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses. You have the resources. I expect to see preliminary plans within the week.”

“Within the week? Lydia, that’s impossible.”

Lydia strode to the door, spinning to face him. “Impossible was never part of your vocabulary. You’ve gone soft, Grant. I’m not surprised with the dimwit you’re married to.”

“Julia is not…never mind. I’m not going to argue with you about my wife. But I am going to insist you stop insulting her.”

Lydia rolled her eyes. “I will when she stops being a dimwit.”

“Lydia!” he called as she strode from the room. He heaved a sigh, annoyed by the encounter. He had no desire to throw together a gala for her, especially now. He imagined soon he’d get word from Julia that she’d pressured her to ensure it was done.

The demands from Lydia were getting to be too much.