Chapter 3
“We’ve been waiting for you, Thomas said as Silas entered his office.
“Sorry I’m late, Silas smiled at his brother as he made his way to his desk.
“I waited all evening for you.” Wade said, flickering with a pen on the table.
Silas ignored his brother’s lawyer. He was in a good mood, and he wouldn’t allow Wade ruin it. “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked his brother.
“Bad. Terrible,” Thomas replied in a tone that made Silas’s heart pound. “I’m under investigation. I can’t walk around without reporters on my neck.”
Sila’s heart clenched. “I didn’t know it was this serious. I thought it was a rumor.
“You would have known how serious it was if we’d met yesterday,” Wade said, his tone harsher than before.
“I waited for close to an hour at the restaurant,” Silas countered, frowning. “When I didn’t see you, I left.”
He had left the restaurant and gone to a bar, where he met the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. His heart flickered as he remembered their night together.
“Well, I got busy and then I called your line, but you didn’t pick,” Wade said, his voice softening.
“I got busy too. Silas’s lips twitched with a smile as he remembered Ivy.
When he saw her sitting there alone in that black gown, every nerve in his body came alive. He wasn’t one to womanize or find women particularly irresistible, so it was surprising to him that he was immediately drawn to her.
She didn’t seem fazed by his bodyguard, Bud–another reason he found her intriguing. And she didn’t even seem to recognize him— which was even weirder.
“Let’s not start an argument, Thomas said, the worry evident on his face. “We need a solution.”
Silas and Wade always had issues, but he was willing to put them aside for his brother’s sake. “Fine, What really happened?’ I’m in the dark here”
“Your brother has been accused of fraud,” Wade explained.
“Fraud? That’s impossible!” Silas exclaimed. “He’s the most honest man’I know.”
“Which is why we believe he was framed,” Wade said,
“By who?”
“We don’t know,” Wade shrugged.
“Well, I do. It’s that son of bitch, Mason Hunter,” Thomas said through gritted teeth.
“No, no, we can’t go about accusing people. Wade held a hand.
“It’s obvious,” “Thomas insisted. “He fabricated those emails, lied that I bribed zoning regulators to get the Crystal Residences. I just don’t know how he got access to my clients‘ financial information”
“Still a wild assumption.” Wade said.
Thomas’s face darkened. “You think? Well, guess who got the Crystal Residences right after I was removed? Mason–bloody–Hunter”
Silas leaned back on his chair, trying to process everything. His brother was the most hardworking man he knew–Thomas definitely innocent.
“This sucks,” Silas said finally. “How do we take down Mason Hunter?”
“No,” Wade cautioned. “We’ll do no such thing. It is just a bunch. It hasn’t been proven that Mason is behind it, we have to tread carefully.”
1/3
Chapter 3.
“If my brother says it’s Mason Hunter, then it is,” Silas said confidently. He turned to Thomas. “How do we ruin Mason Hunter?”
Wade sprang to his feet. “As your lawyer, Thomas, I cannot advise that.”
It was the first time Silas had seen such a serious expression on Wade’s face, and it unsettled him. He gave a curt nod, accepting Wade’s caution. “What do you suggest we do, then?”
Wade hadn’t expected Silas to give in so easily, from his countenance, it seemed he was already preparing another defensive speech. He recovered from the surprise, adjusted his jacket, and sat. “We need a distraction”
Silas leaned forward, his eyebrows arched. “What sort of distraction?”
“Something big–something to draw attention away from your brother,” Wade said.
“You think there’s any news bigger than Thomas Stone being investigated for fraud?” Thomas scoffed.
“Well, we can create one,” Wade countered.
“Alright then, let’s see you try.” Thomas said, folding his arms.
Wade went silent for a moment,
then his eyes lit “How about Silas getting back with Kim.”
“Absolutely not!” Silas exclaimed. “I’m done with her, Kimberly was his on–and–off girlfriend whom he had once proposed to. The media called them the power couple, and it felt good, until he caught her cheating again. He had officially ended it six months ago. “That’s impossible. Knowing Kim, she’s already moved on to the next big thing……
“Maybe not Kim, but I get Wade’s point, Thomas said. “If you get into a relationship, it could be big news.
“Or marriage,” Wade added, his eyes gleaming-
“Yes, marriage!” Thomas exclaimed, standing up. “That would be huge. I’d still be under investigation, but it would totally divert their
attention.
“You’re forgetting one thing here,” Silas said. “I don’t have a girlfriend, let alone a wife.”
“Oh, that’s simple. We’ll find you a woman and arrange a marriage of convenience. Six months, one year, and you’re done. You don’t even have to, uh, consummate it,” Wade said, seemingly enjoying the idea.
Thomas moved closer to Silas. “Si, that would be the biggest news. Silas Stone, the hottest single billionaire, got married!” He gestured, making Silas chuckle. “Nothing would beat that not even my story““,
Silas chuckled again at his brother‘ silly expression. “Fine. I’ll do it for you,” he said, as Thomas and Wade cheered.
His older brother was the only family he had left after their parents died years ago. He had watched his brother become a man at 17, Laking over their father’s small real estate business and turning it into an empire–the same empire that was now being framed and threatened.
Because of his brother’s support, Silas had begun his own automobile company, making the Stone brothers the richest siblings in California. He would do anything for Thomas.
“But,” Silas said, interrupting the men’s celebration, “where do I find a wife?”
“Leave that to us,” Wade said, with enthusiasm. “We’ll find you the most reputable woman?
“I don’t want another guld digger,” Silas frowned.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it under control, Thomas assured him.
“We’ll work on it as fast as possible,” Wade promised.
“And Mason Hunter? What are
are we doing about him?” Silas asked.
“Nothing.” Wade replied too quickly. “We’ll let the authorities continue their investigation. In the meantime, Thomas will need to lay low until this matter is resolved”
Silas nodded. “Good. How’s Rose holding up?” he asked his brother. Rosie was Thomas’s wife.
Terrible, Thomas replied, “but we’ll survive.”
2/3
| 10:14 AM |
Chapter &
“Alright then,” Silas said, getting up. He walked over and hugged his brother. “You’ve got
“Thank you for doing this.”
*Thomas tightened the hug.
“You’re welcome, bro,” Silas smiled.
this.”
“So, I’ll get back to you soon,” Wade said, standing up as well. “And if you do have other options in mind, I’ll be happy to help.” he
winked.
Silas knew Wade was referring to Kim, but his mind went to Ivy. He barely knew her, but he was already thinking of finding her.
“Oh, I know that look,” Thomas teased. “Do you have someone in mind?”
“Maybe. Silas shrugged, and they laughed. “I’ll let you know if it could work out.”
“Alright then. Thanks again, 5i.” Thomas smiled.
“No problem.” Silas smiled. “You’ll have to use my private elevator. The reporters would definitely still be outside.”
“Ah, yes. Good thinking.” Wade said as they all headed to the door. “I’ll call you later.”
Bilas nodded as he led the men out. When he was alone in his office, he called Bud, instructing him to find everything on Ivy.
An hour later, Bud knocked on the door and entered.
“Found anything?” Silas lifted his head from his computer.
“Yes, sir,” Bud nodded, handing him a file.
“Alright,” he dismissed his bodyguard and immediately opened the envelope. He has never been this eager to find out about a woman.
There was a picture attached, and he spent over thirty minutes admiring her green eyes and delicate face. He then read her details.
Ivy Scott, 26, daughter of Patrick Scott. Silas knew who Patrick was—he was a millionaire with a chain of restaurants.
Silas smiled at the discovery. Ivy was from a reputable family, which made her an ideal option for the contract marriage. He skimmed through the pages, and his heart flipped.
She was Mason Hunter’s ex–wife! Anger surged through him unexpectedly. He’d slept with his brother’s rival ex–wife or even current wife, for all he knew.
She had been positioned as a plant, and he had fallen for her beautiful charm. He racked his brain. Had he told her about Thomas? Had he shared sensitive information she could take back to Mason?
His blood boiled as he reached for his phone and dialed Bud again. “Find me Ivy and bring her to me!”
AD
