Unwanted Fake Wife The Top Billionaire novel Chapter 226

Chapter 226 Not That Easy

“I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you.”

72

Finished

Elena answered immediately, nodding a little too fast, like she was afraid he’d change his mind if she hesitated even a second.

“Pinnacle Group has a healthcare portfolio, right? Gideon just got back to Grayhaven, and he’s planning to launch a research lab focused on pediatric respiratory diseases.”

She paused briefly, watching his face.

Alexander’s expression had already cooled.

Elena instinctively lowered her voice, but she didn’t stop.

This mattered too much.

“If you’re open to it,” she continued, choosing her words more carefully now, “you could meet with him. Just hear him out. If it works, it’s not just good for the project, it’s good for Pinnacle’s public image too.”

The office went quiet.

Elena pressed her lips together, waiting.

Alexander didn’t answer right away. He just looked at her, his gaze steady, almost unreadable.

Her eyes were clear. Exactly the same as the first time he’d seen her.

After a moment, he picked up the napkin she had used earlier to wipe frosting off his lips and flicked it lightly between his fingers.

“One napkin and a slice of cake,” Alexander said, his voice calm, almost amused, “and you’re pitching me a multi–million dollar investment?”

He tilted his head slightly, studying her.

“You’re in journalism, right? Honestly, you picked the wrong field. You should be in finance. You’d probably outperform half my analysts.”

There was no real edge in his tone.

Elena finally let out a quiet breath.

She squinted at him, smiling just a little. “I didn’t ask you to say yes on the spot.”

1/4

15:13 Fri, May 15

Chapter 226 Not That Easy

72

Fished

Alexander leaned back in his chair. “Then why not fund him yourself? You’re not exactly broke.”

Elena let out a soft scoff. “That’s different. Everyone already knows you’re loaded. If you invest, it’s just business. No one’s looking too closely. Me? I’d rather keep a low profile.”

She said it like a joke, but there was truth underneath.

She had considered it.

But something told her that if she stepped in personally, Alexander wouldn’t just sit back and ignore it. And if things escalated, Gideon’s lab might end up caught in the middle.

Besides, if Pinnacle Group backed the project, it would move faster and carry more weight.

And there was another issue.

The Sterling family still had no idea she had inherited her adoptive parents‘ assets. If that ever came out, it would open up a whole different set of problems.

Alexander let out a short laugh.

“So instead, you bring it to your husband.”

Elena’s face warmed slightly. Why does that word suddenly feel… way too natural?

“Can you not make it sound so transactional?” she said, a little defensive.

Alexander tossed the napkin into the trash. “What you’ve offered so far isn’t exactly convincing.”

Elena blinked. “Then what would convince you?”

Alexander lifted a hand and curled his finger at her. “Come here.”

Elena didn’t hesitate. If you’re asking for a favor, you show up properly.

She walked over, stopping right in front of him. “Alright, Mr. Kingsley, what’s your price?”

“Closer.”

He gestured again. Elena leaned in.

The next second, his arm slid around her waist, pulling her flush against him as he kissed her.

One hand anchored at her lower back, steady and deliberate.

There was still a faint sweetness on his lips from the cake.

15:14 Fri, May 15

Chapter 226 Not That Easy

72

Finished

Elena stiffened for half a second, then found herself completely pinned in place, unable to pull

away.

The kiss lingered longer than she expected. When he finally let her go, he still didn’t look satisfied.

“Yeah,” Alexander said, his tone low and unapologetic, “you need work.”

Elena stared at him. “Excuse me?”

She let out a short laugh, somewhere between disbelief and annoyance. “No one asked you to do that. You kissed me.”

Alexander shrugged. “Then I guess we’re done here.”

He leaned back like he meant it.

“Alexander!”

She glared at him, eyes wide, looking like she might actually swipe at him.

Alexander laughed under his breath and reached up, lightly smoothing her hair like he was calming down an annoyed cat.

“Relax,” he said. “I’ll meet him.”

He paused, his tone shifting back into something colder, more businesslike.

“Whether I invest depends on him. Pinnacle Group isn’t a nonprofit. I don’t throw money at something just because it sounds nice.”

Elena didn’t even hesitate.

She flashed him an OK sign. “Deal.”

Before he could say anything else, she was already pulling out her phone and heading for the door. “I’ll call him now.”

Alexander watched her go, the door closing behind her a second later.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify