The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 94: Perfect Match

Mara turned to Vera, who was desperately trying to look anywhere but at the two familiar faces they had just caught in the middle of a heated moment. It was almost comical, Vera’s lips were twitching as if she was holding back laughter, but she was failing miserably.

Mara, on the other hand, wasn’t sure whether to laugh or just shake her head. Celeb and Lucy. Of all people.

Was this some kind of twisted passion for crime? Or just pure, reckless lust?

Celeb hastily pulled away from Lucy, fumbling with his zipper, while Lucy yanked down her dress, cheeks burning with shame.

"It’s not what you think, Stef," Celeb blurted, stepping toward her.

Mara instinctively took a step back, then exchanged a look with Vera, who raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I think we saw plenty, so we pretty much know what this is,"

Mara said dryly. She smirked. "But hey, who am I to judge? You two make the perfect couple, really. Just let me know when the wedding is—I’ll be sure to send a gift."

Celeb’s face twisted in frustration. "It was just sex, Stef! Come on, you know I love you," he said, desperation creeping into his voice.

Mara let out a disbelieving laugh, folding her arms across her chest. "Oh, that is rich. You sure have a funny way of showing it, Celeb," she said, shaking her head.

Lucy, who had been simmering with irritation, finally snapped. She flipped her hair back and sneered. "Oh, give me a break, Mara. Stop acting all high and mighty, like you’re some kind of saint."

Mara arched a brow, unimpressed. "And stop acting like you’re important to me," she shot back. "Because you’re not."

Lucy’s nostrils flared, but before she could spit out another insult, Vera coughed lightly, stepping between them. "So... are we just going to stand here in the middle of the lobby discussing this, or can we go?" she asked, looking between the two women.

Mara exhaled, shaking off the irritation. "You’re right. This is a waste of my time." She turned to Celeb one last time. "Enjoy your little games, Celeb. I’m done playing."

Mara had planned to let everything slide—the lies, the betrayals, the harm Lucy had caused her. She had convinced herself that people like Lucy never change.

They just keep taking and taking.

But enough was enough.

Mara stepped forward, her voice calm but laced with steel. "I was going to let this go, Lucy. The rumors at the Shepherd gala, that little scene with Bruce, the fake DNA test, the abortion... none of it mattered to me. Because I don’t care what Ethan thinks of me." She tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a smirk. "But now? I’ve changed my mind. You should pay for everything."

Lucy let out a short, mocking laugh. "Oh please," she scoffed. "You can’t do anything to me."

Mara smiled. "That’s where you’re wrong."

She pulled out her phone and dialed. "Hey, big brother," she said sweetly.

Stanley’s voice was immediately concerned. "Stef? What’s wrong?"

"I’m sad, Stanley," she said, keeping her eyes locked on Lucy. "Can you do something for me?"

"Anything."

"Could you make Lucy’s family business... disappear?"

There was a pause. Then a slow, satisfied chuckle from the other end of the line.

"Gladly, baby sister."

"Thank you, Stanley," she said softly, before ending the call.

Lucy’s smirk faltered. "What did you just do?"

Mere minutes later, Lucy’s phone rang. It was her father. The second she answered, his furious voice exploded through the speaker.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" he bellowed. "Our company is being investigated for tax evasion! I could go to jail!"

Lucy’s face drained of color. "What? No—Dad, I—"

"You stupid, useless girl! Do you have any idea what you’ve caused?!" he roared, his curses raining down on her as the call abruptly ended.

Mara folded her arms, watching Lucy’s stunned expression with quiet satisfaction.

"Now, that is what I call karma," she said smoothly.

Lucy’s fingers trembled around her phone as she stared at Mara, hatred burning in her eyes. But she said nothing.

"Stef, please, just listen—" Celeb tried to speak, but Mara wasn’t having it.

From the look of things, it was obvious now—he and Lucy were working together.

Mara tilted her head, a slow, amused smile spreading across her lips. "Oh, Celeb... and here I was, planning to review your father’s deal. I even considered signing the contract, for old time’s sake." She let out a soft, mocking sigh. "But now? I don’t see the point anymore."

Celeb’s expression darkened. "Stef., don’t—"

"Save it, Celeb," she cut him off coldly.

Then, turning to Vera, she asked, "Still need that rest?"

Vera, catching the hint, shook her head quickly. "Nope. Feels like it just got really hot in here. Might as well leave."

Mara smirked. "Agreed."

Without another glance at Celeb or Lucy, she turned on her heel, her guards and Vera following close behind.

Vera, who had been watching in awe, whispered under her breath, "Damn, remind me never to cross you."

Mara just smirked.

Celeb stood frozen, fists clenched, watching her walk away. He had just lost—and worse, he had no one to blame but himself.

Both Lucy and Celeb stormed into the hotel room, slamming the door behind them.

"This is all your fault!" Lucy snapped, following him inside.

Celeb whirled around. "Oh, really? How the hell was I supposed to know she’d be here of all places?"

"You always underestimate Mara," Lucy seethed, pacing. "And now look where we are! My father is on the verge of losing everything, and your family’s deal just went up in smoke!"

Celeb raked his hands through his hair, pacing as well—and that’s when Lucy noticed the bulge in his pants.

"You have to be kidding me," she muttered in disgust.

Celeb ignored her, but she wasn’t done. "Is that seriously all you know how to do?

Screw and screw some more?"

He smirked darkly. "Well, it’s a hell of a lot more productive than standing here whining."

Lucy let out a frustrated sigh, rolling her eyes. "You know what? I have no desire to sleep with you again. Ever."

"Yeah, right."

"Good."

"Great."

With that, Lucy grabbed her purse and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Celeb let out a long breath, glancing down at himself. "Shit," he muttered. He grabbed his phone, scrolling through his contacts—one of his usual lovers had to be available.

But as call after call went unanswered, he realized something.

Ghosting women after sex had finally caught up to him.

Just as he was about to give up, his phone buzzed. A message popped up.

"Hey, baby. Miss me?"

Celeb grinned.

Crisis averted.

—-

Lucy hurried through the grand courthouse halls, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of nerves and desperation guiding her forward. When she finally spotted Ethan near one of the courtrooms, a wave of emotions overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she called his name, and despite the turmoil surrounding her, she remained unaware of Ethan’s memory loss.

Yet, deep down, she sensed that Ethan, no matter the circumstances, would never allow her father to face imprisonment. The bond they shared was unbreakable, and that loyalty ran deeper than the secrets that threatened to unravel their lives. "Ethan!"

Ethan, dressed in a sharp navy blue suit, turned around at the sound of her voice. His brows furrowed when he saw her tear-streaked face. Concern flashed across his features, and he instinctively moved towards her, Ethan still remembered Lucy as the sweet girl she was.

"Lucy? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice gentle yet firm.

Lucy sniffled, wiping at her cheeks as she tried to steady her breathing. "It’s about Mara."

Ethan’s frown deepened. "Mara? Who’s Mara? Is she a client?"

Lucy blinked in confusion, her brows knitting together. "Stefanie Shepherd... Ethan, you know her."

But instead of recognition, Ethan’s expression remained blank. He shook his head slightly. "Stefanie Shepherd? I... I don’t know who that is, should I know her?"

Lucy’s mouth opened slightly, a flicker of disbelief in her eyes. "What? That doesn’t make sense. You have to know her!"

Ethan studied her carefully, trying to understand what she was getting at. But it wasn’t until Lucy pulled out her phone and tapped through her gallery that things took a turn. She held the screen up to him, showing a picture of a beautiful woman Mara, or rather, Stefanie Shepherd.

For a moment, Ethan simply stared at the image. Then, suddenly, his lips curled into an amused smile. A quiet chuckle rumbled from his chest as he shook his head slightly.

"Ohhh," he drawled, the realization dawning on him. "So she’s Stefanie Shepherd." The same girl he met a few hours ago and had proposed to her to marry him.

Lucy’s confusion only deepened at his reaction. "What do you mean, ’Ohhh’?! Why are you smiling? Ethan, what is going on?" Did they get back together?

Ethan looked down at her, his eyes glinting with amusement. "It’s just funny, that’s all. You came all this way, crying, but I had no idea who you were talking about."

Lucy huffed in frustration, wiping at her tears. "You are impossible!"

Ethan chuckled again, shaking his head before placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Calm down, Lucy. Tell me what’s really going on. Why are you so upset about Mara...Stefanie...whoever she is?"