Billionaire Substitute

th relief mixed with worry. Adrien felt empty, but he knew this was not the end of hi

n asked, his tone neutr

eigning confidence. "I think we were

for you, Vincent. Listeners are not known for their indulgence. Keep an eye o

he mysteries surrounding Vincent to maintain his deception. The secrets buried beneath that sh

spair came over him. Vincent Delacroix was a man who hid much more than

, the only light coming from the elegant floor lamps that cast soft shadows on the walls. The huge television screen was off, the pap

med to multiply in every corner of the office – all of this was beginning to weigh heavily on him. He often felt as if the walls of the ho

splayed on the screen. Lisa, an old flame of Vincent's, was a figure he had heard about while looking through Vincent's files. Their

ation, he responded

's voice was heard, full of confusion and surpr

could sense a palpable nervousness in his

wanted to make sure everything was oka

strange way. He tried to imagine how Vincent would have reacted to a call from his former girlfri

at the hotel, not very far. Maybe we could meet? I would be delighted

it intrigued him. But he knew this kind of meeting could be risky. "I...I th

at the hotel. Thank you

things even more complicated. He wondered how he was going to handle this meeting without revealing the truth. How would Vincent have intera

sleep was far from restorative. He woke up suddenly in the middle of the night, sweating, his heart racing. He had had a str

m wake up fully. As he poured the boiling water over the coffee, he heard a light sound,

ing his mind. He had become increasingly aware that what he was experiencing was not simply a matter of

legant lobby, amid the bustle of customers and employees. Lisa stood up when she saw him, and her

e the fatigue that showed on his face. "Lisa, t

gone by, trying to create a light atmosphere. But Adrien couldn't help b

thing that happened? » asked Lisa, l

facade. "It's...complicated. Everything is so sud

ever been very open about your personal life, but I want you to know that I'

and Lisa's relationship, but it was difficult to play the role of some

r to comfort Adrien, but every smile, every worrying look, was a reminder of reality. He couldn't

life he was forced to lead. He was relieved to have finished this meeting, but the anxiety di

to fall asleep, he felt a strange cold fill the room. The sheets seemed to tighten

The apparition had the features of a familiar face – Vincent. The ghost seemed