My Fake Husband Is A Secret Billionaire

Veronica swung her arm forward with vicious force. The iced water flew out of the heavy glass, a freezing arc aimed directly at Clara's face.

Clara instinctively squeezed her eyes shut. She raised her arms, bracing for the humiliating impact, her stomach clenching in anticipation of the cold shock.

It never came.

A tall, broad figure suddenly stepped directly into her personal space, completely eclipsing her. The scent of expensive cedarwood and rain filled Clara's senses.

The iced water splashed violently against the back of Caspian Sterling's bespoke charcoal suit jacket. The ice cubes clattered onto the marble floor.

Clara opened her eyes. She found herself staring at the broad, solid back of the man who had just taken the hit for her. Her breath hitched.

Caspian slowly turned his head. His cold, piercing gaze locked onto Veronica. The temperature in the lobby seemed to drop ten degrees. His eyes were dead, predatory, and completely devoid of mercy.

Veronica gasped audibly. She took a stumbling step backward, the empty glass slipping from her fingers and shattering on the floor. She was instantly intimidated by the sheer, freezing authority radiating from the stranger.

Leo stepped forward, trying to act tough to impress Veronica. He puffed out his chest. "Hey! Who the hell do you think you are, stepping in like that?"

Caspian ignored Leo entirely. He didn't even blink in his direction. Caspian reached into his pocket, pulled out a pristine white silk handkerchief, and calmly wiped a single drop of water from his sharp jawline.

He looked down at Clara. The terrifying coldness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a low, surprisingly gentle intensity.

"Are you hurt?" Caspian asked, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated in Clara's chest.

Clara shook her head rapidly, staring at him in absolute shock. It was her contract husband.

Veronica sneered, her false bravado returning as she looked at Caspian's damp jacket. "Oh, I get it. Is this the cheap sugar daddy you found, Clara? The one paying for your Ubers?"

Caspian's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't speak to Veronica. He simply glanced over his shoulder at Arthur Price, who was standing silently near the entrance.

Caspian gave Arthur an almost imperceptible nod.

Arthur immediately tapped his smartwatch, sending a silent, high-priority alert directly to the restaurant's general manager.

Leo smirked, emboldened by Veronica's insult. "You just ruined a nice suit for a woman who isn't worth a dime, buddy."

Clara stepped out from behind Caspian, her anger flaring hot and bright. She pointed at Leo. "You're the one who isn't worth a dime, Leo! I paid your rent! I bought your audition clothes! I covered your car payments for three years while you sat on the couch!"

The surrounding wealthy patrons in the lobby stopped pretending not to listen. They began to whisper, casting looks of evident disgust at Leo.

Leo's face turned crimson. Humiliation twisted his features into something ugly. He stepped toward Clara aggressively, raising his hand as if to grab her shoulder.

Caspian moved with terrifying, lightning speed.

His large hand shot out, gripping Leo's wrist mid-air. Caspian's fingers locked around the bone like a steel vice.

Leo winces, a sharp hiss of pain escaping his lips. He tried to yank his arm back, but Caspian's grip was immovable.

"If you move your hand another inch," Caspian informed Leo coldly, his voice barely above a whisper, "I will break it."

Before Leo could respond, Rick Miller, the restaurant's floor manager, hurried into the lobby. Rick was pressing a finger to his earpiece, his face pale. He had just received strict, terrifying orders from the property group's owner to immediately remove the couple causing trouble for "Mr. Sterling."

Rick approached the group rapidly, flanked by two burly, unsmiling security guards.

Veronica smiled smugly, crossing her arms. She looked at Rick. "Rick, thank god. Throw Clara and her little driver out of here. They are harassing us."

Rick completely ignored Veronica. He stepped past her, turning respectfully toward Caspian. Rick bowed his head slightly, his posture submissive.

"Mr. Sterling, I apologize profoundly for the disturbance. We were not aware of your presence," Rick said, his voice trembling slightly. "How would you like the situation handled?"

Caspian released Leo's wrist, shoving the younger man backward with enough force to make him stumble.

Caspian adjusted his cuffs, his eyes fixed on Leo and Veronica.

"Take out the trash," Caspian commanded.