My Fake Husband Is A Secret Billionaire

Mike Sullivan, the lead security guard, didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and firmly grabbed Leo Foster by the bicep, his thick fingers digging into the fabric of Leo's shirt.

The second guard stepped right beside Veronica, gesturing toward the glass doors with a stern, unyielding expression. "Ma'am. Time to go."

Veronica shrieked, her face turning an ugly shade of purple. She swatted at the guard's hand. "Don't touch me! Do you know who I am? My father is a VIP member here! He spends hundreds of thousands of dollars at this establishment!"

Rick Miller looked at Veronica with absolute coldness. "Your father's membership has just been permanently revoked, Ms. Thorne. Please exit the premises."

Leo struggled against Mike's iron grip, his shoes squeaking on the marble floor. "This is illegal! You can't do this! Who the hell is this guy?" Leo shouted, pointing a shaking finger at Caspian. His panicked brain finally registered the wealthy surname 'Sterling' that the manager had just used, and a sudden, freezing dread began to replace his earlier bravado.

Caspian ignored Leo's frantic shouting. He turned his broad back to the scene, giving his full attention to Clara.

Clara was breathing heavily, her eyes wide as she watched the power dynamic completely flip in a matter of seconds.

Caspian reached into the inner pocket of his slightly damp suit jacket. He pulled out a small, elegant black velvet box. He held it in his large palm.

The lobby fell dead silent. Even Leo and Veronica stopped struggling, their eyes glued to the velvet box.

Caspian flipped the box open with his thumb.

Sitting on the dark velvet was a massive, perfectly cut diamond ring. It was breathtaking, catching the ambient light of the lobby and throwing fractured rainbows across the walls. It was a stone of undeniable, terrifying wealth.

Veronica gasped audibly. Her eyes widened in pure, unadulterated envy and disbelief. Her mouth hung open.

Caspian reached out and gently took Clara's left hand. His long, warm fingers wrapped securely around her wrist.

Clara stared at him, her heart hammering violently against her ribs. She was completely frozen, her mind unable to process what was happening.

Caspian slipped the cold metal of the ring onto her ring finger. It slid over her knuckle and fit perfectly, heavy and solid.

Caspian didn't let go of her hand. He looked over his shoulder at Leo. His voice echoed clearly in the quiet lobby.

"Clara is my wife."

Leo's jaw dropped. He looked from the massive diamond on Clara's hand to Clara's stunned face, his brain short-circuiting. He couldn't process the information.

"Anyone who disrespects my wife disrespects me," Caspian added, his tone laced with a lethal promise. "And I do not forgive disrespect."

Veronica snapped out of her shock. She screamed, her voice shrill with desperation. "It's a fake! It has to be a cubic zirconia! She's a broke extra! She could never afford a man like that! It's glass!"

Caspian didn't even dignify Veronica with a look. He simply gave Mike Sullivan a curt nod.

Mike tightened his grip on Leo, physically dragging him backward toward the glass doors. Leo stumbled, his heels dragging on the floor.

The second guard grabbed Veronica's arm, forcing her to walk. Veronica kicked and screamed, her designer bag swinging wildly.

The heavy glass doors opened. The guards literally shoved Leo and Veronica out onto the wet pavement.

Leo stumbled forward, his arms flailing, and fell hard to his knees directly into a muddy puddle. The dirty water splashed up, completely ruining his designer trousers.

Veronica stumbled beside him. As her foot hit the pavement, the heel of her expensive red-soled stiletto snapped with a loud crack. She shrieked in frustration and embarrassment, nearly twisting her ankle.

Inside the lobby, the other restaurant patrons pulled out their phones, eagerly recording the pathetic, humiliating scene outside the glass.

Rick Miller turned back to Caspian, wiping sweat from his brow. "Sir, please allow us to offer you and your wife a private dining room on the house. It's the least we can do."

Caspian declined smoothly, his voice calm. "My wife has lost her appetite for this place."

Caspian placed a large, warm hand on the small of Clara's back. He guided her gently but firmly toward the side exit.

Clara walked stiffly. Her mind was buzzing with static. She looked down at the heavy, glittering stone on her finger, feeling like she had stepped into an alternate reality.

They stepped out the side exit, avoiding the crowd of onlookers, and walked into the quiet alleyway toward Caspian's parked car.