A Perfect Lie Hides Behind My Billionaire Marriage (reese and hudson)

Reese couldn't help but chuckle softly, shaking her head as she spoke with genuine sincerity. "I truly appreciate

your concern, James, but | have my own principles when it comes to handling things. I'll exercise more caution in

the future. And for tonight, thank you again for coming to my rescue. | won't forget it."

In response, James let out a playful snort, his eyes gleaming with amusement. She offered him a warm smile

before opening the car door and stepping in.

Back at the Hill Crest One Residence, Reese found Lukas absent. Reflecting on the events of the night, a sense of

unease washed over her. However, upon introspection, she recognized her own impulsiveness as the root cause.

She resolved to address the contract with Magnus alongside Cole the next day and knew it had to be terminated.

She wanted no part in these murky waters again. She couldn't count on someone rescuing her a second time.

Meanwhile, Lukas sat quietly at the bar, nursing his drink at their usual haunt.

Elias, his friend, raised an eyebrow, sporting a mischievous grin. "Rumors are flying about the Rhodes family

incident. Did you really do it?"

"What do you think?" Lukas responded coolly.

Undeterred, Elias locked eyes with him, testing the waters with his tone. "Con, tellthe truth. Was it just

a prank? Ssay you hit three birds with one stone-Gerald, Alexa, and Ella."

Lukas remained expressionless, refusing to utter a word.

Elias was taken aback. "Seriously? Did you purposely haveinvite Gerald just to make Alexa a laughingstock

and provoke her?"

A faint hum was Lukas's only response, leaving Elias bewildered. He was too stunned to even think about getting

angry. "I can't believe it! Is it true? All of this because of Reese?"

His question was met with a sidelong glance from Lukas, who kept silent.

"I didn't see that one coming. So, you've got the hots for her," Elias continued, stunned.

Lukas gave a nonchalant shrug. "Is there anything else on your mind apart from ‘having the hots"?"

Curiosity getting the better of him, Elias probed further, "If it's not about her, then why go through all this trouble

to help her? That elaborate scheme? It even scared me, man!"

"I simply found those people unpleasant and thought I'd take care of them. It had nothing to do with Reese."

Lukas took a sip of his drink, his tone unaffected.

Elias studied Lukas, sensing there was more beneath the surface. He wasn't wholly convinced by the flimsy

excuse. Besides, Lukas had been acting rather unusual lately.

When Lukas returned home, the house was empty, except for Little Reese peacefully dozing on the couch.

The thought of Reese owing him a favor brought a soft snort from him. Blit all on the alcohol, but in a

somewhat childish manner, he entertained a fleeting idea. Since she owed him, could she repay him by allowing

him to sleep beside her every night?

Maybe she held the cure to his insomnia, more potent than any medicine-an almost magical remedy.

His daydreaming was abruptly interrupted by a soft meow from Little Reese. Startled back to reality, Lukas shook

his head, realizing how foolish his thoughts had been.

Annoyed with himself, he popped a mint into his mouth, attempting to clear his mind. It was tto go upstairs,

freshen up, and get smuch-needed sleep. But as he ascended the stairs, he cface to face with Reese,

standing there. "Mr. Strakovski, you're back," Reese said, her gaze meeting his.

Lukas took a few steps closer, the faint scent of alcohol lingering around him. Reese couldn't help but furrow her

eyebrows slightly. "You've been drinking."

Irked by Reese's observation and her earlier aloofness, Lukas replied irritably, "Do | need to report to you every

t| have a drink?"

Caught off guard by his sudden sharpness, Reese pursed her lips. "No, | was just making conversation." Noticing

his irritated demeanor, she tried to diffuse the situation.

His annoyance and frustration grew, making his emotions more intense. "Is there something else on your mind?"

Lukas regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. That wasn't what he intended to say.

Reese had actually wanted to discuss Magnus with him. She had planned to discuss it with Cole the next day, but

when she heard the door open and saw Lukas, she impulsively wanted to address it with him. After all, Magnus

had primarily targeted him.

Now, Lukas's impatient tone echoed the request he made during the day not to bother him with such matters

anymore. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Reese tried to hide her emotions, her voice turning cold and distant. "No, |

heard snoise and cout to check if you were back."

With that, she turned to leave, but Lukas swiftly reached out, grabbing her arm, pulling her back, and pressing

her against the wall.

Reese was highly startled, and her heart raced as Lukas's face ctoo close, and his breath, which smelled of

alcohol, brushed against her face. "Reese, do you think I'm a fool? You said you were just checking, but were you

actually checking?"

Feeling uneasy and wanting to free herself, Reese turned her head and attempted to push Lukas away gently.

"Mr. Strakovski, you've had too much to drink. Please calm down. | was merely concerned about my fellow

housemate and checking to see if you were back."

Lukas's grip remained strong, and she couldn't break free. Reese sighed in exasperation, not wanting to argue

with a drunk person.

Upon hearing her words, Lukas unexpectedly chuckled. "Fellow housemate, huh? That's a way to put it."

Reese frowned, ready to retort, but before she could speak, Lukas leaned down

as if he couldn't support his own weight anymore. His head cto rest on her shoulder, and his soft lips grazed

against her collarbone as he held her. A hushed silence fell over them.