The Billionaire's Revenge (The Blank Check #6) - Jeannette Winter Page 0,1

Because she was only going to college part-time, she had plenty of time on her hands. Looking back, she had to admit, playing along came with its perks. Marvin had taken her to all kinds of fancy events and restaurants. He even gave her money to buy the wardrobe needed to look the part. She wasn’t poor, but she also had never bought designer anything before either.

At first it had felt awkward, but she told herself it was like having the lead roll in a movie, and needed her acting skills to look believable. Looking back, what she thought was fun, now left a scar. The look on her parents’ faces wasn’t something she’d ever forget. And her friends, they were equally shocked. Who could blame them? Gianna should’ve told them right then that it was all a façade, but she’d promised Marvin that no one would ever know. Marvin said he was going to be president some day and he didn’t need his reputation tarnished. Always about what you want Marvin. Do you ever think of anyone else?

The tears that flowed weren’t for her but for those affected because of her foolish involvement in all this. It was bad enough they believed the lie, but if they knew the truth, they’d all be so angry with her, and she’d even be more embarrassed. There was only so far the ‘I’m only nineteen and naïve’ line was going to get her. Her parents trusted her to make smarter choices. Definitely not one of my finest moments.

Even if Marvin would’ve stuck with the plan, the end result would’ve been the same. There was just one difference, how it was presented. Marvin was supposed to stand in front of all their family and friends and let her down gently saying that she was an amazing woman, but he wasn’t husband material. Instead, Marvin never even showed. He let his best-man have the honor of announcing the wedding was off, no explanation at all. Did Jordan Lawson know the truth or was he just caught up in the lie like everyone else? She wasn’t sure. Jordan seemed to tolerate her when she was with Marvin, but that was the extent of it. Gianna tried being warm and friendly to him, maybe she even tried too hard. Nothing ever got him to accept her and Marvin’s relationship. Now it didn’t matter. Right now, she didn’t want to see either of them. And if she never heard Marvin’s name again, that was fine with her too. After this, she didn’t even want to be his friend, never mind his wife.

Gianna chuckled. Wife. Boy did I dodge that one. It wasn’t just seeing Marvin for the snake he was, but she also wasn’t ready to be anyone’s wife, not for real or pretend. There was no need to worry about either after this because she probably wouldn’t be dating anytime soon. Everyone knew her as Marvin’s girl. Now she’d just be the one Marvin dumped.

Although she was angry, she still couldn’t help but wonder what had happened. She hoped he was okay. If he hadn’t been, his family would’ve surely known, but they all seemed as surprised by the announcement as everyone else. But with Marvin, she couldn’t even begin to guess where he was. Part of her didn’t care. It was time she concentrated on more important things, like her future.

She heard a knock at her door and was tempted to ignore it. Doing so would only mean whoever her visitor was, would worry unnecessarily. Gianna knew her eyes were puffy and she looked like hell, but whoever it was, probably was expecting to see that. Hopefully whoever it was had brought dinner, because there was one thing she hadn’t done through all this. Eat.

When she opened the door, she wasn’t prepared to see who was standing there. “What are you doing here?”

Jordan answered, “I’m here to check on you.”

She almost burst out laughing. “I’d have thought you’d be out celebrating with Marvin.”

“Why is that?” he asked flatly.

“You told him he was making a mistake marrying me. And look, he’s still a bachelor,” she said snidely, her arms crossed.

“That’s why I’m here. Would you mind if I came in?”

Yes actually I would. “You can see I’m…fine.”

“Please, Gianna.”

There was something in his tone that had piqued her interested. The last thing she needed was to have the conversation in the hall where she knew her neighbors were eaves dropping. Once inside, she shut the door, but