The Billionaire’s Maid Bride (Flanagan and Allison)

As Lucian first heard her words, a twinge of guilt wormed through his heart, b

ut the moment the rest of the sentence filtered through, his expression shifted.

Her first time was given to him?

What a joke!

Penelope's private life was a mess; who knew who she'd given her first time to? That video, with her tangled up with several men, played in his mind. If it hadn't been for the fact that she saved him and his mother, he would have exposed the damn video and called off their engagement right then and there.

Wait a minute...

Her first time...

Lucian's gaze hardened on Penelope. He'd just returned to the country, and indeed, someone had drugged him that night.

He could still vividly recall the unmistakable feel of a woman's first time.

Yet, that didn't add up with Penelope...

Her virginity had been long gone.

So, the burning question was - who was the woman at his side that night?

Was it really Penelope?

Or someone else entirely?

A jolt ran through him as he scrutinized her paling face.

Penelope looked like a wreck. The tears were smudging her makeup, and her face was pitiful. But now, that same face seemed to be hiding something. Her eyes were darting away from his penetrating stare. "Lucian... did I say something wrong?" she stammered. Her voice was laced with uncertainty.

A sly smile curled Lucian's lips. His tone was unexpectedly gentle, "Penelope, you said you went to the Silver Star Hotel for a friend's birthday party, right? And you just stumbled into my room by mistake, correct?"

Her heart hammered against her chest, and her mind was racing. Had she misspoken? Her thoughts were a blank slate, as she looked at him with a forced smile. "Yeah, it was my friend's birthday. I never imagined I'd run into you. Maybe it's fate?"

"Penelope, what's your friend's name? Since fate brought us together, I should thank them." Lucian's voice remained soft, but his eyes were devoid of any warmth.

Her mind bit overdrive, but it seemed

to crash, unable to fabricate a name. There was no friend; it was a panic-driven lie from a previous interrogation. Crafting a believable name on the spot wasn't easy.

One lie always demanded another to sustain it.

She replied with a pale face, "It was... a high school classmate."

Lucian observed every flicker of panic on her face.

"Oh, really? But I thought you said it was a college classmate last time."

Penelope's face drained of color.

What?

Had she said that?

"Ah, yeah, right, college classmate. I've so forgetful since I

dd from the honet

to remember things

WP

"1

Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly.

"What was the name again? You et

mentioned it to me before... it was..." he paused, "something like Tanner, wasn't it?"

A shiver ran through Penelope.

Her cheeks felt numb, and her brain was nearly shutting down. Tanner? How did Lucian know about Tanner?

When had she ever mentioned that name?

Did she accidentally spill it?

Who was Tanner?

If Lucian started digging into Tanner, w

ouldn't all her past come to light?

Tanner was a playboy from a renowned family, and surely wouldn't cover for her.

"Lucian, suddenly my leg is hurting so much." Penelope, increasingly desperate, feigned illness.

Lucian stood up, taking hold of the wheelchair with a show of concern. "Are you alright? Let me take you to the hospital."