A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas) novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Chapter 185

“Bai, what do you think of these outfits?” Aaliyah asked, holding up two gowns against her body. “Blue or red?”

Bailey lifted her head from her phone. “You know I’m not as stylish as you are.”

Aaliyah’s forehead creased into a frown. “But I’m asking you. I know you’re not-

“Okay, sorry,” Bailey interrupted. “Try the blue. It’s subtle.”

“Well, thanks for nothing,” Aaliyah scoffed, tossing the red goown on the couch. “The blue is actually ugly.”

Bailey sighed. “My bad. Sorry.”

“It was a joke,” Aaliyah said.

“Yeah,” Bailey replied quietly, returning to her phone.

Since living with Aaliyah, Bailey had tried her best to avoid the obvious elephant in the room. She had even gotten used to the difference between private and public affection.

At home, they were lovers, inseparable, intimate, real. In public, they were just girl besties, showing no iota of emotion.

As sickening as it was, Bailey was willing to endure the torture. Oh, but she had a plan.

After dinner tonight, after her mother had finally met Aaliyah, she would pack her shit and move to a hotel. After all, everything was already paid for by work, she might as well enjoy it.

The thought eased her a little as she continued scrolling aimlessly through social media.

Her phone rang. It was her San Francisco partner.

“Hey, Quinn,” she said, smiling genuinely for the first time all day.

“Jones. Howdy, partner,” Special Agent Quinn greeted in his usual low voice.

“Nice. What’s good?”

“Just calling to let you know we got a hit on one of Mateo Castro’s accounts.”

Bailey sat upright, her senses sharpened. “I’m listening.”

“Eight hundred million dollars was removed from one of his dominant accounts,” Quinn said. “And before you ask, it’s been dormant for ten years.”

“Wow!” she exclaimed. “That’s a long time. What happened? Why take such an amount right now?”

“No idea,” Quinn admitted. “But I’m willing to find out. Our tech teams are working on tracing where the money went.”

“That’s a large sum of money,” Bailey muttered, scratching her head. A rush of adrenaline filled her.

“I know you’ve got the dinner tonight, which is why I’m handling this instead. I’ll find out everything and get back to you immediately as I do.

She raised a brow. “So I shouldn’t come?”

Quinn chuckled. “I’m saying you don’t have to. I’ve got you, partner.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and she nodded even though he couldn’t see that. “Thank you, Quinn.”

Chapter 185

“You’re welcome. Enjoy your dinner. My regards to your lady.”

“And mine to your kids,” Bailey replied, ending the call.

Excitement surged through her, and she punched the air. “Yes, yes!”

She hadn’t expected progress this soon. But it y

Fueled by the news, she ran into the

great news, they were a step closer to taking Mateo Castro down.

share it with Aaliyah. “Babe! You won’t-” She paused.

Aaliyah was naked on the bed.

Bailey’s brow furrowed. “Why aren’t you dressed? We’re running late.”

“Oh, come on,” Aaliyah groaned, walking over. “Don”

want any of this?” She gestured to her body.

Of course Bailey did. Who wouldn’t want a woman with the body of a goddess? Aaliyah’s body was silky, beautiful, tempting, but Bailey knew better now.

She knew it was all an act. Once they did whatever they wanted to, Aaliyah would switch back to the cold, distant stranger in public, and Bailey’s heart couldn’t handle the rejection again.

She cleared her throat and turned away. “Get dressed, babe. We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”

She didn’t wait to see Aaliyah’s reaction, though she heard the disappointed gasp as she left.

When she returned to the living room, all her excitement faded away. A few minutes later, Aaliyah came out dressed in the blue gown.

“I’m ready,” she said, walking to the door without waiting for Bailey.

Bailey didn’t say anything, she just simply followed and entered the car. As expected, they didn’t speak the entire ride to Silas’s house.

Silas saw them first as they stepped out of the car. “Hey, guys,” he called, his hazel eyes gleaming.

“Hey, handsome,” Aaliyah replied, hugging him.

If Bailey hadn’t grown up with Silas, she might have never believed Aaliyah’s story about experimenting with him.

“How are you, Si?” Bailey asked, hugging him too.

“I’m great,” Silas smiled. “I didn’t know you guys were coming.”

“Oh, I thought my mom told you,” Bailey said.

“She didn’t,” he replied, shaking his head. “Either way, you’re welcome. Thomas is coming for dinner too. You’ll see him.”

“That’s great.”

He led them into the house and toward the dining room.

Guilt twisted inside Bailey, but before she could speak, the door opened and a woman walked in. She was dressed in a black gown and Bailey didn’t recognize her until Aaliyah spoke.

Chapter 185

“Hey, Aaliyah,” Ivy said with a sheepish smile, “Hey, Bailey.” She waved. “How are you?”

“Good,” Aaliyah’s response was flat again.

Instead of shaking it, Monica pulled her into a warm hug. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”