Mendacious by Beth Ashworth Read Free Book Online Page B

same? How will she react when she sees me?
    The world feels like it’s about to drop out of my arse, but I’m holding onto the welcome knowledge that I’ve got the upper hand in all this. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s signed up for business suicide with this deal.
    And I’m smug as fuck.
    Monday is when the plan commences and Libby learns exactly who the new Alex Lewis is, and I’m going to enjoy every fucking minute of it. I’m sure she’ll be kicking herself when she sees me, and maybe even more when she realises what I have in store for her.

FOUR
    Benedict’s waffling away in the car, and I’m doing everything in my power to ignore him. I probably should’ve listened to Kelly and taken a driver. At least now I’d be preparing myself and not having to listen to my solicitor’s boring drivel.
    “How far are the offices?” I interrupt Benedict when I feel my head slump back against the leather headrest. He’s literally boring me to fucking tears right now.
    “We’re almost there,” he explains. “But anyway …”
    Blah. Blah. Blah.
    I’m about ready to punch him as we pull into a small compound and Benedict navigates his Mercedes into an empty space. He kills the ignition, but I’m already out and getting my suit jacket off the hanger on the backseat.
    “A bit keen, hey?” He nods at me straightening my tie.
    “Professionalism,” I murmur, moving to tighten my cufflinks. “First impressions are always important.”
    And today is definitely not an exception. I’ve even gone for my lucky, dark red tie to match my suit. It was my grandfather’s and it always makes me feel in charge and in control when I’m wearing it. Doing the old man proud, I am.
    Benedict puts on his jacket and stands next to me. “Well, this is the main office,” he says, stating the obvious as he waves at the tall, glass skyscraper. “Libby’s company is on the twelfth and thirteenth floor.”
    I swallow sharply and walk toward the building. “Let’s go.” I don’t let on that I’m suffocating within the confines of my suit, but I am. Inside I’m a nervous wreck, and I feel the bile stirring in my stomach. But I have to focus. I have to.
    “We’re early. We are not supposed to be here till four. Want to run through anything before we go in?”
    “No,” I say checking my watch. “We are only fifteen minutes early, and I always say it is better to be early than late.” I walk through the automatic sliding doors and over to the reception desk. “Alex Lewis and Benedict Carlisle to meet Ms. Elizabeth—” I trail off, realising I don’t have a fucking clue what last name she’s using.
    The company was registered under her maiden name on the documentation I saw, but I don’t know if she’s using that or if she’s maybe married again since? I’m thinking so hard I’m about to give myself an aneurysm. The thought that Libby could have moved on and found someone else hadn’t even crossed my mind, but now it is and I’m not sure what impact this could have on the plan.
    “We are from A L Investments and here to meet Ms. Elizabeth Lewis,” Benedict smoothly replies for me. “She should be expecting us.”
    Lewis? Wait ... what did he just say?
    “Okay, here are your visitor passes. You need to take the lift on the left, which will take you up to the twelfth floor. I’ll let the reception upstairs know you’re here.” The receptionist smiles and pushes two lanyards across desk. I nod and place it around my neck, still completely at a loss for words.
    She kept her married name.
    Elizabeth Lewis .
    “Alex,” Benedict hisses. He pulls me into one of the two glass lifts. “Are you alright?” he asks, hitting number twelve on the panel.
    I blow out a sharp breath. I’m so fucking relieved. Libby hasn’t changed her marital name in seven years. She may have moved on, but she definitely hasn’t married again.
    Leaning back against the glass wall, I feel my usual courage and control slither into