I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 23: Repercussions

Chapter 23: Repercussions

"Sir, someone found information that you are seeking an annulment." Ethan choked out, his voice anxious. "there is paparazzi waiting outside."

Levi winced, they must have figured that an annulment must mean that he was married and the playboy of the century being secretly married was fodder for the press. The thought of dealing with paparazzi made him feel like he was about to break out in hives.

The mere thought of flashing lights in his face and the noise as people followed him around, asking invasive questions, going through his trash and harassing the people around him so that they could get the littlest bits of information about him nauseated him.

"How did they find out?" He demanded as he stood up and looked out his window at the cluster of people standing outside the building no doubt waiting for him to show up.

"A clerk at the courthouse tipped someone off."

Levi frowned as he ran a hand through his hair then he asked tentatively, fearing the response. "Do they know about Lyse too?"

Ethan shook his head, "they seem not to know about her Boss."

Levi closed his eyes in relief, it would have been too messy if they had found that out.

He opened his eyes then instructed in a commanding voice, "I need you get more guys to go to the hospital and join Joel, make sure that they remain unnoticed."

"Yes sir." Ethan said, "is there anything else you need?"

"Get the driver to prepare, we will go to the hospital immediately. Make sure that there is no one by the service elevator." Levi answered, the venom in his voice enough to paralyze anyone.

Instead of going through the main entrance they would go through the entrance that the staff that serviced the building used.

Ethan quickly scurried out of the room leaving Levi to relive his awful experiences with the paparazzi. And even though it had happened a long time ago he could still vividly remember what he had been forced to deal with.

He knew that he would have to get on top of the matter and deal with it before it became too big an issue. A groan escaped his lips as he realized that he would probably have to have a press conference, he utterly hated being in the limelight and worse, giving anything to the paparazzi.

*

"No."

Brooke’s eyes widened and her nose flared in anger, she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. She had not expected that answer and she still could not believe that Lyse had just said no to her, she wondered if she had a death wish because leaking those pictures was a death sentence.

"Are you sure you want to do that Lyse?" Brooke asked, her face flushed in anger. "You are not going to be able to live down the backlash, I really think that you should think about it before saying no to me."

When Lyse raised her jaw and stared defiantly at Brooke, she lost control of her anger and started to breathe heavily, her chest rising.

"I promise you that everyone is going to know that you are a whore who goes around sleeping with men for money." She screamed, spittle flying out of her mouth and landing everywhere.

"I have nothing to say to you." Lyse answered with steely resolve. Seeing how Brooke was unraveling made her feel even stronger about saying no to Brooke.

She knew that Brooke would keep blackmailing her even if she gave into her whims right now and she would end up being in a prison built by her sister’s relentless attacks. She did not know how she was going to cope but she was ready to deal with whatever came.

"You went into a hotel with a man, do you deny it?" Brooke screamed.

"Why would she deny it when she was with me, her husband?" A voice said.

Brooke and Lyse’s head snapped to the entrance where Levi had entered while they had been going back and forth and they had not noticed.

"Who are you?" Brooke demanded as she studied the man.

A handsome man that seemed to swallow up the room with his presence nonchalantly leaned against the wall and Brooke stared at him and gulped nervously. His emerald eyes seemed to pierce through her and made her feel small, she suddenly felt the need to smooth her clothes and look presentable.

Then a thought sank into her head. ’What had he just say? Did he say husband? Where did she meet him?’

She looked from the man to Lyse who was staring at the man as if he had grown a second head.

"Did you just say husband?" Brooke sputtered, then turned to Lyse accusingly, "Lyse does not have a husband."

And most especially this gorgeous man. Granted he was an older man but he looked much too distinguished to be married to her bastard sister.

"She probably forgot to tell you." He answered quietly. "Now about those threats you were making, I will not take kindly to any dangers done to my wife."

His eyes glinted dangerously and Brooke trembled with fear. Somehow she could not dismiss the man’s words because he looked like he was capable of being dangerous.

"Joel!" He called out loudly and a man in a suit came in. "Get rid of her and make sure that no one is allowed to come into this room."

"Excuse me ma’am, you have to come with me." Joel said and when he reached out a hand to lead Brooke out she pulled her arm out of his reach and raised her head stiffly before going out of the room.

Lyse was still staring at Levi who had been looking at the door then he turned around and looked at her.

"If you had done as you had been told and gone to the hospital then you would not be here would you? What you don’t understand is that it is hard to escape my instructions without repercussions." He said while Lyse looked at him, confusion creasing her brows.

"But Mr Van Doren, we are not married."

Levi stared at her thoughtfully.