I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 50: No Strings Attached

Chapter 50: No Strings Attached

The car glided to a stop in front of a grand mansion. Its imposing facade, with its towering columns and manicured gardens, was a stark contrast to the sleek, modern apartment Lyse had not yet even had the chance to get used to. As she stepped out of the car, she could not help but feel a surge of awe.

"Welcome home," Levi said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Home?" Lyse echoed, her voice filled with disbelief. "You can’t be serious."

Levi chuckled. "Oh, i am very serious. We are married now and are expected to live together and we can’t exactly live in my bachelor pad now, can we?"

Lyse was speechless. She had never imagined a life like this, a life of luxury and opulence. She had always been a simple girl, content with her modest apartment and her quiet existence. But now, she was being thrust into a world of wealth and privilege, and it was all a bit overwhelming.

She wanted to protest, to take a stand and take back the reins of her life that she could feel slipping out of her hands but what was the point? She took a deep breath and muttered under her breath.

"Just five more months, just five more months."

"What was that?" Levi asked and she forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Nothing, just admiring the house."

Levi smirked at her knowingly then said, "would you rather we stayed in my apartment? There is not a lot of space so we would probably have to share a bedroom but I would not mind."

"No no no." Lyse answered quickly, "this is great, this is perfect."

Levi guided Lyse through the grand entrance, the polished marble floors gleaming under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. The air was filled with the subtle scent of freshly cut flowers, a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that characterized the mansion.

Lyse’s eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the opulent surroundings. The high ceilings, adorned with intricate moldings, stretched upwards, and the walls were lined with priceless works of art.

"It’s... it’s beautiful," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"I am glad you like it," Levi replied, an amused smile playing on his lips. "Now, let me introduce you to the staff."

They walked through a series of elegant rooms, each more breathtaking than the last. Finally, they arrived at the grand foyer, where three individuals stood waiting.

"Lyse, this is Mr. Dalton, our butler," Levi began. "Mr. Dalton, this is Lyse, your mistress."

Mr. Dalton, a dignified man with silver hair and a perfectly tailored suit, bowed slightly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Van Doren."

Next, Levi introduced Lyse to Mrs. Evelyn, the cook, and Miss Emily, the housekeeper. Both women were warm and welcoming, offering Lyse a friendly smile.

When they were finished with the introductions and the staff left, Lyse could not help but feel a sense of awe and uncertainty. This was a world far removed from the one she had known. Yet, as she looked at Levi, she felt a strange sense of comfort and security.

"And there is more," Levi continued, a playful smile on his lips. "I know about how you were wrongfully pushed out of your job, I also know how talented you are so I have been working behind the scenes on a fashion house. And I think it’s time to launch it."

When Lyse’s eyes widened in surprise and she just kept staring at him, he added. "No strings attached."

"What... what are you saying?" Lyse stammered in disbelief.

"My wife can’t just stay at home all day or work as someone’s personal assistant." He said with a scowl as if the thought of her working as someone’s personal assistant left a bad taste in his mouth. "So I want you to be creative director of my fashion company, you will run everything, make all the decisions. I just do all the money work."

"You have been planning this all along?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Levi nodded, his expression serious. "I believe in you, Lyse. You have a unique vision, and I want to help you bring it to life."

Lyse was overwhelmed. She had always dreamed of having her own fashion label, but she had never really thought it would happen so quickly. Now, with Levi’s support, it seemed like anything was possible.

She was a little skeptical even after he said that there were no strings attached because she had come to realize that Levi was a very cunning businessman but after poring through the contract with her own lawyer she discovered that it was strictly a business deal. It was as he said, no strings attached.

The following days were a whirlwind of activity. Lyse was allowed to choose her own team of talented designers, stylists, and marketing experts. She was amazed by how quickly things moved when serious money was being spent. She spent hours pouring over sketches, fabrics, and color palettes.

The day of the press conference arrived, and Lyse was a bundle of nerves. She had never faced such a large audience before. As she stepped onto the stage, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. But then she looked out at the crowd, and she saw the anticipation in their eyes. She took a deep breath and began to speak.

She talked about her passion for fashion, her vision for the brand, and her hopes for the future. She spoke with confidence and conviction, captivating the audience with her words and her infectious enthusiasm.

When the floor was opened to allow the reporters ask questions, many hands went up and one of the reporters was chosen. She got up to her feet and asked.

"We have learnt that Mr Van Doren is the major investor of this business, what relationship do you have with Mr Van Doren?"

Lyse had expected that question and she had been coached on how to answer it. She took a sip of her water then smiled at the reporter who along with everyone else in the room was holding their breath and waiting for her answer.

"Mr Van Doren is my husband."

The room immediately went into a frenzy.

*

In another part of town, Sutton walked into the room at the exact moment that Lyse announced that she was married to Levi and she stood in front of the television, rooted to the ground, her jaw slack with shock.