The Daring Billionaire’s Wife

Aileen

After seeing the Richards' residence just from outside, the last thing on my mind is relaxing and with Liam holding my hand and leading me inside the mansion, my nerves only get worse as I look around at his family home. I can't help but feel a wave of intimidation wash

over me as I look up at the towering ceilings and crystal chandeliers.

Just so I don't make it too obvious to the staff lined up, I lower my gaze but the gleaming marble floors equally grab my attention.

It's only when Liam squeezes my hand that I compose myself.

"You'll be fine." He gives me a reassuring smile.

After a long passage, there they are, Mr and Mrs Richards and the sight of them makes me swallow hard. Even from a distance, their faces are polite but formal.

Liam's father's tall and imposing figure makes me steal quick glances at his tailor made and his black shoes are so polished that they gleam like the marble floor he's standing on.

His mother, on the other hand, looks like she's just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Her hair is styled in a sleek, elegant bob and her designer gown shimmers like diamonds in the light.

The closer I get to them, the more I begin to realize they're not just watching me, but observing me and constantly looking at me from head to toe.

I clutch Liam's hand tightly, reminding myself why I agreed to this - I actually began to like him when he showed me his true personality.

Now close enough, I can't take my eyes off of Mrs Richards. She has a diamond necklace around her neck and I recognize it. It's still considered the most expensive diamond necklace in the entire world. From what I know, she never wears it unless on very special occasions, so why now? I tell myself that this must be a very special occasion for her.

While the thought of it warms my heart, I notice her eyes sparkle with a hint of curiosity and...disdain? I don't even have time to think about it further as Liam finally speaks.

"Mom, dad, this is Aileen, my girlfriend."

"Aileen," her voice is like honey, but with a subtle undertone of condescension. "It's so...enlightening to finally meet you."

I smile back, trying to hide my intimidation especially when I glance at Mr Richards.

"It's nice to meet you, too, Mr and Mrs Richards."

"Likewise," he says, his voice deep and commanding, but with a hint of coolness. "Although, I must say, we've heard so much about you. It's almost as if we already know you."

hostility, making me feel a surge of unease as I know how this might go, but this isn't the part where I back down. Firmly holding Liam's hand, I stand up straight with my head high, meeting

of my body language and her smile never wavers, but her eyes narrow slightly, as if sizing me up. What didn't Liam tell

the living room, shall we? I'm

keep stealing glances at Liam, wishing I could ask him why I feel so unwelcome despite the smiles on his parents' faces. But the reassuring smile on his

same couch. It's his older sister Charlotte, his Uncle Jake and Aunt Sophie, all elegantly dressed. I look over

obviously directed at me and despite her bright smile, I can't help but feel like

know the rest of you would be here." Liam forces a

could we miss something like this when Vanessa invited us?" Uncle Jake chuckles, looking at me the same

I've heard so much about you," Sophie says, adjusting her

heard so much about

have. I

clear that they all feel the same way about me. I just want to storm out, but another part of me wants to stick around. Liam also doesn't seem to let go of my hand. This isn't how

legs. "I heard you have no idea who your

"That's right."

no luck in

at all, but we keep

heard your relationship with your adoptive parents

honest,

don't have family close, what

"Mom-"

curious," she cuts Liam

obviously trying to hurt my feelings and it

nothing and I don't mind starting from scratch again with a different

narrowed. "I see. Which

frustration. "Mom, I

want to hear it from Aileen, so

that

"And why's that?"

financial

financial support, especially for bright students, could it be that you're not one of them?"

cheek, I gently squeeze Liam's hand, a sign that I can handle

never one to self-praise, but I've always been one of the brightest students. I just had a lot going on at the