The Billionaire's Lie

Chapter4

Later that evening, it was time for the party.

I waited until Mary and Victoria left before I started getting ready—I couldn’t risk them suspecting anything.

Mrs. Nancy, our housekeeper, had always been kind to me. When she saw me preparing, she hesitated. “Miss Alice… are you sure about this? You know they’ll make trouble if they find out.”

“I have to go,” I said firmly. “I need to be there.”

After a quiet pause, she nodded. “Then let me help you.”

She gently straightened my hair and styled it beautifully. I applied a light touch of makeup, slipped into my emerald dress and shoes, and took one last look in the mirror.

“You look so beautiful,” Mrs. Nancy whispered, her voice soft with emotion. “Just like your mother when she was your age.”

That made my eyes sting a little.

I took my invitation, thanked her with a hug, and called for the other driver—the one Mary rarely used—to take me to the venue.

We drove for a while, and then I saw it.

*The Lancaster estate.*

We passed through gate after gate, flanked by towering trees and glowing lanterns. The long driveway curled around a breathtaking swimming pool that shimmered under fairy lights. The mansion was painted a brilliant white, tall and regal, with polished marble columns and delicate gold trimming.

My father’s house was big… but this was another world entirely.

We reached the parking lot, lined with rows of sleek, expensive cars—every color, every brand you could imagine.

I stepped out slowly, heart pounding. Music drifted toward me, elegant and refined. Laughter echoed through the air. The party had already begun.

Time to make my entrance.

I walked toward the house, the soft click of my heels muffled by the velvet carpet stretching across the entrance. I paused before pushing the grand door open, drew in a steady breath, and stepped inside with my head held high and a composed face.

It was like the world stopped—all eyes were on me. Crystals sparkled from an enormous chandelier above, reflecting soft golden light over the vast ballroom. Guests dressed in luxury murmured amongst themselves, their curious eyes scanning me from head to toe. In the crowd, I spotted Mary and Victoria. They did not look happy.

After my entrance, the event officially began. Music played, food was served, people danced—it was a very lively party.

As I wandered around the party floor, I bumped into someone… it was the guy I had spilled coffee on. He looked even more dashing in his black designer suit. His hair was styled perfectly, complementing the sharpness of his outfit.

"Oh hi, it's you again. I never thought I'd see you here," I said. “I think your favorite thing to do is bump into me.” He smirked.

I laughed. "I'm really clumsy, and I’m so sorry about yesterday... You never reached out? I would've paid for the dry cleaning."

“Don’t worry about that.” He said casually waving it off. “You rushed off for something yesterday—did you get it sorted out?” he asked.

“Yes, I did. My dad's condition worsened, but the doctors said there’s no cause for alarm.”

He paused, concern flickering in his eyes.

“I'm sorry. What happened to him? If you don’t want to talk about it, that's okay,” he offered.

“I definitely don’t want to talk—especially to a stranger whose name I don’t know,” I said, laughing. He laughed too. “My name is Cole.”

“Just Cole?” I smiled. “No last name?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“My name is Alice Lockwood, as you would’ve seen on my card.”

“Nice to meet you, Alice.”

“Nice to meet you, Cole.”

Just then, the music shifted to a slow, romantic tune, and people began pairing off on the dance floor.

“May I have this dance?” Cole asked.

“Yes, you may,” I responded.

He offered his hand, and I placed mine in his. He led me to the center of the room.He placed his hands on my waist, and I rested mine on his shoulders. We looked into each other's eyes. Though we weren't the only ones on the dance floor, it felt like it was just us. Twirling, laughing, moving with the rhythm—we had so much fun. But just as quickly as it began, it ended.

“I didn’t know you were such a good dancer,” he said.

“I try my best,” I laughed. “You did pretty well too.”

As we were talking, the Lancaster family came up on stage to make an announcement and introduce the heir. Cole quickly excused himself, mumbling something about needing to handle something—and then, he vanished.

A woman of around 75 years came on stage, her little walking stick helping support her as she moved gracefully. She was old, but you could see elegance and class radiating from her. She tapped lightly on the microphone, preparing to address us.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," she said — her powerful voice resounding through the room. It was the kind of voice that demanded attention. "We are gathered here today to welcome my grandson, the heir to Lancaster Holdings. As we all know, the Lancaster family is built on strong values, and my grandson is the embodiment of every single one of them. After studying overseas to prepare himself to lead the corporation, he is now back — stronger than ever.” She paused, then added, “Join me as we welcome my grandson, Cole Lancaster.”

The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it... until the curtains drew open and he walked out.

It was him.

Cole.

The guy I spilled coffee on.

His eyes found mine in the crowd, and he smirked. He knew. He had known all along — and he never said a word.