She Agreed to Be a Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée… Then He Fell for Her for Real
Chapter 4
Margaret’s test came the following morning.
She took Emma to a charity foundation Sterling Holdings had funded for years.
There was no press.
No photographers.
No Alexander.
Just Margaret.
She watched as Emma walked through the community center.
Children were receiving school supplies.
Families were waiting for food.
Emma recognized several families.
She had volunteered there before.
Margaret noticed.
“You’ve been here.”
“Yes.”
“How often?”
“When I can.”
“Why?”
Emma shrugged.
“Because people need help.”
Margaret studied her.
“You knew this place belonged to my family?”
“No.”
“You never asked?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Emma smiled.
“Would it change what I do?”
Margaret said nothing.
They entered a classroom.
A little girl ran toward Emma.
“Miss Emma!”
Emma knelt.
“Hey, Sophie.”
The girl hugged her.
Margaret watched.
For the next hour, Emma helped children organize books.
She didn’t notice Margaret’s expression.
When they left, Margaret finally spoke.
“My grandson chose you well.”
Emma stopped.
“What?”
Margaret smiled.
“You passed.”
Emma frowned.
“Passed what?”
“My test.”
Emma sighed.
“I don’t understand.”
Margaret looked at her.
“Alexander has been surrounded by people who wanted his money.”
She paused.
“You’re different.”
Emma didn’t know what to say.
Then Margaret added:
“But there is something I want to know.”
“What?”
“Do you actually love him?”
Emma looked down.
“No.”
Margaret raised an eyebrow.
“Not yet.”
Emma looked up.
Margaret smiled.
“That’s a much more dangerous answer.”
That evening, Alexander asked how it went.
“Your grandmother is terrifying.”
“I know.”
“She likes me.”
“I know.”
Emma stared at him.
“How do you know everything?”
“She called me.”
“What did she say?”
“That you were different.”
Emma smiled.
Then Alexander became serious.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Because if this gets too much—”
“I’m fine.”
He nodded.
Emma looked at him.
“Are you?”
He hesitated.
“Yes.”
She knew he was lying.
For the first time, she wondered what the contract was protecting him from.
Not his grandmother.
Not the media.
Something deeper.
Something that had nothing to do with money.
