The Billionaire's Secret by Jeannette Winters Page B

disturb you on a Sunday after you’d had
to spend the entire day with me yesterday.” Still he just sat there
watching her. It was unnerving. “I don’t know what else I can say,
Mr. Vinchi. I do hope you can accept my apology.”
    “Are you done?” He put the album down and
leaned closer to her. “The charade is over, Lizette. I already know
all about it. I am not the type of person you want to play these
games with. You and I both know you are not sorry. Well, let me
correct that—I’m sure you’re sorry you’ve been found out and your
little charade ended sooner than you thought it would. You can tell
your friend this game is over. Understood?”
    Game? She wouldn’t call groveling and
begging for forgiveness so he’ll sponsor her company with a large
donation a game. And how did he find out? She’d never gotten to ask
him to sponsor Another Chance. He hadn’t given her the opportunity.
Maybe he bugged her phone or something. Nothing would surprise her.
That’s the way these corporate giants did things. Take what you
want and discard it when it is no longer useful. She was sure the
Date of Your Dreams was just a publicity stunt. He’d got what he
wanted. She wasn’t going to give up on getting what Another Chance
needed without a fight.
    “Mr. Vinchi, I know you are upset with me.
Friday was my first time. I am not used to doing this, but there is
no one to blame but me.”
    “Lizette, I don’t believe in coincidences. I
should have known when you ‘bumped’ into me something was up. And
yet you say that was your first time? Well, you really had me
fooled. And the dinner at Ma’s house—very impressive, Lizette. Now
I understand why you didn’t want us to get to know each other
better. What I don’t understand is, what do you get out of this?
What were you promised, and just how far were you willing to go to
get it?”
    “I don’t personally get anything out of
this. As I said, I did not do this for me. It’s my job.”
    “Do you work for Drew?”
    “Drew? I don’t know who Drew is. My boss is
Ms. Manning, Ms. Elaine Manning. As I told you Friday night, I work
for Another Chance.”
    “How do you know Drew?” he demanded.
    “I already told you, I don’t know any Drew,”
she said, her voice also rising.
    Once again Jon just stared at her, analyzing
her.
    “I’m not sure what you think is going on
here, but I assure you Ms. Manning runs a very respectable company.
When she asked me to speak to you about becoming a sponsor for the
agency, I had no idea you would have been so opposed to the idea. I
mean, you attended the event Friday night. And then, after helping
us at the park, I thought you were different, that you might want
to help us, help the community. But evidently I was wrong. You are
exactly what I thought you were.”
    “What are you talking about, Lizette?”
    “I am talking about asking you for a
donation, asking if Vinchi Medical Engineering would be willing to
sponsor Another Chance. You said you knew what this was about. We
are in dire need of financial assistance, and if we do not find
any, we will be forced to close our doors. People will not only
lose their jobs, but we’ll be leaving the community without any
support. I understand you are upset with me. I was rude, and I have
not given you any reason to trust me, but I beg you, please at
least speak to Ms. Manning before making your final decision.”
    “So you did not plan all this with
Drew?”
    “I don’t know how many times I have to tell
you. I don’t know a Drew. I don’t know what you think I planned
with Drew. Ms. Manning was sick so I filled in for her at the last
minute on Friday. The rest you were there for.”
    The silence hung between them until finally
Jon said in a softer, less threatening tone, “Maybe we can start
today over?”
    Lizette nodded.
    Jon extended his right hand. “Hello, I am
Jon Vinchi. I was hoping you were free for lunch.”
    “I am.” The now-cold pizza on the table was
a