Tricked in a Marriage with the Ruthless CEO

Chapter 4: Luis, Please Stay Away from My Friend

That night, Victoria couldn't sleep. She had no idea how her finger had ended up tapping the wrong spot, and she could only blame it on the stress of being alone with that man. But now, how was she supposed to face Draco? He was so cold, always looking at her as if she didn't exist. She felt like a ghost in his presence.

While she racked her brain over it, exhaustion finally pulled her under, and she fell asleep. She woke the next morning still nursing a moral hangover from her blunder.

Victoria headed to the university. She had assignments to turn in and was relieved she'd finished them over the weekend. She was nothing if not disciplined.

Emily spotted her arriving and rushed over, buzzing with excitement. The whole campus was talking about the big board meeting, and Emily was thrilled — she knew the Dean liked her friend and was sure he'd stand up for her.

"Vicky, they're in the middle of the meeting right now. That witch Milenka is in there — I just know she's trying to get you kicked out. I don't understand how she's even president of the student council. Money really does move mountains," Emily said, scowling. She was certain that snake wanted to make trouble for her dear friend, and all because of...

As they talked, a handsome blond with blue eyes approached them, flashing a wide smile. Luis Melis greeted Victoria enthusiastically. From the moment he'd first seen her, he'd thought she was beautiful — and unlike the other girls, she had her feet firmly on the ground. In every way, she stood out to him.

"Hey, Vicky. I wanted to see if you'd like to study together for Friday's exam," he said with a grin, while Emily rolled her eyes. He was her friend's worst nightmare.

"Luis, I'm really sorry, but I can't. Honestly, I have work. I'll study at home," she said, and the young man laughed.

"Vicky, don't worry about it. You can stay at my apartment while we study — I'm not going to bite. Besides, I've told you, if you want help I'm happy to give it. You don't have to work at that dead-end restaurant," he said confidently. He'd already offered every kind of help imaginable to that doll, but she never took any of it.

Emily was fed up with the conversation. She didn't like this guy one bit.

"Luis, please stay away from my friend. It's your fault she's in trouble. That psycho Milenka hates her because you're always drooling over Victoria. Just back off already," Emily said, glaring at Luis.

"Emily, I don't know why you hate me. Milenka and I dated a long time ago — we were already broken up before Vicky even got here. I don't understand that woman's obsession. I've told her multiple times, and she won't listen. I've asked her to leave my Vicky alone, but she's out of her mind," the young man said, shrugging, at a loss for what else to say. But Emily wasn't about to let this go.

"Luis, don't play innocent. People saw you leaving a hotel with Milenka just a week ago. That's why she's still obsessed with you — you lead her on. That's exactly why my friend has never given you a second look," the girl snapped, furious with the situation. Victoria was on the verge of losing her scholarship because of this horny idiot.

Luis went pale. Sometimes he thought Emily worked for the FBI — she always caught him in something. The truth was that Emily had a cousin on the police force whom she accompanied on occasion, and he'd spotted Luis leaving hotels with Milenka and other women. Yet the bastard still played the saint around her friend.

"Emily, don't be so harsh. You really have no idea how hard it is for me to get rid of her. And nothing happened — she threatened to kill herself if I didn't meet her there. I've already spoken to her parents about her behavior." Luis turned to Victoria to plead his case.

"Vicky, gorgeous, it's not what you think. I swear I have nothing going on with Milenka anymore. Maybe she'd finally give up if you gave me a chance. Just don't believe those rumors," Luis said, his eyes full of hurt. But Victoria stared at him steadily. She didn't believe a single word. She could see right through him — the fool wanted it all. He wanted to date her, but whenever the mood struck, he wanted to hook up with Milenka or some other ex.

"Luis, just stay away. I don't want any more problems with your girlfriend. I'm in serious trouble because of that girl," Vicky said coldly. She'd had enough.

"Vicky, gorgeous, Milenka isn't my girlfriend. The one I want is —" But before he could finish, a voice interrupted them.

"Miss Victoria Levin, you're being requested at the board meeting. Would you please come with me?" said the Dean's secretary, who had been looking for her for quite some time.

Victoria went pale. She really felt like she was in trouble. Draco flashed through her mind — surely he wouldn't want to get involved with her and all her endless problems. She understood. After all, her sister had already caused him terrible embarrassment, not to mention the stock dips that powerful families suffered whenever they got caught up in media scandals.

Victoria let out a long sigh and headed toward the Dean's office, ignoring Luis, who rubbed the back of his head in distress. He genuinely liked Victoria, but as long as she refused him, he wasn't about to give up his lifestyle as the university's hottest athlete.

When Victoria reached the door, she inhaled deeply. She had to be brave and face whatever was coming. She had no other choice. And then —

"Miss Victoria, please have a seat. I was just telling the university board members about the projects you've been collaborating on at my company," said the tall, handsome man, while around the room the reactions ran the gamut.

There were long faces, looks of admiration, jealousy, fury, and everything in between. But one face beamed with joy — the Dean's. He could hardly believe that Draco Lennox himself was here, championing the vulnerable Victoria Levin.

Milenka was seething to the point of passing out. The professor who'd been deliberately failing Victoria was terrified, unsure what to do next. But the rest of them were pleased — having one of their students with Lennox as a patron meant prestige and power.