Becoming My Ex’s Mother in Law by Aurora Starling

Chapter 33

Lisa had spent all week planning this dance party. It was a bit last-minute, but she wanted to get Lady Charlene Laurent in front of her father as soon as possible. She had no clue how far Crystal had dug her claws into Andrew, but she was certain that someone like the beautiful Lady Charlene would be able to divert his attention.

The young noblewoman was absolutely infatuated with the Alpha King. Lisa thought that it would only take the right social setting to bring them together and get something started.

So, Lisa spared no expense in arranging a dance party that was a mix of modern and traditional, something that her father would love while still getting her the buzz that she needs as a young socialite. The DJ had every genre from hip-hop and pop to classical, and the wooden dancefloor was just as versatile. The colored lights could turn the mood from somber to raving at the drop of a hat, and an open bar in the corner tied the entire thing together.

Lisa, escorted by Bob, went around checking on guests as the party began. She had yet to see her father or Lady Charlene, and it made her anxious. She stopped one of the waiters walking around with ho rs d’oeuvres and grabbed a bacon-wrapped date.

“Calm down, my love, everything will be fine,” Bob assured her, knowing that snacking was one of her nervous tells.

Lisa popped the date into her mouth and quickly devoured it.

“I know, I know. I just wanted everything to be perfect. I can’t risk that siren- Lady Charlene!”

A young woman, around twenty-five years old, ran up in six-inch heels and grabbed Lisa’s hands in greeting.

“Princess Lisa!” she said, giving each of Lisa’s cheeks a k*ss.

Flease, Lady Charlene, call me Lisal”

en you must call me Charlenel”

course, of course. You look absolutely stunning tonight.”

Chapter 23

Lady Charlene wore a skin-tight green gown with a turtlen*eck-like n*eckline sporting a jewel in the center and an oval cut out to give a sneak peek at her cleavage. The back stooped low, and the hem ended just above her knee. Her dark brown hair was styled in a high bun, and her makeup had been done to highlight her natural beauty.

Nothing too scandalous, but enough to catch any man’s eye. Lisa only hoped. that it would be enough to catch the Alpha King’s eye.

“Well, you must come meet my father immediately.”

Lady Charlene’s dark blue eyes darted about nervously.

“So, he’s really here? You can really arrange for us to meet?”

Lisa smiled.

“Of course, darling. I am his daughter, after all.”

Lisa wasn’t about to mention that she didn’t quite know where he was, yet.

Much to her relief, a sudden commotion broke out when the front doors of the dancehall burst open and a herald stepped forward, causing the crowd to instinctively step back.

The herald cleared his throat and called out, “I am happy to announce the arrival of His Majesty, the Alpha King Andrew Dubois.”

Lady Charlene practically leapt with joy as Andrew sauntered into the room, dressed in his finest black three-piece suit and purple tie. He waved at all the awaiting noblemen and socialites before motioning for the party to continue. Soon, he was swallowed up by a wave of admirers.

There are so many people up there already,” Lady Charlene said to Lisa. “Are you sure that we’re going to be able to get to him?”

Lisa grinned.

Oh, don’t you worry about that.”

Li grubbed Lady Charlene’s hand with one of hers and Bob’s hand with the

then proceeded to make her way through the crowd.

everyone, Princess Lisa would like to see her father she and in a

Chapter 33

very authoritative, yet polite, voice.

Immediately, the crowd parted to allow Lisa and her guests to reach Andrew. While Lady Charlene seemed slightly impressed by this feat, Bob merely smirked, accustomed to such preferential treatment even from the highest rung of society by now.

When they reached Andrew, they all maintained formalities by bowing and. curtsying to the Alpha King. He returned the gesture, though a small smile danced across his features.

“Hello, Father,” Lisa said, a smile stretching across her own face.

“Hello, Lisa, Bob.” He glanced over at Lady Charlene. “Who is your friend?”

“This is Lady Charlene Laurent. She is very, very excited to meet you.”

Andrew’s eyes roved over Lady Charlene’s b*dy.

“Is that so?” he asked.

Lady Charlene nodded enthusiastically.

“Oh yes, very excited, Your Highness.”

Andrew nodded.

“Well, it is nice to meet you as well, Lady Laurent.”

Lady Charlene blushed.

“Please, call me Charlene.”

“Very well, Lady Charlene.”

A moment of uncomfortable silence settled among the group. Although it couldn’t have lasted more than a minute, it felt as though it had been an eternity. Finally, Lisa gently cleared her throat.

“Father, why don’t you ask Charlene to dance? I can have the DJ put on a classical piece or one of those older rock songs that you like so much.

No. I’m afraid that I don’t really feel like dancing tonight, Andrew replied: He

d at his Rolex. In fact, I think I should get going

“What? But you just got here!”

“I’m sorry, but I can only make a brief appearance,” Andrew explained.

He turned towards the door, making it obvious that he thought the conversation was over.

Lisa was torn between her duties to Lady Charlene as a good host and charging after her father. In a rare moment of weakness, charging after her father won.

“I am so sorry. Charlene. I will be right back,” she told the other young woman before she quickly walked after her father.

She caught up to him right before he got into his Aston Martin.

“Father!” she snapped. “Father, where are you going?”

Andrew did not respond.

“Father, answer me!”

“Father, why are you acting so strangely?”

“Sweetheart, please go back to your party,” Andrew finally said. “You’re making

a scene.

With that, Andrew climbed into his car and drove away.

“I cannot believe that your sk anky ex is doing this,” Lisa complained to Bob ast she snacked on leftover bacon-covered dates.

The party had ended two hours before. While se rvants cleaned up the mess, Lisa and Bob sat on a couch in Andrew’s mansion, watching TV and eating whatever was left from the party.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Lisa. In a way, it surprises me, too,” Bob said as he spread caviar on a cr acker. “I knew that she was capable of stooping this J ew, but I had hoped that her time in prison would have taught her better.

hotfed

how to pull it off better. She rubbed her eyes, trying to fight back her

Chapter 33

tears. “I don’t want to lose my father, especially not to her.”

Bob set aside his plate and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry. You’re not going to lose your father-”

“How do you know?” she snapped. “You saw how my father was acting at that party! It was like he was a completely different person.”

She shook her head and took a drink of red wine.

“He’s so far under Crystal’s spell that I don’t know what to do to help him.”

Bob rubbed his chin, as though thinking the matter over.

“What if we were to get Crystal out of the way?”

Lisa’s brow lifted curiously.

“How could we possibly do that?”

Bob’s grin stretched unnaturally wide across his face.

“Well, I do have one idea.”