Redeeming Alessandre: Claiming the Billionaire ice Queen

HE

y getting to the s

to think of but I did it. I built the world's leading company in b

mpany's head office, and my security detail followed a few steps behi

d the Ice Quee

at the door, and slipped off my shades. Charlotte en

ll," she said immediate

at was u

asked, bro

into the ergonomic chair across from me and began spinning in it

little..." she trailed off,

pt waiting." Charlotte had been my best friend for as long as I could remember and n

in the mood f

"You're too cold, Lia," she said. "And as much as you do

ng the city skyline through

closer, then st

now

o not mention his name." My mood soure

ol you," she argued, her voice rising. I didn't turn to f

ed through clenched teeth. "Least of al

t her. After a tense pause

Funds will be raised and connections made. Your public image will skyrocket and your icy reputation might thaw

thought of cozying up to the elites, with their sycop

appearances were everything. And as a woman

he plans already underway?" I hate

too cheerfully. "In fact

fu

ha

nonchalantly, like she was discussing the weather. "The stylists will be i

rlot

bing her bag and practic

ammed shut

pied, my jaw clenched so tight I coul

was how i

ng char

, my gaze settling once mor

ings they thought I lacked. They di

h

d shatt

h. If the world wanted a queen t

n't be there, I wou

__

as the stylists hurried about, try

raitorous as ever-drifted back to the day Charlotte

en. He'd paid for everything, had a dress delivered, pulled out all the stop

that, just lik

my head and tried to focus

ater, I w

were done, and I finally stood in

enting my olive-toned skin. My makeup-a subtle one consisting of brown eyeshadow laced with gol

ld show the wo

r, who I

aiting with two bodyguards. Moments l

y there, their camera flashes sparking l

ing you upstairs," she said. "You'll walk down the grand stair

her a c

t included forced smiles and perfunctory

to a discreet elevator in the corner. We ascended

justing the train of my go

p breath. "I wi

hand, then entered the e

ng the staircase entryway. Pulling a deep breath, I steadied myself

dream-lavish and glowing, filled with powerful men

ve, my smile composed

"nice," right?

ntire hall on me. My head was held high a

his eyes

the blur of motion, the sudden drop of

arms of the man I'd spent th

ndre M