Her Billionaire Secret: Part 4: An Alpha Billionaire Romance Read Online Free Page B

polished performance.
    The final question was the one he knew would come even though it was off limits. He leant forward as it was asked, studying the journalist in detail on one of the monitors.
    “Fred Jones, Citrus Gem Magazine,” the man announced.  
    So this was the press contact Derek Jones had sold information to, his nephew who had been benefiting from the arrangement for years. He wondered if the magazine had been aware of the relationship as they handed over the cash.
    Tevis watched Claire's face on the other monitor. She cocked her head and gave the journalist a slight smile. “Yes, Mr Jones, what is your question?”
    “What happened on the day your mother died? Why did she leave you at the studio?”
    “Mr Jones, you well know that question is in breach of the agreement your publisher signed. I must ask you to leave the room,” Isabella snapped back.
    Claire held up her hand to stay her, looking around the room at the journalists. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have made it clear that questions of a personal nature are off limits.”
    Tevis held his breath as Claire turned her stare back on the Citrus Gem Magazine journalist. “Mr Jones, my mother provided me with a level of love and affection you probably don't comprehend. She was my world and I lost her that day. Your magazine then proceeded to try and destroy the love her fans had for her too.”
    The room was silent, so silent Tevis could hear the breathing of the journalists sitting close to the microphones.
    “My mother loved me. She was devoted to caring and protecting me. She didn't leave me on the set, she had arranged for me to be picked up. She died that day with the man she loved, but not more than she loved me and not any less.”
    Claire paused and Tevis couldn't guess at what she would say next but he could tell she hadn't finished.
    “My mother was a vivacious, wonderful woman who was loved by millions.” Claire's eyes never left the journalist's face. ”She still is. But the love between her and her family went much deeper and we still miss her. We always will. I hope that one day the man I love will be able to say the same about me.” She straightened and clasped her hands on her lap. “That is all, this interview is now over.”
    Low murmurs rippled around the room. Some of the journalists rose out of their chairs.
    “The interview may be over, but the press conference is not.” Isabella's words snapped through the air, reminding Tevis why he employed her as his lawyer. He smiled to himself. Whatever Isabella had to say it must be good. He recognised the look of a winner in her eyes.
    The journalists fell silent as Isabella waited for those who had stood to retake their seats.
    “I am going to refer you the events of last week when a number of journalists appear to have sought information about my client by waiting outside a private property in Belgravia.” Isabella paused as she studied the faces in the room. “Those individuals were in breach of an injunction issued ten years ago on behalf of my client.”
    A low muttering went around the room and Isabella paused until it quietened again. Tevis watched Claire's face. It remained composed, giving no hint that she had any idea about what Isabella was about to say.
    “I refer to three words in that legal judgement—engaged in education. These are important words. It appears that some of you have taken these words to mean that having completed her university education you are now free to follow my client and report on her life. This is not the case.”
    Tevis smiled. Well used to dealing with contracts and agreements, he could tell Isabella had found a way to keep the press at bay. He wondered what it was as he studied her face on the monitor.
    “My client is actively engaged in education,” Isabella said firmly. “And will be for the foreseeable future. She is the Chairperson of two charitable trusts. One linked with an eminent university and another with a prominent stage