From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 141

Riley continued, “She’s going to do everything she can to force Lucas into giving her and that kid a legitimate place–because Caleb, the one who really runs the Ashford family, is coming back from overseas.

“Caleb is old–school. He cares about reputation and rules more than anything. There’s no way he’d ever let some shameful bastard child and his mother become part of the Ashford family. Sophia knows that if she doesn’t lock down her status before Caleb gets back, she might as well be Lucas‘ mistress for the rest of her life. So yeah–she’s more desperate than anyone.”

The media exposure tonight? It just lit the fuse a little early and pushed Sophia’s anxiety and ambition right over the edge.

Everything was still going according to Riley’s plan.

Sebastian listened to her lay it all out. The look of admiration in his eyes only grew.

Meanwhile, back in the hospital room at Havenbrook Private Hospital, Lucas had barely hung up with Riley when Sophia started to stir.

She slowly opened her eyes, her face the perfect mix of confusion and vulnerability.

“Lucas…” she whispered, weak.

“Sophia, you’re awake!” He hurried to her bedside, bent down, and took her hand. His face was full of concern. “How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?”

She gave a small shake of her head, a pale, painful smile crossing her face–it looked worse than crying. “I’m okay… just really scared.”

Before she even finished speaking, it was like she couldn’t hold her fear in any longer. She threw herself into his arms and buried her face in his chest.

She asked, “Lucas, what’s going to happen to Jeremy and me now?”

Her shoulders shook violently. Tears quickly soaked through his suit jacket. “You’ve always told us to lie low. To keep everything a secret–our relationship, Jeremy’s real identity…

“But those reporters are like vultures. They won’t leave me alone. They want answers. They want to know who the father is. What was I supposed to do? Make up some random guy and say he’s Jeremy’s dad?”

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9:23 Thu, May 7 M

Chapter 141 Whatever You Say

Lucas felt his patience fraying, but he forced himself to stay gentle.

He patted her back softly and let out a long sigh.

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“Sophia, calm down. I know you’ve been wronged. I know how hard these years have been for you.” He was trying to soothe her. “But look at the situation right now. Ashford Group is a mess -problems inside and out. What am I supposed to tell the board? Or Grandpa? How can I just come out and admit who you and Jeremy are?

“And on top of that, Grandpa still holds more than fifty percent of the voting shares. Tight in his grip. One word from him, and I’m out as CEO. You understand that, don’t you? We have to keep our heads down right now.”

Sophia, still in his arms, let a flicker of disappointment cross her eyes–quick, almost hidden.

Keep our heads down. That word again.

She’d heard it more than anything else since the day she gave birth to Jeremy.

But she didn’t let it show. Instead, she pushed him with a tearful voice. “So what about the news today? We’re just going to let it slide?”

“Don’t worry,” Lucas promised right away. “I’ve already reached out to a PR firm. No matter how much it costs, I’ll make sure all of today’s stories are buried by morning.

“Once things blow over, I’ll call another shareholders‘ meeting. I’ll convince them to approve the collaboration with Aiden’s project. If this project succeeds, it won’t just bring massive profits to Ashford Group–it’ll give me a real win. Something to solidify my position. Then, when I speak, people will actually listen.”

At the mention of the project, Sophia’s crying softened.

She lifted her face, wet with tears, and fired back with clear resentment. “Why do you even need their approval? This project is basically a free lunch delivered right to our door. What do those old fossils know?

“For all we know, Aiden only offered this opportunity to Ashford Group because of me. He even said this project could indirectly connect us to the Torres Group. That’s way better than you swallowing your pride and begging Sebastian for some deal.

“Lucas, forget the shareholders. Just sign the contract for Ashford Group and make it a done deal. Once those shareholders see the money rolling in, you can give them a quick heads–up later. You really think they’d say no?”

Lucas‘ brow furrowed instantly. He shot down her idea without a second thought.

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9:23 Thu, May 7 M

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