From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199 Spreading Rumors

Chapter 199 Spreading Rumors

430 Free Coins

Riley drew a slow breath and squared her shoulders. Without raising her voice or sounding defensive, she spoke firmly and clearly.

“Everyone, I need you to hear me out for a minute.”

The handful of locals who had been shouting the loudest up front hesitated, caught off guard by her composure.

“I get why you’re upset, but crowding around me isn’t going to fix anything.”

Riley’s steady gaze moved across the group. “First, I need to make one thing clear-I’m not the project lead. I’m only here today to handle some transition work. I don’t have the details on what’s happening with the relocation payouts.”

She had deftly shifted herself out of the decision-maker role, framing herself as someone just as out of the loop as they were. That immediately dialed back some of the direct anger aimed at her.

Sure enough, seeing she was a woman-well-dressed but not arrogant, calm and articulate-the crowd’s tension eased a little.

A middle-aged man who seemed to be leading the group spoke up, his voice rough. “You’re not in charge? Then where’s the guy who is? Get him out here.”

“He’s not on site today,” Riley replied evenly. “But you can tell me what’s going on. If I can answer your questions, I will. If not, I’ll make sure everything you say gets passed along exactly as you tell me.”

The commotion quieted considerably. The man stared at Riley for several seconds, as if testing her honesty. Finally, still skeptical but willing to try, he laid it out.

“We were the first to sign the relocation agreements! Back then, your people promised us-everyone in the neighborhood gets the same deal. Sign early, avoid the hassle. But a few days ago, word started going around that anyone who hasn’t signed yet can get a relocation package worth a hundred million if they agree now!”

His voice grew more heated as he went on. “A hundred million dollars! How is that fair to the rest of us who already signed? Why should they get more?”

“Yeah, why do they get more?”

“That’s not right!”

Like a spark hitting dry grass, the mood flared up again.

Most families in the Cedar Creek neighborhood were longtime residents, many running local businesses or working steady jobs. They weren’t poor, but the difference between a standard payout and a rumored nine-figure sum was enough to make anyone feel cheated.

Riley listened without interrupting. She understood exactly what was happening.

This was almost certainly the work of a few holdouts trying to drive up their price. Since they couldn’t negotiate that high on their own, they’d spread an exaggerated rumor to stir up the families who’d already agreed. The goal was to create pressure, scare the developers, and force them into offering more just to calm the situation.

A classic move to turn the community against the project.

“I hear you,” Riley said with a nod. Her eyes swept the crowd again, and this time her voice carried even clearer over the murmurs,

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8:40 am P

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Chapter 199 Spreading Rumors

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“Like I said, I don’t have the specifics on the relocation terms. But let’s talk basics.”

She kept her eyes on the man who’d spoken first. “If people are saying the developers are offering a hundred thousand to late. signers, then claims like that need proof, right? Whoever’s saying it should at least be able to show some kind of updated offer sheet or a written agreement–don’t you think?”

The crowd went quiet almost instantly.

Riley had hit the right note.

In their frustration over the rumor, they hadn’t stopped to ask for evidence.

“If someone actually has a contract like that-something that proves the company is using different terms to mislead people-then I’m on your side. You could even take that evidence, get together, and take legal action. Not only could you get what you’re owed, but the company would have to answer for playing games like that.”

People glanced at each other, uncertainty settling in.

“Who has it?”

“Yeah, Aaron, you said you heard it from someone.”

“Well-I only heard about it too…”

“So does anyone actually have the paperwork? Show us!”

Voices rose as they turned on one another, trying to trace the rumor back to its source.

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