From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 217

Chapter 217 A Warning

Chapter 217 A Warning

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What now? Sophia’s anger instantly found a target. She shrieked hysterically at Harvey, “I told you find some quiet, outoftheway spot and take care of Riley for good! But you? You didn’t have the guts! You couldn’t follow through

She paced the room like a caged animal, her voice dripping with venom. “Let me make this clear, Harvey If you keep hesitating like this, the three of us will end up sleeping under a bridge!”

The three of us.

Those words hit Harvey right where it hurt.

res-everything he’d ever done was for Sophia and their son, Jeremy.

After a long silence, Harvey seemed to reach a decision. The uncertainty in his eyes finally hardened into something cold and

resolved.

He drew a slow breath and spoke into the phone, each word deliberate and clear. “Understood.”

‘This time… I won’t hold back.”

nside the Bentley, Riley sat upright, her gaze calm as she watched the rural landscape sweep past the window.

She didn’t speak first. She showed no trace of nerves.

She was waiting for the man beside her to show his cards.

Brandon remained quiet as well. He leaned back, absently tapping his long fingers against his knee. His relaxed demeanor quietly implified the tension within the confined space.

The car eventually pulled up in front of a modest, understated café in a nearby town.

‘We’re here,” Brandon said. He stepped out first and held the door for Riley.

Riley thanked him and followed him inside.

The café was a hidden find-serene and tastefully decorated, with thoughtful touches throughout, carrying an air of quiet

efinement.

A server in simple, earthtoned attire was already waiting near the entrance. With a respectful nod, they led the two to a private

booth.

After smoothly preparing the first pourover and setting a cup before each of them, the server bowed slightly and withdrew, quietly closing the wooden partition behind them.

Riley didn’t touch her coffee.

She knew perfectly well she wasn’t here for a casual drink and a view

“Mr. Edwards,” she began, skipping the small talk. “Let’s be direct. If this is about the Cedar Creek project, you should be speaking with Aiden. He launched the project, and he’s the named lead on paper.”

At that, Brandon finally stirred.

3:36 am

Chapter 217 A Warning

He lifted his cup, blew gently across the surface, and the hint of a smile touched his eyes

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“Aiden?” He chuckled softly and set the cup down. “He did approach me. Wanted to partner on developing Cedar Creek Pity, though…”

He let the word hang before continuing, “He’s… unremarkable. His own company is tangled in financial troubles he’s trying to conceal. So desperate for a quick payout he’d even stage a sham auction with counterfeit collectibles to fleece some outoftown investor.”

Brandon’s gaze settled on Riley’s subtly altered expression, and his smile widened. “Someone like that isn’t partner material for

me.”

Riley turned it over in her mind and understood.

Aiden’s behindthescenes dealings were well hidden, even within their circles.

But given Brandon’s current standing in Havenbrook’s media landscape, uncovering Aiden’s dirty laundry would have been straightforward.

Riley picked up her own cup and took a sip.

‘Even if Aiden isn’t reliable…” She placed the cup down and met Brandon’s eyes squarely. “I doubt it falls to me-a junior project Coordinator-to step into that role, does it?”

Brandon’s playful eyes held hers. There was a peculiar appreciation in his look.

‘On the contrary.

‘The reason I sought you out today is precisely because I admire your talent, Ms. Harper. I reviewed several of your past projects. four planning, your execution-both were impressive. I’d hate to see someone with your abilities go down with a sinking ship like

Cedar Creek.

‘So I hope you’ll be smart about this. Find a credible reason to extract yourself from this project as soon as possible.

‘Torres Group may have funded the initiative, but there are too many unstable variables.”

Brandon’s analysis cut straight to the core. “Given Sebastian’s… lukewarm relationship with his cousin Aiden, do you really believe he’ll keep pouring money into a bottomless pit? And besides-you’ve been on the ground. You’ve seen how messy things are in that town.”

He delivered the last sentence with pointed weight, as if reminding Riley that he might well be aware of everything she’d been doing there.

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