From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Sophia’s Humiliating Night

Lucas felt a knot form in his chest.

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He quickly shook his head, forcing a warm smile. “How could you even ask that? I think you’re beautiful no matter what.”

Riley responded with a soft, noncommittal hum. She picked up her phone and discreetly fired off a message to Sebastian.

“You still here?”

“Yeah, it’s too loud out there.”

The corner of Riley’s lips curled almost imperceptibly as she typed again.

“Do me a favor then. Find some excuse to get Lucas out of the room for a bit.”

Sebastian didn’t reply right away.

Riley wasn’t concerned.

A few minutes later, a knock came at the private dining room door.

The restaurant manager stepped inside, offering a polite nod. “Mr. Ashford, apologies for interrupting. The valet just notified us that your car is currently blocking a fire lane. Would you mind moving it?”

Lucas looked caught off guard for a moment, then frowned.

If he stepped out now and left Riley here alone, she might discover Sophia hiding in the closet.

Just then, Riley stood up as well. “Perfect timing. I was about to head to the restroom anyway.”

Relieved, Lucas quickly followed the manager out of the room.

Inside the closet, Sophia heard the fading footsteps and thought her moment had finally come.

She couldn’t stand the dark, cramped space another second and was practically ready to shove the door open.

But then footsteps sounded from outside the room again, drawing closer.

They sounded like Riley’s.

Sophia’s heart clenched with fear, and she quickly pulled back, shrinking deeper into the closet.

Her instinct was right.

The private room door opened, and Riley stepped back inside shortly after.

Lucas still wasn’t back—the timing was perfect.

Riley casually wandered over toward the closet, glancing around the room as if she were just taking in the space.

She carefully positioned herself in a spot that was visually blocked from the closet door.

1:16 pm

Chapter 22 Sophia’s Humiliating Night

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Then, without a sound, she slid a thin bamboo skewer deep into the latch mechanism of the closet door handle.

Having done that, she calmly returned to her seat at the table, slipping back into the role of the gentle wife patiently waiting for her

husband to return.

Not long after, Lucas came back from moving the car.

He pushed the door open and saw Riley sitting safely in her chair.

“Back already?” Riley raised a hand to rub her temple, letting just the right amount of fatigue show. “I don’t know why, but I’m feeling really wiped out today. I’ve got a bit of a headache. Maybe we should just head home early and rest?”

Lucas was caught off guard.

He hadn’t expected Riley to want to leave so soon.

He still hadn’t found a chance for Sophia to come out and conveniently “run into” them.

But then it occurred to him–maybe this was actually for the best.

If he left with Riley now, out in the open and properly, even if paparazzi later caught Sophia leaving the restaurant, there’d be no way to connect it back to him.

It might mean Sophia would have to endure some discomfort, but at least his own reputation would stay intact.

With that thought, Lucas immediately shifted into an expression of concern and warmth. He walked over to Riley’s side and said softly, “Look how worn out you are. That’s on me for picking a restaurant this far and making you go back and forth. Let’s head home right now.”

He thoughtfully helped Riley into her coat and walked out of the restaurant with her.

It was nearly midnight by the time they got home.

To their surprise, Jeremy was still up, waiting in the living room.

“Mommy’s not back yet?”

Seeing Lucas come in, Jeremy asked, his voice full of disappointment.

Lucas walked over and gathered his son into his arms, explaining gently, “Mommy might still be busy with work. Be a good boy, Jeremy. Let me tuck you in first. She’ll be home soon.”

He carried his son upstairs, completely unaware that Sophia ended up trapped in that closet for over an hour before being found.

By the time she finally stumbled out of the closet, disheveled and with her makeup completely ruined, she was utterly drained.

But even though she was livid, to keep the restaurant manager and the staff who rushed in from talking, she had to pay a hefty chunk of hush money to cover up the whole humiliating mess.

As for Sebastian in the private room next door, he never left.

In fact, he’d taken great pleasure in recording the entire rescue operation and sent the video to Riley so they could both enjoy it.

Early the next morning, when Riley came down for breakfast, she was surprised to find Sophia already there, fully dressed and

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