From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 222

Chapter 222 Family Expectations

Chapter 222 Family Expectations

This was Brandon’s home in the small town of Cedar Creek.

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Unlike his penthouse overlooking the bay back in Havenbrook, there was no cold minimalist decor or high end artwork here the lived in warmth and familiar traces of a family that had spent years together under one roof

He hadn’t been back in a while.

Pushing open the car door, he stepped into the yard where his father’s potted orchids were blooming quietly under the porch light

Through the front window, the living room glowed a soft amber, and he could make out his mother moving around in the kitchen

er back turned to the glass.

Brandon’s home!”

At the sound of the door, Brandon’s mother, Nola, hurried out of the kitchen, still wearing her apron. Her face lit up, unable to hide her delight.

“You didn’t even call to say you were coming! Look how thin you’ve gotten-go wash up, sweetheart. I made your favorites: roast lamb chops with rosemary and butter-poached salmon.”

Brandon’s father, Samuel, emerged from the den shortly after. Less openly affectionate than his wife, he simply adjusted his reading glasses and gave a slow nod, though concern softened his tone. “Traffic trouble on the way? Everything wrapped up at work?”

“Pretty much, yeah.” Brandon slipped off his tailored suit jacket and hung it on the coat rack by the entry, changing into soft sweatpants and a worn-in tee. The shift made him look easier, softer somehow.

His mother’s fussing, his father’s quiet questions, the rich smell of a home-cooked meal filling the air…

It all came together into that deeply comforting picture of home he carried in his memory.

For a moment, he even wondered whether the picture Riley had painted that afternoon-all that talk about family obligations and social expectations-was just fearmongering after all.

But the cozy feeling didn’t last.

Before dinner, Brandon sank into the living room couch and out of habit pulled out his phone, scrolling through the daily reports Universal Corp had sent over.

Samuel settled beside him with a fresh mug of coffee.

sounding hesitant.

from the screen, answering distractedly.

iring these days?”

mid-scroll.

neet his father’s face-that familiar look of having something to say but not quite knowing how to say it

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8:37 am

Chapter 222 Family Expectations

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Brandon let out a low breath.

“Just say what’s on your mind, Dad.”

Seizing the opening, Samuel relaxed slightly and pressed ahead. “You remember your uncle’s boy, Leonard Edwards? Just got back from his MBA overseas. Studied business management and all that, so it’s the right field. I was thinking… maybe you could find a spot for him at the firm?”

Brandon’s brow furrowed.

He vaguely recalled Leonard.

A kid who’d coasted through high school on charm and family money, then got shipped off mostly to buff up his résumé. And that MBA… who knew how much of it was earned?

Irritation simmered, but seeing the hopeful look on his father’s face, he held back and fell into his usual script.

“Sure Have him call HR’s recruitment line and submit his résumé. If he clears the interview rounds, of course there could be a place for him.”

It was his standard move-polite, professional, protecting the company’s process while saving face.

But Samuel wasn’t having it.

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