From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 252

Chapter 252 Restlessness

Litt id Lucas know, the son he’d gone to such lengths to protect the child for whom he’d hurt his wife time and time again–

blood relation to the Ashford line at all.

it all could not have been more profound.

Completely lost for words.

never once stood in his way, that much he knew.

the very start, she’d treated Jeremy with genuine care and kindness.

as he replayed every moment of her quiet indifference, every time she’d stepped back from their arguments without Tinterference, a strange unease settled over him.

Somehow, her calm silence felt far more punishing than any screaming fight Lydia would have thrown.

Just then, a soft beep sounded as the gate lock unlocked.

Riley pushed the door open, yet made no move to let Lucas inside. Blocking the entrance with her body, she spoke in a clear dismissal, “It’s late. You should head home. I’m worn out and turning in early tonight.”

Lucas hadn’t shared a bed with Riley in far too long.

“I’m not leaving!” He stepped forward stubbornly, attempting to force his way past her. “This is my home, too. I’m staying here tonight with you.”

His sentence was cut short by the sharp ring of his phone.

Annoyed, Lucas pulled out his phone. The name “Sophia” flashed across the screen, burning bright under Riley’s mocking stare.

Lucas hesitated, then answered the call awkwardly.

Sophia’s soft, anxious voice drifted through the line at once. “Lucas, when will you be home? Jeremy’s throwing a fit and refusing to do his homework until he sees you…”

Beneath Riley’s unmissable look of ridicule, Lucas burned with embarrassment and frustration.

He ended the call and offered a lame excuse. “H-He just started at a new preschool, that’s all. He’s being overly clingy; he’ll settle down in a few days.”

Riley remained unmoved, finding his hollow excuse tedious and ridiculous.

“Why tell me this? I never

he replied coldly.

Without give

Lucasa

ut the door firmly in his face, leaving him stranded outside.

ration.

ded in mid-air; he was unable to bring himself to make the move,

and roughly through his hair in irritation, then finally turned toward his

1/3

243 m pppp

Chapter 252 Restlessness

Car to help Jeremy with his homework.

behind the floor-to-ceiling curtains on the second floor, Riley watched his car glide out of the courtyard un

into the night.

No time was wasted wallowing in emotion. She picked up her phone at once and dialed Vincent’s number, her tone steady composed.

“Arrange people to keep a close watch on Harvey. I want full details on everything he’s done regarding the Cedar Creek project everyone he’s been in contact with-and especially all his dealings with Sophia. Leave no detail uncovered.”

*****

The next morning, a vague sense of unease lingered over Lucas the moment he woke. A nameless restlessness gnawed at him, yet he could not pinpoint its source.

He brushed the odd feeling aside, chalking it up to the quarrel with Riley the night before.

Down in the living room, an air of forced warmth hung thick.

Jeremy stood holding Sophia’s hand, dressed in a brand-new preschool uniform, his face bright with excitement, ready to ride to

school with Lucas.

Sophia savored the calm comfort of the past few days.

With Riley out of the picture, she’d stepped seamlessly into the role of lady of the house, tending to the two most important men in the household. The sense of control and belonging filled her with intoxicating satisfaction.

“Good morning, Daddy!” Jeremy chirped the second he spotted Lucas coming down the stairs.

Lucas walked over and lifted him up instinctively.

Sophia slipped naturally into place beside him, linking her arm through his own. The three of them looked every bit a perfect, harmonious family.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify