From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 355

Chapter 355 Sister’s Act

Riley kept her tone even and relaxed. “It’s fine, really.”

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As she spoke, her eyes drifted across the hall to the closed door on the opposite side. One eyebrow lifted almost imperceptibly.

That door was elegantly paneled, and through the slight gap she could just make out a far more lavish, contemporary style of decor inside–a stark contrast to the simple, rustic look of this side of the house.

She asked offhandedly, “Who stays in that room?”

Melissa followed her gaze, and her expression instantly softened with affectionate pride. “Oh, that’s Elsie’s room! She’s always loved bright colors and modern provincial style, so we hired a designer to redo it just for her when she turned sixteen.”

Riley gave a slight nod, her face revealing nothing.

Then Melissa seemed to remember something. “Oh, right–where’s your luggage, Riley? I’ll have someone bring it up so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Not yet. I didn’t bring much,” Riley replied calmly.

Just then, a slightly flustered voice called from downstairs, “Mrs. Harper? Sorry to interrupt–we’ve got an issue with the produce for tonight’s dinner. Could you come take a look?”

Melissa frowned briefly before smoothing her expression. She offered Riley an apologetic smile. “Goodness, the timing. Let me go sort this out–I’ll be right back.”

She turned and gently guided Elsie, who had been standing quietly beside Riley with a pleasant smile, closer to her sister. In a warm but earnest tone, she added, “Elsie, keep your sister company for a bit. You two haven’t had much time to talk. Now that she’s here, spend some time together–get to know each other better.”

With that, the room held only Riley and Elsie.

Elsie’s smile tightened slightly. She cleared her throat softly to fill the quiet.

Stepping a little nearer, she lowered her voice to a concerned whisper. “You got back yesterday, right? How come you didn’t come straight home? Mom, Dad, and our brother waited up for you for hours.”

Her tone sounded genuine, but her eyes were carefully fixed on Riley’s reaction.

Riley walked over to the window, turning her back to Elsie. “It was late. I found somewhere to stay,” she said flatly.

She didn’t plan to elaborate.

But Elsie’s expression shifted as if she’d picked up on something. A gleam of slyness flashed in her eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared.

“So… did you stay at Sebastian’s place?” she ventured.

Riley slowly turned, her gaze settling on Elsie’s carefully composed face.

“Do I need to clear my schedule with you?”

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5:16 pm P P

Chapter 355 Sister’s Art

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Elsie’s smile stiffened. A flush crept into her cheeks.

“No–no, that’s not what meant.” she stammered, waving her hands nervously. “I was just asking… please don’t take it the wrong

way!”

Riley felt that wasting another word on her would be pointless.

After one cool glance at Elsie’s awkward posture, she turned and headed straight for the door.

Riley came downstairs alone. Just as she reached the entrance to the living room, Elsie appeared right behind her–only now, the cheerful act she’d put on upstairs was completely gone.

She was walking slowly, as if weighed down by some invisible hurt.

Her head was bowed, half her face hidden, but anyone looking closely could see her eyes were red–rimmed.

nstead of joining the others, she drifted quietly to a corner of the sectional sofa and sat down, silently broadcasting her unhappiness.

Of course, Melissa–who’d been keeping an eye out–noticed right away.

She had just come from the kitchen after handling the dinner issue, still looking a little harried from the rush. But the moment she saw Elsie’s state, her motherly concern took over.

She hurried over, leaning down with genuine worry. “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay? Your eyes are all red… talk to me, ¡weetheart.”

Elsie’s shoulders trembled lightly. She lifted her gaze slowly, eyes glistening with tears she seemed to be fighting hard to hold back.

Dabbing the corner of one eye with her fingertip, she whispered/“It’s nothing, Mom… I’m just feeling a little sad.”

Melissa’s heart squeezed. She rubbed Elsie’s back gently. “If something’s upsetting you, you can tell me. I’ll make it right.”

Her eyes flickered almost unconsciously toward Riley, who was sitting not far away, and a faint shadow of disapproval crossed her

ace.

Finally, a tear rolled down Elsie’s cheek. She shook her head lightly and murmured, so softly it was almost inaudible, “Mom… I hink my sister doesn’t really like her room. She seemed to prefer mine… I’ll go pack my things right now and let her have it.”

She began to rise as if to do just that.

‘What?” Melissa stared at Riley in disbelief before turning back to grasp Elsie’s arm, her voice rising with emotion. “Absolutely not! Sweetie, you’ve lived in that room for years—everything in there is yours, chosen just for you. You can’t just give it up like that.”