From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 400

Apart

Chapter 400 The Engagement Might Fall Apart

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But what if her real goal isn tjust to stop me from going to dinner? What if she is trying to… pave the way for someone else?

The name popped into Riley’s head almost instantly.

Elsie.

Given how weirdly obsessed Melissa was with Elsie, it actually made perfect sense.

If Riley embarrassed herself in front of the Torres family tonight–or worse, got caught up in a scandal about making her own mother sick–the engagement might fall apart.

Then, to keep the alliance between the two families alive, the Harper family could just swap in their other daughter. That logic actually held up.

It was a dark thought. But after everything with Sophia, Riley had learned one thing–never underestimate what people would do when jealousy and self–interest were on the line.

Her tangled thoughts finally gave way to exhaustion. She closed her eyes and let the familiar, clean scent around her pull her into a deep sleep.

She didn’t know how long she’d been out. She woke up to the smell of pumpkin soup.

She’d slept for about an hour and felt a lot better.

The smell made her curious. She assumed Sebastian had ordered in, or maybe a housekeeper had come by.

She threw off the covers and left the bedroom.

Outside, the sky was completely dark. The deep blue night stretched out through the huge windows.

Against that dark blue, the bright, warm lights of the open kitchen looked almost magical.

Sebastian stood at the stove with his back to her. He was wearing a black apron–completely out of place but also kind of endearing.

He held a ladle, stirring the soup carefully–like he was making a business decision.

In that instant, something seemed to gently touch Riley’s heart, leaving it utterly tender.

She tiptoed over to him, hesitated for a second, then wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

Riley wasn’t usually this affectionate.

Sebastian’s body went stiff for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

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He didn’t turn around. His voice was unusually gentle. “Why didn’t you sleep longer? The soup’s not ready yet.”

“I’m done sleeping,” Riley mumbled, pressing her cheek against his warm, broad back.

Sebastian let out a low laugh. He took one hand off the stove and covered her hands with his. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles lightly.

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6:21 pm

Chapter 400 The Engagement Might Fall Apart

He smiled, “Then stop distracting me. I can’t focus.”

There was a hint of suggestion in his voice.

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Riley knew what he meant. Her face warmed up. She nuzzled against his back for a second, then let go. “Okay,” she said quietly.

She went into the living room, turned on the TV, and flipped through channels without really paying attention.

Then something on the local news caught her eye.

The report was about a dispute between a high–end custom studio and its clients. The faces were blurred, and the studio name was blacked out, but Riley recognized the logo outline and the decor style immediately. It was Elsie’s studio.

A few minutes later, Sebastian came in with a steaming bowl of pumpkin soup.

He set it on the coffee table, noticed Riley staring at the TV, and followed her gaze. He raised an eyebrow. “Trying to get to know your sister better?”

Riley looked away. “Not really. It’s just–before I came back, everyone in the family talked about her business like it was so amazing. But looking at this… seems like all talk.”

“Nexopolis is full of second–generation kids like her.” Sebastian sat down next to her, his tone flat. “They don’t have the skills–or they’re not allowed into the core of the family business. So their families give them some money to start their own company or studio. Just to keep them busy and out of trouble. Whether they make money or lose it doesn’t really matter.”

Sebastian didn’t finish his sentence, but Riley already understood perfectly.

Basically, Elsie’s little studio is just a prop–something to make her look like an independent career woman.

Riley lost all interest in the news. She grabbed the remote and turned off the TV.

Sebastian handed her the bowl of soup–warm, perfect temperature. Then he went back to the kitchen and came back with a few small plates of appetizers–marinated olives and seasoned mixed veggies.

They looked amazing under the soft light and made her mouth water instantly.

Riley raised an eyebrow and glanced at the beautifully presented dishes. “You made these, too?” she asked teasingly.

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