From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 435

Chapter 435 A High–Stakes Game

apter 435 A High–Stakes Game

mond shot her an approving nod and led her toward the executive elevator.

doors slid shut, and the car rose smoothly.

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He glanced at Riley beside him. She looked as calm as ever. He asked with a flicker of concern, “Did that get to you? Back in the obby? Say the word, and I’ll have HR cut her loose right now, Harper Group doesn’t need people who punch down.”

Riley shook her head, and a faint, dismissive smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Don’t bother. Every big company treats walk–ins the same way. If I had let that kind of thing get under my skin every time, I would have flamed out years ago.”

He saw she genuinely didn’t care, so he let it drop. He shifted gears and started walking her through the broad strokes of the senior leadership structure.

A handful of core executives and shareholders had actually gotten wind ahead of time that Riley was starting today.

The old sharks who’d spent decades circling these waters had been swapping theories in private.

The Harper family’s visible daughter, Elsie, was famous around here for being spoiled and useless. Wherever she showed up, she caused nothing but chaos.

So they’d all assumed Riley was more of the same a sheltered princess handed a director title so Zavier could buff up her marriage prospects.

Then the elevator doors opened on the top floor. Riley followed Raymond down the long corridor past the open–plan offices, and every covert glance aimed her way froze solid.

The woman moved like a blade. Her spine was straight, her chin fted, and her eyes cut cold and sharp. This was not a pampered heiress. This was someone who’d fought real battles and walked out on top. She radiated the kind of authority that didn’t invite testing.

A few mid–level managers who’d been slouching with barely hidden indifference straightened in their chairs without even thinking

about it.

Raymond caus put half

He

te back a grin. That was his sister. She hadn’t even said a word yet, and she’d already

tercom. “Two coffees. One iced, one room temp.”

inner, his expression sharpening. “At ten o’clock, we head up to the boardroom. The

ed Dad’s going to announce your appointment in front of everyone. You’ll officially take over

files from the drawer under the table and pushed them toward her, “Go through these first Financials core business segments, and background on the board members who like to cause trouble–their sts.”

1. ed. “Do your homework. That way, when they start taking shots, you’ll know exactly who’s pulling the trigger”

out and let her fingers graze the cool surface of the files. She lifted her eyes and gave him a steady look.

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6.30 am

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hapter 435 A High–Stakes Game

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Don’t worry, Raymond. This is my territory.” She offered him a small smile. “Go do your own work. I’ll get through these here

Alright. I’ll leave you to it” He nodded and moved behind his desk, diving into his Backlog of emails.

An hour passed in focused quiet. Then a knock came at the door.

The assistant stepped in. “Sir, the boardroom is ready. The chairman and all directors are seated. The meeting is starting”

Got it.” Raymond stood and straightened his tie.

Riley closed the last file. She’d absorbed every page of the thick stack she’d been handed an hour ago.

Raymond paused at the door, his hand on the handle. He turned and looked at her. She was his sister, about to step into the fight beside him.

Riley.” His voice was steady, his gaze locked on hers. “The second you walk through that door and into that boardroom, you’re art of this family. For real. The Harper Group is a high–stakes game, and things here run deep. Are you ready?”

Piley held his gaze, a bold, confident smile playing on her lips.

Then let me find out just how deep it runs.”

10.39 am P p P