From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 486

Chapter 486 Upgrade

A sardonic smile touched Riley’s lips as she replied coolly, “So, for the sake of the Harper family’s reputation, she’s finally set aside her quarrel with Dad?”

Finished

Raymond sighed, his expression complicated, “Looks that way. The butler told me she came back last night with a much softer attitude. She even bought Dad a tie, saying it would match his suit today.

“Funny thing is, Dad wears a vintage suit instead, claiming it looks more dignified. Their whole dynamic just feels off somehow.”

Riley had long given up any illusions of a mother–daughter bond with Melissa.

As long as Melissa kept to herself today–no meddling troublemaker schemes, no unrealistic ambitions— she’d play along, maintaining a polite facade for the evening.

“Let’s just hope they don’t try anything stupid.” Riley’s voice turned frosty, her eyes fixed on the grand main building coming into view ahead.

When Riley and Raymond arrived at the estate, the spacious main hall remained sparsely populated, with only a few staff members putting finishing touches on the decorations.

“Dad’s in the kitchen, double–checking the menu for the main banquet. Should be out soon.” Raymond scanned the room, relieved not to spot the two figures he’d rather avoid. He leaned closer to Riley, lowering his voice. “Looks like they haven’t arrived yet. Saves you from seeing them the second you walk

in.”

Riley nodded noncommittally.

This timing perfectly matched Melissa and Elsie’s style–making a dramatic entrance to emphasize their importance at events like this.

Raymond led Riley down the long corridor to the private lounge prepared specifically for her.

The room exuded cozy elegance, with floor–to–ceiling windows offering a view of the estate’s meticulously maintained rose garden.

‘Rest here for a bit. It’ll be easier to change into your gown later,” Raymond said,

୮

Riley nodded, carefully removing the dress Sebastian’s parents had given her from its bag the moment she entered. She found the wardrobe and hung it up gently, taking great care not to crease the fabric.

Raymond’s eyes widened in admiration as he took in the stunning gown.

Raising an eyebrow, he teased with a grin, “Wow, that’s gorgeous. Sebastian picked this out? He’s got good

taste.”

A faint blush colored Riley’s cheeks. She ran her fingers over the dress‘ fabric, her voice softening. “Not Sebastian–his parents gave it to me. I’m saving it for the official announcement at noon.”

“I see.” Raymond’s tone turned more serious instantly.

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2:15 pm P

Chapter 486 Upgrade

He stepped closer, examining the dress‘ craftsmanship and material carefully.

Finished

Though he didn’t know much about women’s fashion, he saw right away how special the dress was. Its fine fabric, exquisite cuts, and delicate embroidery showed it was a bespoke designer piece impossible to find anywhere else.

Sebastian’s parents‘ generosity spoke volumes about how much they valued Riley.

“I’ll send a trusted maid over to steam it for you.’s bound to have some wrinkles from the bag, and you want it looking perfect,” Raymond offered thoughtfully.

Riley’s brow furrowed instinctively, a flicker of wariness crossing her eyes. “Can we really trust everyone working here today? What if…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but her concern was obvious.

Raymond recognized her worry immediately, offering a reassuring smile while lowering his voice to a mysterious whisper. “Don’t worry, Dad’s got it all under control. Every staff member here today has worked for the Harper family for over ten years–clean records, completely reliable. And…”

He paused, switching to a mischievous tone. “Dad understands how crucial this banquet is. He had the entire security and surveillance system upgraded to the latest AI–controlled technology a few days ago.

“Only Dad and we know about this little upgrade.”

Riley’s curiosity was piqued. She raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue, “How advanced is it?”

Raymond grinned proudly, pulling his phone from his suit pocket. His fingers danced across the screen before he turned it to show Riley.

The screen was split into many small sections, each streaming live footage from around the estate. Every corner was visible in crystal–clear quality, with a full bird’s–eye view of the entire property.

Raymond scrolled through the screen, demonstrating the system’s powerful capabilities to her, then added, “Apart from absolutely private spaces like changing rooms and restrooms, the entire estate is virtually covered without any blind spots.

“However, Dad also considered the guests‘ privacy concerns, so the surveillance footage is usually sealed, with AI analyzing for abnormal behavior and providing alerts. Unless an emergency requiring investigation arises, no one has the authority to access or disclose it.”

୮

The heavy tension coiled inside Riley’s chest slowly eased away.