From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 504

Chapter 504 A Fool in the Shadows

Chapter 504 A Fool in the Shadows

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He wanted to tell everyone that Riley had once adored him completely, that she’d stayed in Havenbrook willingly for his sake.

But what right do I have to say that now?

Once upon a time, he truly could have had all of her.

For five long years, she’d trusted him with her whole heart; even as he wove one lie after another into an elaborate illusion. He made her play the role of his fake wife, watching her get snubbed and gossiped about by Haverbrook’s high-society circles, al while he basked in her almost desperate devotion.

He’d always believed she couldn’t leave him, which was why he’d felt so free to drain her love dry without a second thought.

Only now, watching her lean against another man, basking in the glory that should have been hers, did Lucas truly understand magnitude of what he’d destroyed.

His so-called devotion and so carefully self-justified looked utterly ridiculous and cheap next to Sebastian’s decisive, legally binding claim.

At this moment, Lucas was nothing more than a clown lurking in the shadows, watching the jewel he’d discarded shine brighte than ever in someone else’s hands-while he couldn’t even get close enough to touch it.

After a brief, stunned silence, applause rippled through the hall.

The guests’ faces now beamed with cordial smiles, as they showered Zavier and the Torres parents with congratulations.

From her place on the stage, Riley caught sight of Lucas standing dazed in a corner.

Her gaze was cold, as though she were looking at a complete stranger.

She swept her eyes over him once, then looked away.

Hopefully this time, Lucas would see clearly.

There was no possibility left between them.

And with that, the grand celebration marking Riley’s return came to a smooth close.

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It was only after everything had settled that Raymond learned from his father about the schemes Melissa and Elsie had pulled.

Zavier, face pale with exhaustion, waved a hand and told Raymond to go release Melissa and Elsie.

Raymond pushed the door open.

Melissa, who’d been pacing anxiously, rushed to Raymond the moment she saw him, clinging to his arm and sobbing incoherently “Raymond, thank God you’re here! Your father has lost his mind; all he cares about now is Riley, and he’s threatening to divorce m for her! After all these years of marriage, he’s throwing it all away!”

Raymond listened expressionlessly, feeling his mother’s nails dig into his arm, his eyes flat and cold beneath the surface.

He peeled her off without effort, his icy gaze sweeping past her to land on Elsie, who was cowering behind her, clearly guilty.

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Chapter 504 A Fool in the Shadows

He genuinely couldn’t understand how his own mother could be this foolish.

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Rubbing his temples wearily as his mother sobbed and wailed, Raymond finally spoke, “Mom, are you out of your mind? You had pull these cheap tricks today of all days?

“Riley is your biological daughter; she is my sister!” Raymond’s voice rose, barely containing his fury. “She’s been accepted by th Torres family; she’s marrying into it smoothly. Having the Torreses as our in-laws; what exactly is the downside for you? Why wer you so obsessed with pushing Elsie into that marriage instead?”

He stepped closer, driving his point home. “If the Torreses were desperate enough to take any daughter of the Harper family, wh didn’t they agree to marry Elsie before Riley was even found?

“I understand you want Elsie to marry well. But have you considered that once Riley marries into the Torres farnily, our standing rises too; and Elsie’s prospects will only improve?”

Question after question landed as hammer blows.

“You had to push everyone to their limit and take things to the most extreme outcome. And now? Dad wants a divorce, and Riley wants nothing to do with you. Don’t you think you deserve this?”

Melissa had known her son wouldn’t take her side, but hearing these merciless reproaches face-to-face and having her foolish schemes laid bare sent her over the edge.

She slapped Raymond hard across the face.

Raymond didn’t flinch. He just turned his head slightly and let out a cold laugh. “You’re my mother. If you want to hit me or curse me, I’ll take it. But that doesn’t mean I’ll blindly take your side.

“You’d better figure out how to handle the divorce with Dad. And.” Raymond’s tone sharpened, his warning eyes fixed on Elsie.

“Elsie, if you want to keep living your cushy life, stay in your lane. Quit playing your little games behind the scenes and egging my mother on to reach for things that were never yours to begin with.”

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11:42 am PP pp.