From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55 The Tainted Soup

Chapter 55 The Tainted Soup

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Riley was easing the lid off the food container when his words hit her. She went still for a second, then slowly lifted her head, her gaze turning cold.

“Wasn’t I hurt at Lydia’s place?”

All of Lucas‘ accusations and complaints lodged in his throat. He had nothing to say.

She was right. The accident did happen at the Ashfords.

Was it really so strange that she wouldn’t trust anything coming from their home?

Lucas‘ face flushed, then paled. He wanted to snap at her for overreacting and being difficult.

But just as he was about to lose his temper, the door swung open and Isolde walked in.

She took one look at Lucas‘ stormy expression and frowned. “Mr. Ashford, didn’t I make it clear yesterday that the patient needs to remain calm? Why are you raising your voice at her first thing in the morning?”

With someone else in the room, Lucas quickly slipped back into his polite, composed persona. He forced out an explanation. “Doctor, it’s not what it looks like. I wasn’t yelling. I’m just concerned she isn’t eating. It’s for her own good.”

Isolde didn’t seem convinced. Her skeptical gaze dropped to the insulated soup container he’d brought.

A moment later, her frown deepened.

“For her own good?” She gave a short, humorless laugh, picked up the container, and sniffed it. “Then why does this ‘helpful‘ soup of yours smell so strongly of yarrow? She’s lost a significant amount of blood–she doesn’t need a blood–thinning herb right now. Are you trying to send her back into hemorrhaging?”

“What?” Lucas was stunned.

He hurried over and inhaled carefully.

Sure enough, the distinct, earthy scent of yarrow filled the air.

His face immediately tightened with embarrassment. “That… can’t be right. The housekeeper must have mixed up the herbs. It was an honest mistake—”

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Chapter 55 The Tainted Soup

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“Let’s hope it was a mistake,” Isolde cut in, setting the container down with a firm thud. Her eyes held clear distrust. “And not that some people simply don’t care whether the patient

recovers or not.”

Lucas stood frozen.

His mind replayed last night’s scene before he’d left the house. He’d specifically reminded Anthea–more than once–to have the housekeeper prepare a mild, nutritious soup for Riley to aid her recovery.

Anthea had agreed without hesitation.

So how did the soup end up containing something Riley shouldn’t have anywhere near her right now?

Was it truly just a slip–up?

Or was it plain carelessness… or even disregard?

While Lucas was still tangled in his thoughts, Riley’s calm voice came from the hospital bed.

“So,” she said, slowly looking up. There was no anger in her eyes, only a cool, almost detached irony. “Are you still going to blame me for not wanting to eat what you brought?”

Her tone was light, but the words landed harder than a punch to his chest.

“I’m sorry, Riley… I don’t know how this happened. I’ll go home right now and sort it out. I promise I’ll get you a proper explanation.”

As if trying to prove his sincerity, he turned and strode quickly out of the room.

The door clicked shut behind him, muffling the sound of his hurried steps down the hall.

Isolde watched him leave, then shook her head, turning back to Riley. “You know, before all this, I’d only ever read about him in the society pages–always such glowing profiles. I thought he was actually polite, principled… different from most of the entitled trust–fund types around here. But seeing him up close like this? Honestly, he’s not much better.”

Riley was taking small, deliberate spoonfuls of oatmeal Sebastian had delivered earlier. At Isolde’s remark, she offered a faint, wry smile.

“I’m used to it. In that house, what he says and what actually happens are usually two different things.”

Her casual, resigned tone made Isolde’s heart ache a little for her.

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17:00 Tue, May 5

Chapter 55 The Tainted Soup

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