Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 116

Tall and effortlessly commanding, Silas was built like a runway model. Tonight, he wore a sleek black trench coat over a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers. It was a simple look, yet it radiated an untouchable, aristocratic elegance.

He offered a soft smile. "Just call me Silas. Otherwise, I'm going to feel like I'm still stuck in a boardroom."

Summer knew she owed her father's successful surgery entirely to Silas.

She had dressed up specifically to treat him to dinner tonight.

Knowing Silas loved spicy food, she had deliberately chosen this upscale restaurant. It offered a gorgeous private ambiance and flew its ingredients in daily to guarantee the most authentic, fiery flavors in the city.

Summer laughed brightly, her eyes sparkling. "Then I won't argue with my guest."

Silas's gaze shifted to the box in her hands. "Is that the gift you prepared for me?"

Summer nodded, holding it out to him. "Yes. I hope you like it."

Her simple exchange felt like a vicious slap across the faces of Xavier's entourage.

Julian looked like he had just seen a ghost. The gift really wasn't for Xavier?

Summer actually wasn't here to beg for Xavier's attention?

But today was Xavier's birthday!

Julian cast a nervous glance at Xavier.

Xavier's expression hadn't drastically changed, but the subtle coldness in his eyes had rapidly hardened into a layer of lethal frost.

It made sense. Watching your own wife laugh, flirt, and hand another man a gift right in front of your face on your birthday would enrage anyone.

It wasn't about love—it was pure male territorial pride. Julian completely understood, but he panicked that Lily might misread the situation and get upset with Xavier.

Julian really felt like he was single-handedly holding their tragic romance together.

He quickly shot a look at Lily.

Lily was staring at Summer and Silas's easy banter, consumed by a raging fire of jealousy.

Summer had a face that looked at least sixty percent like hers, yet she moved with an effortless grace that charmed everyone in her orbit, making Lily feel like an unlovable imitation.

"Those were just scrap projects the Sinclair Group had already tossed out. If you wanted them, all you had to do was ask. There was no need to go to such exhaustive lengths to steal them. The effort isn't the problem—the problem is they don't generate a single cent of profit."

Silas let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "But look at me, forgetting who I'm talking to. You are the wealthiest man in Empire City. Your empire is vast. A few dead-end projects mean absolutely nothing to the Sterling Group."

Summer listened in silence. She had spent the last two weeks trapped in the hospital taking care of her parents, so she had no idea about the corporate warfare between their companies.

But reading between the lines, it sounded like Silas had intentionally set a trap and baited Xavier right into it.

At that realization, Summer's eyes curved into a delighted, genuine smile.

Her tiny reaction did not escape Xavier's predatory gaze.

Was she really that thrilled to hear he had been played by Silas?

Xavier's eyes narrowed dangerously, glaring at Summer with a sharpness that felt like it could physically pierce her skin.

When Summer met his gaze, Xavier casually looked away, restoring his mask of indifference. He offered a tight smile. "Brilliant calculation, Silas."

Silas replied with flawless manners, "You flatter me. It only worked because of your enthusiastic cooperation."