Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 119

Xavier knew instantly that Summer wasn't about to say anything pleasant. He issued a dark warning: "Summer!"

Summer treated him like he was entirely invisible. The smile on her face only deepened. "Without a direct comparison, you can't truly appreciate incompetence. Director Sutton's capabilities are clear for the whole world to see. One tiny bug from her department just cost the company millions of dollars."

Summer fired the opening shot, and Silas seamlessly backed her up. "Indeed. Director Sutton's work ethic is... surprisingly astounding. If someone with her unique talents continues to lead the R&D department, the Sinclair Group might actually be in a position to acquire the Sterling Group before the year is out."

Neither of them raised their voices or used a single curse word, but the polite humiliation stung far worse than any insult.

Lily's face turned a sickly, mottled gray. She didn't have the courage to snap back at a titan like Silas, so she aimed all her venom directly at Summer.

Forcing herself to stay calm, Lily spat, "Summer, you released the official statement yourself. Did you forget? If you continue to recklessly slander my professional reputation, I will sue you."

"We both know the truth, and Mr. Sterling knows the truth. Your statement might fool the general public, but can it fool you? Don't you know exactly what you're capable of? I took the fall for you this time, but what about the next disaster? Who's going to be your scapegoat then? Aren't you terrified?"

The further Summer pushed, the more radiant her smile became. "As for the rest, I don't think I need to spell it out. Since you're so brilliant, Director Sutton, I'm sure you've already figured out exactly why Mr. Sterling grabbed me just now."

Dropping that loaded, ambiguous bomb, Summer turned her back on them. Her bright smile instantly vanished, replaced by an expression of pure, icy disgust.

Silas plastered on a flawless, corporate smile and gave Xavier a polite nod. "Mr. Sterling, let me wish you a happy birthday one more time."

With that, Silas executed a perfectly elegant turn. His long legs easily caught up to Summer's pace.

Lily knew perfectly well that Summer was deliberately trying to sow discord between her and Xavier, but she couldn't silence the creeping dread in her mind.

...Your statement might fool the general public, but can it fool you? Don't you know exactly what you're capable of? I took the fall for you this time, but what about the next disaster? Who's going to be your scapegoat then? Aren't you terrified?

Was she terrified?

Honestly? Yes. Just a little.

Summer and Silas quickly rounded the corridor, vanishing completely into the ink-black night.

Fueled by adrenaline and anger, Summer's stomach tied itself into even tighter knots. She pressed a hand hard against her abdomen and let out a bitter laugh. "I'm so sorry you had to witness that, Silas. I feel like a deranged, bitter ex."

Silas glanced down at her rapidly paling face. "Stop talking. Breathing in the freezing air will only make your stomach worse."

Summer gave a weak nod.

Only then did Silas continue, "If I were in your shoes, I would have acted much worse. I have zero obligation to make life easy for people who actively try to ruin mine. We are alive to make ourselves happy. Everyone else—especially the people we despise—are just garbage."

In the parking garage.

Silas popped open the passenger door of his sleek car. "Get in."

Summer's stomach was seizing violently by now. She didn't have the strength to argue and quietly murmured her thanks.

The moment she sank into the leather seat, she curled into a tight ball. Cold sweat poured down her face, plastering her dark hair to her skin.

Seeing her in such agony, Silas slammed on the gas. He tore through the streets, blowing past two red lights to get her to the ER. Once there, he sprinted back and forth, handling her registration and paying all the fees himself.

Silas was striking, carrying himself with an aristocratic aura of immense wealth. A man with his looks and bank account was impossible not to admire.

A young nurse adjusting the IV looked at Summer enviously. "Your boyfriend is incredibly handsome. He treats you so well."

Summer couldn't help but think of the terrifying rumors swirling around Empire City, claiming Silas was a ruthless, cold-blooded monster.

They were completely wrong!

Summer immediately transferred the money for the hospital bills and the caretaker to his phone. Silas tapped to accept the payment without arguing.

Relieved, Summer caught sight of his heavy coat resting on the hospital sofa. "Your coat..."

Silas cut her off gently. "Keep it for now. You can give it back the next time you buy me dinner. Get some sleep."

Silas knew she wouldn't relax until he was gone, so he gave a few quick instructions to the caretaker and walked out.

Under the heavy pull of the medication, Summer finally sank into a deep sleep.

The next morning during hospital rounds.

Summer instantly spotted Tessa Thorne among the crowd of doctors.

Tessa spotted her too. Their eyes locked, and Tessa's gaze turned incredibly dangerous.

She marched forward, snatching the medical chart straight out of the intern's hands.

Seeing it was just a severe stomach flare-up, Tessa exhaled a sigh of relief, then instantly crossed her arms and glared. "Your stomach acted up and you didn't call me?"

Summer quickly pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture. "Don't be mad! I didn't want to ruin your sleep. If I ruin your sleep, I'm delaying you from saving the world."