Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 174

Summer's gaze turned ice-cold. "Mr. Sterling, Wildflower Lily is pregnant. Care to tell everyone who the father is?"

Xavier stared at her with a predatory, lethal glare. "Summer!"

Summer met his gaze head-on. "Keep her on a leash. Stop letting her provoke me for absolutely no reason. If you push me over the edge, I won't hesitate to leak the video of your little scandal for the entire internet to enjoy. And as for that baby in her belly? 'Illegitimate child' isn't exactly a flattering title. When everyone starts tearing her apart, don't say I didn't warn you."

The man standing next to Xavier frowned at Summer's aggressive tone. "Miss, Lily was just trying to be polite. Don't you think you're overreacting?"

Summer turned to him, forcing a painfully tight smile. "Sir, you have no idea what you're talking about, so do me a favor and shut up. Otherwise, I won't hold back on you either."

It was obvious she was already exercising an immense amount of restraint.

Xavier suddenly let out a low chuckle, raising his hand to pat the man's shoulder. "Summer, do you even know who he is?"

Anyone who associated with Xavier couldn't possibly be a decent person.

"I couldn't care less."

Unwilling to waste another breath, Summer turned on her heel and strode away, desperate to put distance between herself and the toxic pair.

The moment Summer turned her back, a twisted, venomous glint flickered in Lily's eyes.

*Summer, I hope your pathetic mother stays paralyzed for the rest of her life. It's what you deserve.*

"I'm so sorry, Wesley," Lily said, looking at the man with a highly apologetic expression. "I dragged you into this. We've just had a few misunderstandings, and I thought a friendly greeting might help smooth things over. I didn't expect her to be so hostile. I guess I'm just not important enough for her respect."

Wesley laughed it off. "One of you is the richest man in Empire City, and the other is the hottest rising star in AI research. If your prestige isn't enough, whose is?"

Lily playfully chided him. "Wesley, don't tease me. You're the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the National Medical Science Award. You're a dual prodigy in modern and traditional medicine, an absolute genius. Next to you, my achievements are nothing. Professor Quinton wouldn't even take me as a student, which just proves how far I still have to go."

"With your talent, you'll definitely become Professor Quinton's student," Wesley assured her. "It's only a matter of time."

Lily thoroughly enjoyed his flattery, her smile brightening considerably. "I'll hold you to that, Wesley."

The three of them chatted as they walked into the auction venue. Xavier asked, "You're always swamped. How did you find time for an auction today?"

This VIP maneuver caused quite a stir among the attendees.

"Such a stunning couple. They belong together. I can't even imagine how gorgeous their kids will be."

"I heard Ms. Sutton likes the crowd, and Mr. Sterling spoils her so much that he immediately accommodated her."

"Rich, handsome, and devoted. Why can't I ever find a man like that?"

Sitting perfectly still in her own middle-row seat, Summer calmly flipped through the auction catalog, completely deaf to the swirling gossip.

She acted as if Xavier wasn't her husband, as if the divorce papers were already signed, rendering them absolute strangers.

The catalog contained detailed photos and descriptions of every lot.

Besides the calligraphy she had her eye on, she also spotted a sapphire jewelry set that would make a perfect wedding gift for Tessa Thorne.

Additionally, she noted an antique tea set and a vintage men's watch.