Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 194

"Just a few days ago, my dad passed away. I couldn't protect him, and I didn't even get to see him one last time. The shock caused my mom to suffer a severe stroke."

As she spoke, she placed a freshly brewed cup of tea in front of Wesley. Her eyes were red, and a tear slipped down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away.

She looked up, meeting Wesley's gaze with absolute sincerity. "I know faking a fainting spell was wrong. I know trapping you in here is wrong, and you've already told me you don't have the time. I know all of that."

"But as a daughter, knowing you have the ability to save her, I have to try every possible method. Just like my parents did for me back then."

Summer stood up and suddenly dropped to the floor. "Mr. Whitmore, please. I'm begging you to help my mom. I have billions of dollars in my account; I'll give it all to you. If that's not enough, once my divorce from Xavier goes through, I'll give you whatever settlement I receive."

"Even if you want every last cent to my name, I won't hesitate. We can sign a contract right now stating that my entire divorce settlement will be donated directly to your research lab."

Billions of dollars didn't sway Wesley.

But her divorce settlement? That actually piqued his interest.

Xavier was the richest man in Empire City, worth hundreds of billions. If Summer walked away with half, Wesley wouldn't have to worry about lab funding for decades.

However, her messy relationship with Xavier was a massive headache.

Not to mention...

On the way to the club, he had casually mentioned to Xavier that Summer had visited his grandfather.

Xavier had raised an eyebrow. "Your grandfather actually saw her?"

Wesley had nodded. "Not just saw her—she had the old man laughing the entire time."

Xavier had scoffed coldly. "She's got quite the talent for manipulation."

Xavier knew that appealing to the old man wouldn't change anything; Wesley was the one calling the shots. He had asked, "What did you say?"

"Me?" Wesley had replied smoothly. "I'm swamped. I don't have time for new patients."

Xavier had nodded. "Wesley, if Summer comes to you, I'm asking you not to agree."

Wesley hadn't responded immediately.

"I'll fund your lab," Xavier had offered.

Wesley had already rejected Summer earlier, so he had just been holding out for a hefty donation from Xavier. Hearing the offer, he had agreed. "Deal."

Summer poured him more tea. "I don't need his agreement, only the court's. I have undeniable video evidence of his infidelity. Unless he can bribe the entire judicial system, he can't win this lawsuit."

Bribe the entire judicial system?

That was impossible.

It was only then that Wesley finally understood why Xavier was so desperate to block Summer from getting his help.

That made this whole situation entirely too radioactive for him to touch.

Wesley chose his words carefully. "Summer, I need time to think about this. I can't give you an answer right now."

Summer nodded in understanding. "Can we at least exchange numbers?"

This time, Wesley didn't refuse. They swapped numbers, and he finally took his leave.

Up in Xavier's VIP suite.

Wesley didn't drink alcohol, so Xavier personally poured him a cup of tea. "Don't forget what you promised me."