Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 224

While she drank, Yates explained, "You had food poisoning. Don't worry, they pumped your stomach and you're in the clear. But being out in that rain gave you a nasty fever."

Summer nodded and said earnestly, "Thank you."

Yates slipped into character flawlessly. "Seeing the mother of my son passed out on the side of the road, I naturally couldn't just stand by. If you really want to thank me, get some rest and recover quickly. We wouldn't want our boy worrying."

Just then, Summer's phone buzzed.

It was a video call request from Silas Sinclair.

Fearing Silas might have urgent news, Summer quickly switched the request to a voice call and answered.

"Mr. Sinclair."

Silas's apologetic voice came through. "Summer, I am so sorry. I didn't look after Leo well enough. He accidentally ate a piece of cashew cake last night and was hospitalized for an allergic reaction. He wants to see you. Can you do a video call?"

Leo Sterling had inherited Xavier's cashew allergy.

Without a second thought, Summer turned on her camera.

The voice call instantly switched to video.

The moment the video connected, Silas's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "Are you in a hospital too?"

Judging by the identical hospital gowns Summer and Leo were wearing, they were in the exact same facility.

Summer explained, "I accidentally got food poisoning."

"Mom! Are you feeling better?" Leo's little head popped into the frame, his face etched with worry.

Leo's voice drifted clearly out of the phone speaker.

Yates caught the sound and raised an eyebrow. "Is that Leo?"

Summer nodded.

Ever the gentleman, Yates asked, "Do you mind if I pop into the frame? I should say hi to my godson."

"Does Ms. Addison know you're keeping a side piece?"

Annika Addison was Yates's prospective fiancée. She was a wealthy socialite from Empire City who had fallen for him at first sight and demanded an arranged marriage.

It was entirely because of Annika that Yates had been welcomed back into the Hawthorne family and given a role at Hawthorne Enterprises.

Yates offered a lazy smile. "I wouldn't worry about it, brother."

"Spit!" Julian looked thoroughly disgusted, snarling viciously, "Who the hell is your brother! Stop trying to elevate yourself. You're nothing but an illegitimate bastard!"

Summer let out a sharp scoff. "Well, well, isn't this the hypocritical lapdog who wags his tail behind Wildflower Lily all day? You're nothing but a side-piece's errand boy, and you have the nerve to mock someone else?"

"He's doing you a favor calling you 'brother', you ungrateful animal. All you know how to do is bark and bite. Your owner isn't even here, so who exactly are you performing for?"

"Summer?! Is that you!" Julian's voice spiked in pitch, his eyes bulging in sheer disbelief.

Summer pulled down her mask. "Your worst nightmare."