Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 414

His brother definitely harbored some resentment, yet here he was, the younger brother Xander had protected his whole life, choosing to shield Lilith instead.

Xander patted his shoulder. "If you still have any respect for us, don't bring her to the estate anymore. Grandpa, Mom, and Dad despise her."

"Every time she comes over, Mom throws a fit. Let her live a few more years in peace."

Xavier nodded. "I understand, Xander."

On the surface, Lilith looked profoundly grateful, but inwardly, she scoffed. Did they really think she wanted to come to this suffocating mansion to stare at three miserable old fossils? It made her sick to her stomach.

She was more than happy to stay away.

Without the nightmare of dealing with her in-laws, her life would be infinitely more luxurious and free.

Xavier stood up and naturally took hold of the wheelchair handles. "Xander, let me push you inside."

Xander nodded, casting a sideways glance at Lilith. "You can head back. There's no need for you to come inside."

Lilith looked at Xavier. Xavier nodded softly. "Go back and spend some time with Landon and Logan. I'll stay here and keep Xander and my parents company for a bit."

Lilith agreed.

But right at that moment, her phone buzzed. It was the police precinct.

Terrified Xander might notice her panic, she forced a sweet, unwavering smile as she answered. "I'm so sorry, I'm currently tied up with family matters."

The officer replied flatly, "If you're too busy, Ms. Sutton, we are more than happy to send a squad car to your location."

That was an absolute nightmare scenario.

Lilith waved a sweet goodbye to Xavier, turned on her heel, and marched briskly toward the parking lot.

The moment she was out of the brothers' sight, the charming smile vanished, replaced by an expression of pure dread.

When the police formally summoned someone, personal appearance for questioning was mandatory. Lilith had no choice but to comply, meaning she needed her legal team on standby immediately.

Her lawyer would need to extract whatever they could about the charges and the scope of the investigation.

Lilith drove away, completely consumed by anxiety.

She had managed to sweep this crisis under the rug for now, but a temporary fix wouldn't protect her forever.

Upon arriving at the precinct, she didn't get out of the car immediately. Instead, she ordered her bodyguards to sweep the perimeter for paparazzi.

Yet, despite her obsessive caution, she was still photographed.

The moment she stepped through the precinct doors, the media unleashed a coordinated media blitz, blasting the scandal across every major news outlet.

Meanwhile, back at the estate, the five members of the Sterling family were enjoying lunch. Xavier had personally taken over the kitchen, and the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

"Xander, try these spicy BBQ ribs I made. They used to be your absolute favorite."

Xander smiled, took a bite, and gave him a thumbs-up. "Tastes incredible."

"Try this too—hearty beef stew, some roasted chicken, and pan-seared salmon..." Driven by overwhelming guilt, Xavier relentlessly piled food onto Xander's plate.

He had spent hours cooking all of Xander's favorite dishes.

It was true that Xander felt deeply betrayed, but looking at the table full of his favorite meals, Xavier's desperate, apologetic eyes, and the aging faces of his parents and grandfather... Xander softened.

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