Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 499

What a joke of an excuse.

Dominic demanded coldly, "Does not knowing give you the right to insult people at will?"

Even though Dominic was a military doctor, the commanding presence of an officer was carved into his bones. His aura was intensely intimidating.

Lilith clenched her fists and muttered, "I was just making a joke."

Summer let out a soft laugh, glancing at the men flanking Lilith. "Lilith, you just divorced Xavier, and you're already desperate for a new target? Having dinner with three men at the same time—are you sleeping with all three of them?"

Summer's words terrified the three men, who stumbled back to put immediate distance between themselves and Lilith.

Lilith's face turned completely green. "Summer, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?! We have a strictly professional relationship!"

Summer threw her exact words back at her. "It was just a joke. Why so hostile? Did I hit the nail on the head?"

The three men who had been dining with Lilith practically fell over themselves to interject.

"Director Vance, please don't joke about things like that. I'm a married man. I only have eyes for my wife."

"Exactly, Director Vance. That kind of joke could ruin us."

Summer glared coldly at Lilith. "We all know that kind of joke crosses the line, but apparently Lilith didn't get the memo. Working with someone so utterly lacking in boundaries... you gentlemen should really watch your backs."

Lilith shrieked, "Summer!"

Summer fixed her with a deadly stare. "Lilith, apologize to Dr. Knight!"

"An apology probably won't cut it," Dominic added calmly. "Wasn't Ms. Sutton planning to call the police? I believe I should call them too."

Lilith wasn't stupid. She understood perfectly well what Dominic meant: if she insisted on reporting the slap, he had no problem pressing charges against her.

Dominic was a high-ranking officer. If Lilith was detained for insulting military personnel, getting out would be nearly impossible.

Lilith was no longer the wife of the Sterling Group’s CEO. Everyone in their circle knew she had divorced Xavier, and absolutely no one was going to do her any favors.

Realizing how completely cornered she was, Lilith felt a suffocating wave of resentment—yet she was utterly powerless.

There was nothing more agonizing than this feeling of humiliating defeat!

She had a heart full of rage but nowhere to unleash it. Her eyes were bloodshot from sheer frustration.

Finally, she gritted her teeth. "Fine. I won't call the police, and I'll drop the matter."

Dominic nodded slightly. "Then you may proceed with your apology."

Lilith wanted to scream curses at them, but she had no choice but to swallow her pride when outmatched.

She knew she had the weaker hand and had to endure this humiliation for now.

Taking a deep breath, she forced out, "I apologize, Dr. Knight. Please forgive me for speaking without thinking."

Lilith had completely shot herself in the foot. Not only did she fail to put Summer in a holding cell, but the lucrative business deals she thought were practically guaranteed vanished before her eyes.

Furious, Lilith spent half an hour screaming curses at Summer in her hotel room.

The industry summit took place the next day.

Due to the intense controversies surrounding her personal life and marital scandals, Lilith was a high-traffic figure. The moment she arrived, a massive swarm of reporters barricaded her.

But the questions hurled at her were entirely centered around her personal gossip.

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