Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 515

Dexter made six calls in a row.

Every single one initially claimed they were too busy, but the moment they heard Xander Sterling and Silas Sinclair were dining next door, they miraculously cleared their schedules.

Hosting six people and cashing in six favors, all on Lilith's dime.

Dexter took a sip of tea, finally feeling a bit better. He had the waiter clear away Lilith's used teacup and bring a fresh set.

While waiting for his guests to arrive, he made one final call.

"Kane, do me a favor. Teach someone a lesson for me..."

In the adjacent private room.

Bennett took the initiative to raise his glass. "Xander, Silas, I can't thank you enough for making time in your busy schedules to join me. Words cannot express my gratitude. I'll drink to this, please, at your own pace."

Summer glanced at Xander. "Leo mentioned you fainted a few days ago. You shouldn't be drinking alcohol. Have some tea instead."

Out of the corner of his eye, Silas sized up Xander. The man was lean with an incredibly pale complexion. The term 'sickly beauty' instantly popped into Silas's mind.

Was Xander just playing the fragile card to win Summer's sympathy?

Silas made a mental note. He couldn't naturally pull off the frail look, but he could certainly fake being sick. Everyone gets sick eventually. Faking it just once couldn't hurt, right?

Both Summer and Xander had their alcohol replaced with tea.

Bennett raised his glass once more. "Xander, Silas, thank you for showing mercy and letting Zenith Tech off the hook."

Leaning back in his chair, Silas lifted his gaze to look at Bennett. He traced the rim of his glass with his finger but didn't pick it up. "Bennett, you should be toasting Summer for that."

Xander didn't touch his teacup either. He tapped his fingers lightly against the table. "Silas is entirely correct. If it weren't out of respect for Summer, the Sterling Group would have never let Zenith Tech survive."

Bennett nodded profusely, turning to Summer. "Summer, this toast is for you."

Summer picked up her glass. "Bennett, you still remember Xander's condition, right?"

"I remember," Bennett assured her. "Even if Xander hadn't demanded it, I had no intention of letting Lilith run Zenith Tech any longer."

"Bennett, I want you to remember this clearly," Xander said. His skin was pale and his voice low, but his aura commanded absolute authority.

"Lilith Sutton is an eternal enemy of the Sterling family. Whoever helps her will face our wrath. This is your final warning."

A cold sweat broke out across Bennett's back. He nodded eagerly. "Rest assured, Xander. I understand completely."

While Xander was speaking, Silas casually peeled a shrimp and placed it onto Summer's plate.

Xander's eyes darted toward Silas.

Silas raised an eyebrow. "Do you want some too, Xander? Why don't you have Bennett peel them for you? I'm sure he'd be thrilled."

Xander smiled thinly. "You're quite skilled at peeling shrimp, Silas. Do you do this for people often?"

Silas immediately caught the underlying accusation—Xander was insinuating he did this for other women.

Continuing to peel the seafood, Silas chuckled. "Not often. Only when I'm eating with Leo and Summer. It's just become a habit."

As he spoke, Silas casually placed a second peeled shrimp onto Summer's plate.

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