Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 6

Let him drink. Let him drink himself into a stupor.

Better yet, he could drink himself to death. Then she wouldn't even have to bother with a divorce—she could just play the grieving widow and inherit his massive fortune.

And even if he survived, the alcohol would slaughter his sperm count. She would gladly sit back and wait for him to shoot permanent blanks.

Just as Xavier leaned in for a hug, Summer casually brought the stack of files up, smacking it directly into his face and subtly pushing him away.

Spinning around, she gracefully took a seat across the desk, issuing a playful demand. "Hurry up and sign these. I have a business trip this afternoon, and I need them processed immediately."

Of course, the business trip was just an excuse.

There was no way she was going to keep working like a dog for the Sterling Group.

Xavier wasn't bothered by the slap to his face, even though Summer had hit him hard enough to nearly flatten his prominent nose.

He simply assumed she was acting tough to hide her jealousy, taking her frustration out on him because she secretly didn't want him drinking.

He let out a low chuckle, taking the files as he settled back into his leather chair. "I'll be on my best behavior. I'll drink less and come home early. Don't be mad, honey."

As he spoke, he flipped open the folder, meticulously reading through every single line.

Time ticked by. One more page, and he would uncover her resignation letter.

Feigning impatience, Summer glanced at her watch and pouted. "Are you almost done? Do you really not trust me? When have you ever caught a mistake in my work? I've double-checked these at least ten times. Just sign it; I'm going to be late."

Xavier looked up, flashing her an incredibly indulgent smile. "I know. You're the best. I'm almost finished, I won't hold you up."

Despite his sweet words, his fingers continued to turn the pages. It hit Summer with a sharp pang of sorrow—he didn't actually trust her at all.

What was she going to do?

If she hadn't been afraid of raising his suspicions, she wouldn't have had to trick him into signing her resignation in the first place.

Loving Lily Sutton.

The truth was sudden, vicious, and completely merciless.

Summer felt as though she had been struck by lightning. She sat rigidly in her chair, struggling to maintain her composure.

A sharp ache squeezed her chest with every breath she took as she forced her posture to remain perfectly still. "Aren't you going to answer?" she asked.

"Let them wait. Nothing is more important than my wife."

With that, Xavier elegantly spun his pen and scribbled his signature on the bottom line.

Lying came as easily as breathing to him. The sweet words flowed out effortlessly.

The moment he saw the caller ID, he had clearly lost all interest in reading the files. He just wanted to sign them so she would leave, freeing him to talk to his precious first love.