Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 96

Two imposing bodyguards marched forward, flanking Tessa on both sides. "Right this way."

Afraid things would escalate and get Tessa hurt, Summer gave her best friend a reassuring look. "It's fine."

Tessa finally stood up, gently ruffling Leo's hair. "Tessa will be right outside the door. Yell if you need me."

Leo gave a firm nod.

Once Tessa was ushered out, Zelda approached the bed. Her expression was significantly softer than usual, but her tone remained as rigid and haughty as ever.

"Summer, I admit I wasn't thorough enough this time. I failed to run a proper background check before sending you off. You won't hold this against me, will you?"

Summer stared back with chilling calm. "Is this supposed to be an apology?"

A flash of revulsion crossed Zelda's eyes. "Yes, this incident was my oversight, but don't take it out on Xavier. He hasn't slept a wink since yesterday because of you. He ran himself ragged cashing in favors at the police precinct and even established a charity fund in your name."

Summer cut her off. "If you're here to apologize, why haven't I heard you say 'I'm sorry'?"

"What?" Zelda's brow snapped into an angry furrow.

In Zelda's mind, gracing a lowly commoner like Summer with a personal visit and a lengthy explanation was already giving her far more respect than she deserved.

Summer was supposed to be weeping tears of immense gratitude.

And yet, she had the absolute gall to demand a formal apology from her elder?

Utterly delusional!

Did this girl have absolutely no concept of her own status?

Zelda's face darkened with rage.

Summer let out a raspy chuckle. "What's the matter? Are the words 'I'm sorry' too complex for you?"

Reverting to her usual icy superiority, Zelda glared down at her. "Summer, do not push your luck!"

Tessa glared at him through the glass partition with absolute loathing, but there was nothing she could do to force him to leave.

Later that evening, Paige arrived to drop off some corporate documents. Trailing right behind her was Lily Sutton.

Tessa was beyond speechless, her face settling into a mask of pure disgust.

Beside her, Leo wore the exact same deadpan expression.

Completely oblivious to the murderous tension in the room, Lily set a lavish gift basket on the table and turned to Summer. The gleeful triumph in her eyes was practically glowing.

"Summer, I was just here at the hospital for my prenatal check-up when I ran into Paige. I heard you were injured, so I wanted to come check on you. I had no idea you were hurt this badly. You poor, pitiful thing."

It all clicked in Summer's mind. No wonder Xavier had appeared so quickly after she woke up—he had been at the hospital the entire time, acting as Lily's devoted escort for her pregnancy appointments.

A mistress truly got preferential treatment. He was even holding her hand during ultrasounds.

A biting sneer touched Summer's hollow eyes. "Am I the pitiful one? I think you're projecting. I didn't die in that mental asylum, which means you're still locked out of the Sterling family registry. You'll be nothing but a dirty little secret forever. Truly tragic."