Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 97

The smug smile vanished from Lily's face. "Summer, how could you say something so malicious? Xavier and I are strictly platonic."

Turning to the man in question, Lily laid on the victim act. "Xavier, look at how she misunderstands us. Why is she always so incredibly jealous? It's so exhausting."

Xavier glanced at Summer's swollen face, her fingers wrapped in thick bandages, and her left arm bound in a sling. A profound guilt anchored his heart.

"Lily, don't hold it against her," he said gently. "She's in a lot of pain and in a terrible mood. Since you've checked on her, you should head back with Paige. Summer needs to rest."

Lily stared at him with wide, teary eyes, entirely unconvinced. "Let's go. Hospitals are full of bacteria anyway, and it's not a safe environment for a pregnant woman like you."

Hearing this, Lily's radiant smile returned. For a moment, she had actually worried Xavier was prioritizing Summer's well-being.

But clearly, he was only worried about the baby.

Lily shot Summer a covert, gloating glance from the corner of her eye.

Summer's expression was utterly flat, projecting a flawless facade of apathetic indifference.

Lily chuckled inwardly. She was convinced Summer was just faking her emotional detachment, likely grinding her teeth into dust behind that calm mask.

After all, everyone in Empire City knew Summer Vance loved Xavier Sterling with a pathetic, soul-deep desperation.

This cold shoulder was nothing but a last-ditch effort to preserve whatever scrap of dignity she had left.

Revelling in her perceived victory, Lily beamed at Xavier. "Xavier, could you walk me out? I actually have some corporate matters to discuss with you, and it's not very appropriate to talk about them in here."

As Xavier escorted them out the door, Tessa spat at the floor. "Shameless homewrecker."

Leo immediately stood up, grabbed the heavy gift basket Lily had brought, and hauled it toward the door to throw it out.

Xavier walked back into the room just in time to see his tiny son struggling to toss the massive basket into the corridor trash can.

He frowned, stepping forward. "Leo, what do you think you're doing?"

Leo decisively shoved the basket into the bin, ensuring Xavier couldn't salvage it.

Only then did he turn his icy little face upward. "Anything Mom hates belongs in the trash." And that includes you.

Xavier attempted to reason with him. "Leo, a guest brought that. Throwing away a gift is incredibly rude, and you're wasting perfectly good food."

Silas typed back: [You really don't need to apologize. An unexpected illness is entirely out of your control.]

Summer: [I still feel terrible for standing you up.]

She followed it up with a cute, apologetic sticker.

Silas: [If you truly feel guilty, you can always prepare a little makeup gift for me next time we meet. Anything works. I'm not picky.]

Reading his response, Summer felt a genuine spark of appreciation. Silas was undeniably charming—considerate, engaging, and equipped with a perfect sense of boundaries.

Chatting with him was effortless and completely devoid of pressure.

Summer replied: [Deal. Once I'm out of the hospital, dinner is on me. And I promise I'll put some serious thought into your gift.]

Silas: [It's a date. I hope I won't be waiting too long.]

"Mr. Sinclair, did you receive some good news?" his gorgeous date asked, tilting her head in curiosity.