The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 104

If he could rack up enough achievements for the company–prove he was irreplaceable–then even if everything blew up later, Caleb would think twice before moving against him. His position as heir wouldn’t be so easy to shake.

Riley pieced it all together in her head. But her face stayed perfectly calm.

“Okay. Got it,” she said, agreeing without giving anything away.

Lucas visibly relaxed when he saw how easily she agreed. But for some reason, looking into those unreadable eyes of hers, he felt a nagging sense of unease–like something was slipping through his fingers.

Riley didn’t stay a second longer. She stood up and walked straight out of the CEO’s office.

Back in the marketing department, the office had already shifted into a tense, busy atmosphere.

No one dared gossip anymore. Everyone was working hard to finish the tasks Riley had assigned.

Riley went to her temporary desk and sat down. Then she pulled out her phone and texted Sebastian.

She typed, “You’re playing golf tomorrow?”

Less than ten seconds later, he replied, “How do you know?”

Riley looked at the words on her screen, smiling slightly.

But before she could answer, he quickly deleted the message.

Then a new one popped up.

Sebastian typed, “I see.”

Inside the director’s office, Sophia sat in her chair, distracted.

Her eyes were glued to the computer screen, but she couldn’t process a single word of the proposal open in front of her.

What did Lucas want with Riley?

The way he’d hurried down earlier–it had to be work–related.

But if it was work, why couldn’t she, the marketing director, know about it?

Why go over her head to meet with someone like Riley–someone with no clear position?

In Lucas‘ eyes, am I really just a decoration?

Sophia wanted to storm out and ask Lucas what they’d talked about.

But reason held her back.

She still remembered how cold and distant he’d been with her today.

Sophia didn’t dare push it. She was afraid of getting shut down again.

7:45 pm

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Chapter 104 Sound Like an Insult

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But if she couldn’t ask him, she could ask someone else.

Sophia stood up abruptly and pulled open her office door.

She found Trevor–Lucas‘ most trusted assistant.

“Trevor,” Sophia said softly, stopping him in his tracks.

Trevor froze, then turned around. When he saw it was Sophia, he immediately put on a respectful smile. “Ms. Myers, what can I do for you?”

“Nothing major,” Sophia said, walking over to him casually. “I noticed Mr. Ashford came down in a hurry earlier and called Riley up. Is something going on at the company?”

Trevor had worked for Lucas for years. He was sharp–so sharp that he caught the real question behind her words.

And he knew very well that the woman in front of him was Lucas‘ real wife.

Facec with Sophia’s question, Trevor felt his heart sink.

On one side, my direct superior. On the other side, my superior’s wife.

Piss off Mr. Ashford, and I’ll get punished. But piss off his wife? One whisper in Mr. Ashford’s ear at night from her, and I will get fired.

After weighing his options, Trevor decided to give her something.

He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. “Ms. Myers, don’t overthink it. It’s nothing bad. Mr. Ashford is planning to take Ms. Harper to a golf course on the outskirts tomorrow. They’re meeting with Mr. Torres from the Torres Group to discuss a potential partnership.”

“A golf course? Mr. Torres?” Sophia’s eyes went wide, her voice rising. “A partnership with the Torres Group–something that important–and Lucas is taking Riley instead of me? Why not me?”

Her voice turned sharp, dripping with jealousy and resentment. “Lucas could go alone! Or take me–I’m the marketing director! So why Riley?”

“Well…” Trevor felt his scalp tingle under her rapid–fire questions. He forced a smile and tried to explain, “Ms. Myers, please don’t get upset. Mr. Ashford is probably valuing Ms. Harper’s past experience and skills. Think about it–she went to Nexopolis alone and brought back that difficult Harper Group deal. She clearly has the ability. Mr. Ashford probably figures two heads are better than one. Maybe she can help convince Mr. Torres, since he’s known to be… difficult.”

He tried to soothe Sophia by praising Riley’s skills. But he had no idea he’d just stepped on a landmine.

“Her?” Sophia let out a scornful laugh. “What has she really accomplished? She rode on Ashford Group’s coattails–Lucas was backing her up the whole time! You really think she’s that capable?”

The contempt and nastiness in her voice made Trevor’s blood run cold. He shut his mouth immediately.

He realized that any compliment about Riley would sound like an insult to Sophia right now.

“Well… Ms. Myers, I’ve got a lot on my plate. I should get back to work,” Trevor said, grabbing the first excuse he could find to

escape.