The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159 A Clumsy Confrontation

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Not long after, just as Lucas was starting to fidget and feel completely out of place, the doorbell rang.

At the same time, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen–it was a call from Ashford Manor.

“Dad?” He answered immediately, and probably thinking the living room wasn’t the best spot for the conversation, he stood up and walked out to the balcony, keeping his voice low. “What’s up? Yeah, I’m out… Right, I’m with Riley.”

Riley watched him step outside toward the balcony, thinking to herself–since when did food delivery get this fast?

It had only been about ten minutes.

She didn’t dwell on it. Pushing herself up from the couch, she went to answer the door.

But the moment she pulled it open, she froze.

The person standing outside wasn’t a delivery driver at all.

It was Sebastian, tall and broad–shouldered, looking as composed as ever.

And he happeried to be holding two takeout bags from that upscale boutique kitchen downtown–the kind you usually had to order days in advance. The warm, rich aroma of the food was already drifting out.

‘Figured you hadn’t eaten dinner,” Sebastian said, one eyebrow lifting slightly at the obvious surprise on Riley’s face. “I was passing by the place and picked up a few things.”

Right then, Riley’s mind went blank.

Outside the door, Sebastian stood under the soft glow of the hallway light, impossible to overlook.

nside was Lucas, the husband she’d just invited over herself.

wkward didn’t even begin to describe it.

She hadn’t expected Sebastian to drop by her place like this, and she’d completely forgotten to mention that she’d brought Lucas jack to the apartment.

ind just like that, she’d landed herself in a total mess.

Before she could even respond, Lucas‘ voice carried in from the balcony.

‘Riley, is that the delivery?” He still had the phone to his ear, asking like it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Sebastian’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly

What is Lucas doing here?

Riley gave him a regretful look and lowered her voice. “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you he was coming over.”

In the next instant, the air around Sebastian turned icy.

The two men were separated by nothing more than an open doorway.

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10:11 am M M

Chapter 159 A Clumsy Confrontation

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If Lucas walked back from the balcony now, he’d see the CEO of Torres Group standing right there–the same man he’d been trying unsuccessfully to get a meeting with for weeks.

Sebastian pressed his lips into a thin line, his jaw tightening.

He didn’t say a word. Instead, he pushed the still–warm takeout containers into Riley’s arms–a little firmer than necessary–then turned and strode toward the elevator without looking back.

His steps were quick, his back rigid and distant.

“Seb…”

Riley wanted to call after him, but only managed the first syllable.

Her heart sank. She could tell, clear as day, that he was upset.

And for some reason, that made her nervous.

But with Lucas still inside, she didn’t have the chance to run after him and explain.

All she could do was stand there, holding the warm containers, and watch Sebastian disappear behind the closing elevator doors.

Riley took a deep breath, then slowly shut the front door.

Lucas finished his call and came back inside. When he spotted the elegant branded takeout bags in Riley’s hands, surprise flickered across his face. “That place usually requires reservations a week in advance. Since when do they deliver?”

‘I placed the order ahead of time,” Riley said evenly, without changing her expression, as she set the bags down on the dining able.

Lucas let out a quiet “oh” and didn’t press further.

As far as he was concerned, Riley was still his wife–it made sense she could get a last–minute order from a high–end spot like that.

They unpacked the containers one by one. Four dishes, each one something Riley loved.

The warm, savory aroma filled the room, but Riley suddenly found she’d lost her appetite.

Sebastian had remembered every dish she liked, and this was how she’d repaid his thoughtfulness.

They ate in near silence.

Lucas was quiet because he was still irritated about having to spend time in what he considered a mediocre apartment.

Riley was quiet because she couldn’t shake the memory of the cold disappointment in Sebastian’s eyes before he turned away.

About halfway through the meal, the doorbell rang again.

This time, it really was the delivery a pair of men’s slippers Riley had ordered online earlier.

Lucas eyed the plain slippers through the clear plastic bag, his brow furrowing.

He pulled them out and turned them over in his hands. The thin material and faint smell of synthetic foam only worsened his

mood.

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10:11 am MM

Chapter 159 A Clumsy Confrontation

Those slippers felt like proof–proof of how little Riley had actually considered his comfort.

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After dinner, Riley quietly cleared the table and began washing the dishes, while Lucas wandered around the apartment like. someone inspecting a property he wasn’t sure he wanted.

He walked into the only bedroom. When he saw the bed–a twin that looked no wider than five feet–he turned back to Riley with a skeptical look.

“So tonight,” he said, his tone flat, “we’re supposed to share that?”

Riley dried her hands on a towel, leaned against the bedroom doorframe, and looked back at him coolly. “That bed really isn’t meant for someone your size. The sofa in the living room is a bit narrow, but if you don’t mind, you could probably manage for one night.”

“The sofa? You expect me to sleep on the sofa?”

“Why not?” Riley replied without missing a beat.