The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179 Cutting Losses

Chapter 179 Cutting Losses.

+35 Free Co

Lucas had half-expected Riley to shut him down cold-again-or maybe lay into him with another round of sarcasm. What he hadn’t seen coming was her asking for straight-up cash instead.

But then… it actually made sense.

If the gift was supposed to be worth five million, why wouldn’t she just take the money? Turning it down now would only make hin look like a phony.

After a beat, he gave a weak nod and pulled out his phone. “Alright. I’ll have my assistant wire it over.”

With the auction wrapped up, Aiden-who’d made out pretty well-was all smiles. Feeling generous, he invited both Lucas and Riley to dinner.

Up at the hotel’s rooftop rotating restaurant, Aiden was in such high spirits that he slid a contract across the table toward Lucas. “Mr. Ashford, since we’re all having a good night, I brought the paperwork along. I’ve definitely seen your sincerity.”

That “sincerity” meant the twenty mil Lucas had just dropped.

Lucas, finally thinking like a businessman again, took the contract with a neutral look. He didn’t sign it right then, though. “Thanks, Mr. Quinn,” he said evenly. “We’ll still need to follow protocol. Legal will review it tomorrow.”

Aiden didn’t press it. He’d gotten what he wanted. Cheerfully, he turned to Riley and asked, almost too casually, “You were pretty quiet during the auction, Ms. Harper. Didn’t see anything you liked?”

Riley glanced up from c

steak. Her clear eyes met his probing stare, and a faint smile touched her lips.

“That’s right,” sh

The di

das, finally came to an end.

Aiden, Lucas and Riley walked out of the hotel together.

gns, her profile looked sharper, more distant. Lucas seized the moment alone and softened his tone. e you home. Back to… our place.”

came out tentative, al

a question-or a plea.

skip a beat.

d straight to the cur

refusal was clean, lea

Lucas’ voice tightene

be in shambles for

Riley turned

recall bel

a cab. “No need. Go ahead. I’ll grab a taxi.”

mooth things over.

ugh. “Riley, how long are you going to keep this up? Does the whole house have to

at had just pulled up. Her lips curled into a cool smile. “Lucas, did you forget? I don’t don’t take your bad moods out on me just because things aren’t going your way.

Sale, stiff face, opened the door, and slid into the cab without a pause.

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8:35 am P P

Chapter 179 Cutting Losses

The car pulled away, leaving nothing but taillights fading down the street.

+35 Free Coins

Lucas stood there for a moment, frozen, before finally getting into his own car. Irritated, he tugged at his tie. Just as he was about to start the engine, his phone rang-Aiden again.

Lucas took a deep breath and answered. “Mr. Quinn. What’s up?”

Aiden sounded cheerful on the other end. “Headed home, Mr. Ashford? So, what’d you think of the auction tonight? Interested in… maybe going in on something together?”

“What did you have in mind?” Lucas asked cautiously.

Aiden chuckled. He probably assumed Riley was still with Lucas and didn’t want to get into details. “Ah, never mind. Let’s talk more about the next project once the current contract is signed.”

The call ended.

Lucas leaned back in his seat, turning Aiden’s last words over in his head.

Next project?

His mind raced. He’d blown nearly twenty million tonight. The whole thing had been frustrating, but it clearly made Aiden see him as both flush and free-spending-and now it was opening doors.

So… maybe that twenty million wasn’t a total waste after all.

The thought lifted his mood just a little.

He started the car and drove back to Ashford Manor, those expensive boxes in tow-his tickets into Aiden’s inner circle.

The villa was brightly lit.

Sophia, still in her nightgown, had been pacing restlessly, waiting for Lucas to return.

When she heard the familiar engine in the driveway, she practically leaped off the couch and hurried to the front door, peering through the sidelight.

Seeing Lucas step out of the car alone, loaded down with shopping bags, her heart lifted.

Riley hadn’t come back with him!

An idea flickered in Sophia’s eyes.

She slipped quietly behind the door and, the moment Lucas pushed it open, she sprang forward like an excited kid, wrapping her arms around him from behind and squeezing tight.

“Lucas,” she cooed, her voice sweet and warm. “You’re back!”

8:36 am P p