The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 472

Chapter 472 She Needed Something to Break the Spiral

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Riley simply shook her head. Weariness had long overtaken her anger. Her feelings flattened out into a cold, lifeless calm. “Raymond, I have no recollection of that period at all. My mind is totally blank. I can’t verify your account. The only thing I know for certain is Elsie struck me.”

That was enough. One had done it, and the other had covered it up. Neither of them was walking away clean.

Raymond forced himself to breathe and pull it together. When he spoke again, his voice was steady, “I’m putting my best people on this. Right now. But Riley…”

He paused, and his voice turned earnest. “I know you’re barely holding it together. But can you promise me something? Don’t tell Dad yet. Not until we have proof.

“The Harper family banquet is days away. There’s going to be press there. Important people from all over Nexopolis. I don’t want the family’s dirty laundry blowing up in front of everyone. And I don’t want whatever’s left between Mom and Dad to turn into a public war.

“I’m your brother. I’m not going to sweep this under the rug. If the evidence is there, I’ll make sure you get the justice you deserve.”

Riley looked at him for a long moment, reading the resolve in his eyes. Finally, she nodded. “Okay. I believe you.”

She left his office, pulled herself together, and went back to her own desk. She threw herself into the afternoon’s work.

Near the end of the day, her phone rang. It was Sebastian.

“You done? My parents just got back today. They said it’s been too long since they’ve seen you. I’m downstairs. Dinner?” he asked.

Riley was quiet for a moment. “Okay.”

She needed something to break the spiral. A place to breathe.

Sebastian’s car was waiting at the curb.

By the time she slid into the passenger seat, she’d masked all outward signs of her turmoil. Cool and composed–just as she always was.

But Sebastian caught the exhaustion around her eyes anyway. He didn’t ask. He just turned the music down low and pulled into traffic.

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12:55 Mon, Jul 13

Chapter 472 She Needed Something to Break the Spiral

90

+10 Free Coins

They got to the restaurant, and the second Miranda saw Riley, her face creased with worry. “Oh, sweetheart, what happened to you? It’s barely been any time at all, and you’ve lost so much weight. Your face is half the size it was! Has Sebastian been neglecting you?”

Before Riley could answer, Miranda was already turning on her son.

The concern was so unguarded, so genuine, that Riley felt the tight feeling inside her loosen just a little.

She managed a small smile. “It’s not him, Miranda. I picked up a new project at work. It’s been busy. I’m just tired,” she said.

“Work is work, but you still have to take care of yourself.” Miranda guided her into the chair beside her and kept fussing, all while shooting Wayne a pointed look across the table.

Wayne caught the signal and smiled. He pulled out an elegant velvet box and slid it across the table toward Riley.

“Riley, the Harper family banquet is just a few days away. Miranda and I wanted to give you something. We hope you like it,” he said.

Riley blinked, caught off guard. She thanked them and, under Miranda’s eager gaze, opened the box.

Soft, moon–white light spilled out. Inside was a gown. The fabric was the finest royal velvet, glowing with a pearl–like sheen under the restaurant lights. Silver thread traced delicate patterns through it, intricate and understated. It was the kind of quiet luxury that didn’t need to announce itself.

With the resources of either the Torres or the Harper family, picking up any ready–to–wear designer gown would have been trivial. Yet Riley knew at a glance what this was. Dresses of this caliber required a minimum of six months of fittings and hand craftsmanship. They could not be bought off a shelf–they were made to order. Made just for her.

She felt a rush of emotion she hadn’t expected and quickly closed the box, pushing it back across the table. “This is too much. I can’t accept this,” she said.

“Don’t be silly.” Miranda’s voice was warm and firm. “You’re going to be part of this family soon. A gown is nothing. You deserve far more than that.

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