The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 555

Chapter 555 Playing the Part

Just then, Riley’s voice suddenly grew louder, and the tears she’d been holding back broke loose once more.

“But you haven’t done any of that yet–and you’re already going back on your word? Are you going to be an absent father, just like Melissa was a mother?”

Beep… beep–beep… beep–beep–beep-

Suddenly, the heart monitor beside the bed sounded an alarm. The flatline that had been holding steady began to jump and flicker.

The attending physician, who had been closely observing the readings, lit up with excitement. Ne hurried over to check the data, then turned to Riley with an energized tone.

“He’s responding! Mr. Harper is reacting to what you’re saying–his subconscious is being activated! Keep talking to him!”

As if remembering a key point, the doctor added in a lower, more deliberate voice, “Ms. Harper, in cases like this, to effectively stimulate the patient, family members can sometimes… stretch the truth a little. Tell him things that matter most to him–things he’d never want to see happen.”

Riley caught on immediately.

She slowly turned her head and looked toward Sebastian standing behind her.

Sebastian seemed to already know what she was thinking. Without a moment’s hesitation, he gave her a firm, quiet nod.

Riley drew a deep breath and turned her gaze back to her father’s pale face.

She squeezed his hand tightly and spoke, her voice thick with hurt and disappointment.

“Dad, didn’t you always say you wanted to give me and Sebastian the most beautiful wedding anyone’s ever seen?

“Weren’t you the one who promised you’d walk me down the aisle yourself, place my hand in his, and watch me start my own family?”

Her voice began to tremble. “But now he’s changed his mind too… just like Lucas did back then.

‘While we were away, he met someone else. He said I was too stubborn, not gentle enough… We fought, and finally he told me the truth—that he never really cared that I’d been married before. That marrying me was all for show. What he really wanted was the Harper family’s support, so he could secure his place in the Torres empire.”

Hearing this, Raymond instantly understood what his sister was doing–and dove right into the role.

‘Yeah, Dad! I tried to stand up for her, but the Torres said I hadn’t even officially taken over Harper Group yet… that I had no right to challenge them.

“Dad, you were the one who approved this match–the guy you trusted the most—and now he’s treating her like this! With you out of commission, she’s got no one in her corner anymore.”

Raymond grew more agitated as he spoke, his eyes reddening. “She already went through hell back in Havenbrook, barely pulled through… and now she’s put her heart in the wrong hands again…”

1/3

12:13 pm

Chapter 555 Playing the Part

Raymond knew all too well that beneath his father’s success lay deep, private fears.

He had failed Riley early in her life, and trusted the wrong person in Melissa during his middle years.

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Now, what probably worried him most in this world was whether his two children could truly stand on their own once he was gone.

So Raymond decided to raise the stakes.

“Dad, all those times I told you I could handle the company, that I was ready… that was a lie.

“Truth is, I’m in way over my head. I’ve just been putting on a brave face in those boardrooms because I knew you had my back. But now word’s gotten out about your condition, and those board members are already moving.”

Raymond lifted his head, eyes glistening, voice full of strained frustration. “They’re all saying I’m not cut out for this, that I’m too young to steer the ship. They’re rallying to vote me out and appoint a new CEO.

“They even said… if there’s a leadership change, the first thing they’ll do is remove Riley from her role as head of marketing.”

The siblings‘ tearful performance worked.

The lines on the heart monitor jumped more actively now.

On the screen, the numbers that had been hovering near critical levels began, almost miraculously, to climb toward a normal

range.

“That’s enough.”

The doctor, seeing they had pushed far enough, signaled for them to stop.

Any more stimulation could risk a backlash.

He quickly directed the medical team to run another full set of diagnostics on Zavier right there in the room.

An hour later, the evaluation was complete.

The doctor let out a long, visible breath of relief.

“Mr. Harper has an incredibly strong will to live. He’s cleared the first–and most critical–hurdle.”

The hearts of Riley and Raymond, which had been suspended in midair, finally settled back into place.

But the doctor’s next words made them tense right back up.

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