The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73 An Eavesdropped Call

Chapter 73 An Eavesdropped Call

Sebastian’s heart gave a hard thump, and his vision dimmed for a second.

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He held Riley’s gaze for a long moment before finally giving a slow nod, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he muttered a low, “Mm–hmm.”

He watched Riley and Lydia walk away, chatting and laughing, until they disappeared through the entrance of the bar. Only then did the softness in his expression fade, replaced once again by his usual detached cool.

Turning, he headed straight up to his private lounge on the second floor.

The room was quiet, a world apart from the noise downstairs.

Sebastian lifted his hand slowly and brushed his fingertips over the spot on his cheek where Riley had touched him.

The cool, soft sensation seemed to linger on his skin–a faint tingle that spread deeper, stirring something restless and hungry inside him.

He shut his eyes, a faint, unwilling smile tugging at his mouth. Beneath the calm, a heat was simmering in his chest, one he could barely keep in check.

Meanwhile, Riley and Lydia stepped out of the bar onto the sidewalk.

They pulled out their phones to call a ride.

Not far off, under the glow of a streetlamp, two guys in streetwear were crouched by a planter, smoking.

They looked young–early twenties at most.

One of them had a clean buzz cut and a loose hoodie. His face was turned slightly away, jaw tight, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. Wreathed in smoke, the half–lit profile looked… unsettlingly like Lucas.

Riley’s gaze drifted past him at first, then stopped. She caught herself staring, a strange, almost ridiculous feeling bubbling up inside.

Just then, the buzzed–cut guy’s friend nudged him with an elbow, grinning. “What’s up, Jared? Haven’t seen you rolling in that sports car lately. Your sugar mama lost your number? She gets tired of you or something?”

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17:04 Tue, May 5

Chapter 78 An Eavesdropped Call

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Jared Finch–the buzz–cut guy–flinched like he’d been poked in a sore spot. He took a sharp drag from his cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke, his tone defensive, “Shut up. Of course not. She’s just… busy lately, that’s all.”

As if on cuc. his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Jared shot his friend a smug look and pulled it out quickly. “Hello? Sophia?”

The name “Sophia” made Riley’s eyelids flicker.

Her mind jumped to that Sophia–but she shut the thought down almost immediately.

No way. That was too ridiculous.

Even if Sophia was scheming and manipulative, all her energy was fixed on Lucas. She was dreaming of becoming Lucas‘ wife for real.

Plus, she was a public figure now–careful about her image.

There was no way she’d play the devoted ex in public while secretly keeping some college kid who looked like Lucas around. That whole cliché stand–in lover thing? Too tacky, even for her.

Riley shook her head slightly. She was overthinking it. Had to be a coincidence.

“Hey, earth to Riley.” Lydia nudged her gently with an elbow. “Car’s here. You still thinking about that hottie from inside? Want to go back and pick up where you left off?”

Lydia’s teasing snapped Riley back to the moment.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Riley said with a quiet laugh, brushing off the absurd train of thought completely.

Just then, their ride pulled up to the curb.

The two of them slipped into the back seat, leaving the two guys and their conversation behind on the sidewalk.

The next morning, Riley woke up feeling clearer and lighter than she had in weeks.

It was true–anything was better than being around the Ashfords. Even the air felt easier to breathe.

After a quick breakfast, she drove to Harper Group’s offices.

In her bright, spacious office, Vincent walked her through the latest updates on various

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