From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 117: Just an Accessory

Lucas had custom-ordered that pearl jewelry set last year when he was on a business trip in Dewvale, at the most famous private workshop there.

Sophia remembered it clearly. Her birthday had been coming up, and Lucas had mentioned on the phone casually that he'd found something perfect for her and already put in the order.

She'd secretly looked forward to it for a long time, thinking it would be her birthday gift.

But her birthday came and went. The gift never showed up.

She'd tried to ask about it indirectly, but Lucas had just brushed her off.

So... it wasn't that he never got it. It was never meant for me in the first place.

Lucas took the necklace out of the box, walked behind Riley, and helped her put it on with an intimate gesture.

He was focused, even visibly gentle.

After he fastened the necklace, he stepped back and looked at her collarbone. His gaze was soft.

"It suits you," he said quietly, his tone full of satisfaction.

Only at that moment did Sophia truly realize—her own grand preparation today was really out of place.

Sophia was so jealous that she could go crazy.

Riley could naturally feel the burning gaze from beside her, like it might pierce right through her.

But honestly, she didn't like the fishtail dress, and she didn't like the pearl necklace either.

The dress was Lucas' taste. The pearls were his idea of what suited her.

They both felt like invisible labels, reminding her that her role here was just an accessory to match his status.

In the end, Sophia gave in. "Lucas, I think I'll go change. This dress is too much. It's not right."

Without waiting for his response, she picked up her skirt and left.

Lucas watched her go, frowning slightly, but didn't say anything.

If Sophia realized it herself and decided to change, that saves me the trouble.

Not long after, Sophia came back in a simple midnight-blue velvet gown.

She wasn't wearing any jewelry.

Lucas' attention finally shifted from Riley to her.

This is more like the thoughtful girl I remember.

Sophia caught the change in his expression and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

She was about to say something soft when Riley spoke up. "Sophia, isn't that a little too plain?"

Riley's voice was light and cool. "It's the Quinn family's banquet tonight. Everyone will be dressed up. Do you not have any proper jewelry? That's okay—I have a lot. I could lend you some."

"No, thank you, Riley. That's kind of you to offer," Sophia explained calmly. "I brought my own jewelry. But there will be so many people at the banquet, and things can get messy. I'm afraid I might lose it, so I'll keep it in my bag and put it on once we're inside."

Actually, she was afraid that if she put it on now, Riley would see it and she'd get caught.

The Quinn family's banquet was held at Birmingham Manor, the most exclusive venue in the city center.

Before getting out of the car, Lucas turned his head specifically and said, "The Quinn family's banquet has tight security. You need an invitation to get in. Once we're out of the car, stay close to me. Don't wander off."

"Got it, Lucas," Sophia said obediently. But behind her lowered eyelids, a faint, unreadable glint flickered.

Just then, the phone in Riley's clutch rang unexpectedly.

She took it out and glanced at the screen—an unfamiliar international number.

Riley frowned slightly but answered anyway.

As soon as the call connected, a male voice with perfect diction came through. "Hello, is this Ms. Riley Harper? This is the Customs and Immigration Bureau. We have a document regarding your overseas asset declaration that requires urgent verification. Please cooperate with our review."

Immigration Bureau?

Riley's frown deepened.

Her overseas accounts and assets had always been in order. Why would they need urgent verification now?

"Does it have to be right now?" She tried to be patient. "I'm in the middle of something. I can't talk. Can you call back in an hour?"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Harper, but this is very urgent. It concerns your credit record. Delaying could cause unnecessary problems." The agent's tone was unusually firm—no room for negotiation. "It will only take a few minutes."

Since he put it that way, Riley couldn't really refuse.

She gestured to Lucas, walked a few steps away with her phone, and found a relatively quiet corner.

Lucas and Sophia stood by the car, waiting.

The night breeze was cool.

Sophia, wearing only a thin velvet gown, quickly started feeling cold.

She hugged her arms instinctively, shivered, and said to Lucas, "Lucas, the wind is really strong out here. I'm getting cold... Maybe we should go inside and wait for Riley?"

Lucas glanced at Riley, still on the phone not far away, and frowned, "If we go in, she won't have an invitation when she's done. She won't be able to get in."