From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 125: So Meaningful

Without even thinking, he pushed Sophia off on Riley again.

Riley just gave a small nod. "Go ahead."

Lucas muttered a quick apology to Amanda and the others, then turned and walked away quickly.

Once he left, the atmosphere in that little circle got even more tense.

It didn't take long for Sophia to crack.

"Riley," she said. "My assistant waited for you at the entrance for a long time. He never saw you. So without an invitation—how did you actually get in?"

Then, like she was afraid the women around her wouldn't understand, she answered her own question with a dramatic, knowing tone. "Wait... Don't tell me you snuck in on someone else's invitation? Or maybe you pretended to be someone's guest?"

She frowned and gave Riley a look of disapproval—like what Riley had done was completely shameful.

Riley is nothing. Just a woman living off the Ashford family. Without Lucas, she's nobody.

If I didn't see her at the entrance, and my assistant didn't either, then she must have used some dirty trick to get back in here.

If I expose her in front of Amanda and these top-tier ladies, I can step right over her and win them back.

But Riley just blinked first. Then she slowly lifted her champagne glass to her lips and took a small, elegant sip.

"Sophia," she said, "I've told you before. Don't open your mouth when you don't know what you're talking about. It just makes you look... clueless."

Sophia's face went pale instantly.

Riley didn't give her a chance to argue back. She kept going in that slow, measured voice of hers. "What kind of banquet do you think the Quinn family is hosting tonight?

"The security at the entrance checks everyone. It's so strict you couldn't even get a fly through that door. If all it took was some cheap trick to get in, what kind of event would this be?

"What, is this some kind of low-rent, back-alley party for third-rate celebrities and wannabe influencers?"

Sophia's face froze solid.

All her hard work in the entertainment industry—the status she'd fought for—suddenly sounded like a cheap joke, thanks to Riley's casual little comment.

She could feel everyone's eyes on her now.

"Speaking of which," Amanda chimed in. She swirled her wine glass and let her eyes drift lazily over Sophia's frozen face. Her voice had a hint of nostalgia. "I used to really enjoy watching you act. You're actually quite talented. Especially that one show—Big Times. I watched it several times at home. You were really good in it."

Now, Sophia really couldn't keep it together.

Every woman there knew Big Times. It had been a massive hit.

That was the show that made Sophia famous—she played the second lead.

But the character she played? A scheming mistress who clawed her way up from nothing, desperate to marry into a wealthy family. She destroyed the hero's marriage by any means necessary. And in the end, the wife caught up with her on the street and beat her to death.

Amanda chose this exact moment to compliment how well Sophia played that role. The message was loud and clear.

It was basically Amanda pointing a finger at Sophia's face and saying, "You're just like that character—on screen and off."

Sophia was so angry that she gritted her teeth. But on the outside, she had to force out a humble smile.

"You're too kind, Amanda," Sophia said. Her voice was tight, but she held the smile. "An actor's job is to serve the role. I'm honored that you liked it."

And it still wasn't over.

Riley's eyes suddenly landed on the diamond magnolia necklace around Sophia's neck.

She stared at it for a second. Then she spoke, calm. "Sophia, that jewelry you're wearing..."

Sophia's heart shot straight into her throat.

She jumped in before Riley could finish—like a reflex. "Riley, don't get the wrong idea." Sophia blurted out. "This—this set is a birthday gift from Lucas. He bought the rough stone at an auction and had a jeweler custom-make it for me. That's all. There's nothing else to it."

Riley listened to her frantic explanation. Then her smile grew wider.

She drew out her words nice and slow. "Oh? You sure about that?"

That look in her eyes—so meaningful—was stroking Sophia's raw nerves over and over.

But to Sophia, Riley's whole act just screamed jealousy.

Fine. She's already seen the jewelry. No point hiding it now.

Sophia made up her mind. She decided to just own it.

The panic on her face vanished and was replaced by something that looked almost apologetic. "Yes," Sophia said, looking at Riley. "Lucas puts a lot of thought into my birthday gift every year. Riley, I know this set looks expensive, and I'm sure it doesn't sit well with you.

"But... Lucas already gave you his black card, didn't he? And he transferred several villas to your name all at once. Those are worth way more than this jewelry set. You should be grateful. You've got plenty. Surely you're not going to fight me over a birthday gift, too, are you?"