From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 156: Digging Deeper

A cold smirk lingered on Riley's lips.

She had never been one to just sit back and let life happen to her.

If Sophia was willing to swallow her pride and publicly label herself a single mom—all to put out that flimsy statement and protect Lucas—then it told Riley one thing: Jeremy's true identity was Sophia's weak spot.

Digging deeper into who Jeremy really was would definitely turn up something surprising.

Now things were getting interesting.

She wanted to see what other secrets were hiding behind that name.

Just as Riley was turning these thoughts over, her phone buzzed again.

Sebastian's second message popped up right after the first. "You're not in this alone. Anything I can do to help?"

Looking at those brief but solid words on the screen, Riley didn't hesitate. She typed back quickly, "Yes.

"Can you find me a completely confidential DNA testing facility? It has to be totally airtight—somewhere the Ashford family would never catch wind of."

Without asking for details, Sebastian replied fast, "Consider it done. I'll send you the address and contact info soon. I can handle the testing process and everything afterward. You won't need to show up."

Riley had just finished texting Sebastian when her desk phone rang.

It was Lucas' assistant. "Riley, Mr. Ashford would like to see you in his office."

"Got it," Riley replied calmly before hanging up.

It didn't take long for Riley to reach the executive office.

She pushed the door open and saw that Sophia was already there.

Lucas was seated behind his large desk, his expression unreadable.

Sophia stood off to the side, wearing a carefully crafted look of distress.

When Sophia noticed Riley enter, she hurried over with quick, small steps, her eyes already glistening with oncue tears.

"Riley..." Sophia's voice cracked perfectly, layered with guilt. "I'm so sorry. Because of me and Jeremy, you and Lucas argued... and then all that awful stuff happened online. I feel terrible for everything you've been put through."

As she spoke, Sophia reached out as if to take Riley's hand, but pulled back halfway—like she was afraid of being pushed away. The whole act was so cautious and timid it could've softened anyone watching.

"As long as you come home and you and Lucas are okay, I don't matter," she said, lifting her teary eyes to Riley with what looked like total sincerity. "I can... take Jeremy and move out for a while, right away. I won't be in your lives anymore. Please don't let us come between your marriage."

Riley smiled coldly to herself.

What a performance. So selfsacrificing for the greater good.

With skills like that, it was almost a shame she wasn't going for her third Oscar.

"Move out for a while." As if it wasn't even her home to begin with—just some little love nest Lucas had set up for her.

But on the surface, Riley looked genuinely moved. She reached out and took Sophia's hand.

"Sophia, what are you talking about?" Riley's voice was warm, almost springlike, though her eyes showed no emotion. "I just saw your statement. Honestly, this is on me. I was so out of the loop. I had no idea Jeremy's biological father... had passed away."

She gave the back of Sophia's hand a gentle, sisterly pat.

"Here I was, always asking who the father was. That was so thoughtless of me." Riley's face took on an increasingly convincing look of regret before her tone shifted subtly. "How about this—when Memorial Day comes around, or really any quiet weekend, you tell me where his resting place is. I'll go myself, bring some flowers, and apologize to him properly.

"That way he won't be thinking I mistreated his family. I'd hate for him to be upset... or to pay me a visit in my dreams asking for answers. That wouldn't be good for anyone."

Sophia's face changed. The carefully maintained sorrow shattered in an instant.

How could she possibly tell Riley where the grave was? That person didn't even exist.

Riley's words sounded considerate, but they were really backing her into a corner—forcing her to keep building on a story that was never true.

"No... that's really not necessary!" Sophia finally managed, voice strained. "He wasn't like that. He wouldn't blame you."

She pulled her hand back as if Riley's touch stung, retreating like Riley was something dangerous.

One more second under that knowing gaze and she was sure she'd slip up.

"Lucas, Riley... I'll let you two talk." Sophia dabbed at the corner of her eye where no tears had actually fallen. "I shouldn't be in the way. I'll head back downstairs to work."

With that, she hurried out of the office and disappeared down the hall.

Lucas had watched the whole exchange in silence. Only now did he rise from behind his desk.

He walked slowly toward Riley, his eyes clouded with complicated emotion.

"Riley," he said, his voice low. "Who were you with last night?"

In the end, he just couldn't hold it in anymore.

Riley's red lips curved into a smile, her gaze holding nothing but open defiance.