From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 157: Defiance and Suspicion

"Just like you thought," she said, her voice deliberately slow and tinted with implication. "I was with a tall, handsome guy who had... impressive stamina."

Sure enough, Lucas' expression darkened almost instantly.

But within seconds, it eased again.

"Come on, Riley, you're joking," he replied, shaking his head lightly. "I know you wouldn't actually cheat on me."

In his mind, Riley was still the woman who revolved around him—she wouldn't dare betray him. This was just her way of acting out to get his attention.

Lucas took a deep breath, as if deciding to let this harmless taunt slide. He started trying to smooth things over.

"Alright, enough now," he said, softening his tone. He even reached out as if to touch her shoulder. "Since Sophia cleared things up publicly, and Jeremy isn't my son... we can move past this, can't you? You've made your point."

Just before his fingers could reach her, Riley took a subtle step back, leaving his hand hanging in the air.

Lucas' brow tightened briefly. "So when are you moving back home? Seriously, Riley, stop this. Let's just go back to how things were."

He felt he was being more than reasonable.

But Riley only shook her head.

"You still don't get it, Lucas," she said calmly.

"What Sophia posted only fixed the public story—it saved your reputation for now. But it didn't fix us. Our issues run deeper than some online statement. So no, this isn't over.

"And I'm not coming back anytime soon."

Lucas frowned deeply, frustration creeping into his eyes.

He couldn't understand why she kept resisting when, to him, the problem was clearly resolved. He searched for explanations within his own worldview.

"Is this still about how my parents treated you last time?" he tried.

"They're from a different generation—they say things without thinking. If that's what's holding you back, I can have them stay at the vacation house for a while. Give you space. Once you're ready, I'll bring them back."

He sounded almost earnest.

A faint, mocking glint passed through Riley's clear eyes.

"Don't bother," she said flatly. "No need to go through all that. Besides...

"The more you push for me to come back now, the more it makes me wonder...

"What are you so desperate to hide behind this hurry?"

Lucas' breath hitched for a second.

"What... what are you talking about?" He recovered quickly, masking his brief panic with a tone of irritation. "I want you back because you're my wife. We're married—what's strange about that?"

"Oh, really?" Riley's lips curved slightly.

"Then where are you staying now?" Lucas shifted tactics. "If you won't come home, fine—I'll stay with you. You're at your apartment, right?"

Riley looked at him with feigned surprise. "Are you sure?"

"It's not exactly a penthouse," she went on. "The security's decent but nothing special, and privacy isn't great. The whole place is smaller than the guest wing at your family's estate. No smart-home system, no climate-controlled wine cellar, and definitely no staff around 24/7 to fetch you a drink."

With each detail she listed, the tension in Lucas' eyes faded bit by bit, replaced by something closer to relief.

She wasn't really cutting him off—she was testing his commitment. She wanted to see how far he'd go.

That realization made him feel back in control, like he'd found a way to win her back.

"Doesn't matter," he said quickly. "As long as I'm with you, I don't care where we live."

Watching the resolve reignite in his eyes, Riley smirked inwardly.

She didn't reply. Instead, she left him with nothing but an ambiguous, lingering smile.

"Well... I won't keep Mr. Ashford from his work any longer," she said lightly.

As she walked away, Lucas let out a long, slow breath, feeling a heavy weight lift from his shoulders.

He had no idea what lay behind that smile.

Just then, he finally remembered the real business he'd put on hold earlier. He pressed the intercom button, his voice returning to its usual authoritative tone.

"Notify all shareholders—emergency board meeting in thirty minutes. And bring the new project proposal with Aiden's company to the conference room, now."

Riley didn't attend the shareholder meeting Lucas called.

To her, it was just a formality—something Lucas had to do to secure his position and reassure his partners.

As for how it played out, or who ended up in charge, none of it concerned her anymore.

She wasn't the same Riley who'd exhaust herself just to earn a place within Ashford Group.

Sophia went to the meeting as the marketing department's representative.

A little over an hour later, Sophia strode back into the marketing floor, chin held high, confidence in her step.

Riley was quietly reviewing some documents at her desk when Sophia stopped nearby.

"Must be nice, Riley," Sophia said, unable to hide her satisfaction. "Getting to sit things out like this."

Her tone was light, almost breezy, but her meaning hung clearly in the air.