From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 207: Unexpected Connections

"Got it." Riley's smile faded, turning serious. "Anyone who can keep Mrs. Harper wrapped around their finger even after the real daughter came home is clearly no pushover. I'll be careful. I'll try to feel Raymond out when I get the chance."

"Good."

They chatted a little longer until Riley let out a tired yawn and mumbled something about needing sleep before quickly hanging up. Just as Sebastian was turning to head back inside, his phone screen lit up—a new friend request had popped up on WhatsApp.

He frowned.

He never added strangers on his personal account. Whoever this was probably got his number through mutual contacts.

He tapped the notification.

It was from Elsie. She'd attached a long note along with the request.

"Hi Mr. Torres, this is Elsie, Riley's sister. Sorry to reach out like this—I got your number from my brother Raymond. Since my sister didn't grow up with us, we're not very close, and I really want to understand her better... what she's like, what she enjoys. I heard you've spent some time with her lately, and I was hoping you could tell me a bit about her, so maybe we can grow closer in the future."

Grow closer in the future. What a nice way to put it.

Anyone who didn't know the whole story might have been touched by how sincere she sounded. But to Sebastian, it felt way too calculated.

In his world, once he'd decided Riley was his, there was no room for anyone else trying to weasel their way in—especially not under the guise of "family," hiding shady intentions behind sweet words.

His thumb hovered over the screen.

Without a second thought, he hit Decline.

*****

The next morning, Riley woke up and tested her ankle cautiously. To her relief, the sharp pain had faded to a dull, manageable ache.

After a quick shower and getting ready, she stepped out of the temporary housing unit and made her way to the site office.

Inside, Anne and Calvin were already there, leaning over a desk and deep in discussion.

When Anne spotted Riley, she hurried over, barely containing her excitement. "Riley, you were right! Thanks to what you suggested yesterday, we've pretty much resolved the issues with the locals who were causing trouble. There really was someone behind the scenes stirring the pot—spreading rumors and getting everyone worked up."

The outcome was just about what Riley had expected.

She nodded calmly. "Mobs are easy to gather and easy to scatter. Once you address their main concerns and clear up the confusion, the rest is manageable. They won't escalate things."

Her eyes drifted past Anne to the stack of folders on the desk. "Now let's take a look at the ones who are still holding out."

"Everything's right here," Anne said, handing her a thick file. "These families are tough. They won't listen to reason—our team has been by a few times and couldn't even get through the door."

Riley took the folder and started flipping through. Each sheet was detailed, noting family makeup, financial standing, local ties, and even brief personality notes.

Then her finger paused on one particular page.

She raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"This family..." She pointed to a line on the form and looked up, disbelief in her eyes. "Why on earth would the Edwards family refuse to relocate? And they're demanding an outrageous buyout sum?"

Both Anne and Calvin had been assigned from Nexopolis' corporate office. They weren't familiar with Havenbrook's local scene or its power players.

They leaned in to look. "What's the issue? The file says they're just a retired couple—nothing unusual in their background."

Riley pulled the page out and tapped a name listed under family members. "It says the son's name is Brandon. Do you know who Brandon Edwards is?"

Anne and Calvin exchanged blank looks and shook their heads.

Riley took a slow breath. "Brandon is the founder and CEO of Universal Corp. He's Havenbrook's biggest name in entertainment right now—half the media outlets and talent agencies in town answer to him. In the entertainment world, what he says goes."

She looked up at their stunned faces. "A billionaire media mogul... and his parents are digging in their heels over a few million in relocation money?"

"No way..." Anne fumbled for her phone and typed Brandon into the search bar.

Dozens of photos flashed up—Brandon at galas, charity events, high-profile industry panels. Every article mentioned billion-dollar deals and market-shifting strategies.

Anne's expression shifted from doubt to shock.

"It really is him," she murmured, as if her whole understanding of the situation had just been upended.