From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 253: Grandfather's Stern Return

Lucas stammered, his voice trembling. "G-Grandpa? W-Why have you come back so suddenly?"

Caleb lifted his gaze. Sharp as an eagle's despite his advanced age, his eyes swept coldly over Lucas before settling on Jeremy in his arms and Sophia standing close beside him.

He slammed his cane hard against the pavement with a heavy thud. "If I hadn't come back unannounced, how would I ever find out what shameful secrets my own grandson has been hiding from me?"

Cowed by Caleb's overwhelming aura, Sophia paled instantly. She forced a timid, ingratiating tone. "M-Mr—"

"Silence!" Caleb cut her off sharply, undisguised disgust etched across his face. "Do I even know you?"

His thunderous rebuke sent Jeremy bursting into loud, frightened tears.

Drawn by the commotion, Julian and Anthea rushed outside. Stunned by the tense standoff unfolding before them, they froze in place, lost for words.

Caleb's weathered eyes held the calm clarity of someone who saw through every hidden lie.

Turning to his assistant beside him, he spoke in a quiet, authoritative tone, "All this noise is unbearable. Take the boy to preschool at once."

"Understood, Mr. Ashford." The assistant bowed slightly, gesturing for two bodyguards to step forward.

One reached out to take Jeremy from Lucas' arms, but the child clung tightly to Lucas' collar, screaming and kicking in protest, "I don't want to go! I want Daddy! Don't take me away!"

"Take him away," Caleb repeated coldly, his face hard as stone.

The bodyguards did not hesitate, lifting the crying boy into one of the waiting cars.

Lucas and Sophia hung their heads low, like prisoners awaiting judgment, their breaths shallow and cautious.

"Inside," Caleb ordered flatly, striding toward the villa first.

They followed closely behind him, each step feeling as though they trod on shards of glass.

Exchanging terrified glances, Julian and Anthea had no choice but to trail after them as well.

Inside the spacious living room, Caleb walked straight to the single armchair reserved as the household head's seat and sat down firmly, resting his cane against the side.

His cold gaze swept over his disappointing son and daughter-in-law first. The weight of his disappointment and silent pressure made Julian and Anthea drop their heads in shame, not daring to make a sound.

He then glanced around the empty living room, finding no sign of Riley.

"Where is Riley?"

Three simple words carried more weight than any loud shout.

Julian and Anthea shuddered, too afraid to reply.

Lucas lowered his head further, swallowing hard before forcing an explanation. "Grandpa... I transferred the villa at Louvian Port to her a while ago. She enjoys the peace and quiet there, so she's staying temporarily, coming back to visit now and then."

Desperate to sound convincing, he added unnecessarily, "There's no need to worry. Our relationship is still perfectly fine."

"Perfectly fine?" Caleb's voice rose sharply. "Do you take me for blind or deaf? What did you swear to me before I left abroad? I arranged your marriage to Riley to settle your wild ways, to have a dignified, capable lady of the house worthy of our name—not to use her as a shield for your reckless affairs!

"I made my terms clear before leaving the country. No contact whatsoever with Sophia for five years. Break that rule, and you forfeit your place at Ashford Group—plenty of others would gladly take your heir position.

"Yet barely half the five years have passed. Not only did you bring her back behind my back, but you dare flaunt an unknown child under my own roof?

"Lucas, do you truly think I've grown too old to discipline you?"

Lucas had no defense left, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

Sophia bit her lower lip hard, burning under Caleb's unmasked contempt. The air felt thick and suffocating around her.

A reckless thought flashed through her mind in that moment.

Why not lay all my cards on the table? Admit outright that Jeremy is Lucas' flesh and blood, a true Ashford descendant. Force Caleb to accept the reality.

Surely he would never turn his back on his own great-grandson.

Yet the impulse faded as quickly as it came.

Caleb's icy, unforgiving demeanor left no room for bargaining.

A confession now would bring no benefits. She and Jeremy would likely be cast out of Havenbrook without a second thought.

She could not afford to take that risk.

In an instant decision, Sophia got down before Caleb, tears streaming down her delicate face.

"Please don't blame Lucas. All of this is my fault.

"Lucas only took pity on us, a lonely mother and child with no one to rely on. He brought us here to care for us. I've told him time and again it's improper, that it would only bring trouble to Riley... but he's far too kind-hearted to turn us away."