From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 287: Weight of Choice

Caleb remarked, his tone dripping with disdain as he glanced at Lucas, "Even if she gets entangled in that financial crime case, the worst she'd face is a criminal record and exile from the business world.

"Sophia's in the entertainment industry—it's not her only path. She could always settle for a quiet life at home. Besides, a woman like her, once she's taken a fall, would only cling to us with greater loyalty."

His words were sharp, each one striking a nerve.

Lucas fell silent, any argument stuck in his throat. Deep down, resistance still simmered, yet a seed of doubt had been planted.

He knew Caleb's intentions were for the good of the Ashford family, and for his own sake—but this "good" came at Sophia's expense.

"Grandpa, I... I need to think it over," he finally managed to say, the words feeling like gravel in his mouth. Almost fleeing, he turned and left Caleb's study.

The moment Lucas stepped out and rounded the corner into the living room, however, the sight before him halted him in his tracks.

There on the living room rug sat Sophia, gently guiding young Jeremy through a drawing. The boy looked up at his mother, asking a question, and a soft, tender smile graced Sophia's lips, her eyes filled with unmistakable affection.

The scene was a portrait of domestic warmth, striking Lucas directly in his most vulnerable spot.

She appeared so gentle, so entirely unaware of the storm gathering around her.

Officially, Lucas had always declared Riley to be his wife, the rightful Mrs. Ashford in the eyes of the world.

Yet in reality, it was Sophia who had stood by his side, who had borne his child.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance.

Back in his bedroom, Lucas sank onto the edge of the bed, surrounded by darkness that mirrored the chaos in his mind.

Caleb's cold, calculated proposal for the family's benefit clashed violently with the memory of Sophia's gentle smile.

Torn and struggling, he couldn't reach a decision, the internal conflict threatening to tear him apart.

His gaze drifted absently to the nightstand, landing on a framed photo of Riley and himself.

In it, Riley wore a faint smile, but her eyes held a distinct aloofness.

Lucas' breath caught.

Caleb's words echoed in his mind once more.

A new, twisted thought began to form.

What if the contract is signed under Riley's name? Let her shoulder the risks of this venture...

If things go south, wouldn't she be the one rendered unemployable in the business world? Wouldn't her celebrated talents and pride be utterly shattered?

Then perhaps she would have no choice but to stay by my side forever, dependent, unable to leave—unable to make me feel this unsettling loss of control as she does now.

A flicker of something warped kindled in Lucas' eyes, which had been clouded with hesitation.

*****

The next morning, Riley arrived at Ashford Group.

As expected, the moment she approached her office, Trevor appeared, speaking in a hushed, respectful tone, "Riley, Mr. Ashford would like to see you."

Riley gave a slight nod and pushed open the door to the CEO's office.

She had braced herself for an immediate interrogation about her whereabouts the previous night.

Instead, Lucas acted as if the incident had never occurred, his face adorned with a perfectly pleasant smile.

"Riley, there you are," he said, his voice dripping with a feigned intimacy that suggested no rift had ever existed between them.

Riley responded with a cool acknowledgment, stopping before his desk.

She was determined to see what game he was playing now.

Lucas motioned for her to sit, then picked up a document from his desk and slid it toward her.

"Take a look at this," he said.

Riley glanced down. The words "Power of Attorney" stood out boldly on the cover page.

Every instinct within her went on high alert.

Picking up the file, Riley began to read carefully, her frown deepening with each line.

It was an authorization to establish a new company in her name and handle all subsequent operational matters through a third party.

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, closing the file and lifting her eyes to meet his, her guard firmly up.

She didn't believe for a second that the man who had been slamming doors in fury last night had suddenly decided to bestow gifts upon her.

Lucas' gaze was deceptively tender.

He circled the desk to stand beside her.

"Riley, do you remember? I promised you a grand, public proposal."

"I've been thinking..." He began, his fingers lightly brushing a strand of her hair. "You've given so much to my family over the years, and I feel I've given you too little in return.

"So, I thought I'd set up a branch company in your name and transfer a portion of my Ashford Group shares to you. Consider it... a belated gift for your effort."

The Riley of the past might have been moved by this seemingly overdue recognition.

After all, a man willing to entrust his own shares and the control of a new venture to his wife would appear, to many, as an act of absolute trust and devotion.

But the Riley seated before him now was guarded to an unprecedented degree.

She knew Lucas was no man of genuine affection. Beneath his show of generosity was, without a doubt, a deeper, far more calculated ploy.