From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 289: Proxy Signature

Riley turned towards Sebastian, the fire still burning in her eyes. "I thought the plan was to not sign it at all?"

It seemed the most straightforward and effective countermove she could think of.

Without a word, Sebastian reached for the agreement. He pulled his custom pen from his pocket, gave it a deft twirl in the air, and proceeded to sign the name "Riley Harper" in the blank space for the signatory.

A confused frown creased Riley's brow as she watched him.

"Why would you rush to hand him a tool to screw me over?" she demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at the document now bearing her forged name. Her displeasure was plain.

Sebastian's expression remained utterly calm, as if he'd just performed a trivial, everyday task.

He recapped his pen with an elegant, unhurried motion.

"It has your name on it. But did you sign it?" he said, his tone light. His deep, perceptive gaze settled on her face, holding a knowing look that seemed to see right through the situation.

The implication hit Riley like a physical jolt.

Her body stiffened momentarily before understanding dawned, brightening her eyes. A slow smile curved her lips, replacing the earlier tension.

The delegation agreement now carried her name, but the handwriting was unmistakably not her own.

If any future risks materialized and liability needed to be traced, the stark "Riley" on the page would hold no legal weight against her personally.

Even if Lucas, with all his resources, somehow proved the signature was Sebastian's, so what?

At worst, Sebastian could be accused of forging a signature—a minor transgression with no direct financial gain for him. It would be dismissed as a mere prank, posing no real legal threat.

"You're definitely the quick thinker here," Riley said, a genuine smile finally appearing.

She had to admit, in critical moments like these, Sebastian's insight and problem-solving skills were in a league of their own.

Sebastian gave a soft chuckle, a gentle warmth flowing into his eyes. "It's not about me being clever. You're in the thick of it—it's easy to miss the forest for the trees. Sometimes, an outside perspective is clearer."

What he didn't say was the private satisfaction he felt.

Lucas' blatant trap, however malicious, had cleanly severed the last fraying thread of sentiment between him and Riley.

No matter how nostalgic she might have been, this episode ensured she would show Lucas no further mercy.

That, in his book, was a very good thing.

At least he wouldn't have to worry about her being deceived by that hypocrite anymore.

*****

That afternoon, Riley returned to the Ashford Group headquarters.

Clutching the agreement endorsed by Sebastian's hand, she pushed open the door to Lucas' office.

He was seated behind his desk, immersed in paperwork.

Her unexpected return caught him off guard.

He had braced for delays, evasions—demands for legal review, requests to verify clauses, or a list of additional conditions.

However, he never anticipated her coming back so soon, the document seemingly in hand.

"Changed your mind?" Lucas asked, setting his pen down.

Riley placed the agreement lightly on the desk before him. "All considered. It looks fine to me."

Lucas picked it up, his eyes scanning down to the signature line.

The sight of the clear "Riley Harper" scripted there stirred a complex whirl of emotions within him.

Her compliance was startling.

So, she still trusts me this completely.

The thought brought a twisted mix of triumph and a pang of guilt for exploiting that very trust.

"Are you... sure you don't want to think about it more?" The question escaped him almost involuntarily.

Riley gave a slight shake of her head. A faint, cool smile touched her lips, not reaching her eyes, which held a distant frost.

"No need. After all, I trust what we have. I believe you won't let me down," she said, layering her voice with feigned sincerity.

The wave of guilt within Lucas crested higher.

He stood, came around the desk, and took her hands in his, gripping them tightly.

"You have my word, Riley. I won't let you down," he vowed, his tone earnest.

Feeling the warmth of his grasp, Riley met his intense gaze. The corner of her mouth twitched imperceptibly.

The cheapest thing in the world must be a man's casually given promise.

She offered no argument, merely withdrew her hands gently, and nodded with a compliant smile.

*****

By evening, Riley was back at Ashford Manor.

"How's the project review coming along?" Caleb inquired without preamble as she entered.

Riley replied, settling onto the sofa with an air of calm, "Progressing. Did some background research. Appears manageable for now. Risks exist, but they seem controllable."

She kept her answer vague, omitting any mention of the power of attorney or the signature that now adorned it.

Caleb gave a brief, approving nod, asking no further questions.

For him, the priority was the project's smooth advancement and the effective mitigation of risks. Who acted as the fall guy or who reaped the rewards were secondary details, irrelevant as long as the final outcome served the Ashford family's interests.