From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 293: Smoke and Mirrors

Lucas offered a placating smile. "You're making too much of this, Mr. Watson. This isn't about distrust. Quite the opposite—it shows how serious we are about the future of this venture."

He retrieved a supplementary document detailing the company's ownership structure and slid it across the polished table. "The legal representative is indeed my wife, Riley Harper. But let's be clear: this is no ordinary small firm. It's a newly established, fully-funded subsidiary of the Ashford Group, created specifically for overseas investment and expansion. Our goal is to channel broader international resources and perspectives into this partnership through this dedicated platform.

"If anything seems off, Mr. Watson, by all means, have your team verify the corporate hierarchy right now. We have nothing to hide."

Anthony picked up the document, his eyes scanning the lines of text and organizational charts.

The explanation was logical, tidy even. But years in the cutthroat world of business had honed his instincts to a sharp edge; he never took anything at face value. A slight nod toward his secretary was all it took. The man understood immediately, excusing himself with his phone already in hand to conduct a swift, discreet background check.

A heavy silence settled over the conference room. Lucas seemed unfazed, calmly lifting his coffee cup for a sip. His composure was absolute, as if the outcome of the verification was a foregone conclusion.

Roughly ten minutes later, the secretary returned. He bent to whisper a few words into his employer's ear.

Anthony's stern expression softened visibly, the last traces of skepticism dissolving from his gaze.

Picking up the agreement once more, he offered a slow, knowing smile. "It appears you were telling the truth. The connection to Ashford Group is solid, no issues there."

He extended his hand across the table. "Let's proceed, then. To a successful partnership. And my congratulations, Mr. Ashford. It's quite something to have a partner you trust enough to handle such significant overseas interests."

Lucas' eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly as he returned the handshake with a perfectly measured, professional smile.

The deal was sealed.

As lawyers and project managers from both sides began huddling over the finer details, Riley remained, on the surface, blissfully unaware of her husband's financial maneuvering.

The major contract bearing her company's name might as well have belonged to a stranger. All follow-up work for the newly signed project was seamlessly handed over to Sophia.

Finally involved in a core Ashford Group initiative and wielding legitimate authority, she radiated vindicated excitement through her demeanor.

Meanwhile, Lucas underwent a transformation of his own, reverting to a version of the man deeply in love with his wife. An attentive, considerate version.

He showered Riley with a long-absent gentleness, and in a move presented as romantic deference, entrusted her with the countless decisions for their upcoming ceremony. "I want every detail to be yours," he'd say, his voice dripping with sincerity.

From the theme of the venue decor to the selection of ceremony music, no choice was too small for her approval. These "sweet burdens" effectively monopolized Riley's time and energy, creating a buffer that left her no opportunity to inquire about the project's specifics.

Engulfed in this meticulously crafted schedule, she could not make the trip back to Louvian Port. Nearly three days had passed since she'd last seen Sebastian.

Yet it was precisely during these three days of calm that unseen currents began to gather force beneath the placid surface of the business world.

Anthony found himself facing unexpected setbacks. Polite but firm rejections arrived in succession from both the Harper Group and the Torres Group—two of the most robust potential partners for the venture.

Their sudden withdrawal blew a massive hole in the project's funding, jeopardizing its launch.

Frustrated and scrambling, Anthony began arranging frequent meetings with Lucas. His conversations grew pointed, subtly lobbying for the Ashford Group to inject more capital to fill the growing financial void.

Lucas was no fool. With the practiced ease of a seasoned player, he sidestepped the pressure, citing recent liquidity constraints within the Ashford Group as his reason for declining to invest further.

Sophia, privy to these discussions, saw a different opportunity.

During a private moment, she ventured her opinion. "Lucas, isn't this a chance we should take? A bit of a gamble? If we put more in now while they're desperate, we gain more control. The payoff could be huge if the project succeeds."

Lucas snapped, his patience thin, "You don't know what you're talking about. More investment means taking on bank loans. In this economic climate, high debt is an anchor. If our core business hits a rough patch, that loan could sink us. Business isn't a casino. We don't bet on impulse."

The sharp rebuke left Sophia flushed with humiliation, her ambitious ideas thoroughly quashed. She fell silent, nursing her wounded pride.

That same afternoon, Riley emerged from a consultation with a high-end event planner, her mind buzzing with endless options for floral arrangements and linen colors.

A wave of mental exhaustion washed over her. All she wanted was a quiet corner to sit and let her thoughts settle.

She wandered into a nearby café, its interior elegantly understated. Sinking into a secluded seat in the corner, Riley let out a slow breath. As her eyes absently scanned the room, her body went rigid.