From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 299: Severe Shock

Despite working in the entertainment industry, her social circle was remarkably small. The only man she was ever close to was Lucas.

That so-called "first love" was nothing but a fabricated figure!

As Caleb finished reading, a violent rush of blood surged to his head.

But the initial wave of fury was quickly drowned by an overwhelming tide of exhaustion.

At that moment, he seemed to age years.

His shoulders slumped as he slowly sank back into the leather chair that symbolized his authority, yet now he felt none of its power, only a vast, desolate emptiness.

A man who prided himself on a lifetime of shrewdness and control had, in the end, been thoroughly manipulated by those closest to him.

Caleb sat motionless in the dimly lit study, a statue frozen in time, as the sunlight outside shifted from gentle morning rays to the harsh glare of midday.

He didn't appear all morning, nor did he come down for lunch—an unprecedented breach in the Ashford family's rigid routine.

Servants knocked on his door several times, but received no answer.

Growing concerned, Lucas learned from a maid that Caleb had locked himself in the study since early morning.

Remembering the icy tension when Riley returned last night, he assumed his grandfather was still upset with her. Hoping to smooth things over, Lucas carried a cup of coffee upstairs.

He knocked lightly on the heavy oak door. "Grandpa, may I come in?"

Silence.

A knot of unease tightened in Lucas' chest. Without waiting, he pushed the door open.

The scene inside made his blood run cold. The coffee cup slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor.

Caleb was slumped face-down across the massive desk, papers scattered beneath him. He was utterly unconscious, his complexion a frightening shade of pallor.

"Grandpa!"

Terrified, Lucas rushed forward, his hand trembling as he felt for a pulse. The faint, shallow breath he detected nearly broke him.

"Someone! Help! Get the family doctor, now!"

The Ashford Manor plunged into chaos.

*****

Meanwhile, Riley was downtown at a newly opened five-star hotel, inspecting one of its ballrooms.

Just as she finalized the booking with the manager, her phone rang. The caller ID showed Nelson.

"Mrs. Riley Ashford, it's terrible! Mr. Caleb Ashford has collapsed in his study. They're rushing him to the hospital!"

Riley froze.

Though she felt little warmth left for the Ashfords, Caleb was still a respectable elder. She couldn't simply ignore this.

She excused herself and hurried to the private hospital.

By the time she arrived, the family was already gathered outside the emergency room.

Anthea sat weeping quietly, while Lucas paced restlessly, his face etched with worry.

In a corner, Sophia held Jeremy close, her head bowed in a show of meekness that couldn't quite hide a flicker of guilt.

Riley's sharp eyes missed nothing. She walked straight over to Sophia.

"Did you do something to Grandpa? Is that why this happened?"

Sophia flinched, shaking her head vigorously. "Riley, what are you talking about? Grandpa barely speaks to me. H-How could I possibly do anything?"

Clutching a frightened Jeremy tighter, she instinctively moved closer to Lucas.

Lucas immediately stepped between them. "Riley! No one wanted this to happen. How can you accuse Sophia now? She had nothing to do with it. I was the one who found him!"

Riley held his gaze for a moment before looking away, a faint, humorless smile touching her lips. "Let's hope that's true."

Just then, the emergency room doors opened.

Everyone held their breath, crowding around the doctor.

The doctor announced, removing his mask, "He is stable. The rescue was successful, and he's out of danger. However, our assessment indicates he suffered an acute hypertensive episode, likely triggered by a severe emotional shock. Once he wakes, he'll need complete rest. It's crucial to avoid any further stress."

Relief washed over Lucas. He nodded quickly, turning to Trevor. "Lock down all information about this."

With the succession still undecided and his uncles circling, news of Caleb's collapse would be disastrous for Lucas' position.

But while Lucas thought of containment, Sophia's mind raced in a different direction.

She was almost certain the "severe shock" the doctor mentioned was the scene she had orchestrated in the garden that very morning.