From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 305: Unexpected Player

That was, until a single misclick shattered his routine.

It was a niche puzzle game, one he always played in single-player mode. But on that ordinary evening, his finger slipped, connecting him to an online server he never intended to join.

And there, in the quiet chaos of that digital space, he encountered a player with the ID "Between Warm and Chill".

She was different. Her skills weren't exceptional, but she possessed an uncanny intuition, offering just the right hint at the most frustrating moments. "Hey, don't give up. This level is tough, but there's always a way through."

"Maybe you're rushing it. Sometimes slowing down lets you see the path more clearly."

"Don't blame yourself for everything. Some things are just beyond anyone's control."

Her optimism, confidence, and steady kindness felt like rays of sunlight, gradually seeping through the cold fortress he'd built around himself.

In their brief exchanges, Sebastian found himself reminded of Regina—that same sense of being truly seen and warmed from within. For the first time in half a year, something felt real again.

He began responding to her messages, feeling a faint flicker of anticipation whenever she logged on.

He'd even catch himself nervously explaining away a minor mistake in the game, something the old Sebastian would never have done.

Six months later, Sebastian started venturing out of his room, tentatively speaking to his family again.

The sharp edges of his reclusiveness were softening. He believed he'd found someone who understood him, a companion for the soul.

Just as he was stepping back into the light, she vanished. "I have to go take care of something important in my life," she wrote one day, without warning.

No contact information, no explanation—Between Warm and Chill simply disappeared from his world, leaving his heart plummeting back into ice.

Desperate, Sebastian mobilized every resource and connection he had, sparing no expense to find her.

And when he finally traced her real identity, the truth was a fresh wound: she already had a publicly acknowledged husband.

But fate, it seemed, hadn't entirely abandoned him.

The woman turned out to be the recently recognized heiress of the Harper family, bound to him by an unfinished engagement. And as luck would have it, she discovered her marriage was a sham and decided to accept the alliance with him.

This was the secret Sebastian had kept from Riley, a truth buried deep within him.

Yet Miranda had seen right through it.

"D-Don't talk nonsense," Sebastian retorted, forcing his voice to sound steady.

Miranda watched his feigned composure and couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, playing coy, are we? Fine, then. Aren't you curious how I figured it out?"

She stepped closer, patting his shoulder with a knowing smile. "You're just like your father. You Torres men—once you fall for someone, it's written all over you. I knew you couldn't possibly care for anyone else except her. So it had to be her."

Sebastian's gaze faltered, but he stubbornly refused to admit it.

"Go back to your husband already. No one needs you here as a third wheel," he muttered, turning his back to her, clearly done with the conversation.

Miranda pressed a hand to her chest, shaking her head in exaggerated dismay. "Oh, my goodness. My boy's all grown up and pushing his dear mother away!"

But beneath her theatrics, her heart swelled with relief.

*****

Night draped the Ashford Manor in heavy silence.

In the study, Lucas held a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers, an ashtray overflowing beside him.

He'd never been a smoker, but lately, with Riley missing and his confrontation with Caleb leaving him empty-handed, his position as heir felt precarious.

The habit was a bitter concession to the stress he once scorned.

A soft knock interrupted the quiet.

"Come in," Lucas answered, his voice rough with irritation.

The door eased open, and Sophia entered, carrying a glass of warm milk. "Still worrying about Riley, Lucas? I brought you some milk. You should try to rest."

Her tone was gentle, almost cautious, as she set the glass near his hand. Her eyes lingered on the crowded ashtray, a flicker of concern passing through them.

Lucas stubbed out the cigarette. "What is it?"

Sophia settled into the chair across from him, hesitating briefly. "I saw Alexander going in and out of Grandpa's room several times today. He looked... triumphant. Like he couldn't hide it even if he tried. I thought Grandpa never liked him much. What changed?"

Lucas snapped, frustration simmering in his voice, "It's today's news. Grandpa thinks I leaked it. Now he's suspicious of me. And even though he knows Jeremy is my son, he still can't accept him because of... everything that happened before."

He looked up sharply, his gaze piercing. "So, Sophia, if you had anything to do with this... it was a very bad move."

Sophia swayed slightly, as if struck. Her expression crumpled into one of hurt disbelief. "How could Grandpa be so cruel? He seemed okay with Jeremy before. W-Why can't he just accept him?"