From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 5: The Office Confrontation

Riley pressed a hand to her stomach. "Must be a stomach bug. Or maybe I'm allergic to that perfume—I nearly gagged the second I got near you. Lucas, did Sophia fall earlier? You smell just like her."

Lucas' mind flashed to the garden, to the kiss. Guilt flickered across his face. "She lost her balance. I caught her. That's all. If the smell bothers you, I'll shower."

He disappeared into the bathroom before she could respond.

Riley watched him go, her expression cold.

Men were terrible at hiding affairs, she thought. Every time Lucas came back from one of his so-called business trips, he reeked of Sophia's perfume.

She'd just been too trusting to notice.

Now she couldn't unsee it. For four years, she'd shared a bed with a man who'd been with someone else.

The thought made her stomach turn again.

When Lucas emerged from the bathroom, Riley was already pretending to be asleep.

The next morning, Riley received a message from Julian's assistant reminding her to complete the suspension paperwork.

She didn't argue. Just replied with a simple acknowledgment.

At breakfast, Anthea led Jeremy to the table and announced, "Sophia's at the office today. You'll handle Jeremy's breakfast."

Riley almost refused—the nanny was right there—but Jeremy's face was already crumpling, a wail building. She swallowed her objection and took the spoon.

First bite. Jeremy knocked the bowl out of her hand.

Food splattered across Riley's clothes. Jeremy burst into tears. "I don't want the mean lady to feed me! She's trying to choke me!"

His shrieking cut through the room. Anthea rushed over, saw Jeremy's tear-streaked face, and turned on Riley.

"You can't even manage a child's breakfast? What good are you? Look what you've done to him! Useless!"

Riley's voice stayed calm. "I brought in thirty percent of Ashford Group's revenue this year."

Anthea blinked, momentarily thrown, then sniffed. "You think they can't survive without you? Julian says you're done at the company. From now on, you stay home. A nobody from Nexopolis, acting like you're irreplaceable. And if anything happens to Jeremy—our brilliant, perfect grandson—you'll answer to me."

"He's four years old and can't feed himself." Riley raised an eyebrow. "Anyone watching might think he's Lucas' kid."

Something flickered in Anthea's expression—guilt, quickly masked. She grabbed Jeremy's hand and headed for the sink, voice rising. "Sophia's son is my grandson. Don't talk nonsense. Sophia is Lucas' adopted sister!"

So they knew. They knew they'd grown up as siblings, and they'd still done this. Had a child. And dragged Riley into their mess.

Riley lowered her eyes, her face unreadable.

Lucas appeared at the bottom of the stairs, crossing to her with a placating smile. "Mom just adores the kid. Don't read into it. Weren't you heading to the office today? I'll drive you."

The suspension paperwork. She nodded and followed.

At the car, Riley reached for the passenger door.

Sophia's voice drifted from inside. "Lucas, I've been waiting forever—"

She stopped short, eyes widening as she registered who stood at the door. Flustered, she smoothed her dress.

"Riley."

"Sophia." Riley's gaze slid over her, landing on Lucas. Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "I know you two grew up together, but sitting in his car like that? Anyone might think you've got a thing for your brother."

Sophia's face flushed. "I didn't mean—we're just close—"

"Riley, she wasn't trying to—" Lucas started.

Riley laughed. "Relax. I'm joking. You're family. Don't be so formal."

Lucas exhaled, relieved.

"Sophia, move to the back," he said gently. "Passenger seat's always Riley's."

Sophia bit her lip and slid into the back without a word.

Riley shot Lucas a reproachful look. "You're making a big deal over nothing."

"It's different." Lucas opened the passenger door for her. "Sophia's my sister. She can sit anywhere. You're Mrs. Ashford."

In the back seat, Sophia's chest tightened.

But she reminded herself: soon Riley would be out of the company. Out of Lucas' daily life. In a month, at most, she'd be the one in that passenger seat.

News of Riley's suspension spread fast.

Back at the office, colleagues who'd worked closely with her were furious.

"This is insane. You're the one who pitched the Nexopolis expansion. You built those connections. And they're handing it to some actress? What does she know about investments?"

Riley smiled, stacking files into a box. "Doesn't matter who's in charge."

What mattered was who could deliver. And the Ashfords were about to learn that without her, the ship didn't sail.

One colleague leaned in, voice dropping. "But that actress—she's awfully close with Mr. Ashford. People have seen them. A lot. Some are whispering she's the real Mrs. Ashford. If she takes over the investment pitch..."

"Focus on your work." Riley's voice stayed calm. "We're all just employees here. If things go south, I'll bring you all somewhere better."

That settled them.

Riley didn't care about office gossip. She finished packing, gathered her suspension documents, and headed to Lucas' office for his signature.

The door was slightly ajar.

Through the gap, she saw Sophia perched on Lucas' lap.

Her cheeks were pink, her lip caught between her teeth. "Lucas, I didn't mean for this morning to happen. I wanted to surprise you. I didn't know Riley would be there. You're not mad, are you...?"

"Mad?" Lucas pressed kisses along her neck, his hand sliding to her waist. "I just don't want Riley causing a scene in front of Grandpa."

Sophia relaxed, a playful glint in her eyes. "So you still love me most, right?"

Most.

An image of Riley's face flickered through Lucas' mind. He hesitated—just for a second.

"Of course. You know I do."

Riley watched through the crack. Her stomach lurched.

The man who'd shared her bed last night was kissing another woman today. And this had been happening for years.

She gripped the suspension papers in her hand.

Then she pushed the door open.

She crossed the room in three strides, grabbed Sophia by the hair, and slapped her. Once. Twice. Three times. "Who do you think you are?" Her voice rang out, sharp and furious. "Some cheap mistress climbing into my husband's lap?"

Lucas froze. He reached for her—and Riley slapped him too.

She released Sophia, turning to Lucas with red-rimmed eyes, her face a mask of devastation. "Lucas. How could you? Behind my back?"

The slaps had stunned them both into silence.

Finally, Sophia looked up, hair disheveled, eyes wet. "Riley—it's me. Sophia. You've misunderstood—"

"Sophia?"

Riley blinked, as if seeing her for the first time. Her expression shifted—confusion, then dawning horror.

She stared at Sophia, then at Lucas, then back at Sophia.

"Why were you sitting on Lucas' lap?" Her voice cracked. "I thought you were some random woman. Some mistress trying to steal my husband."