From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 79: Shopping Spree

A rapid volley of words spilled out, dripping with contempt for Lucas.

Seeing her friend puff up like a mother hen protecting her chick, Riley shook her head, a faint smile touching her lips. "Actually, it's the opposite."

"The opposite?" Lydia froze, not following.

Riley didn't bother explaining further. She fished the sleek black card from her pocket and flicked it casually in front of Lydia.

"Free tomorrow?" she asked, arching a brow, a playful edge returning to her voice for the first time in ages. "Let's go shopping. Right now, he needs something from me. Spending this doesn't feel wrong at all."

Lydia blinked, confused at first, then her eyes snapped into focus on the card.

"Oh my god—a black card! Unlimited? Riley, you've finally come to your senses!" Lydia's voice shot up. She swatted Riley's arm excitedly, grinning with satisfaction. "That's exactly how you treat a two-timing cheater—spend his money like there's no tomorrow! Bleed him dry—that's the only way guys like him learn, the only way it sticks!"

She threw an arm around Riley's shoulder and declared with dramatic loyalty, "Don't just say tomorrow—anytime you're spending his money, I'm there. Through hell or high water!"

Seeing Lydia even more fired up than she was, Riley finally broke into a real laugh.

*****

On the other side of town, Lucas drove to the city's most talked-about boutique dessert shop and picked up the strawberry mousse Sophia had specifically asked for.

He carried the elegant pastry box back to the villa. By the time he arrived, the night was deep.

Pushing open the heavy carved door, he found the living room brightly lit.

Sophia was seated on the sofa in a silk robe, looking every bit the elegant lady.

When she saw him, she set her magazine aside and glided over, her voice soft and familiarly sweet.

"Lucas, you're back. You must be tired." She reached to take the cake box from his hands.

But Lucas instinctively shifted away, avoiding her touch, and set the box directly on the coffee table.

"Where's Jeremy?" he asked, his voice low.

"Upstairs. The nanny's with him. We were just waiting for Daddy to come home with the cake," Sophia said gently, opening the box herself.

Soon, the nanny brought down a sleepy-eyed Jeremy. The boy rubbed his eyes and mumbled, "Daddy..."

Lucas' expression softened. He walked over and ruffled his son's fine hair, his tone unconsciously gentle. "Hey buddy, Daddy brought you cake."

Sophia picked up a small silver spoon, scooped a bite of the cream-topped strawberry mousse, and brought it to Jeremy's lips.

But the child only took a couple of uninterested sips before wrinkling his nose and pushing the spoon away, fussing to go back to bed.

Lucas gestured for the nanny to take Jeremy upstairs.

Now, only he and Sophia remained in the vast living room.

Even though Jeremy hadn't eaten it, Sophia didn't let the dessert go to waste.

She took the spoon and ate the mousse, bite after bite, until it was completely gone.

Clearly, the one who'd really wanted the cake wasn't Jeremy at all—it was her.

Watching this, Lucas' frown deepened.

He moved to the sofa, tugged loose his tie, and sank down wearily, rubbing his tense temples.

Sophia finished the last bite, dabbed her mouth with a napkin, then spoke cautiously, her tone tentative. "Lucas... did you see Riley today?"

Lucas gave a noncommittal hum.

"So... did she agree to come back?" Sophia leaned forward slightly, pressing further.

That was what she really cared about. Beneath the surface, her eyes held a poorly concealed nervousness—a quiet urgency.

Lucas stayed quiet for a long moment.

He was growing tired of this endless maneuvering, these quiet tests.

Leaning back into the plush cushions, he closed his eyes and said flatly, "Sophia, I'm planning to transfer the Louvian Port villa into Riley's name."

The soft, polished smile on Sophia's face froze—then shattered.

She could hardly believe what she was hearing.

The Louvian Port villa?

That was one of the most exclusive oceanfront properties in all of Havenbrook, with direct, panoramic sea views—worth tens of millions.

More importantly, Lucas had promised her long ago that when the time was right, that house would be a home for her and Jeremy.

She had already begun to see it as a symbol of her future status as Mrs. Ashford. She'd imagined countless times hosting lavish parties there, settling in as the lady of the house.

And now he was calmly saying he'd give it to Riley?

"How could you do that?!"

Sophia's usual gentle composure vanished. The words burst out almost as a shout.

Lucas opened his eyes, displeased, and fixed his gaze on her shocked face.

"Why are you getting so worked up? Trying to wake my parents again so they can come downstairs and take your side?"

Sophia had always been skilled at leveraging the elders' sympathy. Every time they argued, she'd play the victim, drawing Anthea into the fray to fight her battles.