From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress Chapter 83: A Compromising Photo

Beneath Sebastian's office building was a stylish, upscale coffee shop.

When Riley arrived, the place wasn't crowded.

She settled into a corner table by the window with a perfect view—right across the street stood the elegant façade of a luxury five-star hotel.

She ordered a juice and had just taken her seat when her attention drifted to the hotel entrance. Two figures caught her eye.

It was Sophia, clinging to an older man with silver-gray hair, wearing a sugary, practiced smile as she fawned over him.

Riley's hand, holding her glass, stilled for a moment. Her expression cooled.

Small world.

Not long ago, Sophia had secretly snapped photos of Riley and Sebastian dining together, nearly stirring up serious trouble.

Now that she'd walked right into Riley's line of sight, Riley wasn't about to let the opportunity pass.

Without drawing attention, Riley picked up her phone, zoomed in, and captured a clear shot of the pair at the hotel entrance.

In the photo, Sophia gazed up at the older man with an overly sweet smile, while his hand rested casually on her waist.

Riley didn't recognize the man, but given how prideful Sophia was, the fact that she was putting on such an act meant he had to be somebody important.

She didn't hesitate. Riley sent the photo directly to the private investigator she'd worked with before.

"Find out who this man is."

Then she went back to sipping her juice.

Not long after, her phone buzzed. A text from Sebastian.

"I'm downstairs. Car's parked on the street."

Riley checked her watch: 6:50 PM. Ten minutes early.

His meeting must have wrapped up ahead of schedule.

She grabbed her bag and the gift bag, then stepped out of the café.

She spotted the black Bentley immediately, parked quietly along the curb. Its sleek, understated design carried a quiet authority that stood out even in the evening dimness.

Riley opened the passenger door and slid inside, handing him the gift bag as she settled into the seat.

The car's heater was running warm. Sebastian had removed his suit jacket and was wearing a deep-toned dress shirt, sleeves casually rolled to his forearms, an expensive watch glinting at his wrist.

"For me?" He accepted the bag, a touch of surprise in his tone.

"Yeah," Riley replied casually. "A thank-you for helping with the Byron situation. I was shopping earlier and saw this—thought you might like it."

A faint curve touched Sebastian's lips. His long fingers toyed with the ribbon on the gift box, as if about to untie it.

Then, as if remembering something, Riley added lightly, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention... I put this on Lucas' card. Hope that's alright."

Sebastian paused—just for a fraction of a second.

He looked up, his eyes resting on Riley's calm profile. A flicker of amusement shone in his sharp, perceptive gaze.

A moment later, he continued as though nothing were out of the ordinary, his fingers deftly loosening the ribbon and lifting the lid.

Inside lay the sleek, well-crafted smart game controller.

He picked it up, turning it over in his hands.

"Mind?" He gave a soft chuckle, glancing toward her. "Next time, you should go for the global limited edition.

"That one's three times the price."

Riley blinked in mild surprise. She'd expected him to react to the card detail, but instead he seemed to think she hadn't spent enough.

A small smile touched her lips, crinkling the corners of her eyes. "Noted. I'll look more carefully next time."

Sebastian held her gaze for a lingering moment. Then, unexpectedly, he leaned toward her.

His handsome features drew closer, and Riley felt her heartbeat pick up pace.

The car's interior already felt intimate. His tall frame, carrying that clean, subtle scent, seemed to fill the space around her.

That impossibly well-defined face neared—the deep-set eyes, the sharp jawline, that magnetic stare...

Time seemed to slow.

Riley held her breath instinctively, easing back slightly until her shoulders met the cool glass of the window.

What was he doing?

That was the only thought running through Riley's mind.

Logically, she knew Sebastian wasn't the type to act impulsively or push boundaries.

But here, in this close, dim-lit space, with that unreadable look in his eyes—it felt like a quiet test of her composure.

After all, they were going to be married.

Their relationship couldn't stay forever polite and detached, like two business associates keeping a safe distance.

So... was he trying to close that gap, even just a little?

The moment the idea formed, warmth flushed Riley's cheeks.

Just as her thoughts began to spiral, she heard a soft click near her ear.

The imposing presence retreated.

Riley blinked, lingering in a slight daze, only to find Sebastian relaxed back in his seat as though nothing intense had just happened—as if she'd imagined the whole moment.