From His Fake Wife to Billionaire Heiress (Riley and Lucas) novel Chapter 643

Chapter 643 Awkward Morning After

Chapter 643 Awkward Morning After

The story was over.

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The wounds she had buried so deeply, the ones she didn’t even dare to face herself, had just been laid bare in front of a man she barely knew.

The dim glow of the bar lights fell across her face, making the pain in her eyes all too clear.

She shook her empty glass and glanced sideways at Raymond. “So? Now that you’ve heard it all… do I look like a complete fool to you?”

Raymond looked at her quietly, not offering the kind of shallow sympathy others might have given.

In an even tone, he said, “You’re drunk.”

“Drunk?” Claudia let out a short, dry laugh and reached for the bottle on the table. “This is nothing. Tonight, we’re not stopping till we’re done.”

Her hand never made it to the bottle–a firm grip caught her wrist instead.

Raymond had stood up without her noticing, his tall frame now looming over where she sat.

He couldn’t stand watching her drown herself like this.

“Drink tomorrow,” he said, his voice steady as he pulled her up from the soft couch. “I’m taking you home.”

Claudia stumbled as he led her forward. Before she could put up much resistance, he was already half–guiding, half–carrying her out of the booth.

Her head spun as she tried to wriggle free. “Hey–Raymond! Let go of me! Since when do you get to tell me what to do?”

“Since I don’t want to see you on the news tomorrow,” Raymond replied without turning around, his voice cool.

Claudia froze for a second, then felt a rush of irritation rise inside her.

This man, suddenly so assertive, felt like he was from a completely different generation.

The way he just took over without asking–it was way too… parental.

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10:56 Tue, Sep 8

Chapter 643 Awkward Morning After

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On the drive back, Claudia’s buzz fully set in. She slumped in the passenger seat, muttering

nonstop.

“Raymond, are you some kind of helicopter parent or what? You even police my drinking…

“You’re seriously bossy, you know that? Zero respect for a woman’s choices…

“I wasn’t done back there… man, that last drink was strong… my head is spinning…”

The Hummer moved steadily through the night. Raymond kept his eyes on the road, tuning out her complaints.

Only when she got particularly loud did he grunt in response or calmly tell her, “Sit still,” but he never sounded impatient or angry.

Before long, the truck pulled up outside Claudia’s apartment building.

Raymond walked her upstairs and watched as she clumsily dug through her purse for her keys, swaying slightly before finally unlocking the door.

Inside, the apartment was dark, lit only by the motion–sensitive hallway light that cast both their shadows across the floor.

Claudia held onto the doorframe, about to say thanks, when she noticed Raymond had stopped right outside, making no move to step in.

He checked his watch, then looked at her. “All right, you’re in. The chaperone duty is done. Time for me to head out.”

Watching him turn to leave, something in Claudia–fueled by the alcohol–snapped into motion.

Almost without thinking, she reached out, grabbed his wrist, and tugged him inside.

She kicked the door shut behind them, sealing off the light from the hallway.

In the narrow, dark space of the entryway, Claudia pushed a caught–off–guard Raymond back against the door.

Buzzing from the drinks, she rose onto her toes and pressed her warm body against his without hesitation.

She lifted her chin, searching for his eyes in the dark with a reckless, defiant look. “You came all this way. Not gonna do anything before you go?”

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10:56 Tue, Sep 8

Chapter 643 Awkward Morning After

The air seemed to hang still.

All that remained was the sound of their mingled breathing.

Raymond could see how vividly bright Claudia’s eyes were in the darkness.

What she wanted was obvious.

But Raymond stayed composed.

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Taking advantage of someone, especially a woman who’d been drinking, was the last thing he would ever do.

He tilted his head back slightly, avoiding her warm breath, and placed his hands on her shoulders to gently create some space between them.

“Claudia, don’t do something you’ll regret just because you’re upset right now.”

To Claudia in that moment, his refusal felt like pity–like he was looking down on her.

She laughed, low and rough.

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