CHAPTER 24: LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Back at Hilton Group headquarters, just as the car was about to stop, a bright red Maserati pulled up in front of them.

The flashy sports car practically screamed for attention. Compared to that, the vehicle Lucas was in seemed understated—almost too modest.

From the Maserati stepped a young man in a tailored blue suit, his blond hair perfectly styled, fair-skinned, his looks bearing a slight resemblance to Lucas—though nowhere near the same level. Beside him was a girl with waist-length hair, dressed in a frilly princess dress. Her bright, doe-like eyes added to her charm, painting the picture of a sweet, well-behaved young lady.

It was hard to imagine how the two had ended up together.

"That’s Aiden’s son, Richard Hilton. And the girl with him is Jessica Taylor, the Taylor family’s little darling," Lucas said calmly, introducing them with little expression.

Richard had already spotted them. Pulling Jessica closer against his side, he led her toward Lucas’s car.

Alex quickly opened the door, and Sophia was the first to step out.

Even with just a touch of makeup, Sophia’s natural beauty immediately overshadowed Jessica’s carefully crafted sweetness.

Richard’s eyes flashed with undisguised amazement the moment he laid eyes on her. Jessica noticed instantly, her nails digging into his waist.

"What is it, babe?" he asked casually.

What is it? He really had the nerve to ask?

Pouting, Jessica’s voice carried a hint of wounded jealousy. "Why are you staring at this young lady longer than you ever look at me?"

The moment she spoke, Sophia knew she had just met a rival.

From his wheelchair, Lucas’s voice dropped low. "What are you doing here?"

"Cousin, I came just to see you. Shouldn’t you be happy?" Richard smirked lazily. "Aren’t you going to introduce the lady by your side?"

"My fiancée, Sophia Morgan," Lucas said flatly.

"I saw the news. You’re also Luna, right? I’ve looked at your designs before. Impressive work."

A flicker of mockery crossed Lucas’s eyes—he knew how rare it was for Richard to pay anyone a compliment.

Richard extended his hand. "Nice to meet you. I’m Richard Hilton, and this is my girlfriend, Jessica Taylor."

Sophia studied his hand for a beat before giving it a polite shake.

Jessica beamed brightly, clinging to Richard’s arm. "Sister Morgan, you’re so beautiful! You and Brother Hilton are a match made in heaven!"

Her sugary "Brother this, Sister that" only deepened Sophia’s distaste, though she kept her smile intact. "Miss Taylor, when exactly did I become your sister? Today is our first meeting, isn’t it?"

Jessica froze, clearly not expecting such a blunt response.

"Mr. Hilton is my brother, and since you’re his fiancée, of course I should call you sister," she said with forced sweetness.

Fine. Sophia let it drop.

"The sun is too harsh outside. Shouldn’t we continue this indoors?" Alex broke the awkwardness with his usual directness, so unlike his polished exterior.

Lucas nodded, and they all went inside together.

"Is that really Sophia? The fiancée Mr. Hilton announced?"

"Oh my God, I’m so jealous!"

"She’s even prettier than her photos!"

"Wait—that’s Richard Hilton too, isn’t it? And he brought Jessica Taylor with him?"

"Don’t you get it? Showcasing hidden treasures—always ready to flaunt them when it matters most!"

The whispers around them weren’t exactly quiet, landing clearly in their ears.

"Richard! We left our gifts in the car!" Jessica suddenly exclaimed, rushing out and returning with several expensive packages, which she handed out generously.

The crowd gasped in admiration, their praise immediate and overwhelming.

"Miss Taylor really does live up to her family’s wealth. No one else can spend like that."

Sophia’s smile was faint, her words edged with irony. "Taylor’s generosity truly is unmatched."

Jessica ducked her head with a shy giggle. "It’s nothing really. They’ll all be our employees soon anyway."

"Our employees?" Sophia arched a brow.

"Yes. Once Richard takes over—"

Jessica didn’t get to finish. Richard coughed lightly, tugging her back to his side.

Interesting. Very interesting.

Sophia arched a brow, her tone light but edged. "Miss Taylor, what line of work are you in?"

"My father owns a real estate company," Jessica replied proudly.

"Ah, buying up land and selling houses. No wonder you’re so generous with your spending," Sophia quipped.

"Sophia, you’re teasing me. I didn’t expect to meet you today, otherwise I would’ve brought a gift just for you. I’ll make it up to you next time!"

Sophia took over from Alex, casually pushing Lucas’s wheelchair forward.

Was Jessica really that naïve, or just playing dumb?

Lucas’s cool gaze swept over the employees still admiring Jessica’s gifts. His voice dropped to a frosty command.

"Anyone who accepted her gifts will forfeit their year-end bonus."

The office went dead silent.

Hilton Group belonged to him, not Richard, and yet Jessica was already strutting around as though she were the one in charge—handing out presents like she owned the place, and acting as if the true master of the house didn’t exist.

Everyone knew Hilton’s annual bonus made Jessica’s trinkets look like pocket change. Still, Lucas’s punishment was mild. It was a warning shot, nothing more—for now.

Once inside the executive office, Lucas opened a box from the cabinet and placed it on the table.

"Mousse cake. I remembered you like it. I had Alex stand in line for two hours to get it for you."

Sophia’s lips curled into a sugary smile. "Lucas, you’re too good to me."

Her voice dripped with fake sweetness, so deliberately over-the-top it sounded like she was mocking Jessica.

Across the room, Richard and Jessica looked like unwanted guests—completely ignored, practically invisible.

"Cousin," Richard finally drawled, eyes flicking between the two of them, "how long have you known Sophia? She’s only just come back to the country."

"I fell in love with her at first sight," Lucas replied smoothly.

"At first sight?" Richard smirked. "That doesn’t sound like you, brother."

Of course he didn’t believe it. His brilliant older cousin, the one everyone knew was cold and calculating, suddenly claiming love at first sight? To Richard, it was laughable. Clearly, Lucas was just using some random woman to throw them off in the fight for Hilton Group’s inheritance.

Sophia took another bite of cake, pretending not to hear.

Then Lucas’s hand brushed her cheek, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His touch looked tender to anyone watching—but hidden from view, his fingers pinched her thigh hard.

Sophia’s eyes widened instantly. So this was payback.

"Future sister-in-law doesn’t have much to say," Richard taunted. "But her expression’s pretty telling. Guess even you were shocked by my brother’s lie?"

Sophia’s lips parted, and her voice rang clear, smooth as honey. "Richard, your brother’s telling the truth. We did fall in love at first sight. He’s a man at the very top, and I... I always thought I wasn’t good enough for him. Who knew he’d feel the same way? It’s every girl’s dream, really—when the man you secretly love confesses to you. Of course I said yes."

She lifted her hand with a dazzling smile. On her slender finger glittered a massive diamond ring, its brilliance blinding under the office lights.

Lucas’s brows lifted ever so slightly. Sophia tilted her head at him with a silly grin—her little act of bravado.

But Lucas recognized the craftsmanship instantly. It was the signature of a legendary jewelry master who created only one-of-a-kind pieces. This ring? Worth over seventy million.

Even for someone as successful as Sophia, that wasn’t pocket change. Where had she gotten it? The question only deepened his intrigue.

Jessica’s smile faltered, her face paling as she subtly shifted her hand to cover her own modest engagement ring.

Richard’s laugh was sharp, laced with disbelief. "Well, brother, I didn’t think you’d go so far. Spending that much just to fool us? That’s one hell of a price for a lie."