CHAPTER 25: HOW COULD YOU FORGET?

"Richard, if I really wanted Hilton Group, do you honestly think Grandpa’s will could stop me?"

Lucas lifted his eyes lazily, voice flat, but the chill in it made Richard’s blood run cold.

Grandpa’s will had clearly stated that if Lucas didn’t marry before twenty-eight, Hilton Family’s fortune would default to Richard. But if Lucas refused to comply—who could really stop him?

Richard’s face drained of color. Lucas was right. Hilton Group was entirely under his control; no piece of paper could strip it away. At best, they’d just been clinging to a shred of hope that he might obediently bow to Grandpa’s wishes.

"Brother," Richard pressed on, fists clenched, unwilling to back down. "In eight days you’ll be twenty-eight. Jessica and I set our wedding for six days from now. I expect you’ll be there."

Petty as it was, beating Lucas to the altar—even symbolically—still gave him a sense of victory.

Lucas’s lips curved faintly. "What a coincidence. Sophia and I will be married in six days as well."

Richard froze. "What? That’s impossible! You never said a word—"

"I only just announced it. People need a moment to catch up. The ceremony will be held at the grandest hotel in City A. The invitations are already printed. Do you want one now? I’ll gladly give you a favor bag too."

Sophia nearly choked on her cake.

What the hell? Married? Since when?!

"Stop joking, Brother. No one’s heard even a whisper of this."

"Alex," Lucas said smoothly, "hand my dear cousin his invitation."

To her shock, Alex actually produced a crimson envelope from his briefcase and handed it over.

Sophia’s eyes widened. He even had invitations made?!

Richard’s face twisted as if he’d swallowed glass. It couldn’t be true. It just couldn’t.

"Sophia, come here."

Before she could protest, Lucas reached out, tugged her into his lap, and bent down. His lips brushed the corner of her mouth, stealing the smear of cake lingering there.

He ate it.

Sophia’s entire face went up in flames. She smacked his chest, hissing under her breath. "Lucas, are you insane?! People are watching!"

But she instinctively covered her burning face against his shoulder, hiding from Richard’s shocked stare.

Richard shot to his feet, dragging Jessica with him, his voice cracking. "You’re serious?!"

"Of course," Lucas replied smoothly. "By tomorrow, the whole world will know I’m getting married."

Humiliated and fuming, Richard stormed out with Jessica—at least having the decency to slam the door behind him.

The instant they were gone, Lucas’s expression hardened. He let her go, but his fingers traced her lips, coming away with a faint streak of red.

"Sophia," he drawled coldly, "are you a dog?"

She sneered. "I only regret not being one—because then I could’ve bitten you to death."

"The rules were clear—no physical contact!" she snapped, wiping at her lips furiously.

"If I hadn’t pushed it, how else would he have believed?"

"Excuses," she spat, glaring.

Lucas’s jaw tightened. "You really do hate me, don’t you?"

Sophia drew a steady breath, then sat straighter, her voice cool. "Lucas, I don’t think I can help you anymore. I’ll be honest with you—I’m already a mother. I have six children."

Lucas’s gaze didn’t flicker—not even with surprise.

Sophia’s heart gave a sudden jolt. For a split second, it felt like this man could see straight through her.

"Go on," Lucas said casually, his tone deceptively light.

She tilted her head. "Go on? I’ve said enough. What’s next—Mr. Hilton wants the reputation of raising another man’s children?"

Lucas’s lips curved faintly. "So what if there are six kids? Hilton Group is an empire. You think I can’t afford to raise six children?"

"Mr. Hilton, you’re missing the point—"

"I know exactly what you’re saying." His voice cut through hers, low and commanding. "Relax. Since I’ve chosen you, I accept everything that comes with you. But the children’s father..."

He left the words hanging, and for the first time, Sophia felt a sting of defeat.

"Actually... their father, I..." Her throat tightened. The words refused to come. How could she admit she had no idea who the father was?

Lucas’s expression darkened, shadows pooling in his eyes. She had slept with him—and didn’t even remember? No wonder she hadn’t recognized him even when he stood right in front of her.

Fine. That made it even more entertaining.

"No matter," he said coldly. "Anything that can be solved with money is not a problem. Richard will spread this news the moment he gets home. Before that happens, we’re going to the bridal boutique. Your gown needs to be ordered today."

Sophia’s jaw dropped. "Lucas, you’re serious?"

"What else would I be?"

She let out a sharp laugh. What a sick joke.

But within hours, Twitter exploded. Photos of Lucas and Sophia inside an exclusive couture bridal boutique hit the trending list, bodyguards blocking hysterical women from storming the doors.

Sophia stood frozen in the fitting room. Six kids, and this was still her very first time wearing a wedding dress. Her palms were clammy, her chest tight with nerves... and something else. A flicker of hope she dared not name.

"Are you ready?" came his voice outside.

She drew in a deep breath and tugged the curtain aside.

Lucas’s gaze flickered—just for an instant—but it was enough. The shock of desire in his eyes stole the air from the room. Six years ago, she’d caught him once. Now, impossibly, her allure had only grown sharper.

"Oh my God, Miss Morgan!" the clerk gasped. "This gown was made for you!"

It was the boutique’s signature piece, a gown with a sweeping train glittering with tiny crystals.

Sophia’s lips curved, her eyes bright as she saw herself in the mirror.

Then came his voice, flat and cold. "No."

She blinked. "What?"

"The workmanship is too plain. Unworthy of you."

The staff froze. "Mr. Hilton, this is our finest gown—"

"This?" His tone cut her down like a blade.

The lavish praise died instantly.

Lucas wheeled closer, his eyes never leaving Sophia’s. "Change. I’ll have one custom made."

"Custom? That’ll take weeks. How can it possibly—"

"If I say it’ll be ready, it’ll be ready. Don’t worry."

Of course, this wasn’t really about the gown. It was about appearances—feeding the paparazzi the perfect story. He wanted the right people to squirm.

And squirm they did.

Back at the Hilton villa, Aiden shot up from the sofa. "Impossible! It has to be fake!"

"Dad, I don’t believe it either," Richard muttered, scowling. "But you know Lucas. He’d never force himself to marry a woman he didn’t want."

Jessica opened her phone and shoved the screen toward them. "Uncle Hilton, look. Their photos are everywhere. They’re really trying to block you from inheriting Hilton Group."

Aiden’s jaw locked, rage simmering in his eyes as he began pacing. No. Lucas and Sophia aren’t real. It’s all for show. Just to spite me.

But then—an idea.

Sophia. Andrew’s eldest daughter. There were things Aiden knew about her past. Things he could use.

If he teamed up with Andrew...

Aiden’s lips curled into a cold smile.

Lucas, you’re still too green to go against me.