Chapter 1081

Heather met his accusation with a contemptuous look and a mocking smile. Though silent, her expression was a significant blow to Ralph. Disbelief washed over him; astonishment eclipsed his fear. He seized her shoulders, gripping them tightly. "Don't go! Explain yourself! What do you mean, 'it's fake'?" No one had ever dared treat Heather this way before. Taken aback, her expression darkened, and she coldly asked, "What are you doing?"

"Explain! What was fake? You've never seen the authentic handbook, so how could you call mine fake? You're deliberately deceiving me to steal it! You don't want to pay for it, do you?"

"Pfft! Accusing me of greed? You're the greedy one! Heather Riggs, I never knew you were so cunning! A deal? You were lying!"

"You never intended to reward me for the secret handbook. You just manipulated me into obtaining it for you, right?"

This conclusion formed rapidly in Ralph's mind, seeming undeniable. Otherwise, he couldn't explain her claim that his handbook was fake, given she'd never seen it and therefore couldn't know its contents. He was certain she was lying.

This thought calmed him, loosening his grip on Heather's shoulders.

"Pfft. You're too naive! Do you think you can trick me?" Heather shrugged, amused by his confident assertion. "Whatever."

She forcefully shrugged off his hands.

Ralph wouldn't give up. He reached out to stop her, but her cold voice cut through the air. "I warn you, don't touch me!" "Fine, but explain!" He pressed himself against the door to block her exit. He wouldn't let her leave without answers.

Her stubbornness elicited a step back, followed by laughter.

"You're right. I lied. However, your secret handbook is a fake. The real one is with me!"

She gestured to nothing, yet her eyes gleamed with triumph. This revelation was another crushing blow to Ralph.

"It's with you?" His voice rose, almost shrill, at the absurdity of her claim.

"You don't believe me?" Heather, tired of the game, prepared to leave. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, regarding him leisurely.

"Fine. I'll tell you everything. I never wanted to cooperate. I'll never give you Riggs Group shares or hand over my family's business to an outsider! My family's business is my family's problem, and it has nothing to do with you."

"You!" Ralph's anger flared.