Queen Mommy's Six Genius Babies Found the CEO Daddy-Chapter 177: Not a Replacement

"Devin, what are you doing here?"

"I came for a weekend getaway. What, am I not allowed? Or is this hot spring resort owned by your family?"

Lucas’s voice dropped a level, cool and steady.

"Unlucky for you—it actually is. I’m the largest shareholder."

Devin coughed awkwardly and removed the cigarette from his lips.

"Couldn’t you at least pretend and let me keep a little dignity?"

He stepped closer—and that’s when he noticed the faint bruises on Sophia’s neck.

His expression shifted, a flicker of worry crossing his eyes.

"What... happened to you?"

Sophia blinked in confusion and touched her neck.

"Survived a disaster, huh? Guess you’re blessed with nine lives."

Hickey: Disaster your ass. Your whole family is a disaster.

Sophia cleared her throat lightly. "Thanks."

Devin reached out, but Lucas immediately pulled her back, blocking the touch without a word.

"What? I can’t even hold her arm now? Aren’t you being a little stingy?"

Devin shot him a dissatisfied look.

"Whether it’s stingy or not depends entirely on who’s reaching out."

Devin’s mood lifted. Folding his arms, he smirked.

"You know, in psychology, when someone acts overly defensive in front of you, it’s usually because they see you as a threat. Looks like you consider me competition." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Competition?" Lucas let out a soft laugh. "I admit you look impressive to some people. But to me? I don’t acknowledge it. My eyes have never been on anyone else."

"Oh? Then how do you explain your behavior just now?"

Devin arched a brow.

"Because she’s my woman," Lucas said calmly. "I don’t allow anyone to touch her. It’s not about giving you importance—it’s about not wanting your hands on her. If you think I’m threatened by you or wary of you, let me correct that delusion. It’s dangerous. You should get rid of it as soon as possible."

He spoke without a hint of panic, lips lifting slightly.

"Alright, alright. We’re all here to relax. No need to bring business battlefield energy into this. Since we’ve run into each other, I actually have something to tell you. Olivia’s getting out. Ethan pulled strings."

Just one day. Ethan moved that fast?

"You’re serious?"

"Of course. I don’t have the time or interest to lie about this. He wants to rope me into cooperating with him—but I turned him down."

Ethan approaching him? Their relationship wasn’t exactly friendly. If Ethan went to look for him, they must have had some prior cooperation to lean on.

Sophia immediately understood the implication and nodded slightly.

"Thanks for the heads-up."

Her calm attitude made Devin uneasy, like a cat with its fur standing.

"You’re not scared? If Olivia gets out, the first thing she’ll do is take over the Morgan Group. Everything you’re working for could be gone—just like that."

"Your reminder is appreciated," Sophia said evenly. "As for the rest, I’ll consider it a test. But let me tell you a little something too—it doesn’t matter if Olivia gets out. If I truly wanted to crush an ant, I wouldn’t even give her a chance to show up."

Devin stiffened.

Right. How did he forget who he was talking to?

She never let grudges slide.

And besides...

Olivia and Ethan were nowhere near her league.

"Seems my worries were completely unnecessary. Looks like you two are heading out, so I won’t bother you. I’ll go first."

Since they clearly didn’t want him around—he wasn’t about to stick around for a front-row seat to their lovey-dovey display.

Sophia and her sister looked so alike...

But their personalities couldn’t be more different.

His sister would never come back again.

He brushed past them, slipping the nearly burned-out cigarette back between his lips.

A hazy look flickered across Devin’s eyes.

He was thinking...

If life ever gave him a second chance, he would lock that person by his side and never let her leave again.

Sophia glanced back at him.

Softly, she asked, "Was Devin trying to test me just now... or was he genuinely warning me?"

"I already looked into him," Lucas replied, pulling her into his arms. "He had a sister. She died. She looked a lot like you."

He tightened his hold slightly.

"But you are you. Not anyone’s replacement. Whatever he says, whatever his intentions—believe only half."

Sophia nodded, and the two of them left hand in hand.

...

The next morning.

Sophia didn’t even want to open her eyes.

Suddenly, her phone started ringing.

She reached for it, but Lucas’s hand intercepted hers halfway.

He picked up the phone, answered it, then held it to her ear while speaking himself.

"What is it?"

On the other end, Dylan froze for a second before recovering.

"Mr. Hilton, is Miss Morgan with you?"

"She is."

"Ethan has already gone to the station and brought Olivia out. And this morning at nine, everyone connected to the Morgan family and the Trump family received wedding invitations."

Sophia made a small sound of acknowledgment.

Lucas immediately asked, "What about Andrew and Susan?"

"No movement from them."

Sophia’s fingertips brushed along Lucas’s cheek.

He added calmly, "Don’t panic. Continue according to the original plan. If she’s out, she’s out. Everything is still within our control."

"Yes, Mr. Hilton."

He hung up and immediately turned to her with a playful tone.

"Well? Did I represent your thoughts accurately?"

"Mm."

She nodded, finally opening her eyes—only to see the "wolf" leaning closer and closer.

Suddenly she said, "I’m hungry."

"Hungry?"

"Starving. And if I don’t eat within ten minutes, my stomach might start hurting."

Just a shift in his gaze, and she already knew exactly what he was thinking.

Lucas kissed her forehead gently.

"Breakfast is already on the way."

Ten minutes later, room service rolled in the cart.

Sophia yawned and sat up.

Just as she was about to eat, she suddenly remembered her six kids.

"I wonder how Faye and the others are doing."

She called, and the phone was quickly picked up.

"Faye."

"Mommy~"

A retching sound blasted through the speaker. Sophia immediately tensed.

"Faye, where are you? Where’s Alex?"

"We’re at the amusement park. Uncle Alex is fine... he just has a little fear of heights. And a tiny bit of... fear of wind."

"Fear of wind?"

The camera flipped—

Sophia stared in disbelief.

Alex was hugging a trash can, throwing up his soul, while the front bangs of his hair were blown straight back like he’d been through a tornado.

"Alex, what happened to you?"

"I–I’m fine, Boss Lady... you and Boss enjoy your time... I can still— hurk— I can still hold on..."

Faye held the phone and grinned.

"Mommy, don’t worry about us!"

The call ended.

Sophia sighed.

"Alex is really going through it."

"I’ll give him a raise," Lucas replied.

"You sure?"

He looked at her, lowering his voice.

"Why wouldn’t I be?"

Sophia smiled sweetly.

"I’m holding your phone. And I happened to see all your messages."

"...What messages?"

"Deduction messages."

Lucas felt a sudden, terrible premonition.

He snatched the phone, checked—and froze.

"He... bought an entire amusement park?!"