The Substitute Bride

"I have to admit that I haven't been attentive enough to you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have left you in danger three years ago." The yellowish glow of the golden hour sunlight looked beautiful on this fine day. However, Charles felt ashamed of himself. "Despite that, I still have something to tell you. Sher, I wish you would marry me again. Will you?" he said as his eyes looked deeply into Sheryl's own.

"What happened already happened. You should let it go. Why did you suddenly mention it again?" Hot tears spilled down Sheryl's cheeks as the words tumbled out of her lips. Even if she tried to show that she had forgotten what happened between them in the past, her swollen reddish eyes betrayed her. However, she never thought that Charles would willingly bring up his own mistake again and apologize to her—it made her overwhelmed with emotion.

"A lot of things have happened to us, but it made me realize that it is your hand I should hold firmly to move on for the rest of my life. You're the only one I should love and cherish. Will you…marry me?" Without breaking eye contact with Sheryl as he spoke the words, Charles took out a velvet ring box from his suit pocket, and then eagerly awaited her response. Now, Sheryl was stunned.

"Please get up first," Sheryl nervously said. A bashful look crossed her eyes in trepidation. She reached her arms out to pull Charles to his feet, but he only looked at her pointedly in silence and refused to stand up. Sheryl finally gave in as she blushed furiously. "I will," she nodded.

Sheryl's sweet response pleased the living wits out of Charles. He plucked out the ring from the box and then carefully slipped it on Sheryl's ring finger. He raised his head and looked at her straight in the eyes. "Now that you've worn my ring, it means you're mine. You won't regret this," he said with a smile.

In turn, Sheryl could only lower her head shyly. Finally, her lips broke into a happy smile.

The couple's beaming faces made Shirley curious. Although the little girl had no idea what a ring meant, she grabbed Clark who was beside her, by his hand. "Clark, I also want a beautiful ring just like that one," she asked him with a finger pointed towards Sheryl.

"Okay. When you grow old, I will buy you one," Clark said and smiled at her.

At that moment, Sheryl had overheard what her son said and interrupted their conversation. "No, you can't do that darling," she gently said.

She approached Clark and told him, "Shirley's ring is supposed to be given by her boyfriend. You are her brother, so you can't do that. Understood?"

Clark nodded obediently and smiled at his mother. Happiness radiated from the family as they enjoyed the sunny afternoon. However, they were unaware that they were being watched by someone hidden in the distance.

Recently, Holley had been living a happy and joyful life. She couldn't wait to get a great deal of money from Donna. The mere thought of it made her feel over the moon.

But what worried her the most was that neither George nor Donna stayed in touch with her for tw

gerly? You better hurry up," she snapped.

"Your company…" A smirk was formed on Holley's lips. "If my memory serves me right, I remember you have promised to hand over the Y City branch to me. So I assume what you should deal with currently…is to prepare the contract to transfer its shares to me and the money as well, instead of dealing with other stuff in the company. Am I right?"

Her steely eyes stared at Donna and tried to gauge her expression. "Are you confused about what you should do? Or…have you just changed your mind?" she asked again.

Her brows furrowed in irritation as her face turned cold. "I'm not that easily fooled. Don't think I am that stupid. If you dare to trick me on this, I won't let you get away with it," she added.

"Rest assured that I will keep my words. You don't have to worry about that," Donna scoffed at her. "Even though I have decided to hand the company over to you, there are still a lot of procedures. You don't have to be scared. I will do it as soon as possible," Donna pretended to be at ease as she explained.

"That's good to hear," Holley said. She was definitely pleased. She felt relaxed and became all smiles again. "Aunt Donna, I don't mean to push it, but I have to ask you about this—and it is also why I'm here today. I just want to ask you about the money...do you have it already?" she asked Donna once again. There was a small lapse of silence.

"I don't think I am an impatient person. I have given you so long to prepare the money. I have to make sure you have it. Otherwise, I will run out of my patience," she smiled and continued.

"It's such a huge amount of money. I need enough time to get it prepared," Donna said and frowned. She reassured Holley and said, "Be at ease. Compared to my son, the money is less important. I am willing to pay as long as you keep our agreement."

"If you say so," Holley said arrogantly and smiled. "I agree with you. George is more valuable to me as well. Now I feel somewhat reluctant to make that deal with you...to let go of him."