The Substitute Bride

David had gotten a glimpse of the man's left side. Although it was dark, the man had looked pretty good, and he wasn't as grotesque as Charles had described him to be.

When David turned his head, he caught Charles staring at him. His red eyes, burning with ferocity, made fear bubble up in the pit of David's stomach. He broke into a cold sweat and did not dare to utter a word, in case, it revved up Charles' anger.

Charles was back at the Dream Garden. When he entered his house, he was surprised to see that Melissa was still awake.

"Mom, what are you doing? Why haven't you slept yet?" Charles was worried that Melissa had fallen sick again.

"You're back! What took you so long to come?" Melissa asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, I've been very busy, and my schedule is packed. It's already late. You should go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow." Charles let out a loud sigh. Charles was completely knackered and knew that his face bore every sign of it. He wanted to go to his room without falling prey to Melissa's suspicion.

"What have you been hiding from me all these days, Charles?" Melissa was worried. She felt the need to confront him and have all her questions answered.

She didn't want Charles to get away with what he had been doing. That was why she had stayed awake–to look him in the eye and get an answer. He had been eschewing her efforts to make a conversation with him. Whether it had been intentional or unintentional, she didn't know. But she knew one thing for sure–she'd find the answers.

Melissa's heart ached when she realized that the relationship with her son had turned bitter.

"What? What are you talking about, Mom?" Charles said expressionless, trying to conceal his nervousness.

"I'm asking you for the last time. Are you really going to marry Vicky?" Melissa locked her intense gaze on Charles.

"Oh, for God's sake, stop being unreasonable. If you're going to go on and on about this, I might have to run away from you," Charles growled in anger.

Melissa shuddered at the loudness of his voice and his menacing tone. She didn't expect him to react this way. She couldn't gather herself to say a word.

"It's already late, you should go to bed."

Charles stormed off to his study.

He waited at the door for a minute, thinking that Melissa might follow him and dart questions at him. When there wasn't a trace of her, he sighed in relief.

Charles went to his desk and let his eyes wander over the pictures of Sheryl. Their wonderful time togeth

office. Do you understand?" Sheryl ordered her secretary.

"Yes, Ms. Xia." Sheryl's secretary was taken aback by her tone. She didn't know what had upset her. She cleared the table and walked out without saying a word.

Isla was interrupted by Phoebe as soon as she walked in to the office.

The two of them got immersed in an intense conversation about Sheryl and the bouquet of red roses. Once they were done talking, Isla sneaked into Sheryl's office like a stealthy cat.

Although Isla hadn't said a word, Sheryl could see Isla's curious eyes peering at her.

"Didn't you tell me that you were busy this morning?"

"Oh, I can't miss seeing you, no matter how busy I am. You'll have no time for me when you start dating that man. I'll only get to gawp at you in envy." Isla winked at Sheryl.

"How dare you? You'll be doomed if you don't submit the project today." Sheryl's voice was loud and menacing.

"You know what you are? You're a fucking leech that sticks on people for money. Do you think I'm your slave?" Isla spat, her face burning with rage, and her arms akimbo.

"Yeah, right! Let's see what you're going to do about me." Sheryl shrugged nonchalantly.

"When did you learn to speak like that to me, Sheryl? Your wings have become stronger, haven't they? You cannot speak to me like this. Do you get it?" Isla looked like she would get into a fist fight with Sheryl.

Sheryl's face carried no expression. She was serene and remained unaffected by Isla's demeanor. When their eyes met for a second, Isla's jaw dropped as if she had remembered something. "Who is it? Who has sent you the flowers?" Isla said, suddenly pointing at the flowers.