The Substitute Bride

"No, don't bother. I'll have my lunch out today," Vicky replied impatiently and waved her hand as if Stella was an annoyance. She then headed for the door without even looking at Stella.

As Stella watched her leave, she quietly grabbed her phone and started dialing a number.

"Hello? It's Stella. She just left," she reported matter-of-factly.

"Copy that," the other side of the line replied.

Stella then hung up, not wanting to waste another minute. A knowing smile appeared on her face as she headed back to her room.

The only reason why Stella was working for Vicky was so that Charles could monitor her. It was Stella's job to report to Charles whatever Vicky did, especially whenever she went out. Charles had cornered Vicky from all sides.

However, the minute Vicky stepped out of the house, she became the responsibility of those assigned outside. Charles made sure to cover all the areas that Vicky could possibly go. He wanted to be sure that he was entrapping Vicky into a corner.

Vicky stood by the road and hailed a taxi. "Shining Company, please," she said coldly.

"Okay," the taxi driver nodded, casting a glance at Vicky, who was getting into the back seat.

As the car hummed along the road, Vicky leaned back on her seat and closed her eyes in an attempt to clear her mind.

Upon noticing that Vicky had closed her eyes, the taxi driver didn't hold back in staring at her as he found her to be quite attractive.

The driver gasped in admiration as she had a nice hour-glass figure, delicate skin, rosy lips, and a pointed nose. She was also wearing designer clothes, and she had donned a designer handbag. The taxi driver figured that Vicky was probably a mistress to some rich man.

The driver had enjoyed staring at Vicky so much that he almost forgot to turn. He then nervously returned his attention back to the road.

Meanwhile, Vicky seemed to have no idea what was happening as she was trying to clear her mind. But it was not the fact.

She hated how fate had been so unfair to her. If this had been years ago, she probably would've exploded and shouted at the driver and gotten out of the car, but she wasn't like that anymore. She was no longer the woman who feared no one. Life had been unfair to her that way.

Tears were welling up in her eyes as she had thought of what she'd been through these past few days.

Forcing her tears back, she swore inwardly that she would never go back to this kind of life again, and she was going to do whatever it took to change her circumstances.

"Stop," she shouted abruptly.

The driver then slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden stop muc

watched her emotionlessly.

Stopping right in front of his desk, Vicky lightly placed the box on the table. She smiled at him, hoping to hit his soft spot.

Charles coldly cast a glance at the box, still not saying a word.

"I bought it from this famous bakery. They sell all kinds of delicious cakes, but this is the best! It's their blueberry cake. You should try it. I promise it's good!" Vicky blabbered on.

Charles remembered this cake. It was a long time ago, but he remembered this girl who brought him this cake every day.

However, this wasn't a pleasant memory, as it only reminded him of cheating. Back then, he thought that this girl had cared for him and thus had made him happy. Later on, he found out that it was all just fake. Charles wasn't a nostalgic man, as he always believed that the past was in the past. He'd completely moved on from it, and he'd even forgotten all about it. If it weren't for this cake, he'd never think about her again. Even if he did, it didn't mean anything to him anymore.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked matter-of-factly.

Still smiling sweetly, Vicky responded, "No, I just dropped by so I could see you!"

"You're disturbing my work. Please leave," Charles said.

"Sorry to bother you," Vicky said, biting her lips and looking remorseful. "But I just won't be able to relax until I see you. Don't get mad at me for that. I really can't live without you. I feel my breath catching if I don't see you in a day. Please don't make me sleep alone at night. I'm scared..."

Charles remained where he sat, finding this all ridiculous. 'Stop it! I'm not stupid!' he thought inwardly.

"Stop it. Get to the point, please. What do you want from me?" Charles cut in impatiently, having had enough.