The Substitute Bride

Upon hearing this, Autumn fell silent. She was tired of handling more rivals like Rachel and Yvonne. All she yearned now was to lead a happy and undisturbed life with Charles.

As Autumn turned around, she caught a glimpse of Emily standing in a corner. "Grandma what are you doing here?" Autumn asked while walking towards her. "It is not good for your health to walk around. You have been asked to take bed rest. So please stay in your room and take more rest. If you require anything, I will bring it for you, " Autumn advised in a reproachful tone.

"I'm absolutely fine, " Emily reassured Autumn while stroking the back of her hand gently. Emily was squinting hard in an attempt to see Autumn's face but she failed. "Autumn, I am feeling lethargic. I will return to my room now. I hope you enjoy yourself here!"

"Please let me escort you to your room. You look a little frail, grandma, " Autumn said to her. "I can go back to my room by myself. You just stay here and have some fun, " Emily rejected her offer politely.

Emily walked towards her room slowly at the pace she was comfortable with. Autumn didn't heave a sigh of relief until she saw Emily enter her room safely.

After being rebuked by Chris in front of an entire crowd, Leila was drowning in embarrassment and with that heavy heart she left the party immediately. Charles greeted the guests while keeping one eye on Autumn. When he saw Autumn settle down in one corner of the room, he swiftly walked right up to her.

"Are you fine? You must be feeling quite tired, " Charles said to Autumn as he saw her rub her shank. Autumn rarely wore high-heeled footwear. It was only natural for her feet to be sore and aching because of treading slowly on those uncomfortable heels for for hours together.

Autumn was surprised as he understood her so well even when she had not uttered a single word. "What are you doing here?" Autumn asked in relief as she looked up at him.

Charles humbly took a seat beside Autumn and raised her leg onto his thighs. "Do you feel better now?" he asked while massaging her calf gently.

"Oh Charles, please let go of my leg. What will people think w

ing about Autumn. Abby was just five when Autumn's father passed away. Abby and I both hope that Autumn could reunite with us. After all, we are her family and we will always be there to support her. I hope that... you can understand us, " Andy said as he saw Autumn was talking to his wife and daughter.

"I understand. I trust Arthur, " Charles responded with assurance. Though Charles was born in a reputed and wealthy family, he didn't care whether Autumn had a powerful background. Despite that, he still hoped that Autumn could reunite with Arthur. Wendy wouldn't dare to give Autumn a hard time anymore after she would receive Arthur's support.

"Now we don't know... how to approach Autumn with all of this, " Andy said, glancing at Autumn who was now playing with Cindy cheerfully. 'Perhaps Autumn will be ready to return to Zhao family for Cindy's sake, ' Andy thought to himself.

But Autumn was unfamiliar with the Zhao family. People in Zhao family didn't know Autumn's thoughts and they had no idea whether she hated them or not. They also didn't know how to make Autumn accept this fact easily.

"Autumn may look like fragile but she can be as stubborn as a mule, " Charles said. After talking with Autumn that night, Charles thought that Autumn must have perceived her relationship with Arthur. However, he had no idea of her real thoughts on this. "I can't promise anything now. But I... will try to persuade her."