The Substitute Bride

The moment Madeline finished requesting Leila, Spencer went straight to the cashier compliantly and asked for the bill to be printed. He fetched the bill as quickly as he could, handed it to Madeline, and said with an obsequious smile,"Mrs. Zhou, here is the bill as requested." He went the extra mile to impress his boss. Since Burke's proposal had failed rather miserably, he lent his unwavering support to his boss to teach this ungrateful woman a lesson.

Madeline didn't check the bill at all. Instead she stuffed it into Leila's hand and suggested in a harsh tone,"As you can see, he is drunk as a skunk and will not be awake for a while. In this state it will be impossible for him to pay the bill. Miss Zhang, you two are friends, so why don't you settle it? Do you agree with my suggestion?"

"880, 000 dollars?" Leila cried out in surprise as she least expected the conversation to take this turn. In all honesty, she thought Burke was Madeline's son. That was the only reason she said she was Burke's friend. It was beyond what she thought would happen to hear Madeline urging her to clear the bill. Besides, it was a rather huge amount and she didn't even have so much money. Of course, even if she had enough money, she wouldn't waste it on a man who she didn't love. When he made the grand gesture, she did not even think about all the effort he made.

Leila pretended to concentrate on the bill in her hand as she put up a concerned expression while in her heart she was thinking of a way to get out of the mess she got herself in.

"Yes, 880, 000 dollars," Madeline replied indifferently as she ignored her anxious expression. Her unwavering gaze was fixed on Leila. Pamela then tugged on Madeline's arm and asked in surprise,"Aunt Madeline, why are you …?"

It was hard for Pamela to comprehend why Madeline said Burke had to clear the bill. The hotel was Madeline's. It was funny to ask her own son for money moreover to ask his friend to clear the bill on his behalf.

"Pamela, I know you have questions but just remain calm," Madeline stroked Pamela's hand and gently said. "I will explain everything to you a little later. Now, let me handle the situation first." She knew very well that her son was obsessed with Leila for years. Even though the proposal had fallen flat, she still wanted to find out what kind of person Leila was. Of course, it didn't matter whether the bill was paid or not. She thought, 'If she is a good girl, I will stop interfering Burke's love life. If she is not, I will persuade him into giving her up and starting a relationship with Pamela. I am sure he will fall in love with Pamela soon after he sees what a wonderful person she is.'

Pamela nodded and waited for Madeline silently and yet obediently. She was a clever girl and knew how to adapt her behavior in different situations.

"Miss Zhang, are you done checking the bill?" Madeline asked in an aggressive tone as she looked at Leila with clear contempt. She would commend Leila for her loyalty to her son if Leila checked out. If Leila left directly, she would actually be happier. Because that would mean Burke would give up on her forever.

Leila

d continued,"All these years, Burke was disillusioned, and he mistook a total gold-digger for his soulmate. After you spend some time with him, he will find you are a good girl. When he moves past that woman, he will fall in love with you. I fully support you."

Pamela gazed at Burke who fell asleep at the table with optimism. Her eyes were glittering with love and tenderness.

She swore in her mind, 'Burke, don't worry. I will help you forget that shameless woman.'

"Spencer, please come here now," Madeline said loudly as she then asked Spencer to carry Burke into the car. Leila had left, so there was no need to pretend.

Leila had left the restaurant but not the building. As soon as she came out of the hotel, she found it had started raining all of a sudden. As she didn't drive here, nor did she have an umbrella, she had no option but to wait. So after calling for a taxi, she waited in the lobby impatiently.

In a few moments, the lift door ringed and opened. Spencer came out holding Burke on his shoulders. Right behind them Madeline and Pamela came out of the elevator.

They all looked rather anxious. Madeline repeatedly reminded Spencer to "Slow down and be careful."

As they were in a hurry to get Burke home, they didn't notice Leila but Leila saw them and realized she was being fooled. Before she could say anything, she heard Madeline say,"I should have taught that Leila Zhang a lesson. My son has been waiting for her so many years. I thought she was an excellent girl but she clearly turned out to a gold-digger."

Madeline's words were filled with scorn and anger. She should have agreed to meet Leila years ago. If she had done that earlier, Burke would have known what kind of person Leila was. It was a pity she had rejected Burke's request earlier without even considering it.

"Come on, Aunt Madeline. There is no need to be angry at that shameless woman. Things will now get better," Pamela patted Madeline's hand and comforted her,"Burke has broken up with that woman. You should set your mind at ease now as the worst is over and the best is yet to come."