The Substitute Bride

Sheryl hesitated for a moment and decided to let him in. Shirley showed off her new dress to Anthony once again. She did a little twirl for his benefit. After he smilingly exchanged a few words with her, he said gently,"Shirley, I want to chat with Sher. Could you go watch cartoons for a while?"

"All right." Shirley always knew when to take a cue and give them their space. She didn't want to bother them.

After Shirley walked away, Anthony hesitantly said to Sheryl,"I have cancelled the flight ticket."

Deep down, Anthony knew that he had made a mistake, but he had seen no other option. He had been utterly desperate to take her away and have her all to himself.

"Really?" Sheryl said to Anthony in front of her, not entirely believing his words. As the meaning sank in, a ghost of a smile appeared on her face.

"Sher, I know you're mad at me," Anthony said to Sheryl with a sad smile. "I thought things over for a long time last night. I really shouldn't have bought the tickets without asking you first. More importantly, I shouldn't have said all those words. I sincerely apologize for my behavior."

Sheryl had also calmed down after a night, so she had the potential to forgive Anthony.

With her brows knitted slightly, she had no idea how in the following days she could maintain their relationship.

"Why are you silent? Please say something," begged Anthony, staring at Sheryl with a look of desperation.

"I don't know what to say," said Sheryl with a smile.

Indeed, she had realized there was nothing she could say to him.

"Don't you want to discuss the contract of BM Corporation with me?" Anthony voluntarily brought up the subject himself to make conversation. He felt insecure and vulnerable, which had something to do with the city and the people in it.

Sheryl hesitated and remained silent for a good while. Then she said to Anthony,"I haven't signed the contract yet. I planned to discuss it with you, but after yesterday..."

It had been much easier to blurt out hurtful things yesterday. Exposing herself and explaining her wishes to Anth

rom now on. You are not allowed to meet her without my permission. Keep that in mind."

It was the first time Leila had spoken to Charlie so harshly. Charlie recoiled and did a double take. He then said with a frown,"I have complete freedom to be friends with whoever tickles my fancy. You have no right to stop me."

Leila clicked her tongue in exasperation. She realized that she had given Charlie so much freedom that he would no longer listen to anything she said. She had never imposed any restrictions and it was too late to do so.

"I am your mother. You just listen to what I say," Leila said firmly, putting her foot down. Leila was terrified of the invisible power. She had raised Charlie for so many years, but it paled in comparison with the thin blood ties between them.

'From Charles to Sheryl, Charlie voluntarily associates with them. Even though I live under the same roof with him, he acts as a stranger with me.'

Leila was afraid that her lies would be exposed if she let Charlie continue to get in contact with Sheryl. This was why Leila wanted him to stay away from Sheryl.

"You are not my mother!" he yelled at her. Charlie's remarks shocked Leila dumb. He looked at her coldly. He was really interested in biology and astronomy all along. Unless his memory deceived him, Leila was Type O while he was Type AB. It looked like he knew more than he had let on.