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Chapter 39
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2024-09-23 05:06:03
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Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 40
VALERIAIn the days that followed, Madeline did as she promised and came to me multiple times to ‘continue’ from where we left off our prematurely interrupted conversation.She was a persistent one, honestly.One time, I remember asking why it had to be me or rather, our group of mavericks.Her answer was, “You guys seem really cool to me, and it made me want to get to know you better.”To the adult me, such words would barely have made an impact, but for teenagers obsessed with the word ‘cool,’ it was everything!It doesn’t matter how mature a teenager was, being called or known as one of the cool guys was simply the ultimate compliment.So it was hardly surprising that I quickly threw caution to the wind and allowed her into our small circle of friends. Of course, the annoyance from Jack’s constant threats/demeaning words, in addition to my twin sister, Vanessa’s passive-aggressive ‘persuasion’ couldn’t be omitted as contributing factors.When I came back to my senses later on, I di
Last Updated : 2024-09-23Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 41
ZANEValeria was avoiding me.If I had only been suspicious before, now I was certain.Today marks the third day of which I have seen neither hide nor hair of her. Of course, this wasn’t that unusual in her case considering how I have been witness to her staying cooped up in her room for days, neglecting to eat while working on her music.Eventually, I had to step in and personally deliver her meals to her room.However, when I asked Arlo about her yesterday, I was told she usually comes down to eat breakfast after I leave for work.If that doesn’t make it glaringly obvious that she was avoiding me—especially when it had become the norm for us to eat breakfast together—I don’t know what will.But let’s say that the first and second day were nothing but coincidences; today happens to be the third day, so I will verify in person whether it's indeed a coincidence or a deliberate avoidance, like I suspect!With this in mind, I gave my chauffeur a call, instructing him to drive-off and ret
Last Updated : 2024-10-08Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 42
VALERIAAfter a good night’s sleep, I got up from bed early, washed up in preparation to start my first day as a college senior—yes, the seemingly never-ending summer break became officially over yesterday.Speaking of which, I would have forgotten all about it if Chris and Andy hadn’t given me a call and sent a message one after the other to remind me yesterday’s morning.I tend to forget about stuff like that, they said, and that, if I were to be honest with myself, was nothing but the truth.I, indeed, have always had trouble keeping track of events, holidays and even my own birthday--like I know and keep the date at the back of my mind, but on that particular day or the day before, I always manage to forget about it for some reason. Thinking of how the duo had made a tease bet on our gc to see whether I’ll still remember by today, I shook my head and smiled to myself.Following after, I gathered my thoughts, looked at the items spread out on the bed and tried to see if I had miss
Last Updated : 2024-10-15Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 43
VALERIALater, in the car.Yes, I wasn’t able to win against him in the end. Or to be more specific, he didn’t even give me a chance to.From the corner of my eyes, I could see him wearing a serious expression as he scrolled through his tablet.‘He looks really good in glasses…’Before my thoughts could drift further along that path, I snapped back to reality with an inward yelp.‘For goodness sake, Valeria! Is now really the time for your nymphomania to act up?’Regardless of the suffocating awkwardness in here that was getting increasingly impossible to ignore?Seriously!?After giving myself a good scolding, I sat upright and thought, ‘No, I can’t let this go on.’I have to do or say something! Anything!So, without fully processing the thought that suddenly popped into my mind, I found myself blurting out, “I plan to move closer to school—I have an apartment there.”‘What the h*ll was I saying?!’ I screamed internally after a belated reaction.However, after calming down, I realize
Last Updated : 2024-10-26Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 44
VALERIALost in thought, I was startled back to reality by a light tap on my shoulder. I blinked and turned around, just in time to hear the person call my name.“Hey, Val.”It was one of my former roommates from freshman year. We had been the only ones in the dorm studying the same major, so we naturally became the closest. That hasn’t changed,, at least for me—she was still the closest female friend I had on campus.Seeing her, I couldn’t help but smile, “Sarah.”“Welcome to the final stretch,” I added as an afterthought.“I know, right?! it’s crazy to think we’ll be graduating soon. Time’s gone by so fast,” Sarah said with a nostalgic, yet excited smile on her face as she took the seat next to me on the right.“Crazy indeed—it feels like just yesterday that we were freshmen. It’s honestly such a bittersweet feeling.”Silence ensued between us after this, only to be broken by Sarah’s abrupt question.“You haven’t logged onto the school forum today, have you?”“The school forum?” I d
Last Updated : 2024-12-07Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 45
VALERIA“So is the Jenna you two talking about really that bandmate of yours?” Sarah once again interrupted my thoughts.“Yes, that’s her. She’s no longer a member of the band though. Or rather, our band is now disbanded; we’ll make an official announcement on our page later.”“That explains it then.”It was yet another enigmatic statement, which made me unable to help but wonder when Sarah developed a habit of speaking in circles.“That explains what? Can you explain more clearly?” I asked, my tone laced with no small amount of helplessness.In response, she scooted closer to me and then said in a conspiratorial tone, “Before I say anything, let me make this clear first—I’m definitely not trying to speak badly of her, since this is practically basic knowledge to those in the know.”“Note taken. Go ahead.”“So the thing is...,” she scooted even closer, “Jenna has always been jealous of you.”Noticing the dubious look I threw her, she didn’t panic and continued speaking, “I know you wo
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 46
VALERIA“I’ll take the legal route.”“Dealing with her through the law is indeed a good idea, but don’t you plan on confronting her first?” Andy asked.While tucking a rebellious strand of hair behind my ear, I replied nonchalantly, “I’m taking the legal route precisely because I don’t want to waste my time on pointless things. Besides, would confronting her change anything?”“No, it wouldn’t. it would only make things even more unpleasant than they already are.”“You do have a point,” Andy nodded in agreement as realization dawned on him. “But even if you don’t plan to, after she receives the court summons, she will definitely come find you.”“Then let her come,” Chris, who had been silent all along, interjected.His tone was plain and ordinary, nothing that should cause unease. Yet, for some reason, I found myself grabbing his sleeve with urgency, “Don’t do anything, Chris. Please.”He paused, his dark eyes flicking to mine with a flash of unclear emotion, before a familiar teasing
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 47
ZANEHis eyes bloodshot and filled with remorse, Mason laboriously spat out another apology.But the sight wasn’t enough to soothe my anger—nor the overwhelming disappointment.As my trusted right-hand man, he knew better than anyone the things I detested most. Yet, he dared to suggest the one thing that topped the list.Releasing him, I rose from my seat and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Gazing at the sprawling city below, I asked, “Do you still remember Eric?”I didn't need to look back to see the blood drain from his face. The name and the person had long become an unspoken scar for both of us. One time could never heal.“Of course, you remember. How can you not, when he was the one who took you in?” My tone softened slightly, though a trace of sadness crept into my heart.Eric was my best friend. Back then, godfather took both of us in at around the same time. We trained together, fought together and did everything side by side.He was the closest thing I had to family—so
Last Updated : 2025-01-15
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Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 53
AARON“Sorry, can you repeat that again. I didn’t catch it the first time.”“You want to do what?” I looked at the woman in front of me—someone I called my sister—the way one would look at a lunatic.“I want to replace Valeria as Ria.”“You can make it work, right?”Okay. So my hearing was perfectly fine. I had heard her correctly.The way she put it—so casually, as if it were the most reasonable request—left me utterly befuddled.Is Vanessa… in her right mind?Genuinely puzzled, I blurted out the question before I could stop myself.I expected her to get angry at me, undeniably insulting as my question was, but to my surprise, she didn’t.‘I guess she also knew how crazy she sounded,’ I mused.“You only have to tell me whether you’re willing to help me or not,” she leaned forward, stubborn determination in her eyes.My answer was just as resolute, ”I won’t.”“I don’t know how you got this idea or the delusion that you can make it work, but I have no intention of going along with or p
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 52
VANESSAThe moment I stepped into class, I sensed something was off with the atmosphere and the way my classmates looked at me.Excitement. Curiosity. Gloating. Disdain.I stopped abruptly at the entrance, instinctively pulling back.The first two, I could understand and even welcomed, but the last two?What the hell was that about?My gaze swept across the room, and with each glance, my irritation deepened.Unable to stand being kept in the dark a second longer, I shot a look at Hannah and Paige—my friends, or rather, my minions—and gestured for them to follow me outside.In the empty classroom next door, I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at the duo standing in front of me, “Why were they looking at me like that?”Hannah and Paige exchanged a nervous glance, fueling my frustration.“Spill it,” I snapped.They flinched, but still hesitated, testing the limits of my patience.Especially with those looks—the gloating, the disdain—replaying in my mind and chipping away at my compos
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 51
DAMIANAs the warm water hit my skin and ran down my body, a subconscious sigh of comfort escaped my lips.After pulling an all-nighter for three days straight and finally closing a headache-inducing business deal in the early hours of the morning, I was beyond exhausted.All I wanted after getting out of the shower was a good sleep before my flight back home.But I had barely taken a step out when I heard a knock followed by my secretary, Vivian’s voice.“Come in," I said lazily after a brief pause, fastening my robe more securely in the process. Vivian might be married, middle-aged, and have been around me for a couple of years, but I still wasn't comfortable showing her too much of my skin.“Is there a problem?” I asked as she entered, for I had made it quite clear that I was not to be disturbed until it was time for my flight.“I apologize for intruding, but there’s a situation online that I think you ought to see.”With half-lidded eyes, I found my way to the sofa and took a seat
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 50
VALERIAIt was a girl in ponytail.Seeing everyone look in her direction, there was no embarrassment on her face. Instead, to my foreboding, the excitement in her eyes became more intense as she stared at me.The words she spoke next proved that I was right to feel that way.“The paparazzi revealed the true identity of Ria! Hurry and take a look—her identity would knock your socks off!”Upon hearing this, i wasn’t too panicked, after all, there have been so many fake reveals prior to today.‘This time is probably no different,’ I thought to myself.However, when I accidentally locked eyes with the girl and caught the fervor in her fixated gaze, I couldn’t help but take a step back silently. At the same time, the sense of foreboding in my heart grew stronger.Something… does feel different this time.‘To be on the safe side, I’d better make my escape while everyone is still distracted,’ I decided as my gaze swept around the crowd busy with their phones.Without a moment of delay, I ste
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 49
VALERIA“What's there to be unsure about? Slander or lies only exist if what's said isn't true. But tell me, Valeria—what part of it isn't?”“The part where you are married? Or the part where your husband is an old man?” Jenna shot back, her smile brimming with confidence.I remained unbothered, crossing my hand over my chest as I spoke, “You sound so confident that I'd find it a shame not to indulge your curiosity.”Jenna's grin widened in triumph.“To start with, you are right about one thing—I’m indeed married.”The crowd erupted in a flurry of gasps and murmurs .‘What the h*ll!’‘She’s really married?! Does that mean…?’‘She got married so early?’‘I guess she did marry for money after all.’‘Ugh, i can’t believe I used to admire a gold-digger like her. What a disappointment.’‘I have a hunch there might be a plot twist ahead, so I'll wait and see how things unfold.'‘Hold on... If she’s married, what about Chris? i thought they were an item?’Their comments came loud and clear,
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 48
VALERIAZane didn’t return home last night.This unsolicited tidbit was provided by Arlo while I ate breakfast this morning.Honestly speaking, the thought of asking for Zane's help when I saw Jenna’s post yesterday did cross my mind. After all, nothing could quash the rumors better than a clear picture of my so-called husband. But that thought lasted only a moment..First and foremost, our relationship was meant to be strictly business—a performance for the eyes of those who mattered. What's more, Zane had put up with years of being mischaracterized by the public as an old, dying CEO, which spoke volumes about how much he valued his privacy.With what reason or standing could I possibly ask him to make an exception for me?More importantly, after hearing him reiterate the true nature of our relationship yesterday, I can no longer bring myself to seek his help. The last thing I want is to be labeled or misunderstood as opportunistic.Fortunately, thanks to Sarah, I had other ways to d
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 47
ZANEHis eyes bloodshot and filled with remorse, Mason laboriously spat out another apology.But the sight wasn’t enough to soothe my anger—nor the overwhelming disappointment.As my trusted right-hand man, he knew better than anyone the things I detested most. Yet, he dared to suggest the one thing that topped the list.Releasing him, I rose from my seat and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Gazing at the sprawling city below, I asked, “Do you still remember Eric?”I didn't need to look back to see the blood drain from his face. The name and the person had long become an unspoken scar for both of us. One time could never heal.“Of course, you remember. How can you not, when he was the one who took you in?” My tone softened slightly, though a trace of sadness crept into my heart.Eric was my best friend. Back then, godfather took both of us in at around the same time. We trained together, fought together and did everything side by side.He was the closest thing I had to family—so
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 46
VALERIA“I’ll take the legal route.”“Dealing with her through the law is indeed a good idea, but don’t you plan on confronting her first?” Andy asked.While tucking a rebellious strand of hair behind my ear, I replied nonchalantly, “I’m taking the legal route precisely because I don’t want to waste my time on pointless things. Besides, would confronting her change anything?”“No, it wouldn’t. it would only make things even more unpleasant than they already are.”“You do have a point,” Andy nodded in agreement as realization dawned on him. “But even if you don’t plan to, after she receives the court summons, she will definitely come find you.”“Then let her come,” Chris, who had been silent all along, interjected.His tone was plain and ordinary, nothing that should cause unease. Yet, for some reason, I found myself grabbing his sleeve with urgency, “Don’t do anything, Chris. Please.”He paused, his dark eyes flicking to mine with a flash of unclear emotion, before a familiar teasing
Mr. Devilish's Substitute Bride Chapter 45
VALERIA“So is the Jenna you two talking about really that bandmate of yours?” Sarah once again interrupted my thoughts.“Yes, that’s her. She’s no longer a member of the band though. Or rather, our band is now disbanded; we’ll make an official announcement on our page later.”“That explains it then.”It was yet another enigmatic statement, which made me unable to help but wonder when Sarah developed a habit of speaking in circles.“That explains what? Can you explain more clearly?” I asked, my tone laced with no small amount of helplessness.In response, she scooted closer to me and then said in a conspiratorial tone, “Before I say anything, let me make this clear first—I’m definitely not trying to speak badly of her, since this is practically basic knowledge to those in the know.”“Note taken. Go ahead.”“So the thing is...,” she scooted even closer, “Jenna has always been jealous of you.”Noticing the dubious look I threw her, she didn’t panic and continued speaking, “I know you wo
