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Unexpected Concern
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-26 17:08:18
Bab terkait
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unwelcome News
ARIAAfter a week of being confined primarily to the blue suite, cabin fever sets in with a vengeance.The walls seem to close in despite the spacious rooms, and I find myself staring longingly out the windows at the expansive gardens below."I need fresh air," I announce when Xavier brings lunch, another task he's taken to performing personally despite the household staff's availability. "Just a short walk. I'm going stir-crazy in here."Xavier studies me carefully as I stand to emphasize my point. "Dr. Pia did say light activity would be beneficial at this stage," he concedes. "The gardens, maybe. But not alone.""I wasn't planning a solo expedition," I reply dryly. "I assumed you'd insist on accompanying me."Something that might be amusement flickers in his eyes. "You're learning."The Harrington gardens are spectacular even in early spring. Maintained pathways winding between geometric hedges and early blooms.Xavier matches his stride to my slower pace with his hand resting ligh
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-26The Substitute Bride's Revenge Family Betrayal
"These can't be right."Aria hunched over the quarterly reports, the numbers swimming before her eyes. Each column told the same story—a downward spiral that had begun years ago, almost to the day her father had married Victoria Pierce.She tucked a strand of dark curls behind her ear. Her fingers left a smudge of ink on her cheek, unnoticed as she recalculated the figures for the third time.The office around her had emptied hours ago. At twenty-four, Aria was often the first to arrive and the last to leave, desperately trying to keep her father's legacy from crumbling beneath the weight of mounting debt.The business degree she'd worked so hard for at State University—scholarship-funded, unlike Vivian's designer education was being put to use in ways her professors had never covered: how to stretch payments, which creditors to prioritize, when to beg for extensions.Her phone vibrated on the desk. A notification from Instagram. Without thinking, she tapped it open.Vivian Pierce's p
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Ultimatum
A sudden call at 2:17 AM jolted Aria from a restless sleep filled with dreams of drowning in red ink and balance sheets."You need to come now!" Victoria's voice was brittle with fury, lacking its usual veneer of false warmth. "Immediately.""What's happened? Is it Dad?" Aria was already fumbling for the light switch, heart hammering against her ribs."Just get here." The line went dead after that.Outside, the night had turned hostile. Rain lashed against Aria's windshield as she navigated the winding road up to the mansion, each lightning flash illuminating the path ahead for terrifying seconds before plunging her back into darkness.Her wipers fought a losing battle against the downpour, much like her struggle to keep her father's company afloat.By the time she reached the house, Aria was soaked from the brief dash from car to door.The housekeeper didn't greet her this time; instead, Victoria herself stood in the marble foyer, still dressed in evening clothes, her perfect makeup
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Ultimatum (2)
Morning light filtered through the blinds, casting prison-bar shadows across Robert Taylor's sleeping form.Aria shifted in the uncomfortable chair where she'd spent the night, her neck stiff, her mind foggy from fitful sleep interrupted by nurses' checks and the steady beep of monitoring equipment.The doctor had called it a "cardiac event"—not quite a heart attack, but a warning shot across the bow. "His heart is weakening," Dr. Winters had explained in hushed tones outside the room. "The stress, his age, his previous attack... He needs calm and stability. Another episode like this could be fatal."Aria rubbed her eyes, smudging yesterday's mascara further.Her phone showed seventeen missed calls from the office. Monday morning, and for the first time in her working life, she wasn't there to open the doors.The click of expensive heels announced Victoria's arrival before she appeared in the doorway, immaculate in a dove-gray suit, not a hair out of place despite the early hour.She
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Ultimatum (3)
Elysium Boutique occupied the penthouse floor of the city's most exclusive shopping district, accessible only by private elevator with an attendant who checked names against a list before allowing entry.Victoria was greeted by name while Aria was assessed with a quick, dismissive glance."Mrs. Pierce-Taylor," the boutique manager, a rail-thin woman with a severe chignon, glided forward. "We received your urgent request. How may we assist today?""Claudette, we have an emergency," Victoria confided, as though sharing state secrets. "My stepdaughter requires a complete wardrobe. Immediately."Claudette's gaze swept over Aria with the clinical precision of a butcher evaluating a subpar cut of meat. "I see. And the... dimensions?""Whatever you have in your largest sizes," Victoria replied. "We're working with significant constraints, both in time and... material."Aria felt her cheeks burn as the two women discussed her body as though she weren't present."Perhaps Madame would be more c
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Proposal (1)
Xavier Harrington's office was a monument to power. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city he was systematically conquering, furniture of dark leather… not a single personal photograph or memento to suggest the occupant was human rather than a perfectly engineered corporate machine.The man stood with his back to the door, speaking quietly into a phone while gazing out at his domain. Tall and broad-shouldered, his bespoke suit emphasized a physique maintained by expensive personal trainers and ruthless self-discipline.When he turned, Aria's breath caught—not because of his conventional good looks, but because of the absolute coldness in his ice-blue eyes.Those eyes barely registered Aria's presence, focusing instead on Victoria as he concluded his call. "Meeting later. Pierce priority."With that, he set down the phone without saying goodbye."Victoria. I expected this meeting four hours ago." His words fell like ice shards into the silence."A family emergency," Victoria exp
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Proposal (2)
Michael spread the contract before Aria, who could hear the low, intense conversation between Xavier and her stepmother across the room, though the words were indistinct.From Victoria's rigid posture, it wasn't going well."Page seventeen contains the personal conduct clauses," Michael said quietly, drawing her attention back to the document. "You'll want to pay particular attention to those."Aria flipped to the indicated page, scanning the dense legal text. Her business degree helped her navigate the jargon, but what she found made her stomach clench.[The Wife agrees to undergo any physical modifications deemed necessary by the Husband to maintain the Harrington family image, including but not limited to weight management, cosmetic procedures, dental work, and dermatological treatments.The Wife shall, within six months of signing, achieve and maintain the following measurements: waist not to exceed 26 inches, hips not to exceed 36 inches, weight not to exceed 125 pounds.The Wife
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03The Substitute Bride's Revenge Reluctant Agreement (1)
ARIAVictoria's phone chimed with a message once they arrived at the parking garage.Her smile widened as she read it."Excellent news," she announced. "Xavier's grandmother has invited us to the Harrington Estate. She wants to meet her new granddaughter-in-law immediately she calls."Aria stared at her in horror. "But I have nothing to wear, I need to check on Dad—""Details," Victoria dismissed. "The boutique will deliver options whenever we want. Your father is stable. This meeting with Eleanor Harrington is crucial; she's the true power behind the Harrington fortune."Victoria paused when they reached the car, her expression becoming suddenly serious. "One more thing, Aria. When you meet Eleanor, remember she's old-fashioned. Very old-fashioned. She believes in the sanctity of marriage, regardless of how it came about. Don't mention the business aspects of this arrangement.""You want me to pretend this is a love match?" Aria asked incredulously."I want you to be smart," Victoria
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06
Bab terbaru
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unwelcome News
ARIAAfter a week of being confined primarily to the blue suite, cabin fever sets in with a vengeance.The walls seem to close in despite the spacious rooms, and I find myself staring longingly out the windows at the expansive gardens below."I need fresh air," I announce when Xavier brings lunch, another task he's taken to performing personally despite the household staff's availability. "Just a short walk. I'm going stir-crazy in here."Xavier studies me carefully as I stand to emphasize my point. "Dr. Pia did say light activity would be beneficial at this stage," he concedes. "The gardens, maybe. But not alone.""I wasn't planning a solo expedition," I reply dryly. "I assumed you'd insist on accompanying me."Something that might be amusement flickers in his eyes. "You're learning."The Harrington gardens are spectacular even in early spring. Maintained pathways winding between geometric hedges and early blooms.Xavier matches his stride to my slower pace with his hand resting ligh
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unexpected Concern
ARIAThe night passes in fragmented pieces of Xavier waking me every two hours as promised, asking me simple questions to check my awareness."What's your name? What day is it? Do you know where you are?"Each time, I drift back to sleep almost immediately after answering, vaguely aware of his watchful presence in the armchair near the bed.Morning arrives with pale sunlight filtering through the blinds and the dull throb of pain in my head and wrist.I blink awake to find Xavier standing at the window and his back to me as he speaks quietly on the phone."Cancel everything through Friday. Reschedule the Tokyo call for next week. Tell them I have a family emergency."Family emergency. The term catches me by surprise. Hearing him use that terminology when he doesn't know I'm listening feels significant."I'm awake," I announce softly, not wanting to eavesdrop further.Xavier turns immediately, ending his call with a brief "Handle it" before approaching the bed.He looks exhausted, with
The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Accident (2)
ARIAThe realization that he's here, that someone actually reached him, brings an unexpected wave of relief that makes my eyes sting with sudden tears.When he appears in the doorway, I barely recognize him.His usual immaculate appearance is completely disrupted: tie missing, shirt collar open, hair disheveled as though he's been repeatedly running his hands through it. However, it's his expression that truly shocks me. The emotion in his eyes."Aria," he breathes, crossing the room in three long strides to reach for me. Then hesitates with his hands hovering uncertainly as he takes in the monitoring equipment, the bandage being applied to my wrist, the bruise already forming at my temple."I'm okay," I manage. "Just a little banged up."Xavier's gaze sweeps over me, cataloging each visible injury with growing intensity. When he finally meets my eyes again, there's something raw and unguarded in his expression that I've never seen before."What happened?" his voice is rough.I try to
The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Accident
ARIAThe storm hits Midtown with unexpected ferocity, turning the afternoon sky an ominous slate gray.I should have rescheduled my meeting with Westlake Pharmaceuticals, but their CEO is flying to London tomorrow, and securing their distribution partnership for our Kazakhstan facilities is too important to delay."You could videoconference," Michael suggests when he sees me collecting my portfolio. "The weather warning's been upgraded to severe.""Westlake’s CEO is old-school," I explain, checking that I have all the necessary contracts. "Mr. Harrison won't sign anything without a handshake first."Michael frowns at the rain lashing against the office windows. "At least take the company car instead of yours. They have better traction.""Mine has all-wheel drive," I assure him, though I appreciate his concern. "And I grew up driving in harsh winters. This is nothing."My car glides smoothly through the downpour, and by the time I arrive at Westlake’s glass tower, the valet is already
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Family Interference
ARIAThe Harrington family estate has become more comfortable, less like a museum and more like a place I could actually call home. I’ve spent time exploring the vast property. However, there are still rooms that feel forbidden. Eleanor's private study is one of them—a sanctum I've never been invited to enter.I'm passing by its heavy oak door when I hear my name spoken in Eleanor's crisp, authoritative tone.I pause, not intending to eavesdrop yet unable to move away when I realize she's speaking to Xavier."You're becoming distracted by Aria," Eleanor says. "The board has noticed. I've noticed.""The board is pleased with our performance," Xavier responds with an edge I recognize as defensiveness. "Our stock is up seventeen percent since the Kazakhstan deal.""This isn't about business performance." Eleanor's voice sharpens. "It's about your performance. The way you look at her during meetings. The rooftop dinner for her birthday. These gestures go far beyond our arrangement."I sho
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Protection Instinct
ARIAThe weight of what I've uncovered changes everything.I wake with a jolt each morning, immediately checking for signs of intrusion. Each night, I lie awake cataloging potential threats and planning countermeasures.I've become hypervigilant, seeing danger in every unexpected phone call, every lingering glance from Eleanor or her people.I've installed my own security system in my private quarters: motion sensors, cameras, and alarms that alert only my burner phone.I've even started taking self-defense classes three times a week, telling Xavier it's for stress relief.But more than my own safety, I find myself increasingly concerned about Xavier. The emotional damage I once attributed to simple coldness or arrogance now reveals itself as the product of genuine trauma—a child who lost his parents and brother, who's been manipulated by the very person who may have orchestrated it all.His trust issues, his emotional detachment, his occasional bouts of unexplained melancholy… they a
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Dangerous Knowledge
ARIAI reach out to a man named Jasper Griffith who agrees to meet me with surprising ease when I mention James Harrington's name the next day. As Harrington Consolidated's former security chief, he potentially has information that could confirm or disprove Xavier's suspicions about his parents' deaths.We arrange to meet at Café Lucerne, a small establishment across town, away from any Harrington-affiliated locations.I spend the morning preparing, researching Griffith's background. His twenty-two years with Harrington security was abruptly terminated six months after the "accident" that killed James and Catherine. No public explanation was given, and he's been working as a private security consultant since then, though his client list is notably devoid of major corporations.My phone rings with a blocked number two hours before our meeting."Mrs. Harrington. I need to cancel our appointment," Griffith's voice sounds tight, almost strangled."Is everything alright, Mr. Griffith?" I pr
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Family Secrets
ARIAEleanor's warning echoes in my mind as I sit alone in the library three days after the charity gala.The gentle ticking of the antique clock, a Benson & Wilcox from the 1890s that Xavier's great-grandfather imported from London, is my only companion at 2:37 AM.I'm surrounded by newspaper clippings, financial reports, and archived articles I've been collecting since that night at the gala when Eleanor cornered me with her veiled threats.The smell of old paper and leather bindings mingles with the faint scent of the Earl Grey tea that's gone cold beside me.Xavier's revelations at the mausoleum last week still haunt me.I run my finger along the timeline I've created, starting with the accident that killed James and Catherine Harrington thirteen years ago. The official story seemed straightforward at first, but as I dig deeper, inconsistencies emerge like fractures in glass.The accident occurred exactly three days before James was scheduled to announce a major company restructuri
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Moment of Weakness
ARIAThe storm shows no sign of abating as midnight approaches.Rain hammers against the stone roof of the mausoleum, and wind howls through cracks in the ancient mortar.I've lost feeling in my legs hours ago, but I don't dare move and disturb Xavier's fitful sleep.His head remains heavy in my lap and his breathing occasionally catching on what sounds suspiciously like suppressed sobs.When he finally stirs, the disorientation in his eyes is immediate. He blinks rapidly, trying to place his surroundings, then freezes when he realizes his position.The vulnerability I witnessed earlier begins to shutter behind his usual visage of control."How long have I been out?" His voice is rough, throat raw from emotion and whiskey."A few hours," I answer softly. "The storm's trapped us here."He sits up abruptly, wincing at what must be a splitting headache. "You should have woken me." The words are accusatory yet lack their usual bite."You needed the rest."Xavier runs a hand through his dis
