Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

In the exchange of glances, the woman was charming and shy, the man gentle-eyed, with the morning light adding a romantic ambiance, as if something were about to happen.

"Knock, knock," an untimely knock at the door disrupted the indoor romance.

"Family Head, Madam, the eldest master has already called to urge us."

Daxton Lancaster came back to his senses, taking a deep breath, and tightened his grip on Violet Zimmerman’s hand, inhaled, and exhaled, "Let’s go, we need to present tea to Grandpa."

It was still the garden from yesterday’s reunion dinner. Violet Zimmerman had been here before and had eaten with the Lancaster Family a few times; everyone from the Lancaster Family was gathered here.

The new daughter-in-law was presenting tea, and Violet was a bit nervous. Her palms, interlocked with Daxton’s fingers, were sweaty.

With phoenix eyes comforting her, Daxton said, "Don’t be afraid, I’m here."

A few soft words were like a tranquilizer, calming Violet’s anxious heart. She turned her head to meet Daxton’s gentle phoenix eyes and smiled.

When the two walked into the banquet hall, the old man was already sitting upright in the main seat, with Daxton’s parents on the left and second uncle Atlas Lancaster and his wife on the right.

The Lancaster siblings were seated at the dining table below, waiting for the couple to serve tea to the elders before starting the meal.

Daxton led Violet to stand in front of the elders, bowing respectfully.

"Good morning, Grandpa."

Violet also followed with a greeting, "Good morning, Grandpa."

"Good morning, Dad, Mom."

Daxton bowed again to his parents, and Violet followed suit in greeting, then it was second uncle Atlas Lancaster and his wife. After the couple greeted everyone, a row of servants walked out from the kitchen at the back, holding tea trays and waiting beside.

The leading servant carried a tray to the couple, with two cups of tea on it. They each picked up a cup, knelt on the mat in front of the elderly man’s seat.

Daxton raised the cup of tea.

"Grandpa, here is your grandson’s tea, wishing you longevity as the East Sea, and life as long as the Southern Mountains."

"Good, good." The old man nodded repeatedly, becoming more fond of his grandson. He reached out for the tea cup, sipped a little, then passed it to the servant standing by.

Violet also raised her cup with a smile and said,

"Grandpa, this is from your granddaughter-in-law, wishing you good health and a prosperous family."

"Good, good, good!"

The old man said three "good" words in succession, stroking his beard, unable to contain his laughter. With the Lancaster Family being large and prosperous, he most hoped for more grandchildren, so Violet’s words greatly pleased him.

On the left, Bodhi Lancaster and his wife saw their daughter-in-law being so eloquent and were satisfied with smiles.

On the right, second uncle Atlas Lancaster’s wife murmured softly,

"Sweet talk!"

The old man’s laughter was loud, drowning out her discontent.

Seeing Violet holding the tea cup high, Daxton reminded with a laugh, "Grandpa, Violet’s hand is getting tired."

"Oh dear, look at this old fool, in all my joy I forgot to drink the tea my granddaughter-in-law served." The old man quickly took the tea cup, lowered his eyes to drink, and praised, "The tea served by my granddaughter-in-law tastes better."

"Grandpa, as long as you like it, Violet will serve you tea every day."

"Good, good, from now on, Grandpa will drink the tea served by his granddaughter-in-law every day." The old man handed the tea cup to the servant waiting beside him. On the right, Eva Hayes murmured discontentedly again, "Flattering!"

Atlas Lancaster gently nudged his wife to remind her not to let the old man hear it.

After drinking the tea offered by the grandchildren, the old man took two red envelopes from the tray held by the waiting servant.

One was full, and the other seemed to contain nothing.

Looking at the thin red envelope, Atlas Lancaster’s hands on his knees suddenly tensed.