Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

In the morning, Violet Zimmerman woke up to find her son sleeping beside her, and Joseph Lancaster was no longer in the bedroom.

She had a rare restful sleep last night, without hearing the little one crying, and did not get up to change the diaper in the middle of the night.

...

Violet suddenly jumped up, realizing she hadn’t changed the baby’s diaper all night. It might be soaked in urine by now!

When she carefully opened the baby’s diaper, she found that it was dry underneath.

A smile unconsciously lifted her lips; it must have been her brother-in-law who helped change it. When Violet drew the curtains, she confirmed this thought.

The clothesline on the viewing platform was lined with densely hung baby clothes.

...

"Second Brother, did you go thieving last night? Why do you have such dark circles?" Aurora Lancaster asked exaggeratedly.

The other brothers at the table also looked over curiously as Joseph Lancaster scooped the last bit of millet porridge into his mouth, unable to hide his happiness.

"What nonsense, I drank some tea last night, didn’t sleep well."

Amid everyone’s puzzled gazes, Joseph Lancaster put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked out.

As he walked to his place, he subconsciously touched his chin.

It seemed to still have the little one’s scent; while changing the little one’s diaper last night, the baby had sprayed him all over, including his chin.

When passing by Violet Zimmerman’s residence, Joseph Lancaster instinctively went in. Although he had just left not long ago, he still wanted to see his son before going to work.

"Second Young Master is here," a servant greeted respectfully.

Joseph Lancaster responded casually, "Where’s Sister-in-law? Has she had breakfast?"

"Second Young Master, breakfast has just been sent to Madam."

"Okay, I’ll go check on her."

Joseph Lancaster was smart enough to never sneak around when visiting his brother and sister-in-law’s place, except last night. A clever man knows that being open and upfront makes him less suspicious.

Conversely, if he deliberately avoids or shuns, even if he hasn’t done anything, it would raise suspicions.

Violet Zimmerman was leaning on the bed, having breakfast. Millet with boiled eggs, although it was the best postpartum meal, Joseph Lancaster still frowned, dissatisfied.

The mother of his child should eat better.

The little one was already awake, and a servant was holding him, walking around the room.

Joseph Lancaster walked over and extended his hands, "Let me hold him; you step out for a moment."

"Second Young Master, he’s still small. Are you sure you can hold him?" the servant asked, concerned.

Watching the little one sucking his fingers, Joseph Lancaster’s eyes softened with tenderness.

"It’s fine; I’ll give it a try."

The servant carefully placed the baby in Joseph Lancaster’s arms, and seeing that he held him well, she felt relieved to step out.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Joseph Lancaster sat down by the bed with his son, gently stroking his little face, asking, "What do you want to eat? I’ll buy it for you after work."

Violet Zimmerman realized that during pregnancy, her palate had become finicky. Eating the daily essential dishes of millet and eggs didn’t completely satisfy her.

"Craving some chicken legs, from Wan Baoshun."

Joseph Lancaster continued stroking his son’s little face, his fingers sliding wherever the baby’s mouth followed.

"That’s not possible; you’re not supposed to eat too much salt while in confinement."

As Joseph Lancaster spoke, Violet Zimmerman immediately scowled.

"Why ask if you won’t allow it?"

Joseph Lancaster lifted his gaze to meet her, his lips curving with tenderness.

"Once the baby is a month old, you can eat them. I’ll buy a few more for you then."

"You said it, no going back on your word." Although she was dying for some chicken legs, Violet Zimmerman knew that women shouldn’t consume too much salt during confinement.

"Alright, I won’t go back on my word." Joseph Lancaster spoke dotingly, and seeing that Violet Zimmerman had finished her breakfast, he passed the little one over.

"The baby might be hungry."

Violet Zimmerman took the baby over and sheepishly said, "I need to breastfeed him, please step out for a bit."

Joseph Lancaster chuckled, looking a bit helpless, "I saw everything last night."

Violet Zimmerman...

No wonder she slept so soundly, turns out...

She barely lifted her collar, and the baby’s head managed to cover that area.

"Go to work now, don’t be late."

"Alright," Joseph Lancaster stood up, "lie down more, sit less, I’ll come by again tonight."

Joseph Lancaster went off to work, and Violet Zimmerman spent the whole day pondering the meaning behind Joseph Lancaster’s "I’ll come by again tonight."

During the day, her mother-in-law, Lorelei Howard, came over to help her with the baby. Her first grandson, whom as a grandmother, she loved dearly.

"Violet, did Robert fuss last night? Why don’t I come over at night to help with the baby?"

As soon as Lorelei Howard finished speaking, Violet Zimmerman hastily refused, "No need, Mom, Robert is very behaved, only woke twice last night."

"Really? My grandson is quite considerate. Daxton said while he was home, the baby often cried at night. But with just you taking care of him, he’s become so obedient."

Lorelei Howard put the little one back in the cot, "Robert is sleeping; you should rest too. I’ll come back later."

"Mom, take care."

"Yes, get some sleep."

At nine PM, Violet Zimmerman, who would usually be very sleepy by this time, found herself surprisingly awake.

In the afternoon, a woman claiming to be Joseph Lancaster’s secretary delivered an old hen. The servants made chicken soup with a pinch of salt, making it taste rather palatable.

At nine o’clock sharp, seeing the shadow on the curtain, Violet Zimmerman unconsciously smiled. When the window glass was tapped, Joseph Lancaster’s voice followed.

"Sister-in-law, I’m here."

Violet Zimmerman got off the bed and opened the window, playfully saying, "Why are you here again!"

Joseph Lancaster climbed through the window, didn’t speak, and went straight over to the little one in the cot.

In these past few days, Violet Zimmerman’s sleep quality was excellent, relieved of a lot of burden with Joseph Lancaster helping with the baby. Joseph would change the baby’s diaper and hold him for feeding when hungry.

Violet Zimmerman, half-asleep, only had to use her arms, with everything else taken care of by Joseph Lancaster.

And Joseph Lancaster, to avoid family noticing his lack of sleep, would catch a nap at the company every noon. Such days lasted a week, and although Daxton Lancaster said he would return in ten days, he came back ahead of time.

Moreover, he returned without notifying anyone, and at night.

When Daxton returned from his business trip, it was already eight PM. He unpacked his suitcase, took out his clothes, and brought toys for his son.

Once done, Daxton sat on the bench at the foot of the bed, playing with his son. Normally, the little one would always want to play around this time before going to sleep.

As it approached nine PM, Violet Zimmerman grew anxious. With her husband home, she couldn’t exactly go downstairs to make a phone call.

Normally around this time, Brother-in-law would have almost arrived. She wondered about tonight...

As Violet was getting worried, Daxton suddenly rose from the bench at the foot of the bed and walked towards the window.

,