Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

"Uncle Xiang, pass the word around that starting tomorrow, the cook will only be responsible for the main family’s meals. From now on, if anyone dares to let the second family take a single grain of rice, they should immediately pack up and leave!"

"Certainly, Lady."

Uncle Xiang accepted the order and walked out. Seeing Violet Zimmerman taking serious action, Eva Hayes started throwing a tantrum again.

She pushed her bowl and chopsticks forward, slapped her thigh, and began to wail, "Oh Grandpa, can you see this? You’re not even gone yet, and they’re treating us like this. If you were really gone, we second family wouldn’t have a place to stand..."

"Shut up!" Atlas Lancaster reprimanded irritably, "Aren’t you ashamed enough?" Grandpa is still here, and yet she’s cursing right in front of him, it’s questionable whether this woman has a conscience.

"Atlas Lancaster, are you even a man? Our entire family has been driven out, and you don’t dare make a sound!" Eva stopped crying and turned to look over, Atlas visibly angered with his forehead twitching, "Michael, Gabriel, take your mom back!"

As her husband got up to leave, Eva started making a scene again, cursing loudly at Atlas’s back, "Atlas Lancaster, you useless waste, marrying you in this lifetime has been an eight-generation curse!"

"Mom, stop shouting, aren’t you afraid of making a fool of yourself?"

Michael and Gabriel each took an arm and lifted Eva up, while at another table, Daemon Lancaster and his wife stood up holding their child.

Once the second family left, Aria Williams apologetically spoke, "Grandpa, in-laws, I’m sorry, it’s all because my niece is immature and has caused you such trouble."

"Aunt, you’re blaming me!" Violet Zimmerman pouted in discontent, twisting her body slightly.

"Be quiet, quickly follow me back!" Aria Williams lowered her voice and said sternly.

For once, Lucy Zimmerman didn’t retort.

Bodhi Lancaster took a deep breath and picked up his chopsticks again, "Let’s eat."

Though he didn’t say anything, it was clear he was noticeably unhappy.

The two families have always been at odds, yet still sat together for meals solely to please Grandpa. Grandpa’s age caught up with him, his health deteriorating day by day; no matter how dissatisfied he might be with the second family, they were still his own sons.

Old people have one wish—they long for family harmony. Over the years, the families might clash internally, but externally, they fiercely protected each other.

Especially in business dealings, as one family, their successes and failures were shared.

This principle, Atlas Lancaster still understood.

"Violet, you went too far earlier; behind closed doors, we’re all family." Aria Williams reproachfully scolded her daughter.

Before Violet Zimmerman could respond, Daxton Lancaster spoke up.

"Mom, Violet did nothing wrong, please don’t blame her. She’s my wife, and I’d feel uncomfortable if anyone else blamed her."

He hadn’t spoken before because he saw Violet Zimmerman speaking up. Lucy Zimmerman indeed lacks judgment; however, no matter how ill-mannered she may be, she is still a guest. Even ignoring the monk, one should consider the temple—a long-standing relationship with the family head would mean that Eva, as an elder, shouldn’t behave so poorly.

Daxton Lancaster’s words moved Violet Zimmerman. From dating to marriage, they’ve been together for over two years. He’s said he likes her, mentioned love last night; yet the likes and loves didn’t compare to this one sweet sentiment.

Joseph Lancaster didn’t come for breakfast after being pestered by Lucy Zimmerman, timing his arrival around when everyone should likely be done eating. Unexpectedly, as he stepped in, he heard his elder brother Daxton say those words, startling the man in well-fitted clothes at the door.

Lucy Zimmerman, quick-eyed, spotted Joseph Lancaster first, moved her chair aside, and ran over cheerfully, "Joseph, why are you only coming for breakfast now? The food’s getting cold!"

Bodhi Lancaster and his spouse glanced over with displeasure, as Joseph awkwardly withdrew his arm from Lucy Zimmerman’s grasp, forcing a tight smile while approaching the table.

"Dad, Mom, I saw Uncle and his family earlier, what happened?" Joseph asked curiously. The second family ignored him even when greeted.

Lorelei Howard discontentedly glanced at Lucy Zimmerman, "Ask your sister-in-law!"

Violet Zimmerman bowed her head, pursing her lips.

Aria Williams noticed Bodhi Lancaster and his wife’s displeasure, sighed secretly, and said, "Daxton, I plan to catch the early bus back with Lucy; please take us to the station later."

"Alright, Mom, please have your meal first, after breakfast I’ll drive you over."

Daxton Lancaster politely replied.

After such an incident, Aria Williams lost her appetite, smiling as she said, "I’ve eaten enough, let’s head out now."

"Aunt, you haven’t..."

"Lucy! Haven’t you caused enough trouble yet!" As Lucy Zimmerman started speaking, Aria Williams cut her off in annoyance. In circumstances like this, what family would accept a troublemaker in marriage?

"Can’t keep promises!" Lucy Zimmerman muttered, aggrievedly. Before leaving, she approached Joseph Lancaster, reluctantly saying, "Joseph, I’m heading back now and will come visit whenever I can."

Joseph Lancaster...

The rice bowl he’d just picked up clattered loudly onto the table.

"Why are you so excited? It’s not like I’m not coming back!" Lucy Zimmerman pouted, her thick lips puckered resembling a pig’s snout.

"Cough, cough..." Joseph Lancaster turned away, coughing from accidentally aspirating on his saliva.

"Grandfather, Uncle, Aunt, I’m heading back now; I’ll return for a visit when possible." Lucy Zimmerman waved goodbye to each, and if you hadn’t seen her behavior firsthand, you’d think she was a courteous young lady.

"Grandpa, in-laws, busy yourselves; I’m heading back." Aria Williams politely said farewell.

Violet Zimmerman stood up too, "Mom, let me see you off."

"No need, you stay and eat with your in-laws; Daxton can handle it."

Aria Williams nudged her daughter back, and as they stepped out, Lorelei Howard disdainfully sneered, "A toad lusting for swan’s flesh!"

As she glanced back at Violet Zimmerman, she asked irritably, "Violet, is your sister fancying our Joseph?"𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢