Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

Joseph Lancaster had just put down his wine glass when Michael Lancaster stood up.

"Sister-in-law, the blessings were already given by our big brother. Now that the Lancaster Family has a new addition, your brother-in-law toasts to you too."

Without waiting for Violet Zimmerman to raise her glass, he tilted his head back and cheerfully downed his drink.

After sitting back down, he deliberately showed Violet Zimmerman his empty glass.

Violet Zimmerman cast a subtle glance in Joseph Lancaster’s direction. It was clear to anyone watching that the two brothers seemed to want to get her drunk.

In past family gatherings, the uncles from each family branch would also toast to her, the matriarch, but it was merely a gesture. Not like Daemon Lancaster and his brothers, who downed their drinks in one go.

"Third brother, our sister-in-law is a woman and doesn’t drink as much as we men do!" Gabriel Lancaster reminded in a disapproving tone.

Michael Lancaster, putting a piece of meat in his mouth, casually replied, "Second brother, why are you so tense? Sister-in-law hasn’t even spoken, and we’re all in high spirits today!"

Violet Zimmerman looked at the half glass of Maotai in her hand; drinking this half-glass of liquor might not get her drunk, but she wouldn’t be able to withstand their rotating toasts.

Pretending to be in a dilemma, Violet Zimmerman sighed as she looked at the liquor in her hand and said, "Michael, it’s not that I don’t want to give you face, but today is a day of celebration. If I get drunk on such a joyous day, wouldn’t the juniors laugh at me?"

"Sister-in-law, you’re overthinking it. We’re all family. Who would laugh at you?" Michael Lancaster persisted, taking another bite of food, then putting down his chopsticks and resting his hands on his thighs as he looked at Violet Zimmerman.

"How about this, sister-in-law—if you can find someone to drink this cup for you, that’s fine too."

Sitting at the table were all the elders of the Lancaster family.

Daemon Lancaster, Gabriel Lancaster, Michael Lancaster, and Violet Zimmerman’s sister-in-law, Aurora Lancaster, and her husband, as well as Joseph Lancaster and Violet Zimmerman.

Daemon Lancaster had just raised a toast to Gabriel, and Violet Zimmerman didn’t find it appropriate to ask her eldest brother-in-law to drink in her stead.

Gabriel Lancaster wasn’t an option either, being the blood brother of Daemon and Michael. Not joining their attempts to drink her under the table was already giving her face.

Theodore Quest, as Aurora Lancaster’s husband, couldn’t possibly help her drink either; only Joseph Lancaster, her real brother-in-law, could do so without raising eyebrows.

Yet Violet Zimmerman understood that this was precisely Michael Lancaster’s intention.

Smiling, she picked up the wine glass, just about to say she would drink it herself.

Aurora Lancaster discreetly nudged her husband across from Joseph Lancaster. Theodore Quest, with his head buried in food, stood up in response to his wife’s signal.

Startled, the few people at the table froze.

"I’ll drink this cup for sister-in-law. Big brother took care of me a lot when he was around!"

Theodore Quest was usually quiet and rarely got involved in Lancaster family affairs, making this his first time stepping in like this.

Theodore Quest extended his arm across second brother Joseph Lancaster, took the glass from Violet Zimmerman’s hand, and downed it heartily.

He placed the empty glass back on the table, sat down, and resumed eating without saying another word.

The original plan to get both Violet Zimmerman and Joseph Lancaster drunk was foiled by Theodore Quest, much to Michael Lancaster’s visible displeasure as he glared at him across the table.

Joseph Lancaster knew that escaping tonight’s drinks was impossible. Even with Theodore’s help for one, Daemon and the others would find other excuses to toast.

Being passive was not as good as being proactive. Joseph Lancaster immediately picked up his wine glass and, smiling, made a suggestion.

"Brothers, it’s been a long time since we all gathered together. Let’s take this happy occasion at our sister-in-law’s house as a reason to have a drink too!"

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