Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

The most frustrating for Violet Zimmerman is when Lucy Zimmerman came over and asked confusedly, "Sis, why is the baby crying? Wasn’t he still alright just now?"

While rocking the baby gently, Violet Zimmerman scolded unhappily, "Lucy, keep your voice down. Robert is still little, if you scare him he might get sick!"

"Haha, I forgot." Lucy Zimmerman stuck out her tongue and squinted while smiling, making her look even worse.

The baby kept crying non-stop. Violet Zimmerman had no choice but to give him the pacifier, and once he had food, the little guy stopped crying.

"Why did you come up here?"

Lucy Zimmerman stood across from her, curiously staring at the little guy nursing, "I saw the servants cooking in the kitchen. Aren’t we going there to eat?"

When Lucy Zimmerman posed the question, Violet Zimmerman suddenly remembered something important. Although she’d instructed not to provide food and drink for the second household, there were still her parents and grandpa.

Parents had made their stance clear in the morning, and her cousin was careless with boundaries. If they gathered again, peace would be hard to maintain.

"Hmm, you came over, we’ll eat at home, make whatever you like."

"Oh, is that so, sis? You still think of me!" Lucy Zimmerman was delighted, plopping down beside Violet Zimmerman and probing, "Sis, do you know where Joseph’s company is? I want to bring him lunch at noon."

Violet Zimmerman...

"I don’t know either. Better not go, I heard Joseph is busy these days, entertaining clients every day."

"Ah, such a shame!" Lucy Zimmerman muttered in disappointment, then quickly regained her lively demeanor.

"Sis, can we invite Joseph over for dinner tonight? I’ll personally cook something delicious!"

Without waiting for Violet Zimmerman to agree, Lucy Zimmerman dashed out eagerly.

"..." Violet Zimmerman turned her face impatiently towards the side.

At noon, before Violet Zimmerman could call home, her mother Aria Williams phoned first.

"Violet, did Lucy run over to your place again?"

Violet Zimmerman covered the receiver, glancing back towards the dining room, and said in a low, displeased voice, "She’s here, Mom. Why did you let her come back again!"

"Ugh, this child, she said she needed to use the bathroom, and then followed the path and ran off. I didn’t know either!" Aria Williams was helpless and worried and only realized later, perhaps Lucy had secretly run off to her daughter’s house again.

Violet Zimmerman discreetly looked towards the dining room again, Lucy Zimmerman was still gobbling down rice, seemingly at her own home, without a hint of reservation.

"Mom, have Aunt quickly take her back. Lucy’s temperament, if she stays too long, my in-laws won’t be pleased!"

"I know, I’ll call your Aunt in a bit and ask her to take Lucy back." Aria Williams agreed, not wanting her niece to disrupt her daughter’s family harmony.

After ending the call with her mother, Violet Zimmerman hesitated, then dialed Daxton Lancaster’s company number; her cousin’s sudden return required notifying Daxton.

At the company, it was already lunchtime, yet Daxton Lancaster was still working in his office. Hearing the phone ring, he reached for it.

"Hello,"

"Daxton, it’s me," Violet Zimmerman hesitated.

Upon hearing Violet Zimmerman’s voice, the corners of Daxton Lancaster’s lips curled up unconsciously. He pushed the folder on the desk forward, leaning back into his chair.

"Violet, why the sudden call? What’s up?"

Violet Zimmerman glanced back once more; at the table, Lucy Zimmerman was already on her third bowl of rice.

"Daxton, my cousin... she’s back again," Violet Zimmerman cautiously spoke, seemingly worried Daxton Lancaster might be displeased, quickly adding, "I just talked to mom, she said she’d have Lucy taken back soon."

Regarding Violet Zimmerman’s cousin, Daxton Lancaster didn’t like her either, her appearance was unappealing, her demeanor even more off-putting. However, out of consideration for his wife, Daxton Lancaster didn’t show any distaste, speaking lightly.

"I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up. Still working."

"Daxton, wait!" Violet Zimmerman urgently interjected.

"Anything else?"

"Daxton, I won’t be going to grandpa’s for meals these days. Let your parents know."

"Alright, got it. Ask Ms. Zhang to get more ingredients from the cook. If you want anything, have the driver buy it outside."

Daxton Lancaster’s considerate words moved Violet Zimmerman, "Daxton, thank you."

"Silly, what thanks, we’re a couple."

"Sis, who are you calling? Hurry and eat, the dishes are getting cold!"

Lucy Zimmerman shouted back, and on the other end, Daxton Lancaster frowned visibly upon hearing her voice.

Exchanging a few hurried words, Violet Zimmerman hung up and returned to the dining table, finding it in disarray.

With her cousin around, Violet Zimmerman had instructed the kitchen to prepare extra dishes, totaling four stir-fry dishes, which should’ve been sufficient. But during her call, all four plates were nearly empty.

Standing in front of the table, Violet Zimmerman had no idea what to say to the four empty plates.

"Ugh!" Lucy patted her belly and belched contentedly, "Sis, I’m feeling a bit sleepy, going for a nap first, you eat slowly."

Watching her cousin head up the stairs, Violet Zimmerman took a deep breath.

"Madam, should I whip up another plate of eggs for you?" Ms. Zhang approached with concern, equally vexed by Lucy Zimmerman. Greedy and lazy, without a shred of diffidence, unable to restrain herself even as a guest in another’s home.

Violet Zimmerman sat down helplessly, "Go ahead."

Previously, during the day, Violet Zimmerman would sit in the lobby watching TV while taking care of the baby. Now with Lucy Zimmerman around, not wanting to face her, Violet Zimmerman stayed in the room, soothing the baby.

In the afternoon, alone in the lobby watching TV, Lucy Zimmerman spotted Lorelei Howard entering and eagerly welcomed her.

"Auntie, you’re here, come in and sit!"

Lorelei Howard paused while changing shoes, asking unceremoniously, "Why did you come back again?"