Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

Violet Zimmerman spent the whole day in regret, endlessly remorseful for agreeing to Daxton Lancaster’s proposal.

Daxton Lancaster wanted her to seduce his own younger uncle because only Joseph Lancaster was his biological brother.

If she got pregnant with Joseph Lancaster’s child, it would still be a pure lineage of their primary family.

Violet Zimmerman hadn’t visited her mother-in-law for a long time, because she hadn’t gotten pregnant yet, and her mother-in-law was clearly less enthusiastic than when she first joined the family.

She sat at the dressing table with her cheek propped up, gazing outside in a daze, until a delightful voice broke her trance, jarring her back to reality.

"Sister-in-law, look what I’ve brought back for you and big brother!"

The young man came running in, holding something jubilantly.

Recalling what Daxton Lancaster had said in the morning, Violet Zimmerman suddenly felt nervous and quickly stood up, planning to lead Joseph Lancaster to the downstairs hall.

The household servants frequently passed through the hall, which would reduce suspicion.

"Sister-in-law, what’s wrong? You seem to be downcast," Joseph Lancaster noticed Violet Zimmerman’s odd demeanor, and confusion filled the young man’s face.

Violet Zimmerman forced a smile, her eyes dodging, "What are you talking about? You’re mistaken."

"No, sister-in-law, you must be hiding something from me; you won’t even look me in the eye!"

Joseph Lancaster grabbed Violet Zimmerman by the arm, making her feel electrified as she took a step back and shook off his hand.

"Sister-in-law?" The young man’s handsome brows furrowed, hurt evident in his slanted eyes.

Realizing her reaction was too extreme, Violet Zimmerman smiled and changed the subject.

"Joseph, just now you said you brought something nice for me and Daxton?"

"Oh, it’s a Fertility Talisman." Joseph Lancaster presented the talisman to Violet Zimmerman.

"A classmate said the Child-Giving Bodhisattva at the temple in the eastern part of town is very effective. Her brother and sister-in-law had been married for two years with no children, but after they asked for a Fertility Talisman there, she got pregnant in less than two months."

"I went to the temple this morning to get the talisman for you and my brother. Sister-in-law, keep it and hang it by the headboard; the monks at the temple said you and my brother will have a child in less than two months!"

Looking at the talisman, Violet Zimmerman curved her lips, well aware that even if the headboard were covered in talismans, she could never get pregnant. Nonetheless, she accepted the talisman and gazed at it.

"Thank you, Joseph."

"Sister-in-law, we’re family, no need to be formal." Joseph Lancaster smiled and said, "When my brother gets back, you two hang the talisman up; I’ll head back now."

...

Violet Zimmerman spent the entire day staring out the window, and now, she was staring at the talisman Joseph Lancaster gave her.

Sitting at the dressing table, she unfolded the talisman and spread it out in front of her, staring at the picture-like characters until Daxton Lancaster returned from work.

Daxton Lancaster entered the house with his briefcase, not seeing his wife, he unconsciously furrowed his brow.

"Family Head, you’re back." A servant came over to take Daxton Lancaster’s briefcase, and he responded with a light nod.

"Where is Madam?"

"Madam is resting in the room upstairs."

The servant carried the briefcase inside and hung it on the coat rack.

Daxton Lancaster walked in, heading straight up the stairs.

In the bedroom, Violet Zimmerman was still staring at the talisman, even with Daxton Lancaster’s entrance, she remained unresponsive. Daxton approached, looking at the yellow paper placed in front of her, and picked it up, puzzled.

"What is this?"