Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

"How can you not know?" Aria Williams looked anxious.

"Violet, Joseph is your uncle. You’ve known him for over a year, and you live close by. How can you not know his likes and dislikes at all?"

Violet Zimmerman lifted her head and said seriously, "Mom! Joseph may be my uncle, but how could I, as the sister-in-law, know what he likes or doesn’t like!"

Violet Zimmerman’s words were obviously emotional.

Aria Williams pursed her lips, feeling her daughter had a point, she stood up, "Alright, you’ve had a long day. Take this chance while the child is asleep to rest. I’ll go downstairs to watch TV."

...

On his son’s full moon celebration, Daxton Lancaster drank quite a bit, and was brought home by his younger brother Joseph Lancaster and his cousin.

After sending Daxton Lancaster inside, Joseph Lancaster left. Ever since that night, he hadn’t stepped into his brother and sister-in-law’s place once.

He knew that he was the root of everything, and as long as he wasn’t as concerned as before, his brother wouldn’t treat his sister-in-law in that way.

Seeing Joseph Lancaster turn to leave, Daxton Lancaster grabbed him, a man drunk, besides his phoenix eyes being bloodshot, his face frighteningly pale.

"Joseph, haven’t seen my son for a few days, don’t you want to?"

Joseph Lancaster instinctively glanced at Michael Lancaster, "You head back first. I’ll help big brother to his room."

Michael Lancaster left, and Joseph Lancaster helped the staggering Daxton Lancaster, "Big brother, you’re drunk, get some rest in your room."

"Haha, though I’ve had plenty to drink...uh, my mind is clearer than ever!"

Daxton Lancaster climbed the stairs with assistance from his brother Joseph Lancaster, tugging a corner of his lips while pointing to his own chest.

Joseph Lancaster understood what Daxton meant. If his brother was a pitiful person, then he and his sister-in-law Violet Zimmerman were also victims.

After such an incident, the three of them would likely never disentangle in this lifetime.

From initial panic to involuntary descent into indulgence, in truth, among the three, it was Violet Zimmerman who suffered the most damage, after all, she was a woman.

Forced by her husband to seduce her uncle, and to suffer domestic violence...

At this moment Joseph Lancaster truly wished he were a child from a normal family, then he could take his woman and child and flee far away to an unfamiliar city. With his knowledge and intellect, making ends meet wouldn’t be a problem.

"Joseph, do you have anything you want to say to big brother?" Daxton Lancaster asked, with an amused yet sarcastic expression.

In his heart, he always believed that his brother was having an affair with his wife behind his back. Daxton Lancaster was unaware that Violet Zimmerman had fully disclosed everything to Joseph Lancaster right from the start.

"Big brother, rest first. If there’s anything we can talk tomorrow." Joseph Lancaster frowned impatiently.

The sound of the brothers climbing the stairs was loud enough to wake not just Violet Zimmerman, but also Aria Williams and Lucy Zimmerman sleeping in the guest room, who came out wrapped in their clothes.

"Daxton, you’re back. Why so late?"

Aria Williams came over to help, Daxton Lancaster looked at her and cordially smiled, "Mom, sorry to wake you, my apologies for the disturbance."

"It’s alright, we’re all family."

Aria Williams and Joseph Lancaster supported Daxton Lancaster each on one side, arriving at the room door.

Lucy Zimmerman peeked out from the guest room door, biting her lip as she secretly watched Joseph Lancaster.

"Violet, have you missed me?" Daxton Lancaster raised his hand to caress Violet Zimmerman’s face, Violet Zimmerman dodged slightly and took Daxton Lancaster from her mother.

"Daxton, stop fooling around, mom’s here."

Joseph Lancaster laughed lightly.

Joseph Lancaster handed him to Violet Zimmerman, without even glancing, "Big brother, I’m heading back."

"Wait!" Joseph Lancaster’s arm was caught again by Daxton Lancaster, swaying unsteadily at the room entrance.

"We’re already at home, come in and see your nephew."

"Big brother, it’s late, let’s do it another day." Joseph Lancaster evaded, never looking at Violet Zimmerman throughout.

If his concern could only bring her harm, then he would rather stand far away and watch her happiness.

"No way! You must see him!" The man drunk insisted stubbornly.

Aria Williams stood nearby, wanting to speak but unsure how to advise.

Seeing her mother distressed, Violet Zimmerman said, "Mom, you go rest first, Joseph and I got this."

"Alright, I’ll go to bed then." Aria Williams nodded reluctantly, returning to the guest room.

In the hallway, Daxton Lancaster still held onto Joseph Lancaster’s arm, his bloodshot phoenix eyes carried deep meaning.

"Joseph, it’s been ten days, a full ten days. You haven’t seen my son; these days he’s grown so much."

Daxton Lancaster refused to let go, and Joseph Lancaster was helpless, so he nodded to agree, "Alright, I’ll see."

His own flesh and blood, how could he not care, it’s been ten days, the little one must have grown a lot more.

Daxton Lancaster had one arm resting on Violet Zimmerman’s shoulder and tightly held Joseph Lancaster’s arm, the three staggered into the bedroom.

"Violet, is my son asleep?" The man who drank naturally had a loud voice.

Violet Zimmerman sighed helplessly, "Daxton, keep it down, Robert is asleep."

"Oh, sorry," Daxton Lancaster immediately lowered his voice, his alcohol-laden breath close to Violet Zimmerman’s ear, quietly asking, "Violet, is my son asleep?"

Violet Zimmerman...

Sighed silently again, "Just fell asleep."

"Oh, then let’s keep it down."

Daxton Lancaster’s behavior was somewhat amusing, like a thief stealing watermelons in the night, his stumbling steps tiptoed towards the baby’s crib.

The three came to the crib, the little one was already asleep, with tiny fists clenched and raised on either side, occasionally motioning as if to suck.

In front of the crib, the brothers’ brows and eyes were similarly soft, Daxton Lancaster curled his fingers gently grazing the little one’s face.

"Joseph, look how cute my son is, doesn’t he look like me?"

Hearing Daxton say this, Joseph Lancaster suddenly felt sympathy.

As a man and as his brother, he understood his older brother Daxton’s feelings.

His lips curved, he couldn’t help but touch the little one’s hand, "Hmm, Robert looks like big brother."

"Nonsense!" As soon as Joseph finished speaking, Daxton turned around, looking at him with disapproval.

"Everyone says nephews look like uncles, nieces resemble aunts, I think my son looks like you!"

...

After Daxton said this, the air in the room seemed to freeze.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

At this moment, Violet Zimmerman didn’t know whether he was intentional or speaking drunken words, but regardless, it made her feel very guilty.

Joseph was the first to react, continuing to touch the little one’s hand, smiling, "Big brother, we’re brothers, we look alike, so you’ll think Robert looks like me."

Daxton exaggeratedly frowned, stared at Joseph’s face, and asked, "Is that so?"

"Yes," Joseph lightly agreed, withdrawing his hand, "It’s getting late, you should rest early, I should be going back."

"Not going to hold my son?" Daxton turned his head, raising an eyebrow as he watched Joseph’s departing back with a hint of a smile.

Joseph felt that if he stayed any longer, something would definitely happen.

He turned his head, smiled, "No, it’s late, I won’t disturb you and sister-in-law resting."

Seeing Joseph take a step forward, Daxton tried to catch up and keep him from leaving, but Violet Zimmerman stopped him.

"Daxton, you’ve had too much to drink, go rest on the bed, I’ll run the bathwater for you."

"Haha..." Daxton suddenly embraced Violet, and before Joseph left the room, his lips met hers.

"It’s nice having a wife, someone to warm the bed at night."

Joseph’s hands clenched tight at his sides, then he strode out.

Downstairs, Lucy Zimmerman pretended she needed to use the restroom, sitting alone on the sofa.

Seeing Joseph descend the stairs, she quickly stood up.

Joseph glanced at her lightly and walked briskly towards the door.

Lucy Zimmerman...

Watching Joseph reach the small townhouse’s door, she hurriedly chased after him, "Brother Joseph,"

Joseph furrowed his brow slightly, unable to recall knowing this girl.

"What’s up?"

"Ah, nothing, nothing much." Lucy Zimmerman struggled to put on a pleasant smile.

A servant held the door handle waiting by the doorway, Lucy Zimmerman and Joseph stood at the entrance.

Joseph furrowed his brow again, nodded slightly, and walked out the door.

"Hey, wait!" In a rush, Lucy Zimmerman grabbed Joseph’s arm.

Joseph stopped, his gaze falling on where Lucy held him.

Lucy realized her boldness, after all, there are boundaries between men and women, she hurriedly let go, with a tender look, said, "You... drank too much, let me accompany you back."

"No need." With two icy words devoid of emotion, Joseph stepped out and disappeared into the night.

Lucy stood at the door, biting her lip as she watched Joseph’s silhouette, then with a bang, the door shut in her face.

The servant latched the door without expression, returning to their room.

"Hmph! So arrogant! Soon I’ll be the mistress here too!" Lucy grumbled in dissatisfaction after the servant’s figure and turned to go upstairs.

Violet Zimmerman had already prepared the bathwater, guiding Daxton Lancaster towards the bathroom.

Daxton’s arm rested on Violet’s shoulder, he turned his head to smirkingly look at her.

"Violet, why don’t you dare look at me, have you done something you’re ashamed of?"

"Daxton, you’ve had too much." Violet sighed, her mother and cousin lived in the adjacent room, she worried they might overhear something.

"I’ve indeed had quite a bit, but..." Daxton pointed to his head, "I’m clear-headed here! Violet, tell me, these days has Joseph secretly come to see you while I’m away?"

"No."

Violet denied it; it had been days since she met her brother-in-law.

"Tsk-tsk, not a good attitude." Daxton pursed his lips, "You must be upset because you haven’t sneaked meetings with Joseph lately."

Violet suppressed her irritation, helping Daxton into the bathroom, and as soon as they entered, Daxton spun around and pinned her against the wall.

His large hand forcefully grabbed downwards, smirkingly asked, "Is here missing him?"