Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

"Mom, why are you so suspicious? She’s big sis-in-law’s own younger sister, how could that be possible? What kind of real brother marries two sisters?"

Before Violet Zimmerman could speak, Joseph Lancaster cut in with a complaining tone. It sounded like he was trying to defend her, but in reality it felt more like he was hinting at something.

Lorelei Howard kept her face tight and let out a cold snort. "Hmph, it’s best if she doesn’t. A woman with no upbringing and no looks like that is exactly the kind our Lancaster Family wouldn’t touch."

Violet Zimmerman’s head was already lowered as far as it could go. No matter how useless Lucy Zimmerman was, she was still her cousin. Her mother-in-law was tearing her down without the slightest mercy, and Violet’s own face was burning.

The worst part was, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say in her defense.

Even her usually quiet father-in-law opened his mouth, looking at her seriously as he spoke.

"Violet, our Lancaster Family isn’t like ordinary families. Relatives who like to stir up trouble are better kept at a distance from now on."

"I understand, Dad."

Violet Zimmerman’s voice was very soft. It wasn’t that she was spineless; it was her cousin who had no sense. First time coming over as a guest and she’d already turned the place upside down. Even if her in-laws hadn’t warned her, Violet would still keep that kind of relative at arm’s length.

Being reprimanded by her in-laws left Violet feeling a bit uncomfortable. She stood up and said politely, "Grandpa, Dad, Mom, you all take your time eating, I’m finished."

"Mm." The old master responded, his face dark the whole time. No one knew whether it was because of Eva Hayes or because of Violet’s relatives.

Aurora Lancaster came hurrying over as well. "Sis, wait for me." Aurora Lancaster ran over after her.

Aunt and sister-in-law walked back together. Aurora hooked her arm through Violet’s and said angrily,

"Sis, your personality is just too mild. If you’d shown the Lady-of-the-house authority earlier like you did today, our branch wouldn’t have been bullied by Second Mom and her lot."

Violet Zimmerman smiled. "Since you’re so upset, why didn’t you say something to their faces?"

"Hmph, because of the Lancaster Family rules—juniors aren’t allowed to be disrespectful to elders. If I wasn’t worried about getting flogged, I would’ve gone at them ages ago!"

Aurora Lancaster wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction, then suddenly changed tack, leaning in closer and whispering mischievously,

"Sis, your cousin is hilarious. Do you think she’s actually into my second brother?"

Aurora asked, and before Violet could answer she snorted. "Hmph, she should take a good look at herself first. She looks like a sweet potato and she’s still eyeing my second brother. Who is my second brother? He’s a college graduate, runs his own company. Only a woman as excellent as Emily Zimmerman could be worthy of him!"

Violet Zimmerman’s expression turned a bit awkward—partly because her sister-in-law was tearing into her cousin, partly because she’d brought up Emily Zimmerman again.

Clearly a woman who had nothing to do with her, yet Violet just couldn’t bring herself to like her.

A short distance behind them, the man who’d been silently following frowned.

Aurora Lancaster realized she’d misspoken. After venting, she hurriedly clapped a hand over her mouth and laughed apologetically. "Sis, um, I didn’t mean it like that just now, it’s just... your cousin is really too..."

Aurora dragged out the "too" for quite a while but still couldn’t quite find the right word.

Violet Zimmerman forced a faint smile. Everyone had seen what her cousin did just now; even if Aurora didn’t mock her, Violet still felt humiliated.

To ease the awkwardness, Aurora suddenly switched topics. "Sis, what kind of wife do you think my second brother should find? He’s so refined, what sort of girl would suit him?"

As soon as Aurora asked, Joseph Lancaster, who’d been quietly trailing behind them, pricked up his ears.