Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

When Joseph Lancaster and Emily Zimmerman arrived in Banyan City, it was already afternoon, and that evening the boss of the partner company treated the two of them to dinner.

The boss didn’t know the relationship between Emily Zimmerman and Joseph Lancaster; he thought she was just a secretary and kept toasting her, and Joseph Lancaster didn’t stop him.

When they returned to the guesthouse, Emily Zimmerman was supported back to her room by Joseph Lancaster. Joseph had also drunk, only he was much more clear-headed than Emily.

After the waiter opened the door with the key and left, Joseph Lancaster helped Emily Zimmerman to the bed and gently laid her down. Just as he was about to step away, his neck was hooked by Emily.

It was summer, the weather was hot, and Emily Zimmerman was wearing a pink georgette dress. As her restless body twisted, the hem brushed up above her knees, revealing a long stretch of leg.

The two were quite close. Through the georgette fabric, Joseph Lancaster could even see the white tight camisole she wore inside.

His brows furrowed slightly; Joseph reached out to remove Emily Zimmerman’s arms from around his neck, but instead of letting go, Emily only clung more tightly.

"Joseph... we’ve been together for so long... why won’t you kiss me..."

"Emily, you’re drunk."

Joseph Lancaster forcibly pried Emily Zimmerman’s hands off. Just as he turned away, Emily already wrapped her arms around him from behind.

Emily Zimmerman hugged Joseph Lancaster’s waist tightly, burying her head against his back, and said aggrievedly, "I like you; I liked you from the first moment I saw you... Joseph, can’t we just be together properly..."

Joseph Lancaster’s expression couldn’t have been darker. He turned his head slightly and said coldly, "Emily Zimmerman, you’re drunk. Rest first. Whatever it is, we’ll talk about it tomorrow."

"I’m not, I’m not drunk... Joseph, only after drinking do I dare show what’s in my heart. Tell me what kind of girl you like, I’ll try my best to become that..."

Emily Zimmerman’s voice carried a sob; the tears in her eyes soaked into Joseph Lancaster’s shirt.

"I told you, I already have someone I like. She’s one of a kind in my heart, and no one can ever replace her." Joseph Lancaster enunciated each word. After speaking, he pulled Emily’s hands away and strode out.

Hearing the door slam shut with a bang, Emily Zimmerman buried her face in the pillow and broke into tears.

It was the tail end of July, the hottest time of the year, and the weather in Banyan City was even more stifling.

He had already showered, yet still couldn’t wash away the agitation in his heart. Lying on the bed, all Joseph Lancaster could think about, in both heart and mind, was Violet Zimmerman.

Their child was about to be born, and he had to bring back some gifts for his child.

The trip to Banyan City was very short; Joseph Lancaster had only scheduled four days.

The second day, he went to the partner’s factory to inspect the production line, and then signed the contract.

Joseph Lancaster left himself a whole day to wander around the department store, wanting to buy some things in Banyan City’s department stores that they didn’t have in T City.

Emily Zimmerman followed at his side, watching him patiently pick out baby bottles in the infants’ section, even carefully buying clothes that a baby would need. She couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

"Joseph, you’re really so attentive."

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Mm, my sister-in-law is about to give birth. As the uncle, of course I have to buy some gifts for my nephew."

After choosing clothes and bottles, Joseph Lancaster went to the toy section and casually picked up a rattle, shaking it back and forth. His gaze fell on it, and his eyes unconsciously softened.

"Comrade, would a newborn get hurt using this?" Joseph Lancaster held up the rattle and asked the shop assistant inside.

The shop assistant replied in a flurry, "No, no, it’s all rounded. It’s the safest for children to play with."

"Oh, all right, please wrap it up for me." Joseph Lancaster took money from his briefcase. He had already bought a whole net bag of items and insisted on carrying it himself; whenever Emily tried to help, he refused.

After buying toys and clothes, Joseph Lancaster headed toward the women’s clothing section again. Emily Zimmerman followed behind, feeling a small flicker of anticipation in her heart.

When a man looks at women’s clothing, it must be to give to a woman. Lorelei Howard had bought her plenty of clothes, but Joseph Lancaster had never bought her any.

Joseph Lancaster picked out a loose-fitting dress, completely not the style Emily Zimmerman liked. With the briefcase tucked under his arm and the net bag in his hand, he grabbed the fabric of the dress with his other hand, examining the cut front and back.

"Comrade, how much is this dress?"

"It used to be fifty‑eight, this is the last one. If you fancy it, I’ll let you have it for fifty‑five," the shop assistant said enthusiastically.

Watching Joseph Lancaster open his briefcase again, Emily Zimmerman’s heart suddenly tightened with a terrifying thought.

"Joseph," Emily’s voice was hard to describe, sounding both heavy and probing, "you said before... that you already had a woman you liked,"

"Mm." Joseph Lancaster handed over a wad of banknotes to the shop assistant and quickly wrapped up the dress himself.

"Is that woman..." Emily hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and forced herself to ask, "is it your sister‑in‑law?"

Joseph Lancaster...

He suddenly turned his head, phoenix eyes filled with surprise.

The shop assistant had already taken five yuan from the wooden cash box. "Comrade, here’s your change."

"Oh, thank you." Joseph Lancaster reached out to take the money, put it into his briefcase, then lowered his head and placed the dress into the net bag as well.

Joseph Lancaster didn’t try to hide it. "How did you know?"

Emily Zimmerman’s fingers twisted tightly together. "I saw... at dinner you were very attentive to her."

Joseph’s movement of putting away the dress paused again, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. At that moment he thought, if even an outsider could see how attentive he was to his sister‑in‑law, then what about the family, his parents, and the people in the second branch?

But he only paused for a moment before continuing, putting the dress into the net bag and striding toward the department store’s main entrance.

He walked upright and sat straight; a younger uncle being good to his own sister‑in‑law was only right and proper. As long as their secret wasn’t discovered, no one would suspect a thing.

"Joseph, wait for me." Emily Zimmerman, in high‑heeled sandals, chased after him at a trot, keeping close to Joseph’s side. "She’s your sister‑in‑law; you two can never have an outcome."

"I’m not looking for an outcome." Joseph’s tone was faint, his expression already turning severe.

"But..." Emily hesitated for a moment, then steeled herself and said, "that’s immoral... it’s incest."

Joseph Lancaster suddenly stopped. His icy gaze fell on Emily Zimmerman’s face. Clearly it was the height of midsummer, yet Emily felt a bone‑deep chill.

"I just want to be good to her—how does that make it incest?" Joseph asked coldly.

He only wanted to be good to her. Yes, they had slept together, but she and his older brother had never done it.

He wasn’t an idiot. The first time with his sister‑in‑law, the bedsheet had been stained with blood. To keep the laundry servants from suspecting anything, he’d even deliberately cut his own finger...

"But... she’s your sister‑in‑law," Emily murmured.

"I know." Joseph’s voice was firm.

"You two can’t possibly have an ending," Emily said, hands clenched together, lifting her gaze to look at Joseph carefully.

"I told you, I’m not looking for an ending. I just need to see her happy, and that’s enough."