The Substitute Bride

The atmosphere was dense as they ate their meal. Charles finished quickly. Just as he was getting up, Melissa stopped him.

"Leila will come with you. She can take care of you when you get drunk." Melissa was looking for any way to get Leila and Charles together, so she didn't hesitate to grab this opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Charles frowned. Leila chimed in, "Aunt Melissa, I don't really know Charles' friends. It'll be awkward if I come with him. I'll just stay here at home."

Melissa couldn't help but feel confused. She thought they were on the same page. Was Leila suddenly changing her mind?

"Charles, call me when you're done. I'll pick you up," Leila said softly.

"Hmm." After which, Charles left with an unreadable expression on his face.

After he left the Dream Garden, Melissa asked Leila, "Leila, I was just trying to get you and Charles together. Why'd you do that?"

"Aunt Melissa, I just knew Charles wouldn't agree, and even if he did take me, who's to say how he's going to treat me when we get there?" Leila looked at Melissa in dismay as if she just knew what was going to happen.

Melissa heaved a small sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Well, it's better than nothing."

However, Melissa still felt it was an unreasonable course of action.

Leila grabbed Melissa's hand and looked her in the eye. "Aunt Melissa, I just think it's better if I wait until he gets home. If he's drunk then I'll get a chance, right?"

Melissa's face brightened at this. She was proud that Leila had thought of this. "That's so clever. Why didn't I think of that? At least I didn't to stop your plan."

Melissa then saw in her mind what Leila's plan was—a drunk man and a seductive woman in one room. Anything could happen.

It was what they both wanted, but they hadn't expected that they'd get an opportunity right away.

"

't want to miss this chance.

Leila was burning with anxiety. Just then, she heard the door open.

She quickly got up and headed to the door. Gently opening the door, she saw Charles standing downstairs.

Her eyes were gleaming. She lowered the collar of her silk, low-cut pajamas before she quickly headed downstairs.

"Mr. Charles, you're drunk." Nancy had heard the noise, thus bringing her out of her room. She was worried, upon seeing Charles in such a state.

"I'm okay, Nancy." Charles looked very inebriated. As he answered Nancy, as he looked at a blank space at the wall.

"Nancy, you can go back to sleep. I'll take care of Charles." Leila didn't want Nancy to suddenly foil her plan, so she sent Nancy to bed right away.

Nancy, however, didn't want to leave. She ignored Leila and poured a glass of water for Charles in the kitchen.

"Nancy, I can help you." Leila looked at Nancy and swiftly grabbed the glass of water in her hand.

Nancy tried to get the glass back. "Miss Leila, I'm the servant of the Lu family. It's my duty to take care of Mr. Charles!"

"Nancy, are you aware that you're only a servant? So, as your master, I'm ordering you to leave right now. Now go!" Leila looked at her arrogantly.