The Substitute Bride

Charles crinkled his eyebrows into a frown when he saw Autumn. It was the first time he had seen her so angry and helpless at the same time, since they got married.

As soon as Charles showed up, everybody focused their eyes on him. Isla let off a sigh of relief at the sight of Charles.

Everyone present in the room began to whisper amongst themselves. "Autumn, " Charles called out in a composed manner, standing close to her like he hadn't noticed the people whispering.

"Um, " Autumn responded without looking up at Charles. She feared that Charles would distrust her as the others did.

"Look at me, " Charles said with a frown. 'It feels as if she's turned into the person she was when we first got married; constantly on guard, unwilling to open herself to others and lacking the confidence to trust anyone, ' he thought to himself.

"Tell me, what happened?" he inquired in a gentle voice, as he raised her face to look at her.

"Are you her husband?" Jane turned to Charles with a sneer. "I would advise you to keep an eye on your wife and don't let her seduce other men. Otherwise I...

"Shut up!" Charles screamed, as he turned around and gave Jane a piercing glance. Jane was so frightened that she didn't dare to utter another word.

"So tell me, what's the matter?" he asked again in a soft tone, as he turned himself to look at Autumn.

Charles believed Autumn. 'If Autumn still had feelings for Sam, she would have gotten back with him. Moreover, she wouldn't have insisted on bringing Sam and Chris together. Now I just want her to open her heart and have more faith in me, '

"I..." Autumn muttered. However, the moment she saw Charles's eyes looking back at hers with sincerity, she failed to find the words to explain herself to him.

"Don't be afraid. I trust you. No matter what happens, I will always believe your words instead of others. Just s

ards Charles. He gave a satisfied smile, when he noticed that Autumn had come back.

"Jane, " Charles turned to Jane. "Chris is my sister. If she and Sam get married one day, Sam will be our brother-in-law. I don't want to see our good relationship destroyed by your obsessive paranoia. Please think twice before you do anything questionable, " he continued after a pause.

"What... what are you talking about?" Jane's face changed when she heard that Chris was Charles's sister. "I see. You must have arranged Chris's meeting with Sam on purpose, so that you can keep others in the dark and still see Sam privately. You are such a wretched woman, " she berated Autumn, glaring at her with hatred.

Autumn stared at Jane, utterly dumbfounded. She didn't expect such a response from Jane after she had explained everything to her.

'Respect is mutual, but since she insists on humiliating me like this, I will no longer entertain her silly thoughts, ' she thought. "Isla, please call security and have them escort this lady out of here. Besides, she won't be allowed to set foot in my company again, " Autumn requested Isla, glancing at her.

"Okay, " Isla responded with a smile of approval on her face. She was happy to see Autumn make a comeback.