The Substitute Bride

Upon hearing this, Leila stood there uneasily with an embarrassed expression. During their last meeting, she was with a man in his fifties. Since he was one of Charles's most important clients, she tried all means to please him and ensured that he signed a contact with Charles. Undoubtedly she let that man take advantage of her.

After ignoring other people seated around the table, she rested herself on that man's lap seductively. Even though she finally bagged the deal for Charles, others thought her act was uncouth and indecent.

But hearing Madeline mentioning their meeting in a good light, she was certain that she was being mocked.

With a faint smile, Leila returned,"You flatter me. I just did my job obediently."

"Oh, is that so?" Madeline sneered. "Miss Zhang, I have something rather important to deal with. I shall see you later!"

"Sure, please do carry on," Leila responded politely. Leila felt quite disappointed as she reflected upon their meeting. 'She said those words just out of courtesy. I know she didn't mean it. I don't know if I will ever get to meet her again. After all, she is a successful business woman.'

Madeline turned around and commanded the obedient girl waiting behind her,"Follow me, Pamela."

"Um, Aunt Madeline!" that girl replied meekly, catching a glimpse of Leila unintentionally. Catching the girl looking at her, Leila returned the gaze by looking into her eyes. When she saw her innocent eyes, she was stunned. It had been a long time since she met someone as naive and innocent as her.

Pamela He followed Madeline blindly, and they went straight towards Burke. Watching them going towards Burke, Leila was shocked.

'Do they know Burke?

Burke and Madeline, what's their relationship?' Her mind was flooded with a million questions, answers to which she might never get.

After Leila left him, Burke returned to his seat and began to drink. Once he realized the wine bottle was empty, he waved his hand in the air and shouted at the hotel manger who was standing behind him,"Spencer, bring me another bottle of wine."

The second he heard this, Spencer Ge cast a glance at Madeline. Upon seeing her shake her head slightly, he didn't respond. As he got no answer, Burke got

ared about Burke very dearly. For a moment, she even suspected that Burke was Madeline's son.

Burke had always maintained a low profile in high school, and he found a regular job after graduating from college. Owing to the hushed tones, she naturally assumed that he might be an affluent second generation.

She recalled, 'Each time I asked him about his family, he faltered. Perhaps he was afraid that I might be scared away by his background.'

Madeline observed Leila discreetly, lost into thought. 'I have met several different kind of people through the years since I started my business.

Many girls like Leila aspire only to marry a rich husband to change their fate and fulfill their dreams. Even though she is trying to hide her greedy disposition, but her eyes betrayed her.

I can see the greed clearly reflecting in her eyes.'

"Now that you tell me you're his friend, I will speak my mind with you," Madeline initiated a conversation. After passing Leila a scornful look, she continued with a sneer,"Mr. Zhou reserved all the tables here. I understand that he is in low spirits because he failed, but after all business is business. I came here to ask him to pay the bill and clear all the dues.

When Mr. Zhou booked, Spencer offered a 10% discount exclusively to him. But considering that he is your friend, I will give you a 20% discount on the entire bill which is now 8, 80, 000 in total." She then turned to Spencer and demanded,"Give me Mr. Zhou's bill, Spencer."