Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

"I think so too," Jeslyn smiled.

Madam Caroline’s lips curled into a sneer when she heard that. Her thoughts were unknown. "Piper dear, you didn’t tell me–"

"Kim, step closer, we should take a picture together," Piper cut her mother off and dragged Kimberly and Jeslyn to take a group picture.

"Mrs. Lu, you and your Sisters-in-law look beautiful," one reporter stylishly shoved Madam Caroline out of the way to get in front of Jeslyn and Co.

Madam Caroline could feel her nails digging into her palm as she tried hard to restrain herself. Seeing the big innocent smile on Jeslyn’s face made her want to wipe it off, but she can’t do anything in public. Besides, Jeslyn should have her laugh now, her doom is nearer than she imagined. As for the reporters, they’ll regret the humiliation they caused her soon.

With that in mind, Madam Caroline stormed off and went into the hotel.

Jeslyn chuckled lightly when she saw that, but addressed the reporter in a friendly tone, "Everyone, including yourself, is beautiful," Jeslyn replied.

The reporter blushed. "Thank you... please, can you answer a few questions about your fabulous dresses and jewelry?" She said to Jeslyn and her sisters-in-law.

Jeslyn was wearing a white knee-length off-shoulder dress. It was plain and simple but one would know that it cost a fortune when they saw it.

Piper wore a purple mermaid dress, embellished with beautiful pearls, making her look like a goddess.

Kimberly on the other hand, wore a sexy red dress and a long white overcoat.

The three pretty girl goddesses took photos for a while before they went into the hotel.

...

Inside the hall of the hotel, there were already tens of ladies and women either sitting on their seats or standing around and gisting with drinks in hand.

The interior of the hall looked nothing like a simple venue for a charity event, rather it gave the vibe of a huge celebration.

Jeslyn frowned slightly. This wasn’t the decoration she talked about with the event planners, so what’s this about?

Kimberly and Piper also looked confused but decided to not say a word since Jeslyn wasn’t talking either.

The front row had a seat with Piper’s name but Jeslyn’s and Kimberly’s seats couldn’t be found anywhere.

Seeing this, Jeslyn looked around the hall. There were a few faces she was familiar with. Faces like the ex–Mayor and new Mayor’s wives, Madam Lu’s, and the women from the Xu and Yu family.

She only had an issue with Madam Lu at Valen’s school but she believed the woman wouldn’t dare to cross her. The only person who would do such a thing would be none other than her mother-in-law.

At this junction, Jeslyn chuckled and shook her head. ’It seems my mother-in-law wants a public display of *love*.

I’ll show you some *love*, dear mother-in-law.’ she smiled.

When Jeslyn and her Sisters-in-law entered the hall, most of the women and ladies were pleased to see them. Who wouldn’t want to make friends with the women from the second branch of the Lu family?

Beverly and Celestine smiled and started walking towards Jeslyn with their glass of drinks.

"Long time no see, dear sister," Beverly smiled.

"How have you been?" Jeslyn chuckled and enveloped Beverly in a friendly hug before she greeted Celestine.

The other people felt this was a great chance to get close to Jeslyn, so they approached her one after the other to strike up a conversation.

Unlike before when they’d crowd around Madam Caroline, this time, those who were crowding around her were a few she considered to be of the same class as her, which made her hatred for Jeslyn hike up.

Madam Caroline loved the feeling of being the center of attention. She wants to be the name on everyone’s lips but Jeslyn was stealing her limelight and she hated it with every fiber of her being.

The event soon started but Madam Caroline couldn’t find peace, She was more worried about the luxury she was seeing.

This is her hard-earned money!

Although she made changes to everything that Jeslyn wanted, she was still not pleased with spending so much money. Thinking of that, Madam Caroline traveled down memory lane.

After Jeslyn sent her an invitation card and mocked her, Madam Caroline mourned for a while before she tracked down the event planner Jeslyn contacted, then she forced the company to change everything that Jeslyn told them to do, including the drinks.

Nobody knew that she had no money anymore, so everyone still sees her as the wealthiest woman in the world. Besides, her connections were more than her money.

How could Jeslyn be this wicked? Jeslyn’s husband stole her money and Jeslyn wasted the money on irrelevant things! The woman suddenly feels a migraine whenever she thinks of the money spent.

"Carol, isn’t that your daughter-in-law? She seems happy, why are you still tolerating her?" One of the women standing close to Madam Caroline asked with a frown.

"I wonder. I thought you said you’d take care of her. I don’t see you doing any of that," another woman supported.

"It seems Carol has started to consider her–"

"Don’t spout nonsense," Madam Caroline cut her friend off. "My son is still with her just to get back at me. Don’t worry, I told her before that she’d be sorry for crossing my path and today, she can’t escape!" Her eyes narrowed as she looked in Jeslyn’s direction.

The classy Madam Caroline didn’t want to create a scene in public but the happiness that was radiating from Jeslyn kept tempting her to throw this place into a chaotic ground.

While the woman was deep in thought, she didn’t see Jeslyn come to her. Not until Jeslyn tapped her arm and smiled sweetly, "Mother-in-law, the hostess needs your attention."

The hostess was already on stage and was getting ready to start.

"How dare you touch me!" Madam Caroline

raised her hand to slap her but Jeslyn was quick enough to grab the hand in mid–air.