Using Me as a Substitute? Did You Know Your Best Friend Calls Me Wife?

"Miss Shannon, please calm down. This was Adrian’s own decision. What does it have to do with Mia?"

"Mia Kane, you better pray nothing happens to my brother, or I’ll never let you go!"

Shannon Preston stared at her darkly, like a vengeful ghost.

Theo Thorne helped Mia into the ambulance. She had several injuries of her own, inflicted by the bald man.

She was so frail a strong gust of wind could knock her over. Covered in wounds, she had already reached her limit.

The moment she was in the ambulance, she fainted.

A single sentence echoed in her mind.

"Mia, if you live, I’ll live. Wait for me."

There was nothing Mia could do but choose to believe Adrian’s words.

She was unconscious for over an hour. When she woke up, she was in a hospital.

She opened her eyes, her vision blurry. She could only see someone next to her, their back to her, talking on the phone about business. The figure looked somewhat familiar.

Her heart tightened, and she immediately cried out.

"Adrian..."

The person turned around.

"Mia, you’re awake."

Mia’s vision cleared. It was Theo Thorne.

She looked around, still hoping for something, but Theo’s words shattered her illusion.

"There’s still no word on Adrian. This is a matter for the police; our people can’t operate in international waters. Mia, we have to wait. Right now, no news is good news. All we can do is have faith in Adrian."

"Adrian has been on many dangerous missions and has always pulled through after a close call. One time, all his ribs were broken and he had two gunshot wounds. Anyone else would have died, but Adrian miraculously held on until rescue arrived."

"The doctors said Adrian has an incredibly strong will to live. Not even King Yama himself could keep a man like that. This time will be no exception."

Mia bit her lip, her mind adrift and unsettled.

She knew Theo was trying to comfort her, but it had little effect.

He was all alone, facing so many aggressive enemies.

As an undercover agent, Adrian dismantled too many smugglers’ dens. William wanted to make an example of him, to avenge his fallen men and ensure the loyalty of the desperados who were still alive, making them willing to die for him.

So, no matter how you looked at it, it was a hopeless situation.

Just then, Theo’s phone rang again. After he answered, his expression turned grave.

"Okay, I’m on my way."

"What is it?"

The call ended, and Mia couldn’t help but ask.

"The board members found out President Preston is in danger. They’re all saying he isn’t coming back. The group is in chaos right now. Miss Shannon went to handle it, but she can’t control them. I have to go see what’s happening."

Mia furrowed her brow. Outsiders didn’t know Shannon Preston was adopted. If even Adrian’s sister couldn’t control those old-timers on the board, how could Theo, who was just a secretary?

’I wanted to ask Grandfather for help, but what if he finds out what happened to his grandson? With his health...’

"I’ll go with you."

"Mia, the doctor said you need to rest."

"I’m fine. The most important thing now is to prevent internal strife at the Preston Group. There are vultures circling outside. If we fall into chaos from within, the company is finished."

Adrian had fallen into danger because of her; she had to protect the Preston family’s business for him.

She and Theo Thorne rushed to the Preston Group building. The sounds of arguing spilled out from the conference room.

The general consensus was that Adrian was finished, and an organization couldn’t be without a leader, not even for a day.

They were demanding that either the old master or Adrian’s father step in, or that the vice chairman take over and temporarily manage the group.

"Who is this vice chairman?"

"He’s also part of the Preston Family, but from a branch family. In terms of seniority, he’s one of Adrian’s uncles. If the company falls into his hands, it’ll be nearly impossible to get it back. And even if we do, it will come at a great cost. We absolutely cannot let him get control!"

"What about asking Adrian’s father to come back?"

"Adrian’s relationship with his family is like fire and water. His parents won’t help him. To put it bluntly, they might even be hoping he dies soon."

Mia’s heart trembled. ’What kind of parents in this world would wish for their own son to die?’

"Why?"

"Well... I’m not sure of the specifics. I thought you would know, Mia."

Hearing this, Mia gave a bitter smile. ’Theo really overestimates me.’ She felt that Adrian was shrouded in a thick fog; she couldn’t see through him at all. He seemed to have too many hidden secrets.

"Maybe... we should let Second Uncle manage the group for now. When my brother comes back, we can discuss it further."

Just then, Mia heard Shannon Preston’s voice.

’This is bad—’

Theo gasped and quickly pushed the door open.

"Since Miss Shannon has spoken, I can only humbly accept and temporarily..."

"Hold on!"

Theo shouted.

"President Preston has only been missing for a few hours. Aren’t you all being a little too hasty? We wait for President Preston to return. Everyone is to remain at their posts and not make any rash moves!"

"Who do you think you are? This is a high-level meeting of the Preston Group. With Adrian gone, what right do you have to speak?"

The vice chairman shot back.

The others also began to murmur, disagreeing with what Theo had said.

Even Shannon Preston was confused. She thought they were right—some things needed to be decided in advance. Once the news of Adrian’s death was announced, the entire city of Argent would likely descend into chaos.

They had to stabilize the Preston Group from within first. Find a helmsman to ensure the ship could weather the coming storm.

"Theo, I’m afraid my brother isn’t coming back. It’s already chaotic out there. We have to stabilize things internally first, find a leader, and deal with the overwhelming media coverage!"

"Adrian is not dead! No one is to make a move!"

Theo was getting frantic.

"Someone, get him out of here. He’s just a secretary. Does he really think he’s somebody important?"

The vice chairman ordered.

Seeing this, Mia quickly stepped forward.

"I am Adrian Preston’s wife, Mrs. Preston, the wife of the CEO. Surely I’m not an outsider!"

"Adrian is missing right now, so I will take over his duties. Everyone will proceed as usual and perform their roles. Theo will arrange everything accordingly!"

"Mia Kane, what trouble are you stirring up now? Haven’t you caused my brother enough misery?"

Shannon Preston furiously wheeled herself over, looking like she was about to slap Mia even in her state. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Mia slapped her first, a sharp backhand across the face.

"Shut your mouth! You’re good for nothing but making things worse! Adrian is not dead, and I’d like to see anyone dare make a move!"

"Mrs. Preston, it’s not that I want this authority. But rumors are flying, the stock market is volatile, and the Preston Group is facing a major crisis. They need me to take the helm. If we miss this window, the fallout will be unmanageable. When the stock price is released tomorrow, everyone will know the Preston Group has collapsed."

"By then, even if you begged me to take over, I wouldn’t be able to!"

The vice chairman sat back in his chair, completely unperturbed.

He was certain Adrian was as good as dead.

’Fallen into the hands of his enemies, and in international waters no less. How could he possibly come back alive?’

"Then we won’t trouble the vice chairman with our concerns."

The vice chairman saw that Mia wasn’t intimidated. He had just used the same speech to cow Shannon Preston.

Shannon, panicked and lost, had immediately asked him to step in and solve the problem.

He narrowed his eyes menacingly. "But why should I listen to Mrs. Preston? You’re just an outsider by blood. So what if you married Adrian? What does a woman like you know about corporate affairs? You should go back to bed."

"That’s right, why should we listen to you? You think marrying Adrian gives you the right to order us around?"

"Let me ask you, is this not the Preston Group?"

"So what if it is..."

"You only need to answer me: yes or no."

"Yes."

The board members exchanged glances, wondering how such a frail-looking Mia Kane could possess such an unyielding aura that it left them unable to refute her words.

"My husband, Adrian Preston, is he the CEO?"

"Yes."

"Is Adrian the largest shareholder?"

"Yes."

"Good. In that case, I may be an outsider by blood, but the one in my belly is not. He is Adrian’s son, the first in line to inherit."

"Above me, I have my husband, Adrian. Below me, I have the new heir to the Preston Group. Do I have the right to speak or not? I said everyone is to hold their positions and wait for news of Adrian. Do you hear me! If my decision causes the Preston Group to suffer a major loss, I will take my own life to atone for it!"