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

*COUGH, COUGH*

Mia choked on her bread. Adrian Preston frowned and shot his grandfather a look before quickly patting her back to help her breathe, then handed her some milk to wash it down.

"Grandfather, you can’t rush this kind of thing. Mia and I want to enjoy some time just the two of us for a while."

"But you’re not getting any younger..."

"Mia is still young, so there’s no hurry. Mia and I will definitely have children someday, but not right now."

Adrian’s tone was so certain that it made her pause for a moment. But she quickly realized that it’s just an excuse to fool his grandfather.

Although his grandfather was a little displeased, he didn’t press the issue.

Adrian left for the office, and she stayed home to keep the old man company.

"It’s about time I sorted through some of these old things. Mia, you can help me."

At the end of the upstairs hallway was a locked door. The old man opened it, revealing a room where everything was covered in dust cloths. He had a maid come and uncover them.

The old man opened a drawer and took out a thick photo album. His hands trembled as he caressed the cover, slowly opening it as if unsealing a forgotten memory.

It was a family portrait. In it, Adrian was just a boy, holding a small baby and beaming at the camera. His grandparents were in the middle, flanked by his parents.

The photo was taken over twenty years ago.

Mia had looked up Adrian’s background before. His parents were abroad, and his grandfather had been managing all the important affairs of their corporation. Only now that Adrian was back had the old man finally let go of the reins.

Adrian also had a younger sister who lived with their parents.

"Why don’t Adrian’s parents live in Argent with you?"

"Sigh..."

Grandfather didn’t answer, just let out a long sigh.

Mia didn’t press him further. After all, every family has its own problems.

"That boy, Adrian... he has a peculiar temperament. He’s moody and not easy to get along with. It must be hard on you, being married to him."

"Grandfather, it’s not hard at all. He’s actually a very good person."

She could sense that Adrian was the type to be cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He had helped her time and time again, and she was truly grateful.

"I feel at ease knowing you’re by his side." Grandfather patted her hand, seeming to place great hope in her.

Unfortunately, she and Adrian only have a marriage of convenience. It would be great if they could even be friends. She doesn’t dare hope for anything more.

That afternoon, Mia received a text from Rosalyn Shield telling her to attend an industry networking event to see if she could recruit anyone or land some contracts.

She headed over after dinner that evening.

At the party, glasses clinked as people mingled. Mia actively promoted herself, but most people just took her business card without any real intention of collaborating.

A few did seem interested in talking further, but the slimy way their eyes lingered on her made her extremely uncomfortable.

Just then, everyone’s attention turned to the entrance.

"Young Master Lockwood and his fiancée are here."

Mia’s heart skipped a beat when she heard that, but she quickly composed herself. She figured Vivian Lynch might show up, but she hadn’t expected Chase Lockwood to be here, too.

Vivian was decked out in jewels, looking like a goddess who had descended to the mortal realm.

Chase Lockwood held her hand, even personally lifting the hem of her dress as she walked down the steps. The scene was the envy of everyone watching.

Mia watched from a distance, then calmly found a corner to sit and eat.

Soon, Rosalyn Shield came over.

"I must be cursed. I had my eye on a few designers, and we were having great conversations. Then that woman, Lynch, just had to stick her nose in and poach every single one I was interested in. It’s outrageous!"

Rosalyn was fuming.

Mia wasn’t surprised. Vivian was petty and would never let her have an easy time.

"I’ll go do some recruiting."

Mia took the initiative, specifically picking out two recent graduates who looked naive and easy to persuade.

"Looking for a job? You should check out my company! We have a relaxed work environment, no office politics, a base salary plus commission, and even a meal allowance... You know the Chinese-American designer, Nona, who just won that award? I know her. We’re best friends. I’m going to invite her to advise us! In the near future, our studio will become the nation’s leading original brand!"

"HA HA..." A jarring laugh suddenly came from behind her. Mia frowned and turned to see Vivian Lynch standing a short distance away.

"Mia Kane, have you really sunk to the level of swindling college students? Best friends? Inviting her to advise? As far as I know, you haven’t done any useful networking in the last three years!"

"Vivian Lynch, can you please stay out of my business?"

"Here’s my card. I’m the head of Lynch Design Co. You’re welcome to come to my company as a designer’s assistant."

"Wow, that company is super hot right now! I heard it’s a design brand under the Lockwood Group, and they’re aiming to be the country’s top original design firm!"

"We welcome you."

The two of them immediately ran over to Vivian. Mia’s expression soured. "Our studio isn’t bad either! Don’t you want to learn valuable skills from a senior designer? We’re talking about Designer Nona..."

"What a coincidence. I’ve invited Designer Nona, too."

The color drained slightly from Mia’s face.

Vivian keenly caught her expression and instantly understood.

Mia pulled Vivian aside and said urgently, "Vivian Lynch, do you have to put me in such an impossible position? I can’t afford to provoke you, so can’t I at least avoid you? You’ve already poached everyone from my studio. If I can’t hire people, how am I supposed to stay in business?"

"Then you shouldn’t be lying to trick these two innocent students. Admit publicly that you were lying, and I won’t poach your people."

"I... I’m not lying! I really am recruiting her! Vivian Lynch, you say you’ve poached her, but I don’t believe you! Everyone knows that as soon as the award was announced, all the major international brands extended offers to her. Why would she come back to the country to work for a new company like yours? Or are you allowed to bluff, but I’m not allowed to talk nonsense?"

"Then do you want to make a bet with me?"

"Bet on what?"

"Everyone, Miss Kane wants to make a bet with me to see who can successfully invite the Chinese-American designer, Nona. The loser will have to shut down their business. I invite you all to be our witnesses."

"Alright, we’ll all bear witness!"

The crowd immediately agreed.

Chase Lockwood’s brow furrowed as he watched the two of them intently.

"What if neither of us can get her? Is the bet off then?"

"Fine. If neither of us can get her, the bet is void."

Vivian smiled at her, knowing exactly what Mia was scheming. Mia clearly thought she was also lying and that neither of them could possibly get Designer Nona to join them. That way, she wouldn’t win or lose.

Unfortunately for Mia, she was destined to lose.

"Let’s set the deadline at three months. How about it?"

"Three months it is. We’ll just have to wait and see. Rosalyn, let’s go."

Mia turned and left, and Chase Lockwood immediately walked over to Vivian Lynch. "Why did you do that?"

Vivian keenly sensed that Chase was displeased and immediately softened her tone. "Mia was making wild claims about having hired Designer Nona to trick two newcomers into joining her company. I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I said a few words. But not only did she not reflect on her actions, she even scolded me.

"I just got carried away by my anger and wanted to teach her a lesson. But you know me. I know when to stop. How could I really force her to shut down her business? Chase, you’ve really misunderstood me."

As she finished speaking, Vivian shed a couple of tears.

All of Chase Lockwood’s anger vanished. He gently wiped her tears away. "I misunderstood. But this is for the best. It’ll teach her a lesson and stop her from lying all the time."