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

Chase Lockwood had thoroughly investigated Mia Kane, but he found no evidence of a new boyfriend. Although he was confused, he preferred to believe that Mia Kane was lying to him.

They had never even slept together, yet she was out there saying such misleading things about him. Then there was how she’d framed Vivian, nearly driving her to suicide.

He didn’t know when it started, but she’s become a compulsive liar! It’ll be good for her to suffer a little now.

"I just got a call from the office and need to take care of something. Stay here and mingle. I’ll be back to pick you up later."

"Okay. Be safe."

Chase Lockwood left.

Mia Kane called a taxi and sent Rosalyn Shield off first, then waited for another one herself. To her surprise, a familiar Bentley pulled up in front of her.

The window rolled down, revealing Chase Lockwood’s strikingly handsome profile.

"Mia Kane..." the man murmured her name, his voice filled with a mix of emotions.

"Young Master Lockwood, is there something you need?" Mia Kane looked at him, her gaze icy.

"I’m here to give you a piece of advice. Don’t make that bet with Vivian. You won’t win."

In the end, he still offered it as a well-intentioned warning.

"I know I won’t win, but I won’t lose, either. Young Master Lockwood, instead of trying to talk me down, you should talk to Vivian Lynch. If she hadn’t poached my team, would I be stuck trying to coax a couple of college students?"

"That’s just how the world works—it’s survival of the fittest. She can afford to pay them more, so you can’t blame them for leaving. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for being incompetent."

"Am I incompetent, or is it because Vivian Lynch has you bankrolling her from behind the scenes?"

"It’s not often Vivian sets her mind to something, so of course I’m going to give her my full support. Mia Kane, get out of this industry. Do anything else you want; I can even give you the investment money. Just don’t stay in this field and upset Vivian."

Mia Kane trembled with rage.

Chase Lockwood knew perfectly well that she had won academic excellence scholarships every year. He knew her designs were kept by the university as examples for other students, and that she could have even been admitted to grad school without taking the entrance exam. He knew her talent and her passion. And now, he was telling her to step aside for a novice like Vivian Lynch.

"In your dreams."

"You’re impossible!"

The conversation ended on a sour note. Chase Lockwood slammed on the accelerator and sped away.

It was already midnight by the time Mia Kane got home. To her surprise, Adrian Preston still wasn’t back. She was getting ready to wash up for bed when she heard a car pull into the driveway.

Standing on the balcony, she saw Theo helping Adrian Preston out of the car. A sense of dread washed over her, and she hurried downstairs.

Adrian Preston was clearly injured. His face was ashen, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, and veins bulged at his temples.

She noticed he was clutching his left side, blood seeping between his fingers.

"What happened?"

"Let’s get him inside first."

Once they got him to the master bedroom, Theo began preparing his tools to cut the bullet out of Adrian Preston.

"The doctor... Where’s the doctor?"

"We were ambushed on the way back. The boss was shot, and the doctor is on his way. But the wound has to be treated now, or he’ll bleed out. I have medical training, and I’ve handled this kind of thing before. I can do it."

Theo moved with a professional air, sterilizing a sharp knife with a flame and alcohol. He was about to cut along the bullet hole to widen the opening, then use tweezers to extract the bullet.

Mia Kane felt her scalp tingle as the thick, metallic scent of blood assaulted her senses. She knew she should leave, but she couldn’t bring herself to, standing frozen to the spot. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Just as Theo Thorne was about to make the cut, she quickly stopped him. "There’s... there’s no anesthetic."

"We can’t wait."

Mia Kane froze. No anesthetic? Is he just going to cut the bullet out of his raw flesh? The pain would be excruciating!

Adrian Preston was far calmer than she was. It seemed this wasn’t the first time he’d been in a situation like this.

"Adrian?"

"I’m ready," Adrian Preston said calmly, closing his eyes.

Theo was just as decisive, making the incision immediately. The sound of the blade slicing through skin and flesh. It was a faint sound, but she heard it with terrifying clarity, and it made her blood run cold.

"Is... is there anything I can do? To distract you, maybe it would lessen the pain?" Mia Kane was so nervous she could barely speak.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Adrian Preston looked up at her. "You... really want to help me?"

His forehead was covered in a thick sheen of sweat, and his lips were completely bloodless. It was a heart-wrenching sight.

"Can I help you?"

"Actually... you can. Come here."

Adrian Preston beckoned to her.

Mia Kane immediately stepped forward. As long as she can help ease his pain, she’ll do anything.

The moment she drew near, Adrian Preston cupped the back of her head, pulled her in, and pressed his thin lips against hers.

Mia Kane’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Is he kissing her? What kind of distraction method is this?

She wanted to struggle but didn’t dare move. She was afraid that if she made too much of a commotion, Theo’s hand might slip, and the knife would cut somewhere it shouldn’t.

Adrian Preston’s kiss was clumsy and without rhythm, hurting her lips and tongue. It was rough and domineering.

"Okay, it’s out..."

Just as her mind went completely blank, Theo spoke.

Mia Kane suddenly realized that a third person was watching them. She quickly pushed Adrian Preston away. "Um... I’ll go get a basin of water."

She left, flustered.

She heard Theo say behind her, "Looks like she’s shy."

The doctor arrived soon after, praising Theo for his excellent work before stopping the bleeding and suturing the wound. They opened the windows to air out the room, clearing the smell of blood and antiseptic.

Adrian Preston had already gotten dressed and was even able to get out of bed and walk around. If it weren’t for his deathly pale complexion, it would be hard to believe he was the one who had just been shot.

"Who on earth would dare ambush you? Do they not know who you are?"

"Those smugglers from before broke out of prison," Theo explained. "They weren’t willing to let it go, so they came after Adrian for revenge. He got hurt, but they suffered much heavier losses."

"A prison break?" Mia Kane froze. The leader of the kidnappers escaped?

"Theo, you can leave us for a moment."

Theo Thorne did as he was told and left.

"They’ve already left Argent. They won’t be back anytime soon, so you don’t need to worry."

"Why aren’t people like that just sentenced to death? How could there be a prison break? What kind of watch were you keeping?"

Mia Kane was losing her composure.

Adrian Preston didn’t argue back, knowing she was distraught.

"I will bring them to justice, I swear it. And if the law can’t punish them, I’ll finish things my own way."

"I’m not blaming you. I just... I just think they deserve to die."

"Mia Kane, there are things I have to keep confidential, so I can’t tell you everything. But please, trust them. They’re putting their lives on the line to protect others."

As Adrian Preston spoke, his expression was gravely serious. Although he was retired, he had been a police officer for many years. He knew what it meant to wear that uniform.

So, no one had the right to blame them.

Mia Kane realized her mistake then. She had gotten emotional and spoken out of turn. "I’m sorry..."

"Don’t tell Grandpa about this. We’ll just pretend nothing happened."

Mia Kane nodded. "You should take the bed tonight. If you’re not comfortable with me beside you, I can sleep in the chair."

Mia Kane turned to go, but Adrian Preston caught her by the wrist.

"Let’s share the bed," he said, as if it had taken a great deal of resolve.