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

Mia Kane listened to the dial tone on the other end of the line, her mind nearly blank.

It seemed she had taken things a little too far this time.

She sat down and tried hard to remember. When on earth had she saved Adrian Preston?

But she had no memory of it at all. Perhaps it was just a tiny, insignificant bit of help, but to Adrian, who had been in a crisis at the time, it was a great debt of gratitude.

’He really shouldn’t have taken it to heart. I don’t even remember it.’

But now that she had calmed down and wanted to say something to smooth things over, she no longer had the chance.

Mia Kane decided not to dwell on it. She had indeed spoken inappropriately, but if this could lead to a clean break from Adrian Preston, that wouldn’t be so bad either.

After all, their two-year marriage had been emotionally distant. She could file for divorce.

Mia Kane thought she wouldn’t be hearing Adrian Preston’s name again anytime soon, so she was surprised when Theo Thorne came looking for her in a panic.

"Where’s Adrian? Has Adrian come to see you?"

"No, why? What’s wrong?"

"Adrian’s missing. This is the first time he’s ever left without a word! He’s dumped the entire Preston Group on me, and there are several decisions I can’t make on my own, but I don’t dare disturb his grandfather."

"Adrian Preston is missing? Was he kidnapped?"

"Absolutely not. No matter how many enemies Adrian has, he wouldn’t get kidnapped in Argent."

Mia Kane frowned, realizing the gravity of the situation.

’How could Adrian Preston just leave without a word?’

’Was he that upset?’

"Theo Thorne, has Adrian ever mentioned me to you? For example, about me saving his life?"

"No, he hasn’t..."

Mia Kane was surprised. ’Is Adrian Preston really that tight-lipped? Theo has been with him for so many years, his most trusted subordinate, and he didn’t even tell him?’

’What was the real reason? When did he first take an interest in her? How long had he been plotting this, step by step, to get close to her?’

She felt as if she were caught in a giant net, woven entirely from Adrian Preston’s schemes. It was infuriating, and yet... pitiable.

She was actually feeling sorry for Adrian Preston.

Mia Kane also tried to find out where Adrian was, but she searched all over Argent to no avail.

With no one to lead the Preston Group, Theo Thorne eventually went to see his grandfather.

Mia Kane went with him. When his grandfather learned of Adrian’s disappearance, his expression became very grave.

But he had no time for worry or sorrow; he immediately started handling the group’s business matters.

Both Mia Kane and Theo Thorne were frantic, but his grandfather was steady as a rock.

"He probably just left on his own. Don’t worry. He’ll likely be back after a while."

"How could he just disappear for no reason?"

Mia Kane blurted out anxiously.

"It’s probably not for no reason. This happened once before, a few years ago. So far, it seems to have only happened twice."

"When was the last time?"

"Three years ago... It seems it was right around the time you and Chase Lockwood announced you were together."

Mia Kane felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Was it a coincidence, or... something else?

’Could it be? Both times were because of me?’

"Adrian was on a mission at the time. He always found a way to check in with the family and let us know he was safe every month. But that month, there was complete silence. Three months went by like that, and then he suddenly came back covered in injuries and went on medical leave."

"He wasn’t one for talking. He just locked himself in his room and was quiet for a long time. He stayed home until his injuries healed, then left again immediately. After that, the monthly ’I’m safe’ texts resumed."

"I asked his superior about it. That undercover operation was originally supposed to wrap up in six months, but for some reason, Adrian suddenly went berserk. He latched onto a vulnerability they had and refused to let go. Although he successfully apprehended the targets, he nearly lost his own life in the process."

"So he shouldn’t be in any danger now, right? He’s already left that job."

Mia Kane said, her voice filled with unease. She kept trying to comfort herself. ’It’s not because of me. It’s just a coincidence.’

"Let’s not worry about him. We should eat when it’s time to eat and sleep when it’s time to sleep."

"Grandpa, aren’t you worried? What if..."

"That’s his life. If he doesn’t cherish it, what can we do?" His grandfather was clearly angry now too.

His grandfather didn’t want to see anyone, so Mia Kane left, having learned nothing new.

She then decided to go to the villa to see if there were any clues.

Mia Kane rushed to the villa and learned that after Adrian had returned, he had locked himself in his upstairs room, refusing to eat or drink for two whole days.

After he came out, he never returned home again.

Mia Kane remembered there was a locked room upstairs that no one was allowed to enter. Adrian would go in to clean it himself.

’Before he disappeared, that was the only place he went. He stayed there for two days. There must be a clue inside.’

Mia Kane wanted to go up and take a look, but there were no keys that could open it. Only Adrian had access.

It was secured with Adrian Preston’s fingerprint and iris scan.

"Then break down the door. I want to see what’s inside. If there are any consequences, I’ll take full responsibility."

The staff heard this and were about to comply. Even if the two divorced, the people who worked for them still listened to Mia Kane.

But unexpectedly, Theo Thorne stopped them.

"No, no one is to touch this door."

’If that door opens, all of Adrian’s deepest secrets will be exposed.’

’This is his most private, vulnerable corner. No one can be allowed to see it.’

"Do you know what’s in there? What if there’s a clue to Adrian Preston’s disappearance?"

"There are no clues in there. Adrian just likes to be in that room to think. Ma’am, let’s just try to find another way. Otherwise, we’ll just have to wait. Dead or alive, we’ll get news eventually."

Theo Thorne was desperate; he absolutely could not let that door be opened.

Without Theo Thorne’s approval, Mia Kane couldn’t have the door opened either.

She stared intently at the tightly shut door.

’What exactly is hidden in there? Why is Theo acting so anxious?’

She had a feeling something inside was drawing her in, making her desperate to open that door.

It was as if opening that door would allow her to peer into Adrian Preston’s heart, and the tangled mess of threads in her own mind would finally unravel.

Frustrated, Mia Kane left the villa.

"Theo Thorne, are you also hiding something from me? Something about me?"

"No... no, Ma’am."

Theo Thorne was stammering.

"Theo Thorne, what is it that I’m not allowed to know? What have you and Adrian Preston been plotting behind my back?"

"Ma’am... I really can’t say too much. But one thing is true: Adrian loves you very much. And yes, he’s been planning to be with you for a long time. If Adrian wanted to have you, it would have been very simple. Forcing someone against their will is the easiest way. You’ve been married to him for so long. Other than not wanting to be apart from you, has he ever made things difficult for you?"

"He has always respected you, cherished you, and cared for you! I know about what happened on the ship, too. Adrian didn’t do it on purpose. The drug had taken effect, and there was no doctor on board. He could only... only do it himself..."

"He knows he was wrong, and he doesn’t dare ask for your forgiveness. He’s been thinking about you for a very long time. That was the only time, the one and only time, he ever crossed the line!"

"If Adrian Preston really has feelings for me, then what about his unforgettable love?"

"Adrian doesn’t have an unforgettable love. There’s only you, isn’t there?"

Mia Kane sneered. "It seems what you know isn’t the full story."

"Adrian really doesn’t have one."

Mia Kane couldn’t be bothered to explain. ’Then what about the woman’s photograph hidden in that pocket watch?’

’That box was kept in the study for so long. It’s obvious how much he cared about it.’

She couldn’t even tell anymore what was true and what was false when it came to Adrian Preston’s words.

’Maybe it’s true that he likes her, and true that he’s been thinking about her for years.’

’But it’s also true that he has another love—one she knows nothing about!’