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

Mia Kane didn’t think he was joking in the slightest. He would do as he said—after all, he used to be a public official.

His moral and legal standards were higher than most. A man like that should have been upright and noble, brimming with a sense of justice, yet Adrian Preston was anything but. He even had a streak of wickedness.

’He had a wicked streak!’

He wouldn’t go near anything illegal.

But in areas the law tacitly allowed, he was completely unrestrained. For instance, they were a legally married couple, so he kissed and held her whenever he pleased.

’A man like him was far more dangerous than she’d imagined.’

"Let me take you to the hospital. Your wound is still bleeding."

"It won’t kill me."

"We’re going to the hospital."

Mia Kane was firm, pulling him into the car and driving him to the hospital.

The wound had split open, and a lot of blood gushed out, staining his white shirt. It was a frightening sight, and the wound needed to be re-stitched and treated.

Racked with guilt, Mia Kane stayed by his bedside, postponing her contract signing with Owen Sinclair to focus solely on caring for him.

Adrian Preston rested for two days, and his wound began to scab over.

He healed faster than an ordinary person. While others would have been confined to bed, he was up and walking around as if nothing had happened.

’It was as if the man were forged from iron.’

"Do you have to work so hard?"

She muttered under her breath, watching Adrian Preston in the study, busy with a video conference.

Just then, she ran into Theo Thorne, who was bringing coffee.

"Adrian doesn’t dare to relax. After all, the Preston Family has few members. If he were to fall, he’d be torn to pieces in no time. And not just by business rivals—he made a lot of enemies as an anti-smuggling officer, and they’re all watching him like vultures."

"An anti-smuggling officer?"

This was the first Mia Kane had heard of his specific police specialty.

"Adrian was an undercover agent, embedded in Soutoria for a long time. That criminal organization smuggled drugs, people, and weapons—they committed every crime imaginable. When the operation went down, they took out nearly half the organization, while the rest fled to Trivium. Adrian is the most incredible person I’ve ever met; he’s the only one I truly admire. You married a hero, ma’am."

"A hero."

Mia Kane murmured to herself. Just two days ago, she’d seen Adrian Preston as a morally ambiguous man with a strange temper.

’So he hadn’t been working in a police station all that time. He was an undercover agent, embedded in the most dangerous of places.’

’He had seen so much crime. It must have been incredibly difficult to hold on to his principles in that kind of environment.’

Mia Kane felt a pang of guilt, but even more, her heart ached for him.

"He’s... he’s the heir to the Preston Group. Why would he become a police officer, let alone such a dangerous anti-smuggling one? Didn’t the Prestons try to stop him?"

Theo Thorne hesitated for a moment. "Well, you’re practically family now, ma’am. When Adrian was a kid, he and his sister were kidnapped. They almost died. From then on, Adrian was determined to become a police officer and bring those criminal organizations to justice."

"Adrian isn’t very close with his family. His parents don’t really get involved in his life, so he’s closer to his grandfather and his sister. Adrian once said he’d never marry if he didn’t find someone he truly loved. Meeting you... well, it looks like he’s finally fallen for real."

Mia Kane just smiled, not saying a word.

’Looks like Theo Thorne doesn’t know the real reason Adrian married me.’

’Their marriage was just an act, an arrangement of mutual benefit.’

With nothing to do that afternoon, Mia Kane went to her studio to sign the contract with Owen Sinclair. He was providing a capital investment for a forty percent stake in the company.

"Owen, have the people from Lynch’s side tried to contact you?"

"How did you know? The offer was very good, but I turned it down."

’Mia Kane understood. Vivian Lynch was relying on Chase Lockwood’s deep pockets, throwing money around to poach talent and stir up trouble in the industry.’

’If it weren’t for Chase Lockwood, the rest of the industry would have already been up in arms.’

’Vivian Lynch would get what was coming to her, sooner or later.’

Owen Sinclair was about to sign without even glancing at the contract. Mia Kane spoke up just before his pen touched the paper. "Owen, you asked before if I was single. Well, I’m not anymore."

The tip of Owen Sinclair’s pen jerked, tearing the paper.

"What...? That’s so sudden. Weren’t you single just a few days ago? You found someone already?"

"The truth is, I lied to you last time. I just didn’t want to make it public. So... Owen, I’m sorry for lying."

Owen Sinclair smiled. "It’s no big deal. Do you like him?"

’That question stumped her. She no longer dared to get involved in romantic feelings, especially with someone as dangerous as Adrian Preston—a man even more difficult to handle than Chase Lockwood. It was impossible for her to like him.’

’But... she admired him, was grateful to him, was wary of him, was afraid of him...’

’Saying she didn’t like him didn’t feel right, given they were supposed to be a couple.’

"I do... I’m crazy about him!"

"As long as you’re happy, that’s what’s most important. This contract is torn. Let’s get another copy printed."

A new copy was quickly printed. Owen Sinclair signed and stamped it, and the contract became effective immediately.

Mia Kane turned away to organize some things, and Owen Sinclair watched her, his gaze profound.

Back when Mia Kane’s family fell on hard times, he was abroad and didn’t get the news right away. By the time he found out, the Kane Family’s troubles were already solved.

He later sent her a card with two million, but Mia Kane refused to take it.

After that, their paths didn’t cross. He tried moving on with other people, but in his heart, he could never forget Mia Kane.

He had better prospects abroad, but when he saw her design, he was immediately reminded of the vibrant Mia Kane. Unable to suppress the stirring in his heart, he came back.

’He wouldn’t regret it, no matter the outcome.’

’If she was in love, he would wish her well and be there to support her.’

’If she was still single, he would give it his all to pursue her, leaving him with no regrets.’

’He had thought he had a chance this time, but he was too late again. Who was this lucky man who had won over such an amazing girl?’

"You should bring your boyfriend to dinner with us sometime."

COUGH COUGH...

Mia Kane choked on her own spit.

"He’s away on business. He’s always on the road, so arranging a meal will be tough."

"That’s fine. He’ll be back eventually, and we can all get together then. I’m just curious what kind of man managed to steal away the genius of our design department. I might even have to throw a few punches to put him in his place for you. After all, I see you as my own little sister. I hope you feel the same."

"Of course. You’re like a real brother to me."

"I’ll always protect you."

Owen Sinclair raised his hand and patted her head.

’It doesn’t matter what my role in your life is. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.’

Owen Sinclair called Adrian Preston and got straight to the point, asking for an order.

"Buddy, I just started this new job. You can’t bear to see me come up with zero sales, can you?"

"Alright, let’s order uniforms. They need to have the Preston Group logo on them. Oh, and design an outfit for my sister, too. What do you say?"

"Womenswear? Then let’s have Mia Kane try. She’s better at it than I am. Your sister’s overseas; how will we get her measurements?"

"I have them all. Just have her work directly with me. I know what styles my sister likes best."

"Okay, I’ll have Mia Kane contact you. Make sure you look out for her."

"Owen, you rarely pay this much attention to a woman."

"Doesn’t matter how much attention I pay. I was a step too late. Someone beat me to it," Owen Sinclair sighed.

Adrian Preston fell silent for a moment before pressing, "What did she tell you?"