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

"I’m okay. I’m already much better. Please don’t go. Can’t you stay here with me a little longer, okay?"

Perhaps because she had just woken up from her illness, her voice was full of exhaustion and weakness.

Adrian Preston wanted to scold her for being so self-destructive, but seeing her in this state, he held back.

"I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere."

Adrian Preston stayed by her side, but he was still worried about her condition. He pressed the call button, and a doctor came to check on her. Her fever had broken, and for now, there was nothing to worry about.

To be safe, it would be best to observe her for another day, but she could also be discharged immediately.

Mia Kane chose to go home.

She didn’t want to stay in this unfamiliar environment.

"Adrian, can we go home? I don’t want to stay here."

"Okay, let’s go home."

She changed her clothes but didn’t even have the strength to walk. She was about to ask Adrian Preston to find her a wheelchair, but instead...

Adrian Preston scooped her up directly into his arms.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as something occurred to her.

"I remember being in the bath when I passed out. How did I get to the hospital?"

"I brought you here."

"You? Then..."

"I saw everything. I dried you off, blow-dried your hair, dressed you, and brought you to the hospital. What about it?"

Adrian Preston said irritably, "Trying to kill yourself over that kind of person. Mia Kane, you’ve really outdone yourself."

"I wasn’t..."

Mia Kane felt embarrassed. She truly hadn’t been thinking of suicide. She thought she was done with her bath and was about to get up, but she suddenly felt dizzy and light-headed, fell back, and passed out.

"Hmph..."

Adrian Preston snorted coldly, clearly not believing a word she said.

Mia Kane’s lips trembled, but she didn’t waste any more breath trying to explain.

When they returned home, they found an unexpected guest waiting for them.

Since Adrian Preston wasn’t home, the housekeeper hadn’t dared to let the person in directly. She was just about to call for instructions when Adrian returned.

As Adrian Preston got out of the car carrying Mia Kane, he felt a sharp gaze on him and immediately looked over.

Their eyes met mid-air.

Mia Kane saw the man, and her limbs instinctively stiffened.

"Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

Adrian Preston, still holding her, noticed her discomfort right away and immediately soothed her in a soft voice.

Those words seemed to have some kind of magical power.

Mia Kane looked at him and suddenly felt at ease.

’Adrian Preston is here. What do I have to be afraid of!’

"Mr. Preston, you’re finally back. This is Councilman William. He came specifically to pay you a visit."

A diplomat from the Embassy in Country M had accompanied him.

"What is it?"

Adrian Preston’s attitude was indifferent.

"Shall we speak inside?"

The diplomat suggested.

"My wife isn’t feeling well. I’ll go outside with you..."

"No, let’s talk in the house."

Mia Kane looked at him nervously. The house was Adrian Preston’s territory, at least. The other party wouldn’t dare to cause trouble here.

’What if we go outside and get ambushed?’

She still remembered being shot last time.

Adrian Preston looked down and met Mia Kane’s concerned gaze. She was worried about him.

"I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about me. As long as you’re here, I’m not afraid."

Mia Kane knew he was being considerate of her.

"Then go upstairs and wait for me. I want to find out what he’s really up to."

Mia Kane nodded.

"Have the guests come in."

Adrian Preston instructed the housekeeper.

He carried her inside first, taking her up to the bedroom.

Downstairs, the housekeeper prepared tea and snacks to serve the guests.

Soon, Adrian Preston came back down.

"I wonder what brings Councilman William to my home."

"It’s about my good-for-nothing younger brother," William said with a smile. "We’re full brothers, but our parents divorced. I went abroad with our father and have been building my career overseas. My brother never applied himself to anything. After our mother passed away, I wanted to bring him over, but he disappeared and I lost contact with him."

"It wasn’t until he was caught by you, Mr. Preston, that I learned of his whereabouts. To think he got involved in illegal and criminal activities... it’s truly disheartening. When I thought about all the trouble he caused you, I felt so guilty that I immediately had someone arrange an introduction so I could come and apologize."

"I’ve also assigned more of my own men. Should that animal ever appear within my sphere of influence, I will make certain he is brought to justice!"

"Much appreciated."

Adrian Preston’s expression was placid; no one could tell what he was thinking.

Whether he believed him or not was impossible to know.

"Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence. I ran into that lady’s car just yesterday. I had no idea she was connected to you, Mr. Preston. Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"She is my wife."

As Adrian Preston said this, his gaze burned into William. William’s face showed a look of sudden realization. "Oh, so that’s how it is! It seems the three of us are truly connected by fate!"

"By the way, I also have a project I’d like to collaborate on with the Preston Group. I’ll come find you at the company next time and bring my project proposal."

"You’re most welcome."

The diplomat was completely oblivious to the undercurrent of hostility between the two men, assuming they were having a pleasant conversation.

After the visit, William left first, but the diplomat stopped Adrian Preston.

"There are many councilmen in Country M. Unless they’re one of the final few candidates running for president, the rest don’t amount to much. But this William is different. Although he’s just a minor councilman, he has vast assets under his control. He owns the largest port and shipping fleet in Country M; his family is in the trade business. If you can partner with him and open up the markets between our two regions, it would be a huge boon for our domestic exports."

"The higher-ups will give you their full support on this matter, including preferential policies. Mr. Preston, you must do your utmost."

"Understood."

Adrian Preston agreed.

The two men left in their respective cars. Unexpectedly, William’s car soon turned back, claiming he had left something behind.

The housekeeper found an amber cufflink under the coffee table.

"Look at me, always so forgetful. My father gave this to me, and I treasure it dearly, so I had to find it... I’m so sorry to have disturbed you again. See you next time..."

"I remember your scent. I’m not mistaken. When I was hunting you, you weren’t a councilman yet. You probably hadn’t pulled the switch yet. That so-called brother of yours... he’s your scapegoat, isn’t he?"

Adrian Preston’s voice rang out, chillingly cold.

Hearing this, William’s expression froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

He smiled and touched the tip of his nose.

Adrian Preston had studied criminal psychology. This was a sign of a guilty conscience.

"You saw right through me, Officer Preston. How does it feel, getting a promotion by stepping on me?"

While elegantly fastening his cufflink, William looked at Adrian Preston with a smirk.

The two of them were standing very close. No one else could hear their conversation.

Suddenly, William raised his eyes and looked toward the second-floor staircase.

Mia Kane was hiding there, peeking. Her eyes suddenly met his, and the sinister coldness in his gaze made her shiver uncontrollably.

She quickly left, not daring to linger.

"I never would have guessed. Officer Preston is actually with the victim now? In what capacity, I wonder? As her savior, I presume?"

"What if she found out that Officer Preston was derelict in his duty? If she knew who the person from that night was..." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"If you dare say one more word, I’ll kill you!"

Adrian Preston suddenly became terrifying. A murderous aura emanated from him, as if he were an Asura that had clawed its way out of Hell.

William’s smile only deepened.

"OK, a temporary truce, then. I’ll be going now. I look forward to our next meeting, you derelict Officer Preston!"