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

A gentle lick, a nibble, a suck...

Adrian Preston tightened his grip on her slender waist, feeling the wet, warm, soft, and delicate touch of her tongue.

Her red lips sucked gently, as if they could steal his very soul.

Mia Kane left several marks.

"That should be enough."

"Mm, enough to report back with."

"Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going. You can try on the sample garment later. If the size isn’t right, we can alter it..."

Mia Kane tried to leave, but Adrian Preston still held her body tightly, refusing to let go.

"What are you doing?"

"Returning the favor."

"What favor? You were the one who..."

She cried out in surprise. Adrian Preston didn’t give her a hickey on her neck at all. Instead, he pulled her collar open slightly and pressed a kiss to her collarbone.

He moved lower and lower.

As he kissed her, he let out soft breaths, as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself.

But he didn’t go any further. He seemed to have a perfect sense of boundaries—not going too far, yet pushing the intimacy to its absolute limit.

He left a vivid mark just above her chest.

"This one... is beautiful."

Mia Kane’s cheeks flushed. Adrian Preston was clearly guarded and extremely shy about *that*, but aside from the deepest acts of desire, he seemed to delight in and crave all other forms of kissing, testing the waters bit by bit.

She couldn’t tell if he truly desired her or was pushing her away.

"Is this one for your grandfather to see, too?"

Mia Kane said irritably.

"No. It’s for me to see."

Adrian Preston’s voice was extremely hoarse, and the corners of his eyes had darkened to a deep red. His gaze on her was scorching and profound, hiding emotions she couldn’t decipher.

"Adrian Preston, are you proper or are you a player?"

"A bit of both, I suppose. I want to try everything with you... except for the final step."

Just then, a knock came from outside. It was Theo Thorne, urging him to go downstairs for the press conference, which was about to begin.

"You can come down with me."

Adrian Preston invited her.

Mia Kane immediately backed out. "Forget it. For a marriage that could end at any time, it’s better not to be too conspicuous."

Hearing this, Adrian Preston narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t respond.

"Wait for me here. We’ll go home together after the conference."

It was clearly a command. Mia Kane felt a little helpless, but she obediently waited.

The press conference was being live-streamed, so Mia Kane clicked on it out of curiosity.

The Preston Group had newly developed an AI smart chip, a major breakthrough, which was the reason for the conference.

At first, everything revolved around the smart chip, discussing plans and projections. Then came the Q&A session with reporters. The first few questions were about the chip, but soon, everyone went off-topic.

They all scrambled over each other, practically shoving their microphones into Adrian Preston’s face.

"President Preston, could you comment on your relationship status? What stage are you in right now?"

"What you’re wearing on your wrist... it looks like a woman’s accessory."

"President Preston, you were once photographed attending a banquet with a female companion. Is that true?"

"I’m married. My wife is not a public figure. She prefers to keep a low profile, so it’s inconvenient to disclose her identity. I’m afraid of affecting her life and career."

Adrian Preston admitted it openly and generously.

"When did this happen?"

"Could you tell us how you met Mrs. Preston?"

"Why do you like Mrs. Preston? Did she pursue you, or did you pursue her?"

"I pursued her. She... saved me."

Adrian Preston looked at the camera, speaking each word deliberately.

Mia Kane’s heart pounded. In that instant, she felt as if Adrian Preston was looking right at her through the camera, his gaze piercing straight into her soul.

She hastily closed the video feed.

’This Adrian Preston... he lies so easily. And what’s all this about being saved? What kind of persona is he trying to create?’

Mia Kane had thought Adrian Preston was just fighting against his parents, but when she later saw the news that the Preston Group’s stock price was soaring, she realized he was a true-blue businessman.

Adrian Preston’s open admission of his marriage and this display of responsibility made outsiders optimistic about him taking over the Preston Group.

As one netizen put it: "A man willing to take on family responsibilities can’t be all that bad. He’s so much better than those who hide their marriages and cheat on the side."

Adrian Preston’s personal image, combined with his candid and public attitude, caused the Preston Group’s stock to rise continuously. It was hard to tell if it was because of the chip development or his personal charisma.

The Preston Group’s press conference shot to the top of the trending topics.

The discussion around it was immense.

Everyone was wondering who this Mrs. Preston was, to have such good luck to marry such a great man. She must wake up laughing in her sleep.

Mia Kane couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if she had met Adrian Preston first.

Unfortunately, the one who saved her from dire straits back then was Chase Lockwood, not him.

The press conference lasted for several hours. Mia Kane got so bored waiting that she lay down on the sofa and fell asleep, not even knowing when he returned.

Seeing how soundly she was sleeping, Adrian Preston draped his jacket over her and handled his business affairs at a nearby desk.

He had planned for them to go home for dinner, but by then, the sky outside had already turned dark.

When Mia Kane woke up, she found it was already eleven o’clock at night.

"Why didn’t you wake me?"

"You were sleeping so soundly, it was fine to go back a little later. Are you hungry? Let’s eat here. I already had Theo Thorne prepare dinner."

Hearing this, Mia Kane nodded repeatedly. She was famished, so hungry her stomach felt like it was stuck to her spine.

Soon, the food arrived. It was exquisite and delicious, low in oil and salt.

"Did you watch the press conference?"

Adrian Preston asked.

"I did."

"Any thoughts?"

"You’re quite the liar. The ’redemption’ persona is a nice touch, very appealing. No wonder the Preston Group’s stock shot up so fast."

Adrian Preston pressed his lips together as a voice screamed in his heart.

’What if you really did save me?’

’What if you were the one who guided me onto this path?’

"Mia Kane, will you ever fall in love with someone else again?"

he asked suddenly.

"No. I only love myself now."

she said without a moment’s hesitation.

She had been hurt too deeply by Chase Lockwood. Men were unreliable. As long as she didn’t love, as long as she didn’t have expectations for a man, then she wouldn’t be disappointed, and she wouldn’t get hurt.

Even if she wanted to be Mrs. Preston now, it was only because she valued the status and position, and the wealth and prestige that came with it.

It was more for personal gain than for any genuine feelings.

"That’s... good, too."

He paused slightly before saying those two words, "good, too."

They quickly finished dinner, and only then did Mia Kane remember her business.

"Quick, go change into the clothes. See if they fit and if you like them. Some details might need to be altered."

At her words, Adrian Preston went into the other room to change. The suit was a perfect fit, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Below his waist, it was all legs.

"Do you like it?"

"I do."

"Good. I’ll just touch up a few details, then I’ll have it dry-cleaned and sent to you."

"I’d like to order a wedding dress."

"A wedding dress?"

The moment those three words left his lips, Mia Kane’s heart gave a violent shudder.

She stared at him, stunned. Her first thought was, ’What does he need a wedding dress for? Is it... for me?’

"Adrian Preston, are you ordering a wedding dress for me? There’s no need. I won’t wear it..."

"It’s not for you. It’s for..."