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

Vivian Lynch’s heart pounded at his words. Her first reaction was to wonder if he had found something out.

But Vivian Lynch was quick to react. She composed herself, making sure not to show any sign of distress.

"No, I’ve never toyed with you. I’ve been nothing but sincere. My feelings for you are as clear as day. Chase, you know me better than that, don’t you?"

Chase Lockwood breathed a sigh of relief. "I guess I’m overthinking it. You’re so kind, and you only ever think of me. How could you be like her... Things have been rough at the company lately. I’m just in a bad mood. I’ll be fine after a while."

He made an excuse for himself, pinching the bridge of his nose before disappearing up the stairs.

Vivian Lynch sensed something was amiss and immediately launched a thorough investigation.

She wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t looked, but what she found was a shock.

Mia Kane wasn’t Adrian Preston’s mistress. She was Mrs. Preston.

The crucial part was that Adrian Preston knew what had happened to Mia Kane on that cargo ship.

And he still married that woman.

Chase Lockwood had always believed Mia Kane was desperately in love with him. He couldn’t accept that she had married someone else so quickly.

’On what grounds? How could you lose your purity and still marry into a wealthy family? I’ve worked so hard, and I’m still just one step away from being with Chase Lockwood. It’s not fair!’

’If old Mr. Preston knew... would he tolerate such a tainted granddaughter-in-law, a disgrace to the Preston family name?’

At this thought, a cold smile crept onto Vivian Lynch’s lips.

...

Meanwhile, at the nursing home.

Adrian Preston was applying ointment for her. Mia Kane’s wrist was ringed with purple bruises, a frightening sight.

His brows were furrowed the entire time. He didn’t say a word, which made him look terrifying.

"Why did you go over there?"

"I was worried about you, so I went to check."

"Will Chase Lockwood cause trouble for you in the future?"

"I don’t know. I don’t go looking for trouble, but I’m not afraid of it either."

Adrian Preston’s voice was cool and detached, carrying an intangible sense of pressure.

The matter was settled. They would stay the night and head back the next day.

The old man was currently undergoing conservative treatment. With medication and medical equipment, his body was showing signs of improvement.

Every day, he would practice a session of Baduanjin, and after breakfast, he’d take his teapot and go play chess with the other old folks.

Today, a young girl came to volunteer. The volunteers here weren’t just anyone; they were mostly family members of the residents.

Mia Kane had only been able to volunteer here because of Chase Lockwood’s grandmother.

The young girl poured them tea.

Where there’s a crowd, there’s gossip.

One of the old men spoke up. "Some time ago, the city busted a criminal gang and caught several smugglers."

"I know about that! They caught thirteen in total!"

Donovan Preston said proudly, then placed a piece on the board. "Checkmate!"

"I’m done, I’m done. I can’t beat you."

Donovan Preston chuckled happily at his words.

"It’s lonely at the top."

"I heard there was a hostage, too."

Vivian Lynch chimed in at the opportune moment while pouring tea.

"A hostage? The news didn’t say anything about that."

She continued, "It wasn’t announced because they were protecting the victim’s privacy. I heard it was a girl who fell into the hands of a group of thugs. Sigh, you can just imagine what happened."

"Those damn bastards! They should all get the death penalty! They deserve to die!"

Donovan Preston was furious when he heard this.

Mia Kane had come to get the old man for lunch. She had just arrived when she overheard this, and her face instantly went pale.

Mia Kane strode forward and uncontrollably grabbed Vivian Lynch’s shoulder.

Vivian Lynch turned in confusion, only to receive a solid slap across the face.

"Ah— She hit someone!"

A group of old ladies and grandpas cried out in alarm.

"Why did you hit me?"

Vivian Lynch’s eyes were red with anger.

"What have you been telling them?"

"We were just talking about that smuggling case from before. We didn’t say much. Why are you so worked up?"

Vivian Lynch cried out pitifully, "They brought it up first! I was just adding a comment. I never said that person was you! WAH... Why did you hit me?"

As soon as she said this, everyone turned to look at Mia Kane in astonishment.

In that instant, Mia Kane’s face turned deathly white.

She had indeed overreacted, but Vivian Lynch’s words had torn away the last shred of pretense.

She didn’t dare to look at the group of people, much less Grandpa Donovan. She couldn’t imagine what he must be feeling right now.

"I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to... I... it just slipped out. I didn’t want to! You suddenly slapped me, and I just..."

Vivian Lynch was like a child who had done something wrong, tears streaming down her face.

Mia Kane was shaking with anger. She raised her hand to slap her again but was stopped by one of the old men.

"I can testify that I’m the one who brought up this topic. It had nothing to do with her. She never said your name from beginning to end. It was you who came over and slapped her, giving the game away."

"I originally felt sorry for you, but seeing how arrogant and domineering you are now, I see that every pitiable person has their detestable side."

The old man defended Vivian Lynch, turning around and scolding Mia Kane instead.

"Don’t blame her. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s my fault... It just slipped out in the heat of the moment. Even if she beat me to death, I shouldn’t have said it."

"Don’t cry. We saw everything clearly. It’s not your fault."

A few other elderly people chimed in, comforting Vivian Lynch.

"Which resident is she related to?"

Someone started asking.

"I think she’s with Orchie Ziegler."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Isn’t *this* Orchie Ziegler’s family member?"

Orchie Ziegler was the name of Chase Lockwood’s maternal grandmother.

For a moment, everyone was very confused about whose family Mia Kane belonged to and how she had gotten in.

"She used to volunteer for Old Preston all the time. Old Preston, do you know her?"

Everyone’s eyes swiveled in unison to Donovan Preston, who remained silent for a long time.

Mia Kane glanced over. His expression was grim, his fists clenched tightly.

Mia Kane’s heart sank to the depths.

’No one would accept a granddaughter-in-law who has lost her innocence.’

’The Preston Family is vast and influential; they would never accept it.’

She let out a heavy breath, preparing to go for broke.

"Vivian Lynch, others might be fooled by you, but I’m not. I know exactly what you’re trying to do. Even if no one had brought this up, you would have found a way to steer the conversation here. Don’t you dare pretend to be innocent. This isn’t over between us!"

"What’s with the way you talk? Are you threatening her now? Have you no manners?"

The group of elderly people became even more filled with righteous indignation.

"Is that enough of a scene for you all? Gossiping like this at your age. To hell with this stupid game of chess!"

Donovan Preston cursed, flipped the chessboard right over, and then stormed off in a rage.

Mia Kane didn’t dare to leave at the same time as him, afraid that people would realize they were connected. She forced herself to wait a moment before leaving.

As she left, she gave Vivian Lynch a long, hard look. The other woman was still playing the innocent victim.

She pointed at Vivian Lynch, then turned and walked away.

"Don’t be afraid of her. I’ll stand up for you. You didn’t drag her into this at all; she’s just got a guilty conscience."

"Thank you. If it weren’t for you, ma’am, I don’t know what I would have done."

Vivian Lynch was still putting on her act when she suddenly looked up and saw Old Mrs. Ziegler. She jumped in surprise.

Orchie Ziegler was standing not far away, watching her coldly.

When Mia Kane got back, she saw Adrian Preston.

"Where’s Grandpa?"

"Grandpa went to his study. What’s wrong?"

Mia Kane recounted what had happened.

"Grandpa knows... he knows about that incident. He’ll probably make us get a divorce. His health is poor right now; he can’t handle the shock. Besides, we only got married for the sake of his health in the first place. Getting a divorce now is the better option."