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

Theo Thorne quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. "Adrian must have his reasons for not telling you. Just pretend I never said anything."

"Too late."

Mia Kane strode forward and began to eavesdrop.

Inside the room, Chairman Zane began to speak earnestly.

"It’s just an apology! A few simple words can save the Preston Group hundreds of millions in losses! Isn’t that a fantastic deal? My only regret is that the Lockwood Group doesn’t want an apology from me. Otherwise, I’d drag my entire family over to their house to beg for forgiveness!"

"We’re not the ones at fault. We didn’t initiate breaking the contract, so why should we be the ones to back down?"

Adrian frowned.

"Then what about what President Lockwood said? Is it true your wife hit his fiancée?"

"They deserved it."

"It doesn’t matter if they deserved it or not—the one who strikes first is in the wrong! They’re the ones with the moral high ground now."

Chase Lockwood hadn’t publicly stated his reason for canceling the partnership, so wild rumors were swirling as the public speculated about what could have possibly happened between the two companies.

But the senior leadership on both boards knew the full story.

The reason Chase Lockwood gave was that Mia Kane had slapped Vivian Lynch in public at the nursing home; he was defending his fiancée, and his reason was perfectly valid.

If the two companies remained at a stalemate, Chase Lockwood threatened to release the video.

Then, the Lockwood Group would be seen as the justified party, and the Preston Group would suffer even greater losses. There was no telling how many points their stock would plummet.

If such a massive loss could be averted with a simple apology, why not do it?

Adrian’s frown deepened. Chase Lockwood was far more shameless than he had imagined, making false counter-accusations and presenting a story completely stripped of context.

If the video was truly released, he couldn’t even refute it. If the whole story came out, he’d have to explain *why* she slapped them, which would be tantamount to announcing to the world that Mia Kane had been kidnapped and lost her innocence.

So, Chase Lockwood would control the entire narrative, leaving Adrian completely on the defensive.

In that scenario, the Preston Group’s losses would far exceed those of the Lockwood Group.

A loss that large was enough to send shockwaves through the senior members of the board.

These old-timers were frantic, so they sent Chairman Zane, the most senior among them, to act as their negotiator.

Shannon Preston was also actively involved, desperate to throw Mia Kane under the bus.

"President Preston, it doesn’t matter if they deserved it or not, initiating violence is wrong! An apology is necessary."

"Are you finished, Chairman Zane? If so, you can go."

Adrian was completely unmoved.

"In that case, I’ll go find the president’s wife myself. I’d like to see if she’s just as unreasonable."

Just as Chairman Zane turned to leave, Adrian’s cold voice stopped him in his tracks.

"You dare go near her! She did nothing wrong. My only regret is that she didn’t hit them harder. She should have slapped Vivian Lynch a few more times."

"President Preston... Y-You’ve lost all reason over a woman? You’d disregard the entire Group for her?"

"Either nominate someone to take my place, or shut your mouths. Whatever the Preston Group loses, I can earn it all back. But today, she will not suffer this injustice. She will not be the one to bow her head."

"If anyone dares try to force her to apologize, or uses some moral high ground to pressure her, they’ll have to answer to me. Do any of you want to test that?"

Adrian’s voice was firm and powerful, each word landing with an impact that was deafening.

Chairman Zane’s face paled, and he didn’t dare say another word.

Adrian’s intimidating aura was enough to make anyone’s heart quail.

"President Preston... you... you’re being foolish."

"I’m perfectly lucid. Get out. Don’t disturb me while I’m working."

Director Zane scurried away, muttering angrily as he left, "President Preston is sacrificing the company’s very survival for a woman! The Preston Group is done for! It’s only a matter of time!"

After Director Zane left, Shannon Preston said anxiously, "Adrian, so many members of the board are already displeased. Why are you adding fuel to the fire? I know you care about your wife, but... this is such a serious matter..."

"If I were the one who had offended Vivian Lynch today, and Chase demanded an apology—even if it meant kneeling—I would do it! For the Group, for you!"

"Don’t worry. If that day ever comes, I would protect you too. I wouldn’t let you be treated unfairly. When I decide to protect someone, I’ll do it even if the sky itself is falling."

Adrian said it without even looking up, the words leaving his lips automatically.

Shannon Preston’s heart hammered in her chest.

’I’m really so important to him!’

’But why should that bitch Mia Kane get the same treatment as me?’

"Adrian..."

Shannon Preston tried to say more, but Adrian cut her off.

"Please leave. I’m busy, don’t disturb me."

"But the apology..."

"Over my dead body. It’s not happening."

Adrian’s voice was dangerously cold.

Shannon Preston could see his resolve and left in disappointment.

This time, Mia Kane didn’t manage to get away and was caught by Shannon Preston.

She had been frozen in place by Adrian’s words.

At first, she had been deeply moved by how protective Adrian was of her. But then he’d said that if it were Shannon, he wouldn’t let her apologize either, that he would never let her be treated unjustly.

She suddenly remembered what Adrian had told her grandmother.

For the duration of their marriage, he would respect her, protect her, and not let anyone bully her.

’He was just fulfilling his duty, but his favoritism for Shannon was unconditional.’

A wave of unease washed over her, which was why she hadn’t been quick enough to hide when Shannon emerged.

Shannon Preston closed the door and looked at her with a frown.

"You’re here to see my brother?"

"Yes."

"Come with me. I have something to tell you in private."

Shannon Preston pulled her straight into the breakroom, took out her phone, and made her watch a video.

It was the surveillance footage from the nursing home. In it, she could be seen storming up to Vivian Lynch and slapping her across the face.

Chase Lockwood was clever to use this as his weapon against the Preston Group.

"Because of your little temper tantrum, the Preston Group has lost hundreds of millions, and its reputation is in tatters. You’re really something else, Mia Kane."

Mia Kane pressed her lips together and said nothing.

"If I were you, I’d go apologize to Vivi. This was your personal doing, yet you’ve implicated so many people. Do you have any idea how hard it is to win people over? My brother only recently took charge of the Group, and because of you, he’s lost all credibility!"

"Try not to be so selfish!"

With that said, Shannon Preston left.

Mia Kane stood alone in the breakroom, unable to collect her thoughts for a long time.

She couldn’t bear to watch Adrian pay the price for her actions.

This wasn’t his burden to bear.

When she returned to the office, Theo Thorne shot her a desperate look, silently pleading with her not to expose him.

She didn’t say a word about the Lockwood Group demanding an apology. Instead, she asked about the drugging incident.

"It’s all been handled. You don’t need to worry about it."

Adrian was used to shouldering everything himself and offered no further explanation.

Mia Kane felt a little helpless. ’It was a good thing Theo had told me everything,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, I’d still be completely in the dark.’

"Alright, as long as it’s handled. I’ll let you get back to work. I have to get to the office."

"Okay. Be safe on your way."

Mia Kane’s mind was in turmoil on the drive back. ’Should I apologize, or not?’

She was completely against the idea, of course. But then she thought about Adrian, facing down enormous pressure, losing the trust of his people—all because of her. If this went on, how could he possibly command any authority within the Group?

He had protected her, fulfilling his responsibilities as a husband. So, as his wife, wasn’t it time she fulfilled hers?

In the end, she swallowed all her pride and self-respect and dialed Chase Lockwood’s number.