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

Mia Kane opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

But in the end, nothing came out. She moved closer to Adrian Preston and gently rested her head on his shoulder.

She suddenly felt tired and just wanted to lean on him for a moment.

Adrian Preston subconsciously straightened his back, not daring to move an inch.

「In the lounge.」

Vivian Lynch had already woken up. She was in a daze, staring fixedly at her chat history with Nona.

She refused to believe it, convinced Mia Kane was lying to her.

She had even gone out of her way to contact the organizers of the international competition and sent them Mia Kane’s photo.

She had been waiting eagerly for them to say it wasn’t Nona so she could find Mia Kane and tear her face off.

But she never, ever expected...

"That is Designer Nona!"

At that moment, her heart sank into a bottomless abyss.

Just then, Chase Lockwood pushed the door open and entered, filled with anger.

Vivian Lynch looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears.

She had passed out too early and had missed Mia Kane playing the recording.

"Chase, save me! Mia Kane went too far. She set me up, leading me into her trap step by step. Sob..."

"Is that so? Weren’t you the one who was desperate to win and tried to destroy her first?"

Chase Lockwood said coldly.

Before this, he thought he understood Vivian Lynch perfectly.

But now, he couldn’t seem to figure her out anymore.

’The Vivian I know is kind and wonderful. How could she be so merciless when she has the upper hand?’

"Chase, how could you think that of me? Don’t you know what kind of person I am? She was the one who kept pushing me, that’s why I fell for her tricks..."

Vivian Lynch wanted to continue her lies, but Chase Lockwood had no patience left to listen. Unable to bear it any longer, he slammed his hand on the table.

Vivian Lynch jumped, so startled that her tears stopped flowing.

"Did Mia Kane provoke you, or did she offer to cancel the bet of her own accord? Tell me the truth."

"She deliberately provoked me..."

"Vivian Lynch, you’re still not telling the truth! She has a recording. Everyone knows you were the one being merciless, wanting to see her utterly defeated! She’s not at fault for any of this. After all, she offered to let you off the hook, but you were stupid—hopelessly stupid!"

Hearing his words, Vivian Lynch’s face turned ashen.

She had never imagined Mia Kane could be so clever as to have an ace up her sleeve.

She thought she was the only one who knew how to use a recording as evidence.

Her first thought was how to quell Chase Lockwood’s anger so he wouldn’t take it out on her any longer.

"Chase... I... I know I was wrong. But I did all of this because I love you too much—so much that I lost myself! After you and Mia Kane broke up, you two started interacting more and more. I was scared... I was afraid you would leave me, so my only choice was to deliberately slander her, to make her suffer a crushing defeat."

"Chase, I’m willing to do anything for you, even if it means becoming a bad woman. I love you more than my own life. I’d die without you."

"Chase..."

Vivian Lynch was crying so hard she could barely breathe, and Chase Lockwood was moved once again.

’Vivian is so much better than Mia Kane,’ he thought. ’If we were to break up, Vivian would still think of me; her world would still revolve around me.’

’Unlike that heartless, disloyal Mia Kane, who’s unscrupulous in her ambition to climb the social ladder.’

’A three-year relationship, and she gave it up just like that, without any cooling-off period. Such a cruel, unfeeling woman.’

’Vivian only lost herself because she loves me too much.’

Most of Chase Lockwood’s anger dissipated. He raised his hand to stroke her face, wiping away the tear stains.

"We’re married now. From now on, we share in both glory and disgrace. Vivian, you don’t just represent yourself; you represent my honor and the honor of the entire Lockwood family. You can’t be so reckless in the future and give people leverage against us."

"I didn’t expect Mia Kane to be so scheming. I never saw it before. To think she’d set such a huge trap for me."

"Yes, I didn’t expect it either. I never thought she could be such a malicious and ruthless person."

Chase Lockwood’s expression was grim.

"Chase... I’m sorry. I’ve caused you so much trouble. At worst, I’ll just apologize to her and leave this profession forever. It’s not like I studied for this field, anyway."

Vivian Lynch took a step back, feigning retreat. ’At worst, I’ll just switch professions,’ she thought. ’But I suffered such a major, humiliating defeat. I’ll definitely find a chance to get my revenge someday.’

’I can’t make things difficult for Chase. The only one to blame is Mia Kane for being on a completely different level. I underestimated her from the start.’

"You don’t have to apologize publicly in front of millions of people online."

"Really?"

Vivian Lynch looked at him excitedly. ’It really pays to have a powerful man,’ she thought. ’He can even make something like this just go away.’

But before she could celebrate, Chase Lockwood’s next words sent her to Hell.

"You will go out there now and admit you were the other woman who knowingly destroyed my relationship with Mia Kane. I’ll have to ask you to take the fall for this one. You’ll take all the blame. I have to come out of this completely clean, or I’ll lose all face."

"What did you say?"

"If you apologize in front of millions of people online, the Lockwood Group’s stock will plummet, and the losses will be too great. Since either way involves admitting fault and losing face, this is the best way to protect the Lockwood Group." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Chase Lockwood said calmly.

’In his eyes, this was a fight between Vivian Lynch and Mia Kane; he had never gotten involved. Vivian was outmatched and got tricked by Mia. Now, as her legal husband, he had no choice but to bear the consequences with her. He had to put the Lockwood Group first. He was the president of the Lockwood Group; he had to prioritize the company in all matters.’

"I won’t do it! What would that make me? In my social circle, how would all those high-society ladies look at me? Isn’t there any other way? You’re Chase Lockwood! Are you really going to be forced to apologize by Mia Kane?"

"Or, you could say a few nice words to her. Maybe she’ll consider your past relationship and won’t pursue this anymore?"

"You want me to beg her?"

Chase Lockwood’s expression changed instantly.

"That’s not what I meant. Just say some nice things, not beg..."

"This matter wasn’t caused by me in the first place. You were outmatched, you got tricked, and now the Lockwood Group is in crisis. I’ve already gone to bat for you once, Vivian. Don’t make things difficult for me."

That last sentence was an ultimatum, leaving no room for negotiation.

Having known Chase Lockwood for so long, of course Vivian Lynch understood him.

She bit her lip resentfully, her eyes welling with tears.

"Fine... I’ll prioritize the bigger picture. I’ll go apologize to her."

"Vivian, I know you’ve been wronged. I won’t let you swallow this humiliation for nothing. Sooner or later, I will get revenge for you."

"I know. You care for me, Chase. You won’t let me suffer this injustice for nothing."

’Vivian knew there was no room for negotiation. Her only option was to make Chase feel even more guilt, which would solidify her position in his heart.’

As unwilling as she was, she still walked out.

The moment she stepped out, countless burning gazes landed on her. Even without meeting their eyes, she could feel the mockery in them.

She felt like she was walking on a knife’s edge; every step was incredibly difficult. The closer she got to Mia Kane, the paler her face became.

Finally, swaying unsteadily, she arrived in front of Mia Kane.

"Mia Kane... I apologize to you. During your relationship with Chase Lockwood, I was the one who crossed the line, who knowingly became the other woman and destroyed your relationship. But, Chase never responded to me. He never paid me any mind; it was all one-sided on my part. It was only after you were kidnapped and... defiled, that Chase broke up with you and got together with me..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue fell deathly silent.