The Substitute Bride: Idiot Or Not?

Upon seeing the look in Yulissa's eyes, Xavier drew his brows together.

After a moment of hesitation, he raised his hand to caress her cheek. "Next time. As long as you don't leave without saying goodbye again, we have all the time in the world."

With that, he turned and left, not sparing her another glance.

Josiah hurried after him.

Once they were out of the control room, he questioned, "What the hell are you doing? Where are you going? Aren't you supposed to stay? You were worried about not finding Yulissa a few days ago, but now she's here in front of you. Haven't you decided to find an ordinary woman? She's the best choice here. I'd say she looks even more graceful in comparison to a few years ago, and she seems quite the match for you."

Despite the long speech Josiah gave to Xavier, Xavier said dismissively, "We have a long way to go. Maybe next time."

"I say you've been bewitched! Who was the one who was worried he was insane and came to me for ideas? Winnie has someone to take care of if she's feeling unwell. Maybe she'll be fine after a night's sleep. Your problem will only worsen!"

A headache began to form in Xavier's head as he listened to Josiah, and he could not help but quicken his pace.

Right then, he encountered the security guards who were on their way back.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Mr. Fairchild, sorry, but we've lost her. We only found one of her high heels."

Xavier furrowed his brows. After taking the high heel from the security guard, he threw it at Josiah, who was still incessantly chattering away.

"If you're that free, send Yulissa back so that I don't have to make any more arrangements."

Josiah was rendered speechless at that. Is she your first girlfriend or mine?

Winnie first returned to Aqua Moana to change into a housekeeper's attire before rushing back to Lagune Mansion.

To her surprise, she bumped into Xavier's car just as she entered the mansion.

Shouldn't he be with his ex-girlfriend at this time? Why is he here just as I arrive? I can sense that he's quite strong in that area, so he can't be a quick guy, right?

Nevertheless, to make sure that she would not be caught red-handed, Winnie had no choice but to take the shortcut across the garden.

Yet, unfortunately for her, she accidentally alerted the few black dogs in the mansion to her presence.

The dogs were ferocious. They ran after her and barked non-stop. If not for her excellent physique that allowed her to climb through the second-floor window with the rope she had prepared in the afternoon, she would have been in a rush to go for a rabies jab.

When she returned to her room to change her clothes, she was huffing and grumbling under her breath.

She swore to find out clues about her cousin quickly and then leave the mansion as quickly as she could.

Otherwise, she would have to sneak in and out of the mansion all the time and be treated like a robber by the dogs. It was tormenting.

Just as she kicked the housekeeper's outfit under the bed and tucked herself in, Xavier abruptly opened the door and came into the room.

"You're awake? Are you not feeling well?" Xavier strode over to the bed and looked downward at Winnie.

Winnie had no choice but to pretend as if she had just woken up. She rubbed her eyes and mumbled, "Handsome, you're back? Winnie misses you so much."

"Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?" Noticing something amiss about Winnie, Xavier reached out to touch her forehead.

Even though Winnie said nothing, she was cursing away at Xavier in her mind.

Has he no shame in asking me why my face is red? I'll like to see your face not turn red after running a hundred meters without stopping!

"You don't feel hot. Where are you feeling uncomfortable? Tell me."

Winnie tilted her head to the side to avoid Xavier's touch. "Winnie's feeling uncomfortable with the way you're pressing your hand on Winnie. There's a pungent smell on your hand. It stinks." This b*stard hugged another woman outside. He already has the smell of others, and it's disgusting to smell it right now.

Xavier froze. With a frown, he retracted his hand.

Right then, Josiah sent him a message, and Xavier took out his phone to check it.

Josiah: I've safely sent her to her destination. She's very understanding, and she didn't ask many questions. All she asked me was about your condition, and she was worried that you might have some long- term effects from that. It's obvious that she's still concerned about you. Oh, by the way, I found an old photo a while ago. I didn't show it to you because I was worried that you might not be happy, but now's the time.

Then Xavier received a photo.

It was Josiah's selfie, but he and Yulissa had accidentally photobombed him.

It had been a rainy day that day, and he had been waiting for the driver to come. Yulissa had shared her umbrella with him.

The photo reminded Xavier of that rainy day, and some feelings began to bloom in Xavier's heart again.

Hence, when he turned to Winnie, he forced himself to be cold.

"Dumbo, I came to tell you not to call me anymore. I'll get someone to bring your granny over tomorrow so that she can take care of you. I don't think I'll come back to Lagune Mansion ever again." Winnie was at a loss for words. You were the one who called me first in the afternoon, okay? I was just being polite to call you back. Who knew you b*stard would have kept the phone switched off? Ha. A b*stard who has his ex-girlfriend throwing herself into his arms surely acts differently. He's suddenly so determined and cold-hearted! You don't think you'll ever come back? So what? Do I look like I'm going to kneel before you and beg you not to? I should have welded that fire escape shut in the hotel!

Winnie was furious. But not wanting to give up that way, she frowned and began sobbing on purpose.

"Why? Handsome, why won't you come back? Handsome, do you not want Winnie anymore? Do you not like Winnie anymore?"

Xavier forced himself to look away from Winnie and made himself think about Yulissa instead. In a cold tone, he said, "Ha, you're just a dumbo. Do you really think you can get my love? I spent time with you because I pitied you. Who do you think you are?"

What? Did this d*mn man take the wrong pill today? Is he hearing what he's saying? He wasn't like this in the past!

Winnie was boiling with anger. She grabbed an ornament on the bedside table and threw it at Xavier's head.

"Hmph! You're a meanie! People who don't like Winnie are all meanies!"

Winnie did not expect Xavier to not dodge that.

The ornament was solid, and it hit the spot by the end of his brow.

Yet, he did not react to it. He did not even make a noise of pain, and neither did he spare her another glance before he left.

Winnie thought he was going to look for his ex-girlfriend after that, but the entire night went by without the sounds of a car engine starting. She guessed he must have gone to sleep in another room. The next morning, the two did not have breakfast together.

Xavier did not head out either, for it was the weekend, and he did not need to work.

Around ten, Josiah came.

He did not come alone-Yulissa came with him.