The Substitute Bride: Idiot Or Not?

Nonetheless, Yulissa was not about to give up. Although she was in a separate guest room, her thoughts were still on Xavier. After pulling out several gowns from her suitcase, she immediately headed for Xavier's room.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Whatever it is, he's still a red-blooded male. There's no way he won't have any reaction if I get changed in front of him.

However, she had just stepped out of her room when she saw Louis going into Xavier's room.

Louis had two boxes in his hands and was probably taking something to Xavier.

After he went in, Yulissa tiptoed over and leaned against the door to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Mr. Xavier, I've prepared the gift for Old Mr. Fairchild. As for this other one, I've had it blessed and gotten Mrs. Fairchild's name engraved on it."

"Got it. Just leave them there. By the way, did you drop anything in my car? A badge, for example?"

"No. I've never worn them before."

"Okay. My phone has run out of juice. Help me make a call to Josiah."

"Sure." Louis quickly dialed Josiah's number. "He's on the line."

Xavier's voice rang out again as he asked Josiah, "Do you own a black badge? I see. Then it must be someone else's... I'm fine. You should get some rest." Soon after the conversation ended, Yulissa heard Louis' footsteps and quickly hid before he opened the door and came out.

Then, she waited until Louis was gone before knocking on the door.

"Xavier? It's me, Yulissa. May I come in?"

However, no one responded from inside the room.

Guessing he had gone to take a shower, she decided to open the door and sneak in.

The boxes Louis brought were on the table in plain sight, and Yulissa saw them at a glance.

The gift for Old Mr. Fairchild is probably that emerald piece. It looks as though it has been around for some time and is probably a valuable antique. Meanwhile, inside the other box was a bracelet of wooden beads.

How laughable is it that the words "Winnie" and "peace" are engraved on the beads? It's so disgusting that I have no words. I know Old Mr. Fairchild is very conservative and superstitious, but Xavier has never been one to believe in superstitions. How could an atheist like him send someone to get this bracelet blessed and even have it engraved with that dumbass' name? What about me? Since I got back until now, he hasn't given me a single gift!

Burning with jealousy toward Winnie, Yulissa grabbed the bracelet and flung it onto the floor. Still not satisfied after stomping on it, she even spat on it.

After venting her frustration, she picked it up and returned it to its box.

It was then that she noticed the black badge Xavier had placed behind the box and picked it up. Her brows furrowed immediately after she got a clear look at its design.

The sole reason for her reaction was the topic that had caused quite a stir at the basement bar the previous night.

I was there last night because I was helping Zyon with something. Then, I heard people talking about a badge that was sighted there that night. Even the boss knew about it. It seems that the boss really wanted that badge, but alas, he didn't manage to get his hands on it. They described it as crafted from a unique material with a flower on one side and a scepter on the other. Although I didn't see it, this badge clearly matches that description. But why does Xavier have it? Based on his conversation with Louis earlier, there's no doubt that someone accidentally dropped this in Xavier's car.

As that thought crossed her mind, she immediately sent Josiah a text message: Were you with Xavier all of last night? Was there no one else in the car? I seem to have spotted a long strand of hair. Josiah replied instantly: Don't talk about that. I got out of the car for a while to throw up, and Xavier's car ended up getting hijacked. Fortunately, nothing happened to him, and that person only used his car to make a getaway. As for that strand of hair, are you sure it's not yours?

Yulissa: What? He didn't tell me anything about what happened!

Josiah: He's probably afraid you'll worry. Since he didn't tell you, it'd be better if you didn't bring it up lest he blame me for saying too much.

Yulissa: Okay.

After exchanging a few more messages with Josiah, she set aside her phone.

Well, it appears Xavier really did come across this badge by chance. He's not one to dabble in shady business. In fact, he probably doesn't even know the significance of this badge. However, it may come in useful for me!

Greed blossomed in her heart as she gazed at the mysterious and exquisite badge.

Standing in front of the table and pondering for a moment, she suddenly struck upon an idea.

She wanted the badge for herself. However, she could not let Xavier know she had seen it beforehand.

Hence, she left quietly and waited until Xavier was done showering before knocking on his door and entering the room openly.

When she walked into his room that time, Xavier had already put away the gifts and badge.

"Xavier," she said as she walked toward him.

"What is it?"

"Here's the thing. You're taking me to Old Mr. Fairchild's birthday celebration tomorrow, aren't you? I don't know what to wear to make a good impression, so I want to get your opinion. Can you take a look at these gowns and jewelry to see which ones are more suitable?"

Xavier cast a glance at the gowns she had brought. He was uninterested at first, but when he thought about how much effort she had put in and how she had been quite obedient, he offered her some advice. "He has quite a conservative taste, so not anything too revealing. How about that one?"

Yulissa beamed as she hugged his arm. "I thought so too. Great minds think alike. A gown like that definitely needs to be paired with a brooch. Let me choose one."

With that, she opened her jewelry box.

However, she quickly exclaimed, "Huh? Where's my badge? Why is it missing? I haven't worn it recently."

Seeing how anxious she was, Xavier asked, "What badge?"

"My mother left it to me, and I wear it occasionally. How can it be gone? My mother only left me with a few things. I broke her bracelet previously, and now this is gone," she replied, her eyes reddening instantly "Don't panic. Tell me what it looks like."

Sounding as if she was on the verge of bursting into tears, Yulissa explained, "It's black with a rose on one side and a scepter on the other. It's very important to me. Oh, how could I lose it? I'd better go back to my room first and look for it. Maybe it fell there."

She got up to leave, but Xavier called out to her, "Hold on." He quickly took out the badge. "Take a closer look. Is it this one?"

Yulissa was overjoyed. "It is! Why is it with you?"

"I found it in the car."

"Oh, I remember now! I was wearing it the last time I was in your car. This is wonderful, Xavier! Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, rushing forward excitedly to hug him. That time, he did not push her away.