"Sophie, you must go in and sleep with my husband tonight. If you don't, you'll never see your grandmother again!"
Sophie froze in front of the presidential suite of the Yunli Hotel.
Ethan Lancaster—her brother-in-law on paper—was supposed to be her sister Emily's husband. The two had married two years ago, but Emily had always despised Ethan for being an illegitimate child. She had taken their grandmother away as leverage and forced Sophie to become her substitute.
Luckily, Ethan had been living abroad ever since the wedding, so Sophie had never actually met him.
But now, Ethan had just returned to the country—and Emily was demanding that Sophie climb into his bed.
Thinking of her frail grandmother, Sophie clenched her fists and gave a quiet, bitter nod."Okay."
She walked into the dimly lit presidential suite.
A man was lying on the bed—tall, broad-shouldered, with strikingly handsome features.So this was the husband she'd been married to for two years?She hadn't expected him to be so young… or this dangerously attractive.
Biting her lower lip, Sophie hesitated before slowly approaching him.Her hands trembled as she reached for his belt.But when her fingers brushed against his firm waistline, she instinctively recoiled.
Just then, a large hand shot out of the darkness, grabbing her delicate wrist and pulling her downward.She landed squarely on top of him.
The scent of alcohol clung to his breath as it brushed across her skin. His deep voice rumbled,"Who are you?"
His eyes were open now—dark, sharp, and cold, staring at her like a predator.
Sophie's heart pounded in her chest. After a beat of hesitation, she leaned down and whispered against his lips:"Shh… Don't ask. If you must know, I'm your wife."
The Next Morning — Yunli Hotel
The entire hotel floor had been sealed off. Black-suited bodyguards stood in formation outside the suite.
Inside, Ethan Lancaster sat up lazily against the headboard. His long, slender fingers rested on his knees, eyes half-closed, radiating a dangerous calm.
He remembered returning from a business dinner the night before, drunk out of his mind. His secretary had brought him back to his room.
When he came to, there had already been a girl sitting on him.
He, Ethan Lancaster, who had never allowed a woman within ten feet of his bed—had been pinned beneath one.
Over the years, countless women had tried to seduce him, but none had ever dared to mount him without permission.And then to vanish without a trace?
Interesting.
The bed was a mess. On the pristine white sheets, a small dried snow plum petal remained.He stared at it for a long moment. She had been bold—yet her body had been untouched.Pure. Sweet.
Just then, his secretary burst in."Mr. Lancaster! We've identified the woman from last night!""Who?""Your wife, sir."
Ethan frowned."Wife?"
He had no memory of a marriage—until a shadow of memory surfaced.
Two years ago, under the orchestration of both the Fu and Sullivan families, he'd been secretly wed to Emily Sullivan. His grandmother had insisted. A car had delivered the bride, and he had promptly left the country. Few knew of the arrangement.
His eyes narrowed.So the girl who slept with him last night… was the wife he'd never met until now?
His lips curved into a cold smile."Take me back to the Lancaster Estate."
The Lancaster Estate
Sophie returned home. Facing Emily, she spoke calmly:"I did what you asked."
Through Sophie's loose collar, Emily could see the marks—reddened kisses trailing down her flawless skin. Her expression twisted with jealousy.Those were meant to be hers.
But she was no longer pure.
"Sophie, you'd better keep your mouth shut about what happened last night," Emily hissed."And from now on, you're done being my stand-in. I'm going to be Mrs. Lancaster again!"