Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 32

Business had delayed his return, so he arrived in the country after Lily. The moment his plane landed and he heard she was hospitalized, he rushed over in a panic.

"Miles!" Lily broke into a radiant smile when she saw him.

Miles set his suitcase aside and closed the distance. "What happened? Shouldn't you be more careful now that you're pregnant?"

Lily laughed softly. "I'm fine. I just got a little scare. A bit of rest is all I need."

Miles furrowed his brow. "Who scared you?"

Lily kept smiling, acting coy. "Oh, no one. Stop frowning, it ruins your handsome face."

In the adjacent bed, Hunter woke up needing to use the bathroom. He sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes, and when he saw Miles, he immediately started pouting and tattling.

"Dad, I know who did it! It was that wicked witch! She yelled at Lily."

"Wicked witch?" Miles glanced at Xavier.

Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose. "He means Summer."

Hunter huffed. "So the witch is named Summer! She tried to scare me, too. Dad, you have to get payback for me and Lily!"

Lily shot him a look of mock reproach. "Hunter, don't talk about a lady like that. It's not polite."

"She's a witch, not a lady."

Xavier's phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, then patted Miles on the shoulder. "Since you're here, keep an eye on Lily. Something's come up, and I need to head back to the estate."

As he spoke, he answered the call, looked at Lily, and after she gave him a reassuring nod, he stepped out of the room.

"Just you?" his father, Arthur Sterling, demanded, his tone dripping with displeasure. "Where is Summer?"

Zelda gave a cold scoff. "Why else? Your son is protecting her. He's afraid we'll eat her alive if she shows her face."

Grandfather Sterling's wrinkled face twisted in a heavy scowl. "Look at the wonderful wife you picked. She actually had the nerve to call the cops and accuse my family of domestic violence. Such bravery. What else is she capable of doing next?"

Zelda chimed in, "I say Xavier spoils her too much. It's made her forget her place. She doesn't know who she is anymore. She's gotten arrogant and completely out of control. Father, the wedding must be put on hold!"

As soon as the call connected, Julian Hawthorne's voice echoed in disbelief. "Xavier, has Summer lost her damn mind? She called the cops on the old man?!"

Xavier dried his hair with a towel, a flicker of confusion crossing his dark eyes. "I'm wondering if she's crazy, too. She always used to listen to me and cared about my feelings above everything else. But ever since she saw Lily and me hugging at the airport, she's been like a completely different person."

Julian let out a low chuckle. "What else could it be? She's jealous. She's scared. She feels inferior. Did you forget? Her face was literally reconstructed to look like Lily's."