Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 34

The wedding plans would proceed. Once the ceremony was over and he secured his shares to become the true head of the Sterling family, he wouldn't treat Summer unfairly.

But if Summer didn't know her place and kept throwing tantrums, he would stop indulging her entirely.

He couldn't wait to see how much she would regret it then.

By the time she did, it would be too late. She'd have to swallow the bitter pill she'd created.

Because of that, Xavier had visited Lily first thing upon arriving at the hospital, then asked Miles to tag along to help explain the situation.

Since Leo wouldn't accept the gift, Miles remembered his original purpose and turned his attention to Summer.

Before coming here, he had zero positive feelings toward this stand-in wife.

Knowing she had surgically altered her face to look like his sister made him downright disgusted by her.

He had heard all about Summer while abroad but had never met her. This was his first time seeing her in person.

The moment he locked eyes with Summer, his heart gave a violent jolt.

An indescribable rush of emotion surged through him.

Especially when he looked into her eyes—dark, bright, and clear as a pristine pool of water. The way she looked at him felt like she was seeing straight into his soul.

The sensation only grew stronger.

He was absolutely certain it wasn't revulsion or disgust. It was a bizarre, inexplicable mix of...

Familiarity. Warmth. An overwhelming urge to step closer.

But a second later, Miles rationalized it. He scoffed inwardly, convinced it was entirely because of her face.

Summer looked entirely too much like Lily.

He'd heard it was a surgical copy, and he had to admit, the doctor did a phenomenal job.

Miles raised an eyebrow, quietly doubting the truth of her words.

Xavier clearly took it as an angry bluff. How could Summer possibly stop loving him?

He sighed in exasperation. "Summer, please stop making a scene. I shoved you last night out of pure panic. Lily is pregnant. She's carrying a fragile new life. She saved my life once, and Miles is my best friend. No matter how you look at it, I couldn't just stand there and let something happen to a baby."

"Because a life was on the line, I panicked and didn't notice you, which is why I accidentally hurt you. Plus, you were arguing with me, and I was frustrated. I knew you felt insecure about Lily, so I used her to make you jealous."

"I admit, what I did was immature. I own up to it, and I promise I won't do it again. Let's make up, honey."

As he spoke, Xavier pulled out a velvet box and popped it open. Inside rested a stunning emerald ring worth millions of dollars.

"Honey, I won this at an auction just for you. You have such a radiant complexion, green suits you perfectly. Let me put it on you." He took the ring out and reached for her hand, but Summer shook him off in disgust.

"Honey," Xavier said, looking thoroughly wounded.

"I don't want someone else's discarded garbage." Summer pulled out her phone, unlocked it, and shoved the screen right in Xavier's face.