The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 23

Even though Aubrey didn't mind her past, Navier couldn't dismiss it so easily.

Just when she thought their relationship would end before it began, Aubrey changed tactics in his pursuit.

He declared his feelings with intensity, practically ready to announce it to the world.

"You don't need to give me your whole heart," he told her bluntly. "Just enjoy my love. I'll wait for the day you fall for me completely."

Eventually, Navier did fall. She told herself there was nothing wrong with embracing the present.

Love earnestly while it lasts and part ways when it fades.

At least her happiness now was genuine—that was enough.

Thinking of it, Navier tightened her arms around him now.

"I love you a little more today than yesterday," she whispered.

Aubrey chuckled softly. "The honor is mine. Same here."

...

Lysander watched as she disappeared from view, his body thrashing against the men restraining him.

Every instinct screamed that he needed to keep her with him.

But with armed bodyguards surrounding him, escape was impossible.

Lysander watched helplessly as she vanished from sight, his heart pounded in his chest

She was meant to stay by his side forever—how dare she leave him for someone else?

He can't accept it!

After being forcibly returned to America, Lysander refused to give up on Navier.

Back home, he tried gathering mementos from their relationship, hoping to use shared memories to win her back.

But the fire had taken everything except Ophelia's possessions.

He couldn't find a single photograph of Navier.

In that moment, he realized with shocking clarity—after years of marriage, they didn't even have a single picture together.

Their arranged marriage had been rushed, and he'd refused to take wedding photos with her.

Now he couldn't find even one snapshot of them together.

Lysander slumped onto the sofa, gripping his hair in frustration.

What could he win Navier back?

But the next moment, A new headline flashed across his screen:

"English Earl Aubrey Spencer proposes to The Chronicle entertainment photographer Navier Armstrong—stunning the world with a romantic, fairytale engagement.”

Lysander clicked on the story in disbelief. When the images loaded, his world stopped.

In a mystical, dreamlike rose castle, Navier wore a stunning red gown. Layers of fabric cascading around her like a blooming rose.

Aubrey stood behind her, his arms wrapped possessively around her waist. Their hands, adorned with matching rings, intertwined intimately.

His piercing green eyes stared directly into the camera—a clear warning to anyone watching that Navier belonged to him alone.

Lysander's rage was palpable, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He would have given anything to drag Aubrey out and beat him senseless.

But oceans and continents separated them. It was too late.

Navier was his—she couldn't marry someone else.

Dark, dangerous fury brewed in Lysander's obsidian eyes.

Just as he was about to call his team to fly to England and forcibly retrieve Navier, his phone rang. It was Nick.

"Boss, we’ve got a problem. Major one. Several projects have been reported and shut down, and the company's been accused of tax evasion. The investigators are already involved."

"And multiple inside players have defected to our competitors, selling company secrets. We're hemorrhaging money, stocks are plummeting and shareholders are dumping their holdings at rock-bottom prices. Please return immediately!"