Oops, The Stand–in Bride Is Gone!
Webtic
Chapter 1 The Substitute on the Wedding Night
“Are you a virgin? Take off your clothes and let me see.”
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In the dimly lit room, a faint blush colored Stella Irwin’s cheeks. “Right now?”
“When else? Stop stalling. Do you want the money or not?” The woman’s voice was sharp, her patience wearing thin.
Stella panicked, and she hurriedly began to unbutton her shirt. With each layer she removed, her face flushed deeper, the heat spreading to her ears.
Her figure stood exposed, a sight that couldn’t be ignored. She had full, shapely breasts, a slender waist, and hourglass curves that seemed to be crafted like a delicate work of art.
Though the other woman’s gaze burned with envy, as she looked at Stella, a twisted sense of satisfaction crept in. Even someone as flawless as Stella had to resort to selling herself for money.
“Not bad,” the woman said. “I suppose you’ll do as my substitute. I trust you know what you’re supposed to do tonight, right? If you slip up in the slightest, I’ll make sure neither you nor your sick mother ever find peace!”
The woman’s threat was laced with venom.
Stella bit her lower lip, holding back her emotions. “I understand, Ms. Nord.”
Today was the wedding day of Martha Nord, the daughter of the prestigious Nord family, one of the wealthiest families in Cindervale.
As the night deepened and the wedding celebration continued upstairs, Martha found herself in the basement, hidden away in the maids‘ quarters. Quietly, she ushered a student inside.
That student was Stella. Tonight, she was to take Martha’s place and sleep with her husband.
Martha was pregnant and couldn’t risk her husband discovering that she wasn’t a virgin. Even though her family had been a prestigious powerhouse in Cindervale for decades, they wouldn’t dare oppose him.
Stella had always prided herself on her good character, but an unexpected medical emergency had forced her to swallow her pride and sell her virginity. She took a deep breath, bracing herself. “Ms. Nord, is it time?”
“Let’s make this quick. I have a tight schedule.” Martha rolled her eyes and gestured to the maid behind her. “Ms. Gomez, have her washed up. Jerry’s a neat freak so don’t let her stench ruin my reputation.”
She turned back to Stella, her tone cold and commanding. “Let’s get one thing straight. You’re here for one purpose–consummate the marriage and give the Parker family an heir. Don’t even think about catching feelings for Jerry. Understood?”
Stella’s hand froze midair, and a bitter laugh echoed in her mind. As if she’d ever fall for someone like him.
The wealthy all wore the same mask–shining with elegance on the outside, but rotting beneath the surface. Any man willing to marry someone like Martha Nord was bound to be just as corrupt.
Stella’s face grew tense as she lowered her gaze. “Yes, Ms. Nord. I understand.”
Before long, she was taken to the bridal suite.
She lay on the wedding bed, staring blankly at the ornate crystal chandelier hanging overhead. Her phone rested beside the pillow, conveniently placed where Martha could “keep an eye” on her at any moment.
Moments later, the door creaked open, and footsteps echoed as someone approached.
Stella’s body stiffened as she instinctively turned her back.
She bore a faint resemblance to Martha, enough for the Nord family to exploit her. However, no matter how similar they looked, she wasn’t Martha.
A knot of guilt tightened in her chest, and she stayed silent, too afraid to speak.
Jeremy Parker couldn’t help but frown. He stood beside the bed, not advancing any closer. “…Ms. Nord?”
Was she asleep? If so, that thight be for the best. There was no chance of them becoming a real couple tonight, after all.
He had been clear with Martha from the start; their marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement, a means to appease the elders. Once the older generation eased up on their expectations in a few years, they’d part ways amicably.
However, despite his transparency, Martha hadn’t exactly played along. At his birthday party, she had pulled a stunt that still left a bitter taste in his mouth. As the thought crossed his mind, his impatience flared. “You”
Before he could finish, there was a sharp click, and the lights in the bedroom flickered out, plunging the room into darkness.
Qutside, Jeremy’s bodyguard called out, “Mr. Parker, there’s a power outage.”
A power outage? That didn’t sit right.
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His expression hardened as his instincts kicked in. Something was off. Power outages could happen anywhere, but not at the Parker residence. This was no coincidence.
Jeremy took a step toward the door, determined to leave. However, before he could get far, Stella sat up and wrapped her arms around him from behind. “…Jerry, I’m scared.” Her voice was soft and alluring, echoing Martha’s tone perfectly.
Jeremy’s face darkened.
Chapter 1 The Substitute on the Wedding Night
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“Martha,” he spat, his voice thick with fury, “Enough with this nonsense.”
It clicked in an instant. She had purposely cut the power to seduce him.
Was she trying to assert her place as the mistress of his family? How ridiculous.
He shoved at her, but Stella only clung onto him tighter. This was the plan that Martha and her had carefully devised.
Even with the power cut, the residence’s backup system would kick in within 20 minutes. In those 20 minutes of darkness, she had to use every ounce of her charm to seduce him.
With that focus in mind, Stella summoned all her strength. To her surprise, she succeeded in pulling Jeremy onto the bed.
“Mart
”
Before he could finish, she positioned herself on top of him, settling into his lap.
In the pitch–black room, Jeremy’s breath quickened. Though he had always loathed Martha, the proximity between them sparked a reaction he couldn’t ignore.
A sweet, intoxicating fragrance lingered in the air. It was a mix of body wash and a woman’s natural scent, a stark contrast to the heavy, overpowering perfume Martha always wore.
Jeremy’s mind raced back to a few arranged dinners with Martha, where the sharp, cloying scent of Velvet Ember perfume always lingered in the air.
What was going on? Who was this woman in front of him?
A sense of unease washed over him, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. His cold, piercing gaze cut through the darkness as he tried to focus on the face before him.
However, Stella didn’t give him a chance to respond. With a bold move, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
A sharp “pop” rang out as their lips met, and Stella’s face flushed bright red.
She had promised to use every trick in the book to seduce him, but in truth, she wasn’t exactly experienced.
All she could manage was to stammer, “J–Jerry, I’m scared.”
She fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, the fabric tearing as the buttons popped off.
Jeremy let out an amused chuckle. He was taken aback by Martha’s boldness tonight.
His throat shifted as he swallowed, his voice dropping to a husky tone. He grasped Stella’s hand, which had been absentmindedly toying with him. “Do you even know what you’re doing?” he asked,
Stella nodded. Martha had made it clear that she wasn’t just here to consummate the marriage on her behalf, but also to bear Jeremy’s child.
Ten million dollars. That was the price for carrying his baby. With that kind of money, she could live without worry.
As the thought crossed her mind, Stella quickly moved to unbuckle his belt.
Jeremy’s face darkened, ready to snap. However, he then heard her soft, pleading voice. “Honey, please… Can you give it to me?”
Though momentarily surprised, he soon lost all restraint.
“This is your doing,” he growled, and his lips came down on hers in a fierce, relentless kiss.
In the dimly lit room, there was no more conversation, only the sound of their passionate exchange.
