A SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Seeing Vincent appear, Ines shivered involuntarily.

Collin sensed that Ines was not feeling well. He looked at her with concern and whispered,

– Ines, if you’re not feeling well, can I take you to the hospital?

Collin had never been interested in gossip. He felt he might as well use the time to read more books.

– I’m doing well,

She said softly. How could she leave? She wanted to see Lyana humiliated by Vincent.

Vincent stood next to Lyana. His facial features were well defined and he looked extremely distinguished. He lifted his chin slightly, like a proud and distant king.

Someone recognized Vincent and exclaimed,

– Isn’t this the second young master of the Sanchez family?

Everyone gasped and looked at Vincent in disbelief.

– He’s not ugly at all.

– It is so beautiful. I want to give birth to her child!

– Oh my dear, if I had known, I would have married into the Sanchez family!

…

The socialites present murmured among themselves.

The Sanchez family was the most powerful family in An City. No aristocratic family dared go against the Sanchez family. Even though it was rumored that Second Young Master Sanchez was ugly and had a short life, many socialites still volunteered to marry into the Sanchez family. However, the Sanchez family did not find any of them suitable.

Everyone was looking at Vincent. They knew he was someone they couldn’t afford to offend.

Vincent’s tone seemed to indicate that he strongly disapproved of Joseph’s actions.

Although everyone knew that Lyana was Vincent’s wife, they also knew that the two hadn’t been married for a long time. Also, some people had heard that he didn’t seem to like Lyana. Otherwise, he would be the one bringing Lyana to this banquet.

Lyana stood next to Vincent. Raising her eyes slightly, she gazed at the cold aura surrounding Vincent. She narrows her eyes. She was curious about what he intended to do.

– Second young master, it’s been a long time without seeing,

Joseph said through gritted teeth. He had wanted to make Lyana take the blame when Vincent wasn’t there.

But on the face of it, that plan would no longer work.

Vincent looked up and looked at Lyana. The coldness of his aura dissipated to a large extent as he said softly,

– Lyana, you are too kind. That’s why you get bullied.

Joseph felt like he had been slapped across the face. He felt awkward and helpless, but he couldn’t say anything because the Duval family still had to rely on the Sanchez family.

Matriarch Duval looked at Lyana with a complicated expression, then her gaze fell on Matriarch Sanchez, who looked satisfied. Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected Vincent to stand on Lyana’s side.

Matriarch Duval had already sent people to keep tabs on Vincent and Lyana. The information she received was that Vincent didn’t like Lyana, but that didn’t seem to be the case now.

Lyana looked down. Boiling, she gave an affirmative answer.

Vincent approached Matriarch Duval and Matriarch Sanchez and asked,

– Grandmother, Madame Duval, how are you?

Matriarch Duval’s heart was in her throat. She was living quite well, but her life was going to get worse very quickly.

However, she still had to follow the rules of etiquette.

– Thank you for your concern. I’m doing well. I just can’t believe such a thing happened as outsiders will think!

Vincent’s cold gaze fell on Joseph’s face. He continued,

– Today’s events must be thoroughly investigated. We can’t let strangers laugh at us!

As Vincent spoke, he glanced at Davy.

Wearing a well-tailored suit, Davy looked around the crowd. With a cold expression, he pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said loudly,

– Everyone, please do not record videos or take photos. If any videos are leaked tonight, I’m afraid none of you will ever be able to attend banquets like this again!

Most of the guests here today were people with money and status in a city. Hearing Davy’s words, they weren’t too annoyed and deleted the videos on their phones quietly. As for what they were discussing in the group chat, it didn’t matter anymore. After all, everyone in the group was present today, which meant that this incident would not be disclosed to anyone else.

Knowing that this matter would not spread further, Joseph secretly heaved a sigh of relief. He didn’t have the capacity to openly threaten these people. Only Vincent had the ability to do such a thing.

Joseph looked at the gardener and asked sternly,

– Useless thing, what is your name?” Tell me the whole story!

– My… my name is Aubin Sun

He said trembling. He lowered his head even further, his voice shaking.

– Tonight… tonight…

Before Aubin could finish speaking, Alice spoke impatiently,

– Aubin, think carefully. Tell us the truth. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude!

When he heard Alice’s words, he couldn’t help but shake. He looked at Alice apprehensively and purred his lips slightly before saying:

– M-Miss Dubois gave me money for…

Hearing this, the corners of Alice’s lips lifted slightly. She looked at Lyana with a haughty expression. Her eyes were vicious as she snapped,

– Lyana, so it was really you!

Davy walked over to Aubin, his expression calm. He looked at Aubin’s face for a long time before speaking.

– Mr. Sun, every word you say will be recorded. Please tell us everything that happened from the beginning. If we find out you’re lying, the consequences…

Davy paused for a second and pushed his glasses up. He continued,

– The last person who lied… his family is already begging on the street. None of the Sanchez family companies will hire him or any of his family.

The blood drained from Aubin’s face. Most of the businesses in Country Z were tied to the Sanchez family. Even companies that weren’t wouldn’t hire them out of respect for the Sanchez family.

Aubin was so scared that his legs gave out and he got down on his knees.

Of course, Alice knew that Davy was threatening him. Her heart skipped a beat. If she couldn’t train Lyana this time, her reputation would be ruined. However, beyond that, the entire Duval family would definitely become a thorn in the side of the Sanchez family.

If she had known this was coming, she wouldn’t have targeted Lyana in the first place.

But it was too late for regrets.

She wanted to kick Aubin, who was kneeling next to her, but she was afraid she would be exposed. She could only stand still and stare at him with a fierce expression. She said furiously,

– I told you to tell the truth. Hurry up!

Joseph looked at Alice with a peculiar expression before turning his gaze to Aubin, who was still on his knees. He originally planned to use this opportunity to hire Alice and Aubin. However, it turned out that Aubin was not someone who could be placed in a prominent position.

Joseph only hoped that this matter would end as soon as possible. Then he could send Alice abroad and never allow her to return. So, he said,

– Alice, you tell the story. You are not allowed to lie!

She did not understand her father’s good intentions. She continued to glare at Lyana angrily and loudly reprimand,

– Lyana, you are so vicious. I didn’t expect you to ruin my reputation. I know you are now the second young Madame of the Sanchez family, but I’d rather die than submit!

Lyana looked away with an impatient expression. She wasn’t at all interested in what Alice was saying. She glanced at Alice indifferently and said:

– Miss Duval, regarding what happened tonight, I advise you to think carefully before speaking. Don’t let anyone with ulterior motives take advantage of you!

Alice’s heart sank.

Outside thoughts?

Alice looked unconsciously at Ines, who was sitting nearby. If Ines hadn’t spoken to her about these things, she would never have thought of going against Lyana. Also, she wouldn’t have known that Lyana was the person who hurt her older sister.

Alice saw that Ines had her head down. She looked at Lyana. Lyana’s indifferent expression seemed to give her one last chance.

Was Ines trying to hurt him?

No, she was the young mistress Duval. She had never interacted with Ines at all. Why would she do this to him?

– Miss Duval.

When Alice heard Lyana call out to her, she looked up at her, still stunned.

– Miss Duval, your dress today is very unique. There is even a strange smell.

Lyana felt that with Alice’s pig brain, she probably wouldn’t be able to figure out what was going on. All Lyana could do was help Alice get there.

Strange smell?