Substitute Marriage: Reborn As The Top Big-Shot

If Viola was even slightly worse, she wouldn’t have achieved a perfect score in the College Entrance Examination, a feat only witnessed once in a decade.

Having such a sister is a blessing for Edward Thompson.

Listening to Howard’s words, Edward merely felt a burning sensation on his face.

At this point, he’s nowhere near qualified to protect Viola.

To build a sibling relationship with Viola?

Edward stayed silent for a long while when Howard continued, “Bob! Are you listening?”

“Yes.” Edward finally reacted.

Howard asked, “Did you hear what I just said?”

Instead of directly answering Howard’s question, Edward asked, “Howard, do you think there’s a chance this situation can be reversed? Could Linda Hart have been forced?”

“What are you thinking about! Bob, remember, Viola is your own sister! How could you ever doubt her?” Howard continued, “Even if Linda Hart was forced, why would the Capital City Hospital come forward to testify for your sister? Who do you think can threaten the Capital City Hospital in Capital City?”

The Capital City Hospital has the backing of Sinian Country, no one can threaten it.

Howard was somewhat speechless at this point.

She didn’t expect Edward to say such a thing.

Once Howard had gathered her thoughts, she asked, “Bob, do you have some sort of misunderstanding with your sister?”

Edward didn’t know how to explain to Howard.

It’s not that he misunderstood Viola.

It’s just that the things Viola did were utterly reckless.

Edward continued to ask, “Howard, do you know why I suspect her?”

“Why?” Howard asked.

Edward answered, “Because Terrence Lentz is her boyfriend. Do you think there’s anything that man wouldn’t do?”

In Edward’s eyes, Terrence Lentz is nothing but a worthless scum.

Good-for-nothing.

It’s not that Edward thinks Terrence isn’t good enough for Viola.

He believes that Viola is bringing shame to the Thompson Clan.

If Viola were just Viola, not his sister, not a member of the Thompson family, he wouldn’t say a word.

But the problem now is, Viola is the Thompson Clan’s daughter.

She is his sister!

Therefore, Viola should watch her every move and control her social circle carefully.

She should discern who to befriend and who to avoid.

“Terrence Lentz?” Howard slightly furrowed her brows.

It seems like she had some recollection of Terrence Lentz.

The most famous good-for-nothing in River City.

Howard continued, “Just because of this, you are certain that the person who had the abortion is her?”

Edward remained silent.

“If so, Bob, I need to tell you that such thinking is wrong. It’s disrespectful to your sister. Anyone can doubt your sister’s character. But not you. You are, first and foremost, her brother—one of the very few people she trusts in this world. Secondly, you don’t have any evidence, you just have suspicions. What you’re doing will not only hurt your relationship with her but it’s also a total disrespect to your sister!”

They say bystanders see things clearer.

She understands the inner workings and essentials at stake.

If Edward wasn’t the most talented male artist under her, she wouldn’t bother talking to him so much about this.

Once she had collected her thoughts, Howard instructed, “Bob, you can express these thoughts in front of me, but never mention them in front of your sister.”

If Edward were to publicly doubt Viola.

It would seriously hurt their sibling bond!

Listening to Howard’s words, the color had just returned to Edward’s face only to fade again.

His emotions were in a turmoil.

What should he do now?

He was the one at fault in this matter.

How should he face his family?

“I understand, Howard.” After a long while, Edward finally said those words.

Howard chuckled, “Alright then, I have other matters to attend to, I’ll hang up now.”

With that, Howard hung up.

Meanwhile.

On Facebook.

Mrs. Thompson had just posted an update.

85-year-old fairy V: “@Linda Hart V, lawsuit officially filed. [Photo jpg]”

The photo was a letter from a lawyer.

[Grandma is so cool!]

[Support grandma and the princess!]

[Although Linda Hart has admitted her mistakes, but as adults, we should be accountable for our actions. She knew what she was getting into when she decided on this path. If Grandma and Princess just let it slide, others might think that the princess is easily bullied!]

[Exactly, Linda Hart deserves it, she’s not worthy of sympathy.]

[Dope grandma a like!]

[She was wrong, hopefully, Linda Hart changes her ways in the future.]

[…]Sylvia Thompson squinted her eyes when she came across the Facebook post.

She was still thinking about Viola’s hospital visit.

The person in the photo was undoubtedly Viola.

She was not mistaken!

But if Viola didn’t go for an abortion.

What else could she be there for?

Maybe…

She should figure this out.

Sylvia activated WhatsApp and clicked on a chat window.

Inside Viola’s bedroom.

The lights were on.

Just as usual, she was sitting at her computer desk.

Her ten fingers were ceaselessly tapping on the keyboard.

Her pure white fingertips striking the black keys created a stark contrast. She was able to type every single character accurately without even glancing at the keyboard.

Just then,

A pop-up message appeared.

[Kid, received the new toy yet?]

[No.]

The old man on the other side held his chin in one hand and frowned, “It’s been days and you still haven’t received it! The Tehuang Express is too slow this time!”

With that said, the old man, using one hand, typed back: [This new toy will surely wow you. [smirking/]]

[Hmm.]

The old man felt discontented, [Kid, can’t you respect your elders a bit more and reply with more words? I’m an old man! I’m getting on in age!]

Every time, it was just one word.

Utterly disrespectful to the elderly.

[Kid, do you really want the blue moon grass to save your friend or not!]

[We’ll see.]

This time it was four words.

The old man was speechless, are all kids today this aloof?

Meanwhile,

Downstairs,

The housekeeper approached Mrs. Thompson and then said, “Madam, young master Bob is back, he’s outside the door.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Thompson became very angry, “Didn’t he say he was never going to return? Well, he’s back now?”

The housekeeper added: “Madam, Bob said he knew he was wrong.”

He knew he was wrong?

Mrs. Thompson scoffed, “So just because he says ‘I was wrong’, everything is supposed to be swept under the rug? Tell him we don’t accept this kind of behavior in the Thompson Clan! A man’s word is his bond – just like spilt water that can’t be taken back. Tell him to go back to where he came from!”

This time, Bob had genuinely upset Mrs. Thompson.

Previously, she thought the two children were simply distant because they didn’t grow up together, accounting for Bob’s coldness towards Viola.

But from yesterday’s incident, it was clear that Bob wanted Viola out!

His intentions were indefensible.

He was undeserving of forgiveness.

Hearing this, the housekeeper looked at Mrs. Thompson, a bit at a loss.

To go or not to go.

Mrs. Thompson narrowed her eyes, “If I tell you to go, then go!”

Knowing Mrs. Thompson’s temper, the housekeeper had no choice but to nod, “I’ll go right away.”

When the housekeeper got to the door, he softened his tone: “Master Bob, as you know, madam is still upset. Why don’t you come back at a better time?”

Bob knew that it was indeed his fault this time and he regretted it, “Did you tell grandmother that I sincerely realized my mistake and I won’t ever do it again?”

Normally, once he admitted his mistake, Mrs. Thompson should have let go of the matter.

“I did,” the housekeeper responded with a hint of difficulty on his face, “Master Bob, you should go.”

“And my parents?” Now that Bob was back, he didn’t want to leave again.

The housekeeper replied: “Sir and Madam are out, they haven’t returned.”

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a bright light shone from down the street.

It was a car, Sawyer Thompson and Mary Perryne’s.

Bob was thrilled!

At last his parents were back!

As long as he apologized sincerely, they would certainly forgive him.

After all, he was a member of this family.

And their biological son.

“Mom! Dad!” Bob stepped forward and stopped the incoming Bentley.

The car window rolled down.

Sawyer Thompson looked at Bob and said with a frown, “I am not your father! There is no mother of yours here!”

Bob knew that his parents were still angry. He sincerely said: “Mom, Dad, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have blindly accused Viola of getting an abortion. I really regret it. I promise you, it will never happen again!”