Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1370: I Don’t Like Forcing Women

Morgan Ashworth’s biggest regret was letting her go five years ago.

Back then she was right in his arms, his for the taking, but he treated her like a treasure, willing to torment himself rather than lay a finger on her.

And the result?

The result was she married Prince Rosen!

She betrayed him, viciously.

Morgan reached out and unfastened his pants. His kisses landed on her face as a voice in his heart kept saying she was his to begin with, he was just taking back what had always belonged to him!

Just then, Morgan kissed something wet. His movements froze, then he slowly opened his eyes.

Under him, Willow Crawford was crying.

Crystal tears slid down her pale little face; her tears tasted bitter and astringent in his mouth.

"What are you crying for?" Morgan’s thin lips pressed into a cold, sharp line. "Spending one night with me wrongs you that much?"

Tear drops clung to Willow Crawford’s long lashes. She shook her head. "No..."

But Morgan suddenly lost all interest. He released Willow and got up. "I don’t like forcing women. You crying and sniveling like this is really disgusting. Get off my yacht immediately. There’s nothing to discuss about the land in the south of the city. When you’re willing of your own accord, then come find me!"

With that, Morgan flicked his sleeve and left.

The room was left with only Willow Crawford. Her vision was already blurred by tears. She knew he was angry. She hadn’t meant to upset him; she was just really, really sad.

These five years while he was gone, she had been sad.

Now that he was back, she was even sadder.

...

Willow Crawford still had a lot of work to deal with. She worked until dawn before returning to the royal residence, collapsed into bed, and when she woke the next day it was already afternoon. She found Lady Pearl bustling about in the living room. "Move your hands a little faster. We have a distinguished guest coming for dinner tonight. There can’t be a single mistake, understand?"

Willow Crawford walked down. "My lady, what distinguished guest is coming tonight?"

Willow Crawford hadn’t heard about this at all, and had no idea what guest she meant.

Lady Pearl smiled. "Willow, Earl Roy is coming over for dinner tonight."

Earl Roy?

At those two words, Willow Crawford’s face changed. "My lady, who gave you the right to invite Earl Roy to dine at the royal residence without permission?"

Inviting Earl Roy meant inviting Morgan Ashworth. Morgan was coming to the royal residence!

Was he not afraid of exposing his identity?

Once his status as the young lord of The Merfolk Kingdom was exposed, he would be in great danger.

Willow Crawford’s face looked terrible, and there was a hard, interrogatory edge to her tone. Lady Pearl was displeased as well. "Willow, isn’t there a problem with that piece of land in the south of the city? I’ve watched you for so long and you still haven’t settled it. You look completely at a loss, so I figured I’d help you out. I had someone connect me with Earl Roy and invited him to dinner. I didn’t expect him to give me so much face and agree on the spot. When he comes later, I’ll bring up the land in the south to him. Maybe he’ll agree. I’ll make sure to handle this beautifully for you."

Lady Pearl was quite confident. In recent years, Willow Crawford, the First Princess Consort, had become famous throughout the realm, having the final say in everything. Lady Pearl herself felt she had no authority or status anymore. Now a chance had come—what Willow couldn’t handle, she would. She could give Willow a good slap in the face and let her daughter-in-law see just how capable her mother-in-law was.

Willow Crawford was speechless at Lady Pearl’s foolishness. Earl Roy wasn’t giving her face; he was setting a trap for her!

"Someone," Willow called out.

"Yes, Your Highness," the private butler hurried over.

"Notify Earl Roy immediately and cancel tonight’s dinner at the royal residence."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lady Pearl stopped him at once. "Willow, what do you mean by this? We’re under Earl Roy’s thumb right now. How can we afford to offend him so easily? And besides, do you still see me as your mother-in-law at all?"

Willow Crawford didn’t want to waste another word on this pig-teammate of a mother-in-law. She turned to go upstairs.

But just then Una ran over in a rush. "Your Highness, it’s too late. Earl Roy is already at the door."

What?

He came this fast?

Just then Earl Roy’s voice floated over. "Your Highness, what’s going on? Could it be you don’t welcome my visit?"

Willow Crawford looked up. Earl Roy was already standing at the doorway.

Earl Roy hadn’t come alone. Beside him was a tall, handsome figure—Morgan Ashworth.

Morgan Ashworth was here!

He had come to the royal residence!

Willow Crawford’s heart suddenly pounded wildly. Was he insane? What was he doing coming here? Did he have a death wish?

"Earl Roy, you misunderstand. Willow and I both welcome you very much." Lady Pearl immediately went out to greet them.

Earl Roy smiled. "That’s good, that’s good."

Lady Pearl’s gaze then landed on Morgan Ashworth. Her eyes lit up. "Earl Roy, and this gentleman is...?"

"Lady Pearl, let me introduce you. This is my friend, Boss Lin. That parcel of land in the south of the city was purchased by Boss Lin."

Anyone who could buy up land in the south of the city had to be obscenely rich. Morgan Ashworth already possessed an exquisitely handsome face. His demeanor was detached and cool, with the lofty, arrogant poise of someone born to command. That one glance she’d had of him just now had already left Lady Pearl dazzled.

Lady Pearl had met many outstanding young men, but the Morgan Ashworth before her stirred her heart in a way they hadn’t.

"Boss Lin, welcome, welcome. Dinner is almost ready. Why don’t you both have a cup of tea in the sitting room first?" Lady Pearl greeted them enthusiastically.

Earl Roy led Morgan Ashworth inside.

Willow Crawford watched Morgan Ashworth. He looked back at her as well, gave her a faint glance, then moved his eyes away, like the wind brushing past without a trace.

What exactly did he intend to do in the royal residence?

Lady Pearl whispered excitedly, "Willow, this Boss Lin really is such a catch."

Only then did Willow Crawford notice how Lady Pearl’s gaze had been glued to Morgan Ashworth. She immediately frowned. "My lady, please mind your words and behavior. You’re old enough to be this Boss Lin’s mother!"

Lady Pearl had been widowed early. They said women in their forties and fifties were like wolves and tigers; it wasn’t out of the question that she might be entertaining thoughts of keeping some kind of boy toy.

From the moment Morgan Ashworth entered, Lady Pearl hadn’t taken her eyes off him. Who knew what she was plotting. Willow Crawford was very displeased and gave her a cold reminder.

"I know, Boss Lin and I aren’t suitable," Lady Pearl said, "but I have a daughter."

Willow Crawford’s heart gave a jolt. Lady Pearl had two children: Prince Rosen and Rosalind Rowan. Rosalind Rowan was Prince Rosen’s full sister.

So that was what Lady Pearl meant. She’d taken a fancy to Morgan Ashworth and wanted him as her son-in-law.

"Willow, Rosalind will be back in a few days. Don’t you think Rosalind and this Boss Lin would be a good match?"

Willow Crawford frowned. "They’re not a good match."