Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1378: Like

Lady Pearl was startled and frightened; she had not expected Mr. Crawford to grace them with his presence.

"Mr...Mr. Crawford." Lady Pearl stammered.

Caden Crawford glanced sideways at Lady Pearl, his long, narrow eyes taking her in. He smirked slightly, "Lady Pearl, was there something outside worth yelling about? Is this the royal decorum you possess, living like a rural peasant? Don’t you feel you have lost your dignity and status?"

Caden Crawford’s tone was elegant and indifferent, unconcerned, but his words slapped Lady Pearl directly in the face.

Not daring to offend the son of The Dragon Scion, Lady Pearl’s face was an unpleasant mixture of green and white, but she could only smile awkwardly, "Mr. Crawford, just now... I was worried about Willow and got a bit anxious, losing my decorum. Please do not mind."

At this moment, Willow Crawford came out and glanced at the embarrassed and humble Lady Pearl, "Madam, my brother used disguise techniques to impersonate Prince Rosen just now, temporarily resolving the current crisis. I have more to discuss with my brother, so please leave."

"Hehe, alright, Mr. Crawford, I’ll be leaving now."

Caden Crawford showed no expression, but his every movement exuded the poise of royalty, "You may leave."

"Yes."

Lady Pearl quickly scurried away.

The room was left with the two siblings, and Willow smiled in gratitude, "Brother, this time you traveled far and wide to relieve my immediate crisis. I’d like to thank you sincerely here."

Caden Crawford, who always adored his only sister, raised his hand to pat Willow’s small head, "Did Lady Pearl mistreat you just now?"

Willow shook her head, "No, brother, you know I have never liked dealing with these matters and naturally never took Lady Pearl seriously."

Caden Crawford nodded, "Tonight, you hurt others and yourself. What plans do you have next?"

Thinking of Morgan Ashworth, Willow’s eyes darkened, "He and I are destined for different paths. I don’t want him exposed here; I don’t want anything to happen to him. I just hope he can leave soon."

Tonight, Willow created the illusion of "a happy family of three" actually for Morgan Ashworth’s sake, as he remains in danger here.

She is Princess of Alani, Willow Crawford; he is the young master of The Merfolk Kingdom. She has what she wants to protect, and he has his aspirations and ambitions. Perhaps their identities have long determined their outcome.

No one can help them.

"Brother, this is my chosen path, and it’s my personal matter, so you needn’t bother yourself. But tell me about you." Willow playfully blinked her long lashes.

Caden Crawford, "Me? About what?"

"Brother, you’re at the age to discuss marriage. I’ve heard you’re to be married; the future sister-in-law is a daughter of the Kingsley family."

The Kingsley daughter—a beauty of unmatched grace—has been a recurring topic in conversations.

The Kingsley family of the A kingdom has three daughters. Back in the day, when Gael Crawford’s mentor wandered into the A kingdom, he left a prophecy that the three daughters of the Kingsley family were destined to be great queens.

Which means this generation of the Kingsley family will produce three queens.

Later, the eldest Kingsley daughter married into a neighboring country; after a successful marriage, she gave birth to the legitimate firstborn the following year.

Now, the Kingsley family has two daughters left, the youngest daughter is not yet 18, so Caden Crawford is to marry the second Kingsley daughter.

Caden Crawford raised an eyebrow, seemingly recalling this matter, "There is such a plan."

So, this second Kingsley daughter is indeed her future sister-in-law.

This is a significant marriage affair, but Willow’s brother doesn’t seem to take it seriously, "Brother, don’t you like the second Kingsley daughter?"

"Like?" Caden Crawford found the word amusing, asking Willow in return, "Willow, what constitutes liking and disliking?"

"Like is..."

"I have no desire to know what constitutes liking or disliking. Those who understand liking may not be happy; those who don’t understand it may still find happiness. Life offers more than romantic love—there’s family and country. Whoever I marry only means she is suitable, nothing more."

For a moment, Willow didn’t know what to say. They say her brother was born a son of The Dragon Scion; he has always been dispassionate when it comes to emotions...

"Willow, lately the political scene has been unstable, especially the southwestern forces, constantly controlled by Ethan Barnes. I must return, but if you ever face challenges here, contact me promptly," Caden Crawford instructed.

Willow obediently nodded, "I understand, brother. Goodbye."

Caden Crawford left.

Willow stood by the door watching her brother leave. Then she noticed a very striking, spirited woman next to him, who naturally draped his coat over him.

Who was that woman?

This was the first time Willow saw a woman by her brother Caden Crawford’s side, and with a woman’s natural sixth sense, she felt the woman had an unusual relationship with her brother.

Then Willow recalled the name Ethan Barnes mentioned by her brother earlier.

Ethan...Barnes?

Is it the little tyrant Ethan Barnes from the Barnes family five years ago?

Is it the little devil Ethan Barnes who ruined Mr. Linden’s sister’s life five years ago?

Five years have passed...

The acquaintances of those years now hold dominion, calling the shots, and have self-proclaimed kingship.

And Mr. Linden’s sister?

These five years, Willow hadn’t heard any news of Mr. Linden’s sister.

Willow stood in the room feeling suddenly chilly, and for some reason, remembering these old acquaintances gave her the sense a storm was about to engulf her.

...

The party battle was quite successful, the media painted a picture of the prince and princess’s happy life, Lady Pearl, intimidated by Caden Crawford, stayed quiet for several days and didn’t cause any trouble.

Willow hadn’t seen Morgan Ashworth again; after that night, he disappeared, and she didn’t know whether he had left.

This evening, when Willow returned home, she saw Rosalind Rowan standing in the kitchen, personally cooking soup.

Rosalind Rowan, who typically doesn’t touch household chores, was cooking. Willow walked in, "Rosalind, what are you doing?"

"Sister-in-law, you’re back. I’m cooking soup; later, I’m sending it to Mr. Linden."

Mr. Linden?

Willow thought Rosalind Rowan and Morgan Ashworth didn’t have further contact, but now it seems she was wrong.

"Sister-in-law, let me tell you secretly, I’m currently pursuing Mr. Linden. Although he hasn’t responded to me a few times, you know the saying—a woman’s pursuit of a man is a thin barrier. I believe Mr. Linden will surely be trapped by my gentle gestures and captured by me."

Saying this, Rosalind happily hugged Willow’s slender arm, teasingly saying, "Once I win Mr. Linden over, he’ll be your brother-in-law. Sister-in-law, are you satisfied with this brother-in-law?"

Willow, "..."

How could she be satisfied?

"Rosalind, it seems Mr. Linden...doesn’t prefer your type..."

"Sister-in-law, Mr. Linden will like me. If not, let’s bet—bet whether he’ll finish the soup I cooked."