The Mysterious Billionaire and His Substitute Bride

“Mr. Larson, the surveillance system has just been updated. It was scheduled to be done yesterday, but the tech department was worried that something important might occur while the security cameras were out of service, so they put it off until after the employees left for the day.” The assistant explained the situation in a shaking voice. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he was scared nonetheless. Especially given the dark and formidable face his boss was sporting.

Even so, his fear did not curb his curiosity. Why was the president suddenly investigating this matter?

“Keep looking into it. Contact me once you find new leads.” Brandon’s lips curled into a sneer. “Call Miss Turner here.”

He was nearing the end of his tether. The mandate to execute the system update at such a fortuitous time had come from the senior executives—all of them, it seemed. Clearly, whoever was behind this was meticulous. They had made sure that there were no loose ends, no trace left.

Charis entered Brandon’s office with a stack of documents and her laptop. She looked tired, as though she had spent the last several nights buried in work.

“We just had three separate meetings in a row. The recent turmoil in Wall Street and the collapse of the stock market has put everyone in a state of panic.” She sounded weary as well, but she brightened up as she approached Brandon’s desk. “You never ask me to stop by around this hour. What’s up?”

By all accounts, she appeared unaware of what was happening behind the scenes.

“What were you doing at the stairwell yesterday after work?” Brandon asked bluntly, though his voice remained calm.

was carrying on his desk and said in a playful tone, “You must be kidding, Mr. Larson. You know that I hate taking the stairs. I had a meeting until ten o’clock last night, long after everyone has gone home.

stared at her in silence, a myriad of

for her to put two and two together, though she didn’t let on just how

quarrel with Miss Lind again? You’ve been wearing a long face since yesterday.” She heaved a long, dramatic sigh. “I don’t know what you fought about, but if you think I had anything to do with it, then

would have immediately thought that she was innocent in all

before. Brandon had confirmed it

told him that Charis was involved in this debacle in one way or another, but he didn’t have any proof to back up his hunch. He had no choice but to overlook his suspicions, at least for now. “I’m not

smile widened. She didn’t believe him, of course, but she would gladly take his

I’ll be taking my leave. Look at you, you should go home soon, too. No matter how important your work is, you still

left and closed the door behind her,

a plane ticket out of Seacisco. It leaves at 2

his chest. He

was crowded when he

over, looking