(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

“Ariana is not like most women you know. She doesn’t feel satisfied just because you praise her. You praise her and shower her with luxurious gifts. What Ariana needs is for you to prove to her that she’s valuable. Don’t you ever wonder why she gets angry when she sees you with Shelma in the office? Do you think she’s angry because Shelma is affectionate with you?” Mrs. Rosaline asked. Gerald nodded. But then Mrs. Rosaline shook her head. “That’s not what makes her angry. What makes her angry is your employees’ comments that you and Shelma are a perfect match. What makes her angry is that people don’t know who she really is. Shouldn’t you have introduced Ariana to the public?

Gerald, the guests who came to your wedding only know that Karenina is your wife. And people in your company still see you as a single man. Women out there still see you as an eligible bachelor they can pursue. So, do you think Ariana feels secure in her position as your wife?

If I were Ariana, I wouldn’t feel safe. Even though your marriage is official, you have never formally introduced her to the public. So, what can you be jealous of? You can’t even acknowledge her as your wife in front of the public.”

Gerald fell silent after his grandmother’s explanation. Maybe his thoughts hadn’t gone that far before. All he knew was that Ariana and everyone around them already knew they were husband and wife, and Ariana was comfortable with that. After all, Ariana had never demanded to be introduced to the public.

But then Gerald realized. In the past, Ariana didn’t mind all of this because she never planned to be his true wife. She intended to leave after Karenina took her rightful place. However, lately, Gerald knew that Ariana had accepted this marriage. And if that’s the case, he was sure Ariana intended to be his wife forever, with her giving herself completely to him.

Gerald looked at his grandmother again. “To her, your current childish behavior shouldn’t exist,” his grandmother said. “If you really want to claim Ariana as yours, then let everyone know that she’s yours. Introduce her to the public. Don’t let it be too late. Especially now that Ariana’s rivals have increased again.”

“Are you referring to Shelma?” Gerald snorted.

His grandmother looked at him sharply. For Mrs. Rosaline, this was definitely not a joke. “Don’t underestimate a woman’s obsession, Gerald. Just like your obsession with Ariana, don’t underestimate Shelma’s obsession with you. In her mind, she always thinks that you love her and will be hers. And if she ever realizes what’s in her mind, you won’t know what cunning things she can do.” Mrs. Rosaline threatened again.

Gerald fell silent again. As he had confessed to Ariana, he and Shelma had a lot of history in the past. But not many people knew that Gerald was the first person who taught Shelma all the mischief she knew. Even when everyone thought Gerald and Shelma only had a teenage love story, it wasn’t like that at all. Because Gerald was the one who turned Shelma into the woman she was. He was the first person who…

That was all in the past. And Gerald couldn’t deny that back then, he did all of that out of desire. As a normal young man, he was tempted by Shelma’s beauty. And back then, he did intend to marry her and make her his only. Then he found out that for Shelma, he wasn’t enough. Gerald, who had always been jealous since he was young-just seeing Shelma with another man made him angry-let alone if he saw the woman cuddling with someone? And that was when Gerald was convinced that Shelma was clearly not loyal. Especially when their relationship was not approved by their families. Moreover, not by his grandmother. So Gerald was more convinced to end their relationship.

Their past, he only considered it a past love story. After all, Shelma accepted her arranged marriage with a man chosen by her father. Although now he knew their relationship had ended. But the end of Shelma’s relationship with her husband didn’t make Gerald want to return to her. Because now, in his heart, there was clearly Ariana. And he had no intention of betraying Ariana. Even though he was a playboy, he was not a cheater.Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

Mrs. Rosaline had transferred the food onto the plates. The servant in the kitchen brought the food to the dining table. After all the food was brought out, Mrs. Rosaline and Gerald came out. And there, there were three women sitting with the same flat expression on their faces.

Two seats were left at the Mommyr table. Gerald chose to sit next to Ariana, while his grandmother sat next to Shelma. The woman immediately glared at Gerald. But clearly, he had to choose his wife. And he had to inform Vivian that if in the future, he got invitations from his business associates or rivals, this time Gerald himself had to attend. Not let Vivian represent him. Because as his grandmother said, he had to start introducing Ariana to the public. Or should Gerald hold a grand reception for them? Gerald glanced at Ariana and then nodded slightly. Yes, he had to do that. A luxurious reception that Ariana would never forget.

Gerald fed himself with a smile on his face. Meanwhile, Ariana ignored him. Shelma, on the other hand, looked at him with clear annoyance in her eyes. ‘Gerald shouldn’t be happy with another woman besides her.’ At least that’s what was on Shelma’s mind. She turned her gaze back to Ariana and raised the corner of her mouth. Something cunning crossed her mind regarding Ariana, but this time she wouldn’t rely on anyone else to do it. Because clearly, if she told others her plan, she was sure her plan would fail. And Shelma didn’t like that.

Meanwhile, the oldest woman there could only observe the people around her in silence. As someone who had been through a lot in life, Mrs. Rosaline could at least read people’s facial expressions, if not their minds. And she knew there was something unpleasant in their family’s future. She didn’t know what it was, she just had to be careful and watch her steps. So that her family wouldn’t fall apart. So that the Darrel case wouldn’t happen again.