The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us (Lois Stone)

Chapter 23: She Is My Wife 

Ayla didn't know how to put on an expensive and elegant dress like this.

It was a pink-colored evening dress, with a deep cut V-neck and a shining first-class diamond lining on her left shoulder.

Under the light, it was shining brightly.

There were matching white high- heels, which were also decorated with pink diamonds.

After helping her change her dress, Maria regarded her beauty and praised her.

"Mrs.Clark, you look so beautiful."

Standing before the mirror, Ayla looked at her image and didn't know what to do.

She looked very different, and it was awkward for her to wear such an expensive dress.

She was afraid that she'd damage it if she became slightly careless.

After a few minutes, Brian's car drove into the villa.

A makeup artist and a hair-stylist got out of the car along with him.

"Sir, you are back.Mrs.Clark has changed her clothes."

Maria walked out to welcome him.

Maria whole- heartedly wanted things to go easy between him and Mrs.Clark.

Maybe after a period of time, Mr.Clark would realize that Mrs.Clark was actually a good girl.

Brian shifted his gaze at Ayla, who was standing aside, looking uneasy and eyes downcast.

She indeed looked very different in these bright-colored, expensive clothes.

In fact, she looked more dazzling than he had imagined.

The light pink fine fabric stuck to her delicate body, which complemented her fair skin tone.

Brian averted his gaze to the makeup artist and the hair-stylist behind him and instructed them to do their job.

A while later, when Ayla appeared in front of him again, Brian couldn't recognize her.

He was stunned by how different and elegant she looked.

Although she wore a light make-up, and her long black hair was loosely coiled up, she looked graceful.

"Mr.Clark,"

Ayla said in a low voice.

Brian didn't respond.

His emotionless demeanor made her more nervous.

He led her quietly to the car and ushered her inside.

She sat in the car and kept quiet.

The car drove away from the villa and headed downtown.

Today, Toby wore a black suit, and Molly matched her red evening dress with a long tail.

They looked perfect beside each other.

"Toby, Dad asked you to preside over the party tonight, which means you have great importance to him.I also believe you can do well," Molly said with a smile.

She was in a good mood today.

She had asked someone to inquire about Brian, and learned that Brian would attend the party with his wife.

Molly would take this opportunity to end every chance for Ayla tonight.

If Toby got to know that she had married another man, he would never accept her again.

Molly would do everything to keep the man she loved to herself.

She wouldn't let anyone take him away.

As soon as Ayla got out of the car, she shivered because of the chilly wind.

Looking at the tall building in front of her, she felt nervous.

Standing beside her, Brian looked down at her and frowned.

"What are you thinking about?"

Ayla hurriedly shook her head.

Brian led her inside the building and took the elevator to reach the third floor where the banquet hall was.

Inside the hall, Ayla's eyes were dazzled by the shining light and the guests' luxurious clothes.

Although she had seen such parties in the Woodsen family, she had never attended them.

Every time the Woodsen family held such lavish parties in the villa, she would always end up in the kitchen to help the servants.

Now, standing here like this, she felt her legs tremble in nervousness.

If she hadn't had her arm laced with Brian, she might have collapsed to the ground already.

"Are you nervous? Aren't parties your favorite hobby, Arlene?"

Brian could almost feel her trembling beside him.

Was she pretending to be scared? Or was she really scared?

"N-no! I'm not nervous."

Ayla didn't want to run away because of fear at this point.

She clenched her fists to steady her nerves.

Her palms were sweaty.

She took a deep breath and pursed her lips tightly.

Brian only scoffed and stepped towards Hayden.

Brian's presence at the anniversary of the Smith Group surprised Hayden and made him feel proud.

"Mr.Clark, you came.Please make yourself comfortable."

Hayden greeted him with a smile.

A waiter immediately served him a glass of wine.

"Thank you, Mr.Smith.That's very kind of you."

Brian took the glass and continued, "You've arranged the party impressively.I didn't want to miss the opportunity to offer my congratulations to you."

Hayden glanced at the woman beside Brian and said, "Mr.Clark, your companion tonight is very beautiful."

When Brian and Ayla walked in, Molly had seen them, but Toby didn't as he was busy chatting with other guests. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"Toby, Mr.Clark is here.Let's go and greet him."

Holding Toby's arm, Molly dragged him towards Brian with a phony smile plastered on her face.

Ayla turned to look at Brian.

She was his companion for tonight.What was that supposed to mean?

"Actually, Mr.Smith, this is my wife."

Brian's introduction not only froze Ayla, but also made Toby, who was walking towards them with Molly, drop the wine glass from his hand.

The crashing noise attracted everyone's attention.

Finding Toby there, Ayla was stunned.

She opened her mouth several times, but words wouldn't come out.

His wife? Toby was sure that he hadn't misheard.

How did his Lala become this man's wife? Molly looked at Toby's shocked reaction.

He really cared about this woman.

How could he be so careless to drop the glass like that? It was so embarrassing.

She quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him aside.

She was sure, if she wasn't there, he would have done something reckless.

"Toby, what's wrong with you? Why are you so careless?"

Molly asked a waiter to clean up the floor as soon as possible.

Hayden also noticed Toby's unexpected reaction, but he regained his composure immediately.

"Mr.Clark, let me introduce my daughter to you.She's Molly, and this is her fiancee, Toby Brown.He is also the Deputy CEO of the Smith Group." Toby looked at Brian.

Of course he knew this man.

He was the owner of the Clark Group.Who didn't know him? But why was Lala with Brian?

"Nice to meet you, Mr.Brown."

Brian maintained his calm demeanor.

Toby nodded.

"Mr.Clark, nice to meet you too."

Toby knew Brian was an elusive man and was capable of making great changes in the business world.

But how did he end up with Lala? Glancing at Ayla's pale face, Molly was secretly pleased.

She also noticed the disbelief and the disappointment on Toby's face.

"Miss Woodsen.Oh, sorry.Mrs.Clark.What a coincidence! We just met a few days ago! I didn't know you were married to Mr.Clark.It's a pleasure to meet you again.Toby? Don't you know each other? Why don't you greet her?"

Molly took the initiative to speak with a smile, while holding Toby's hand intimately.

Toby was extremely disappointed.

He looked at her and asked, "Lala, should I congratulate you?"

Why didn't she tell him anything when they met? Why did she keep him in the dark? Now it was difficult for him to cope with everything.

Brian was displeased to hear Toby call her intimately.

Her nickname was Lala?

Ayla only smiled faintly.

Why did she have to face him on such an occasion without any preparation? lIler heart ached watching Toby's sad face.

When she saw the doubts and disappointment in his eyes, she felt heartbroken.

Perhaps, she had lost her Toby forever..

"I..I need to use the restroom."

Ayla turned around and left quickly.She staggered out of the banquet hall in her high heels.