Three Years as the Substitute

Chapter 2

Elena arrived at the club where Adrian and Sophia were.

As she pushed the private room door open, a wave of noise and the mingled stench of smoke and liquor hit her.

Sophia, radiant and surrounded, sat at the center, her laughter bright. Adrian was beside her, gaze practically glued to her, brimming with adoration.

Before Adrian could speak, Sophia clapped her hands cheerfully. "Oh, you actually came! We were just playing a game, and I lost. I owe three drinks and was just worrying about it."

Her eyes danced playfully toward Adrian, her voice laced with coyness. "Adrian, what should I do?"

At her words, Adrian instinctively reached for a glass, seizing the chance to impress Sophia.

But Sophia lightly pressed his hand down. "No. Your stomach's sensitive. Too much will upset it."

Her gaze then slid to Elena, who stood quietly aside, her smile deceptively sweet. "Isn't Elena your secretary? I heard she often drinks for you. She must have a great tolerance. Why not let her take these for me?"

Adrian hesitated briefly, then, thrilled by Sophia's "concern," nodded at Elena without a second thought. "Right. Elena, drink these for Sophia."

Elena's eyes landed on the row of strong liquor.

Her stomach already throbbed faintly.

She had once drunk herself into a stomach hemorrhage for Adrian, hospitalized for a week and left with chronic pain.

Back then, he had only uttered a bland "Thanks for your hard work" before forgetting entirely.

But she didn't argue. She simply replied, "Alright."

Then, under the crowd's taunts, she gulped down glass after glass, the liquor scorching her throat.

Her stomach heaved violently, her throat raw with fire, yet her face stayed eerily blank until the last drop was gone.

"Wow! What a heavyweight!" someone whistled.

Clamping down on the urge to vomit, Elena muttered, "Mr. Blackwood, if there's nothing else, I'll leave first."

After Adrian gave a careless nod, she lurched out and bolted for the restroom, collapsing over the sink as she retched violently, as if trying to empty her very insides.

Splashing icy water on her face did little to steady her spinning head.

The mirror reflected a face as pale as death.

Then the door flew open. Sophia sauntered in with two lackeys, her earlier sweetness stripped away, leaving only sneering contempt.

"Well, well, look who's in such a sorry state?" Sophia crossed her arms, leaning against the sink. "Can't even handle a few drinks for me? Seems you're not much of a substitute after all."

"Exactly. Thought you were so capable, but you're just a drinking pawn."

"No matter how much you resemble Sophia, you're still a cheap knockoff. Now that the real one's back, why don't you scram?"

The vicious remarks came one after another.

Elena wiped the water from her face without glancing their way, desperate to leave.

"Elena." Sophia deliberately blocked her path, tone laced with warning. "Adrian only has eyes for me now. Know your place and disappear. Don't test my patience."

Elena finally met her gaze. "Instead of inventing rivalries, you should worry about hiding your little elopement scandal from Adrian."

With that, she strode past without acknowledging Sophia's ashen face.

Late that night, Elena answered Adrian's call. "Did you see? Today, Sophia actually cared about me. Do you think she's finally interested? If I propose again, would she say yes?" Her stomach still throbbed faintly. Almost against her will, she murmured, "Why do you love her so much?"

"Sophia's pure as a blank slate," he answered instantly. "In our world, girls like her are unicorns."

Elena fell silent.

'Pure?' She recalled the spiteful sneer in the restroom.

But she only offered a quiet "Mm."

He wouldn't believe her anyway. And she'd stopped caring long ago.

Soon came Sophia's birthday.

The Vale family threw a gala befitting royalty. No one remembered Elena shared the same birthday.

At the party, Adrian spent lavishly to make Sophia smile, gifting her a billion-dollar superyacht that left the entire room in stunned silence.

Sophia clung to his arm, soaking up the envy and congratulations like sunshine.

In a shadowed corner, a slurring voice hissed, "Elena, all alone? Has Mr. Blackwood tossed you aside for the real deal?"

Elena stepped back, voice icy. "Mr. Kevin Parker, control yourself."

"Who are you trying to fool with this act?" Kevin lurched forward.

A hand shot out, seizing his wrist mid-reach.

Adrian appeared suddenly, face darkening as he yanked Elena behind him and stood protectively. "Don't you dare touch what's mine," he growled.

Kevin sobered instantly, mumbling an apology before quickly slinking away.

Adrian turned back with a frown, voice laced with irritation. "Why didn't you call for me?"

Elena met his gaze calmly. "As what? My boss? Or my ex-sugar daddy?"

Stunned momentarily, Adrian then gave a soft, knowing laugh. "So that's it. You're jealous I've been focusing on Sophia instead of you?"

He reached for her face, but she dodged his touch.

Undeterred, he continued smugly, "I know you're crazy about me, but Sophia's the one I'm going to marry. Right now, I need to put all my energy into winning her over. So behave yourself, and don't make trouble. Understand?"

Elena stared at his arrogant expression, finding it utterly ridiculous. Finally, she asked the question she'd been holding back, "Adrian... why would you ever think I love you?"