CEO's Stand In Lover

Tense Confrontation

No matter how hard we try to escape loneliness, it still clings to us like a shadow. No matter how hard we try to love, the hurt never lessens.

"Kevin, why do you want to marry this girl?" Shangguan Yun’s dark eyes gleamed with wisdom. "Is it because of her appearance?"

Kevin looked at Shangguan Yun, his violet eyes flashing with anger.

"Shangguan, you're overstepping!" Kevin growled.

"I know Bella’s death was a huge blow to you, but you need to see clearly—this girl isn’t Bella. What you're doing isn’t fair to her." Shangguan Yun spoke calmly, his mind wandering to Lucy’s delicate face. Those eyes, clear as autumn waters, were like stars sparkling in the night, shining with incomparable brilliance.

How could such a proud and noble woman ever be content with being someone’s substitute?

He could see it—Lucy was not the kind of person who would tolerate such a fate. If she ever found out that Kevin was marrying her simply because of her resemblance to Bella, she would surely hate him.

As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the harsher the rebuke.

"How do you know I see her as Bella’s substitute?" Kevin’s gaze grew darker, his eyes now flickering with a strange light. "How do you know I’m not truly in love with her?"

Kevin hated when others questioned his relationship with Lucy, especially since, deep down, he knew he was treating her as Bella’s replacement. Shangguan Yun’s tone irritated him even more, as if a treasure he cherished was being coveted by someone else—someone who was supposed to be his close friend.

"Kevin, I’m not joking with you," Shangguan Yun said seriously, his dark eyes fixing on Kevin’s face. "Do you truly understand Lucy? If you did, you’d know that if she ever finds out the truth, she’ll despise you."

Kevin was stunned for a moment, then a twisted smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"You seem quite interested in my women, don’t you?"

Shangguan Yun didn’t react to the insinuation. But when Kevin looked up sharply, Shangguan Yun was startled to find that Kevin’s once alluring gaze had turned cold and menacing, filled with chilling, malevolent energy.

For a moment, Shangguan Yun forgot to breathe.

The air in the room grew dense, almost suffocating.

Kevin’s eyes glinted with a cold light as he studied Shangguan Yun. His voice, as cold as the Arctic ice, carried a faint menace. The silver cross dangling from his ear reflected a piercing gleam.

"First, it was Bella. Now, it’s Lucy. I never realized just how much attention you’ve been paying to my woman, Shangguan."

"Kevin, that’s enough!" Shangguan Yun roared, his usually calm eyes now filled with anger. "Yes, I once liked Bella, but when I found out she loved you, I graciously gave you both my blessing! As for Lucy, I’ve only just met her—how could I possibly be interested in her?"

Shangguan Yun’s tone grew even harsher.

"You're the one with the problem! Unable to let go of Bella’s death, you’ve taken someone else to suffer for it, using Lucy as a substitute. Do you think you can keep this secret from her forever?"

"Shut up!"

Kevin exploded, veins bulging on his forehead as his face twisted in fury.

"Shangguan Yun, if you came here just to talk about this, then let me tell you—even if she is a substitute, Lucy is still my woman. She will never belong to you!"

"Selfish!" Shangguan Yun retorted coldly, his anger finally surfacing. "You're willing to ruin someone else’s life for your own sake—how typical of you. Always thinking only of yourself!"

"If she ever learns the truth and tries to leave, I’ll help her!" Shangguan Yun declared.

Kevin’s eyes darkened, sparks of fury flickering within them.

"Shangguan Yun, do you even know what you're saying?"

"I know exactly what I’m saying!"

Shangguan Yun elegantly sank into the white sofa, his dark eyes glittering in the sunlight. Sitting there, he resembled a prince from a fairy tale, refined and graceful. Anyone who saw him would be captivated.

"Some things are not for you to control. And Lucy isn’t your doll, to be treated as a memory-keeper when you feel like it, then tossed aside when you don’t."

"Shangguan Yun!"

Kevin could no longer contain his fury. His handsome, proud face grew icy, his brow furrowed with ruthless mockery.

"Bella never loved you, so do you think Lucy will?"

"I’m not trying to make Lucy fall in love with me, nor will I ever love her," Shangguan Yun responded calmly, his eyes steady. "The only woman I’ve ever loved is Bella. I just don’t want to see another woman’s heartbroken because of you."

Shangguan Yun’s gaze softened as he spoke.

"Before I met her, I might have wished you happiness, but now I see that’s impossible."

"So, you’re determined to oppose me, then?"

Kevin’s voice was ice-cold, his words dripping with indifference. He stood up from the sofa, his expression unreadable. His cold gaze bore into Shangguan Yun, the room falling into a heavy silence.

"Shangguan," Kevin said slowly, "after all these years, you should know—those who oppose me never end well. As the eldest son of the Shangguan family, you should weigh your options carefully."

"Don’t be so confident, Kevin. The Shangguan family isn’t yours to toy with."

The sunlight streaming in from the window suddenly felt cold.

The two men stood there, locked in a silent standoff, neither willing to back down.

Suddenly, Kevin’s voice softened, almost pleading.

"Shangguan… why must it come to this? Is it worth throwing away years of friendship for one woman? Even for Bella, we never ended up like this."

Shangguan Yun’s expression grew colder.

"You said it yourself—one woman. That only proves you don’t truly love her. Why give her hope? Kevin, you’re cruel."

The room was filled with the faint scent of lavender, a fragrance Lucy had sprinkled around, saying his office was too cold and needed a warmer touch.

Outside, the sun shone brilliantly, casting its glass-like glow.

Kevin lowered his head, furrowing his brows, trying to force a faint smile. He couldn’t bear this argument any longer. He wanted Shangguan Yun to leave, so he could have time to think about his relationship with Lucy.

But when he looked up, the forced smile on his face froze.