The CEO's Secret Replacement Bride

The Uninvited Guest at the Banquet

Elena spent the whole afternoon picking out a dress for the banquet. The 10,000 dollars Asher's assistant transferred to her was far more than enough to buy a luxury dress, but she only picked a simple light blue off-shoulder gown from a mid-range brand, which cost less than 800 dollars. The soft fabric fit her perfectly, highlighting her slender waist and fair skin, making her look like a gentle blue rose.

When she walked down the stairs wearing the dress, Asher was sitting in the living room waiting for her. He was wearing a custom-made black tailored suit, his hair combed back neatly, his face handsome and cold, exuding the aura of a superior. The moment he saw Elena, his eyes flickered slightly, and he froze for two seconds before looking away, pretending to be nonchalant: "It's okay, barely passable. Don't talk too much at the banquet later, just stay by my side, and answer whatever others ask you briefly. Don't reveal any family matters."

"Okay." Elena nodded, walking over to stand beside his wheelchair, her hands twisted together nervously. This was the first time she had attended such a high-end commercial banquet, and she was afraid she would make a fool of herself and embarrass Asher.

The banquet was held in the top floor of the Hale Group building, the entire floor was decorated in a luxurious and elegant style, filled with the city's top business tycoons and celebrities. When Asher's wheelchair was pushed into the venue by the assistant, the entire noisy venue instantly fell silent, everyone's gaze fell on Asher and Elena beside him, their faces full of shock. Everyone knew that Asher Hale had not appeared in public for three years since the car accident, and no one had heard that he was married.

Asher didn't care about the surprised gazes of the crowd, he held out his hand to Elena, his voice low: "Hold my hand."

Elena hesitated for a second, then put her hand into his warm palm. His palm was big and warm, wrapping her small hand completely, giving her a strange sense of security. She followed him to greet the guests who came to congratulate them, her expression calm and generous, no one could see that she was actually nervous inside.

"Asher! I haven't seen you for so long, I thought you wouldn't come today." A warm and gentle male voice sounded behind them. Elena turned around and saw a tall man wearing a white suit, with a gentle and handsome face, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking very elegant. He was Ethan Moore, Asher's personal doctor and best friend for many years.

Ethan's gaze fell on Elena, and he smiled gently: "This must be Mrs. Hale, right? I'm Ethan Moore, Asher's doctor. I've heard a lot about you."

"Hello, Dr. Moore." Elena nodded with a smile, her dimples showing at the corner of her mouth, looking very cute.

Asher frowned slightly when he saw Ethan staring at Elena, he squeezed Elena's hand slightly, and said coldly: "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on vacation in France?"

"I came back early when I heard you were going to attend the banquet." Ethan smiled, his eyes fell on Elena's wrist, where the red mark from the kick a few days ago was still faintly visible, and he raised his eyebrows at Asher with a playful look, "Why are you still so rough with people? Be careful that your wife runs away."

Asher's face turned cold, he was about to speak when a sharp and arrogant voice suddenly sounded from the entrance of the venue, making everyone turn their heads to look: "Elena! You shameless fake, get out of here right now!"

It was Luna. She was wearing a bright red tight dress, with heavy makeup on her face, walking over aggressively, holding a stack of photos in her hand. She walked up to Elena, raised her hand and was about to slap her in the face, but before her hand could fall, Asher grabbed her wrist hard, his strength so great that Luna screamed in pain.

"Are you deaf? I told you not to step into my territory again." Asher's voice was cold, his eyes full of murderous intent, "Security! Throw her out!"

"Wait!" Luna struggled hard, holding up the photos in her hand and shouting loudly, so that everyone in the venue could hear: "She is a fake! She is not the bride I arranged to marry you! She is the illegitimate daughter of the Carter family, she replaced me to marry you! She is a liar!"

She threw the photos in her hand into the air, and the photos scattered all over the floor. The photos were of Elena working part-time in a coffee shop before, and of her taking care of her mother in the hospital, all of which looked very shabby. "Look at her! She is just a poor wretch who only wants to marry into a rich family! She is not worthy of being Mrs. Hale at all! I am the real fiancee of Asher Hale!"

The crowd started whispering, their gazes at Elena were full of contempt and ridicule, just like the day they got married. Elena's face turned pale, she bit her lower lip hard, not knowing how to explain.

Just when she thought Asher would be angry and abandon her, he suddenly raised his hand, pulled her into his arms hard, wrapped his arm around her waist, and looked at Luna coldly, his voice loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly: "She is my wife, the only legitimate Mrs. Hale recognized by the Hale family. Whether she is an illegitimate daughter or a poor wretch, I married her, not you. Now, get out of here immediately, otherwise I will make sure you and the entire Carter family disappear from this city tomorrow."

Luna's face turned pale, she stared at Asher in disbelief, not expecting him to protect Elena to this extent. The security guards came over and dragged her out of the venue, her shrill screams echoing in the corridor outside: "Elena! You wait! I have your secret! I will make you pay for this!"

The venue quickly returned to calm, and the guests tactfully changed the subject, no one dared to mention what had just happened. Elena leaned against Asher's arms, her heart beating wildly, the faint cedar scent on his body wrapping around her, making her feel unprecedentedly safe. She looked up at Asher's handsome face, and for a moment, she almost thought that he really liked her.

She didn't know that the secret Luna was talking about was not only the secret of her life experience, but also a bigger secret that could completely destroy her current life.