Substitute: My little wife different identities

Episode 1: Today was a big day for the Malcolm family. The mansion was lit up with all kinds of designs, making it look more extravagant than before. The reason for the celebration was their precious daughter Megan's twentieth birthday, and they wanted to make it known to everyone in California. All the servants were busy placing everything in order as the guests arrived. In the corner of the garden, Manon sat lost in thought. Just a few hours ago, she was the most adored daughter of the Malcolm family, but now that they had found their real daughter, Megan, who had been missing for six years, Manon became an outcast. Even though today was also her birthday, no one cared about that. The only person they cared about was Megan. Could she blame them? After all, they finally got to celebrate the birthday of their daughter after six whole years of her being missing. What Manon hated most was the pitiful stares from the guests. She knew what must be going on inside everyone's mind, but she couldn't care less. Six years ago, she was living in an orphanage before Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm came to adopt her, just because she matched the criteria of their missing daughter. She was born on the same day, their names started with the same letter, and she literally had the same features as Megan. That was why they had been taking care of her ever since then, and she had been grateful because they took care of her very well. That was why she quietly did everything her adoptive father told her to do. She had to imitate Megan in every way possible. Megan's best food became her best food; Megan's favorite dress became hers as well. But she didn't complain about it. She had lived in the shadow of Megan for six complete years, and she might automatically turn to Megan if she didn't stop anytime soon. She was really glad they found Megan; at least she would be able to go back to her normal life. Until a few days ago, when Megan was found, everything changed all of a sudden. Manon was brought out of her thoughts when she heard some whispers not far from her. She didn't need anyone to tell her that the two voices she was hearing belonged to a man and a lady, and they were none other than Megan, the real daughter of the Malcolm family, and Jake Williams, her supposed fiancé. She wasn't in the mood to listen to them, so she turned to leave when she almost collided with the flower vase, causing it to make a sound. She was sure she had alerted Megan and Jake. She didn't want to be caught eavesdropping, but she had no way out. But a hand dragged her to another corner of the hallway she had never exited before. Her face hit the firm chest of the person before Megan could come out. Looking up to see the person's face, she was shocked to see that it was Carlos Williams. "What was he doing here?" was the first question that popped up in her head. The person standing right in front of her was, by blood, Jake's elder cousin brother, but both of them were on two different leagues. Jake was still a child compared to Carlos, because Carlos was the CEO of the Williams company, and he came from the main branch of the Williams family, while Jake was still at the bottom of the Williams tree. "What will happen to your engagement with my sister?" Manon heard Megan's voice, and her face flushed with embarrassment, not because of what they were saying, but because Carlos Williams had to listen to it. "I will cut off the engagement. You're my rightful fiancée. I only got engaged to Manon because your father insisted, just to seal the family bond, but now that you're back, there's no point in holding onto her," Jake said. Manon squinted her eyebrows; so that's how Jake thought of her all these years. Not like she was really hurt hearing that from him; instead, she felt like a burden had been lifted off her shoulder. After all, she never had any feelings attached to Jake. For the next few minutes, they heard fading footsteps, which meant they were gone. That's when Carlos let go of her. "Thanks," Manon said, brushing some of her hair behind her ears. "Are you okay?" Carlos asked. Manon, thinking he was asking if she was hurt, replied quickly, "Yes, I'm perfectly fine." "I mean, about what you just heard?" he asked. Manon was shocked for a moment, wondering why he cared, but seeing the caring look on his face, Manon decided to talk. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? It's not like Jake was my rightful fiancé to begin with," Manon said, staring into Carlos' eyes. "Then the Williams family will help you out with the compensation," Carlos said. Before Manon could reply that she didn't need it, Carlos disappeared right before she could form a word. Seeing that the birthday celebration had started and she was not needed downstairs, Manon decided to go to her room and rest. She wouldn't want the guests to see her and make her the topic of conversation for the night. Not that she cared, but she just wanted to have her own space. She thanked herself for buying a small cake in advance. It was time for her to take it out, light the candle, make a wish, and blow it off. As she was about to go to sleep, one of the servants knocked on the door and informed her that her adopted mom wanted her to come downstairs.