The Mysterious Billionaire and His Substitute Bride (Ethan and Janet)
Chapter 423 She Fled

Charis heaved a long sigh before continuing. "It's a wonderful feeling, really. It feels like it was only yesterday when Brandon and I started a business, and now, Larson Group is practically an empire. I always knew that Brandon would succeed. He's the most brilliant man I've ever known. He has come so far despite having to start with nothing. As the CEO of Larson Group, he is responsible not only for a multibillion dollar enterprise, but the livelihood of some ten thousand employees as well. But he is yet to avenge his mother and bring down the Lester family. When he chooses a wife, he must consider more factors than the ordinary people do."

Janet looked Charis in the eye and asked, "What are you trying to say? Ethan married me. No matter how close you were in the past, he is now my husband."

Tension crackled in the air between them.

Charis narrowed her eyes. She had thought that Janet was a doormat, a pushover who would rather run away and hide than fight. It seemed like she had underestimated the woman.

Even so, Charis remained composed. Her arrogant nature forbade her from feeling inferior to anyone, after all. She drew close to Janet, her lips curled into a sneer. "I meant exactly what I said. I just feel so sorry for Brandon. He should have had a better life."

The sound of her heels clacking against the floor echoed throughout the empty staircase.

Every step she took felt like a dagger to Janet's heart.

When they were finally toe to toe, Charis braced her hand on the banister and looked Janet up and down. Then she broke into a huge, mocking smile. "You understand, don't you? Brandon should have married someone from a rich and powerful family, someone who had the same status as him. He needs a wife who can help him further his career, his vendetta, his ultimate success. Brandon only married you to honor his late mother's wish. Sure, he might have some feelings for you, but does he really think you deserve the title of Mrs. Larson? You know as well as I do that businessmen base their every decision on the pros and cons. No one gambles just to lose in the end. This might be the reason why Brandon has kept his true identity from you, don't you think?"

Janet didn't want to listen to another word Charis said.

She pushed past the other woman and dashed up the stairs.

Charis chuckled knowingly. Her voice was calm when she spoke again, but what she said still jarred Janet's resolve. "I'm just worried about you, Miss Lind. You might replace yourself broken and miserable in the future. Alas, there's no such thing as forever. You and Brandon may be living harmoniously now, but how long will that last? Once the passion fades, you will be faced with the harsh reality that you were never compatible to begin with. You come from different worlds. The gap between the two of you is nothing less than a chasm, one that a piece of legal paper could never hope to bridge. Your marriage means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Haven't you realized yet? Because of you, he gave up a better future, a shot at his revenge-his one great purpose in life. Do you honestly think Brandon will never regre his decision?"

Janet tried to ignore Charis as she kept on bounding upstairs, all to no avail. The latter's voice grated on her ears, and her words embedded themselves in her mind.

If she were any less of a person, she would have marched over and slapped Charis in the face.

But Janet was not that kind of woman. Besides, Charis was right.

Janet inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm herself, only for her breath to catch in her throat. Her heart felt like it was made of lead, and it was sinking rapidly into a dark abyss. There was no way she could face Ethan after this.

Her doubts and insecurities melded together with her heartache, and they washed over her like a tidal wave. She was drowning.

The worst part of it was that she was powerless against Charis' words. She could not refute them. She could only flee.