The Mysterious Billionaire and His Substitute Bride (Ethan and Janet)

"Janet!"

"Honey!"

Beal and Johanna exclaimed.

Brandon's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected Janet to appear so soon after entering the kitchen.

"Janet, let me explain." He walked toward Janet and tried to grab her arm.

However, she took a step back and shrugged off his hand.

Her smile was bitter. "Don't try to defend yourself.

I heard the conversation clearly."

Janet had been cooking in the kitchen. She realized she needed butter but couldn't find where it was kept. She had planned to ask her parents and arrived at the living room door where she overheard a fierce quarrel between Brandon and her mother.

She was tempted to intervene, but as she listened, she learned his astonishing secret.

Recently, she had received files from Vivian's flash drive. They didn't seemed important, just some data about the Larson Group.

She had no idea one critical file was missing. Moreover, Brandon was the one had deleted the file to hide his condition from her.

Janet removed her apron and was about to leave. Brandon tried to stop her.

Eyes full of tears, Janet said, "Why stop me? You don't trust me at all. In your heart, I'm already expendable."

Standing between her and the door, Brandon gazed

helplessly at his wife. He reached for her hand and said, "Listen. It's not that I don't trust you."

Janet pushed him away. Her smile was devoid of emotion. "Brandon, you didn't tell me about your condition, but you claim you want to start a family with me. Is that a lie as well?"

Brandon interrupted her anxiously. "It's all true. My memory has recovered. There are no aftereffects."

"Leave me alone. I can't trust a word you say. You lied to me. How can I know you're not lying now?"

Janet's eyes were dull. She couldn't process what she heard. There was a lot of information in the conversation between Brandon and her parents. She needed somewhere quiet to calm down and gather her thoughts.

"I promise, I am fully recovered now." Brandon still blocked her way.

He wanted to explain, but Janet was too upset to listen. Janet needed comfort, but Brandon was determined to hold her there until she forgave him. With a cold look on her face, Janet pushed past him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Johanna rushed toward her and said, "Honey, why don't you listen to his explanation?"

Even her mother took Brandon's side. Janet couldn't hold back her anger. She rubbed her cheeks and yelled, "Why are you siding with him? Mom, you knew about this! You helped him hide it from me. I cannot describe how bitterly disappointed I am with you all."

Johanna sighed. Her heart burst with regret. "I didn't know how to tell you. I'm sorry. But now we know Brandon is fine, you deserve the truth." She glared at Brandon, feeling nothing but disgust, and said, "It's all Brandon's fault! Everything."

Brandon didn't know what to do.

Janet's fury didn't fade when Johanna tried to lay all the blame at Brandon's feet. She sniffed and said,

"You're no different. All of you still see me as a fragile child. No one has shown me any respect I deserve. I am an adult! Treat me as one."

Hearing her daughter's accusation, Johanna felt desperate. She gestured for Beal to say something.

"Dad, if you take their side, I will not talk to you anymore." Wiping her tears, Janet glared at Beal.

Janet's threat obviously worked. Beal glanced at Johanna and lowered his head, unable to say anything.

"What use are you?" Covering her forehead, Johanna glared at Beal. Her head felt as though it might split open.

Janet then fled. Brandon followed her out, his expression stormy.