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

"So you've calmed down and returned to admit your mistakes?" Johanna asked in an accusatory tone as she held Janet's soft hand firmly.

Janet didn't want to make Johanna mad again. Seeing that she was willing to talk to her, she quickly said, "I know you're angry, and I wouldn't don't dare make you any angrier. I've simply come home to take care of you, so could you please stop being mad at me, mom?"

With a big smile on her face, Johanna wrapped her arms around Janet and gently patted her on the back as though she were still a little child. "Alright, my daughter. Everything is fine."

After a long while, she unwrapped her arms from around Janet and took a good look at her. With a curious expression on her face, she asked, "So what are you going to do about Brandon?" "To be honest, I haven't decided yet. My mind is a mess," Janet responded, avoiding her mother's inquiring gaze.

Johanna stared at her even more intensely and suddenly assumed a more serious tone. "That's alright. Anyway, I'm very disappointed by the way that he deliberately hid his illness from you." She took a deep breath and continued, "I just want you to know that I'm ready to support you if you ever consider getting a divorce."

These words appeared to shock Janet, as her eyes darkened in an instant. "I still have feelings for Brandon though..."

Janet bit her lip, lowered her eyes and went mute.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from the direction of the door. "That is no way to handle this!"

Beal had overheard the conversation that transpired between the two. Upon hearing Johanna mention divorce, Beal was shocked and quickly interjected.

Johanna rolled her eyes at him and said, "You eavesdrop on conversations now? We're at home, not in public, so we deserve some privacy. Why are you sneaking around?"

"I wanted to leave you two alone, so I waited outside." He walked over and further explained himself. "I don't think it's right for you to advise Janet to divorce Brandon in such a hurry." Beal disagreed with the whole idea of divorce. "It would be best for them to resolve their issues on their own."

After a long silence, Janet fiddled with her clothes and said in a low tone, "I think Dad has a point. I will need to think about it."

Fortunately, Johanna didn't persist. She, instead, placed her hand on her belly and sighed. "I miss your soup, Janet."

Janet cracked a smile. She got the message, and went downstairs to make some soup.

Now Beal was alone in the room with Johanna, who wore a frown on her face.

"If you have something to say, just let it out. You've been holding back since you came in." With a composed look, Johanna sat in the bed and shut her eyes to get some rest.

Seated on the edge of the bed, Beal asked in a serious tone, "Were you serious about what you just mentioned to Janet? I really don't think the situation has escalated to the point of bringing up divorce." Beal and Johanna had endured ups and downs. They had been through a lot but still remained happily married to each other. The problem Janet and Brandon were facing paled in comparison to what her parents had survived.

Johanna opened her eyes. She was in her fifty's, but there were no traces of wrinkles in the corners of her eyes. With a mischievous look on her face, she said, "You don't get it, do you?" "Could you elaborate?" Beal frowned.

"What Janet wants right now is unconditional support from her parents. She'll figure things out after she takes her time and gives it some thought. You saw it for yourself just now. She clearly doesn't want to divorce Brandon. Even if I'd suggested it to her again, she would've refused. Didn't you see how quickly she left when I asked her to make some soup?" Johanna let out a long sigh and suddenly burst into laughter. "Those two!"

Sure enough, she was wise. It suddenly dawned on Beal what her plan was, and he couldn't help but applaud her. "You're a genius, honey!"

Johanna raised one finger and poked Beal's cheek. "There's one more thing, nonetheless. Don't tell Brandon that Janet's here."

"Well that brat texted me today asking if Janet was home, but I'm yet to reply," Beal whispered in her ear.

He was caught in a dilemma. Brandon was the most powerful man in Barnes and was also an excellent son-in-law.

Johanna coldly replied, "You can tell him that Janet is still mad at us and that we have no idea where she is. I don't want my daughter to get a divorce, but to me, Brandon's not trying hard enough to win her back. If I can't see his sincerity, I won't help him. Janet is my precious daughter, and not some plaything to be toyed with."

Beal looked away helplessly, since he couldn't dare disobey his wife. Johanna loved her daughter very much. If Brandon couldn't win her back and get her forgiveness, the relationship between him and the White family would be strained further.

Back in the days when Janet first left, Brandon had

been working with the Larson Group. Not once did he go back home, and as a result, Sean had to work overtime with him.

Sean suddenly felt like he was reliving the life before his boss met Janet. At that time, Brandon was a total workaholic, and not a day he left work on time!

The phone on the table rang several times. Rubbing his eyebrows, Brandon picked up. The voice of a middle-aged man came through from the other end. "Brandon, just call to let you know that we'll keep our promise and finish dealing with Vivian today."