The Mysterious Billionaire and His Substitute Bride

During this tumultuous period of time, the Lester family experienced setback after setback.
As soon as Seth’s illegal acts had been exposed, many other people were put behind bars as the investigation unfolded.
As for the Lester family’s business, most of Seth’s companies in Sugden were shut down, which greatly affected the Lester
family’s power. Now, they were no match for the Larson Group.
Even before the trial, Patrick had been running all over the country trying to keep the Lester Group afloat. The stress had aged
him ten years overnight, adding wrinkles to his haggard, tired face.
When he heard about Seth’s verdict, he completely broke down. He didn’t even have the strength to try and pull himself together
anymore.
Before returning to his home, Patrick went to the private hospital where Nora was admitted.
“You underestimated Ethan. I’ve always found him to be a smart, composed person. When he was little, Elissa, a grown woman,
often picked on him. Yet he still managed to get this far on his own.”
While Nora had been confined in the hospital the past few weeks, she still caught word of what was happening outside.
But at her age, she could no longer meddle in these matters anymore.
And she didn’t intend to.
Nora sighed sadly. “I don’t have much time left. When your father was still alive, he used to say that people should pursue virtue
after they pursued wealth. You’ve used up all the virtue he had saved for the family, and we’re no longer blessed.”
As she spoke, Patrick poured her a glass of water and handed her the medication on the bedside table. He frowned and said,
“Mom, stop talking like that.”
Nora sighed and pushed the medication cup away with her wrinkled hand. “I’ve been taking this same medicine for years and it
has done me no good. You can go back. I want to rest now.”
*******
Patrick returned to his home alone, despair looming over him like a storm cloud. The house was empty, aside from the servants.

In the past, Patrick usually heard the short-tempered Ritchie quarreling with his mother at home. But now, the house was eerily
quiet and lifeless.
Patrick sank into the sofa wearily, burying his face in his palms.
He had no way to fix this.
Now Patrick was fully aware of just how terrifying and cruel Ethan was. The latter had shown no mercy to his own family.
Ethan had picked off all of Patrick’s family one by one—first, his wife, then his youngest son, and then his eldest. Even the Lester
Group, Patrick’s pride and joy, had been destroyed. Now he had nothing.
“Sir, Mr. Ethan is at the door.”
A servant came and report to Patrick.
Before Patrick could say anything, Ethan strode into the living room with his hands in his pockets.
He looked around the house quietly.
“The house is the same as before, yet it feels different. There used to be too many people in this home and it got too crowded.
Now it’s empty, which is good. It makes the house look bigger.” Ethan walked to the sofa opposite Patrick and sat down, sneering
coldly.
Patrick laughed bitterly. “Are you here to see me at the end of my rope?”
Ethan remained unfazed. “On the contrary, I’m here to offer you a way out. Whether you take it or not will actually depend on
you.”