Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 1524: Phoenix Crown and Bridal Robe

Actually, she also found it strange that Ethan Barnes would fall for her.

But she didn’t like him.

She remembered she had told him before, never, ever, fall in love with her, because that would be the beginning of his failure.

Facing Carlotta’s provocation, Celeste Linden said, "Carlotta, you should know, our goals are the same, I never thought of competing with you for a man, it’s him who won’t let me go."

Carlotta knew, and that’s exactly why she was insanely jealous of Celeste Linden.

Celeste Linden put down the knife and fork in her hand and used a napkin to wipe the corners of her lips, "So Carlotta, I’m not afraid of you, no matter what you do to me, I have no objections, because everything you do is helping me just..."

Celeste Linden looked at her with some heartache, "Carlotta, do you know? We have similar experiences, the difference is you were ruined by others, and the person who ruined me is precisely your beloved, I know you resent and hate me, but you don’t see my sorrow and helplessness, this has always been a game between you and Ethan, you both ruined my life and dragged me in against my will, in the past I was a pawn, having no choice, and now I am still a pawn, whether to let go or not is just a word from you."

"Have you ever thought, you keep struggling about love or not, while I have been striving to survive, I want to live on, so I never owe you anything, put away your condescending looks, it’s always you who owe me."

"I always thought you weren’t inherently bad, you are kind, but watching you gradually lose yourself and become dark, it breaks my heart."

"Carlotta, although I am delighted to see this, I still want to tell you, don’t let yourself become unrecognizable."

After speaking, Celeste Linden lifted her foot and left.

Carlotta sat alone in the restaurant, clenching the knife and fork so tightly that her knuckles turned pale, her heart ached, really ached too much.

Celeste Linden’s words pierced her deeply, thinking back carefully, she didn’t even know what she had been doing recently.

She used to not bear to even step on an ant, and now she poisons someone with arsenic without blinking an eye.

The past feelings and sweet moments with Ethan seemed like fleeting clouds, she knew better than anyone that Ethan was already far away from her, but she still held on and wouldn’t let go.

She used past affection to threaten, repeatedly putting on the act of crying, making trouble, and threatening to hang herself, this version of herself, even she despised.

Celeste Linden was right, she had lost her original self.

But, what could she do?

Now she had nothing, if she lost Ethan, she would die, how could she let go of the man she had loved for so many years? How could she fulfill his union with Celeste Linden, she couldn’t do it, not even death could!

Carlotta’s eyes turned red, and she could only close her eyes forcefully, it was useless, she had no way back.

Even if this was a dark path, she could only walk it to the end.

...

Celeste Linden was resting in the room when the maid came to call her, "Miss Linden, Miss Carlotta invites you over."

The future hostess was inviting, so Celeste Linden immediately got up briskly, "Alright."

Once in Carlotta’s room, Carlotta was trying on the wedding dress.

"Cousin, you’re here just in time, come and see me try on the wedding dress, because I like the traditional wedding attire, Ethan is preparing a Chinese-styled wedding for me." Carlotta boasted.

The dressmakers around sighed with admiration,

"Miss Carlotta, King Hayden really treats you well, all these wedding attires are custom made, hand-stitched overnight by the embroiderers from The Riverlands."

"King Hayden asked us to let you try it on, if anything is not suitable, we should alter it immediately, King Hayden truly spoils Miss Carlotta."

"Oh my, what Miss Carlotta, we should change that to Madame now, right?"

Everyone immediately flattered Carlotta, though deep down they were indeed envious.

Everyone knew Ethan Barnes was a playboy, a man wild and hard to tame by women, difficult to tie down in marriage, but Carlotta managed to do it, making everyone envious.

In this moment, Carlotta was happy too, she looked at Celeste Linden, "Cousin, aren’t these wedding attires beautiful?"

Celeste Linden looked at these attires, the traditional bright red was gorgeous, paired with flowing gold threads it was dignified yet sacred, beautiful, really beautiful.

It was clear that Ethan Barnes was considerate towards Carlotta, whether out of guilt wanting to make amends or not, he genuinely planned to give Carlotta a grand wedding.

Celeste Linden nodded, "Very beautiful."

Carlotta was fastening the buttons, "Cousin, I can’t button this, come and help me button it."

Celeste Linden walked over and reached out to help Carlotta button.

"Miss Carlotta, is this your cousin or King Hayden’s cousin, she’s really pretty."

"Does Cousin have a boyfriend now, is she married?"

Everyone started praising Celeste Linden.

Carlotta smiled unfazed, "My cousin isn’t married yet and hasn’t dated anyone, if you know anyone suitable, you can introduce them to my cousin."

"Sure, of course."

"But," Carlotta quickly added, "let’s be clear, there’s a little life in my cousin’s belly, any man willing to marry my cousin has to accept the child first."

Carlotta appeared naive, but her words caused everyone’s expressions to change, their eyes collectively fell on Celeste Linden’s belly, discussing,

"Oh my, she’s pregnant?"

"Isn’t this an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, whose child is it?"

"She probably doesn’t even know herself, girls like this really lack self-respect, must have had a one-night stand and accidentally got pregnant."

"Poor child, born without a father."

Everyone pointed at Celeste Linden’s back, looking at her with disdain, sympathy, and mocking, all kinds of comments.

Celeste Linden was very quiet, her long lashes fell gracefully, focused only on fastening Carlotta’s buttons.

At this moment, a maid’s voice came from outside the door, "Master, you’re back, why are you standing at the door instead of going in?"

Everyone looked up and quickly saw the tall and handsome figure by the door, Ethan Barnes had returned.

Seeing Ethan, everyone’s eyes brightened, and pink bubbles seemed to rise, "King Hayden, you’re back?"

Ethan glanced indifferently at everyone, then his gaze fell on Celeste Linden.

Celeste Linden withdrew her hand, "Carlotta, the buttons are done, if there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my room."

After speaking, Celeste Linden left.

When she reached the door, she didn’t raise her head to look at Ethan, never glanced at him from the start, she passed by him.

Celeste Linden reached her room’s door, just about to enter, when suddenly a large hand stretched out and grabbed her slender wrist.