Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 5: Giving Her to Another Man

Hayden Crawford had experienced countless perfume scents on women, each one artificial and loathsome to him. Yet, the aroma emanating from this particular girl was surprisingly delightful.

He released his seatbelt, leaning closer to ask in a gentle tone, "What perfume do you happen to be wearing?"

Perfume? Serena Sterling tilted her head, responding softly, "I'm not wearing any perfume."

"Then why do you have such a pleasant scent..."

Hayden Crawford looked up, and in that instant, he froze. As he raised his gaze, his lips brushed lightly against Serena Sterling's. A veil separated them, and they shared an unexpected kiss.

Serena Sterling's eyelashes, like delicate fans, fluttered. This was… her very first kiss!

Soon after, Hayden Crawford pulled back. His deep-set eyes flickered towards her lips, concealed by the veil. His throat bobbed as he spoke, "I am truly sorry. How about… I let you kiss me back?"

Serena Sterling regarded him, a hint of defiance in her voice. "I think… I should slap you."

Hayden Crawford's thin lips curved upwards, and a captivating, joyful laugh rumbled from his chest.

Serena Sterling opened the passenger door, announcing, "I'm leaving now."

"My name is Hayden Crawford."

Serena Sterling barely registered his words. She offered a perfunctory acknowledgment, her mind preoccupied with seeing her grandfather. His name was of little importance at that moment.

"I know, Mr. Crawford. Goodbye." Serena Sterling stood outside the car, giving a small wave to Hayden Crawford.

The red sweater Serena Sterling wore that day rode up slightly as she waved, revealing a waist as slender and graceful as a willow branch. Across the steering wheel, Hayden Crawford's fingers rubbed gently. He found himself wondering if that delicate waist would fit perfectly within his grasp.

"I have a meeting shortly, but I'll come to pick you up afterward."

"There's no need…"

Serena Sterling's refusal was met as the luxury car sped away.

...

From her vantage point upstairs, Bella Sterling had observed the entire encounter. "Well, well," she mused, "Serena Sterling certainly puts on a show. Married off to a dying man yesterday to ward off misfortune, and already flirting with another man today."

Bella Sterling glanced at the departing luxury car. It was impressive, certainly, but perhaps not the absolute pinnacle of automotive luxury. However, that license plate…

She had never seen that particular license plate before. Yet, she recalled her best friend mentioning it was legendary, capable of traversing all of Bayside without a single obstacle!

How could the man Serena Sterling had picked up possess such a distinguished license plate? Bella Sterling doubted her own eyes, rubbing them to confirm. But the luxury car had already vanished from sight.

She must have been mistaken.

Bella Sterling hurried downstairs, coincidentally spotting Serena Sterling. A smirk played on her lips as she called out loudly, "Serena Sterling, who was that man who dropped you off? I never expected you'd be unable to stand the loneliness and already be keeping a pretty boy!"

Pretty boy?

Serena Sterling's thoughts drifted to Hayden Crawford's strikingly handsome features, his mature and composed yet undeniably dominant aura. The notion of him being a "pretty boy" seemed utterly incongruous.

She couldn't fathom what kind of acceptance speech a

Lillian Sterling was engrossed in stewing bird’s nest, and a hint of surprise flickered across her face when she heard the news. "Serena Sterling is actually keeping a pretty boy? What a utterly shameless tramp!"

"Mom, who are you stewing the bird's nest for?" Bella Sterling inquired.

"For Serena Sterling," Lillian replied.

"What? Mom, did I hear that correctly?" Bella exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Lillian Sterling retrieved a packet of potent drug powder, carefully sprinkling it into the simmering bird’s nest. "Why the rush? I've laced this bowl of bird's nest with drugs. Yesterday, at the wedding banquet, Mr. Cox took a strong liking to Serena Sterling. I believe Serena Sterling's figure is quite appealing, and she could certainly fetch a good price. After all, she married a ghost husband, so she might as well be a plaything for these executives. I'll take more scandalous photos, and then she'll have no choice but to obey."

Bella Sterling gave her mother a resounding thumbs-up, admiringly stating, "Mom, you're brilliant! I'll go grab a cake from the bakery now. I'll be back to witness the drama!"

Lillian Sterling presented the bird's nest just as Serena Sterling descended the stairs. Lillian immediately called out, "Serena, I personally stewed this bird's nest for you. Come and eat it quickly."

Lillian Sterling had prepared this bowl of bird's nest for her; could Serena Sterling actually consume it?

Serena Sterling offered a graceful smile and walked into the dining room. She even picked up a spoonful and took a few bites of the bird's nest, chuckling sweetly with feigned innocence. "It's really delicious, Aunt. Thank you."

"You're welcome. If you find it delicious, eat it all," Lillian responded, inwardly cursing Serena's naivety while forcing a smile.

Before long, Serena Sterling felt her vision blur and darken. "Aunt, what did you feed me...?"

Serena Sterling abruptly collapsed onto the table.

Lillian Sterling sneered and promptly ordered her staff to escort Serena Sterling upstairs to her room.

...

Shortly after, a greasy middle-aged man with a pot belly rushed over excitedly. "Mrs. Sterling, where is she? Did you succeed?"

"Mr. Cox, Serena Sterling is in the room. This drug will keep her asleep for two hours, giving you ample time to thoroughly enjoy her," Lillian Sterling said with a laugh.

"Mrs. Sterling, you've handled this beautifully," Mr. Cox exclaimed, eagerly heading towards the room.

Lillian Sterling then grasped Mr. Cox's arm. "Mr. Cox, you promised to invest in The Sterling Group's Medical..."

Yesterday, at the wedding banquet, Mr. Cox had been captivated by Serena Sterling's delicate and alluring figure, leading him to reach an agreement with Lillian Sterling.

"Mrs. Sterling, rest assured, I always keep my word," Mr. Cox affirmed before quickly entering the room.

...

Inside the room, Mr. Cox nearly drooled at the sight of Serena Sterling lying peacefully on the bed. He swiftly began undressing himself and lunged forward. "Beautiful lady, here I come!"