Reborn as the Substitute Bride to the Disabled Tycoon

Summer Knight walked cheerfully upstairs and entered Alexander Barron's room.

It looked exactly the same as it had the first time she'd come here in her past life-cold, muted tones everywhere, perfectly matching the owner's cool and restrained personality.

Stepping into the place she'd lived for nearly a year before, her fingers unconsciously clenched. A faint mist clouded her eyes for a moment before fading into silence.

She'd never forget how, in her previous life, James Carter had tricked her in this very room. She'd handed Alexander that glass of red wine-thinking it only contained sleeping pills-when in reality, it was poisoned.She had been the one to kill him with her own hands.

This time, no matter what it took-even if it cost her life-she would never let him get hurt again.

"Big brother, I'm here to see you!"Summer called out brightly.

No response.

She glanced around but didn't see Alexander anywhere, though the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Curious, she walked over and saw the light on inside. He was clearly showering.

She turned to leave-

"Who's there?"

That low, husky voice suddenly rang out from inside, rich and laced with warning.

Before she could react, the bathroom door swung open with a soft thud.

A strong hand reached out and grabbed her slender wrist.

In the blink of an eye, Summer was yanked forward, lost her footing, and crashed right into Alexander, sending them both tumbling into the tub.

"Ahhh!"

Soaked to the bone, Summer pushed herself up out of the water, only to find herself lying on top of Alexander, staring wide-eyed at the man beneath her like a startled kitten abandoned in the rain.

A few tiny droplets clung to her lashes, shimmering and about to fall-irresistibly charming.

"Get up,"Alexander growled, his voice slightly breathless. He couldn't take that oblivious expression on her face-the way she was both innocent and alluring without even knowing it.

"Oh-okay!"she stammered, scrambling to stand.

But just as she did, she slipped again, flailing her arms for balance. In the chaos, she accidentally yanked off the bath towel wrapped around Alexander's waist.

Alexander:"..."Was this girl doing it on purpose?

Summer:"..."If I say it wasn't, would you even believe me?

"I'm so sorry! Let me fix it for you!"she squeaked.

Her face turned bright red, like a ripe apple begging to be bitten. Panicked, she grabbed the drenched towel from the water and tried to help him put it back on, hands fumbling all the way.

Alexander's dark eyes grew even deeper. His breathing, which had just settled, grew ragged again-dangerously so.

He looked like a lone wolf lurking in the dark, ready to pounce the second his prey slipped up.

And Summer, completely unaware, was that helpless prey.

Flustered, she kept her head down.

Alexander drew in a sharp breath, desperately trying to rein himself in."Out,"he said lowly.

"Big brother?"She blinked up at him, clearly confused by his sudden shift.

Realizing he was being too harsh, Alexander softened his tone and repeated, more gently,"Go change. Then come back."

He glanced at the soaked clothes clinging to Summer's body-curves almost on full display-and his breath hitched again.

Every time he touched her, his self-control took a nosedive.

If she didn't leave soon, he might just lose it and do something right there in the tub.

Summer followed his gaze down to her wet clothes. Realizing what he meant, warm embarrassment flickered across her face, but also a little comfort-at least he cared enough to send her out.

Alexander threw on a loose robe before stepping out of the bathroom. He waved over a maid."Take the lady downstairs. Get her a change of clothes."

With disappointment written all over her face, Summer followed the maid out.

-

Meanwhile, the other staff wasted no time reporting the situation to Mrs. Thompson.

Mrs. Thompson was sitting comfortably sipping her tea when she got the news. The next second, she choked and nearly spat it out.

"What? You mean that idiot wasn't kicked out of Mr. Barron's room? He just told her to get changed and come back?"

No way! Mr. Barron always hated women barging in while he was showering.

If he'd really started to care about Summer, then it wouldn't be long before her influence in the house grew bigger than Mrs. Thompson's. And that couldn't-wouldn't-happen.

She had served Alexander for years, watching over this villa until he finally took over Barron Corporation. She wasn't going to let someone else reap the benefits.

Only she deserved to manage this place.

Then, a plan popped into Mrs. Thompson's mind-a way to make sure Alexander wouldn't hand over control of the household to Summer.

Since the second and third branches of the Barron family had tried sending women to Alexander before, why couldn't she do the same? Strengthen her position that way.

After sending the other staff away, Mrs. Thompson quickly pulled out her phone and dialed her daughter.

"Lola, sweetheart, when do you have time to visit Mom at the island mansion, huh?"

"You wouldn't believe it-Mr. Barron's inherited the whole Barron Corporation, can you imagine?"

When she hung up, an utterly smug smile spread across her face.

Her daughter, who'd already left one of the top four rich kids in City Q weak in the knees-how hard could it be to win over Alexander?

-

After getting dressed, Summer followed the maid back into Alexander's room, her steps hesitant, her mood complicated.

Alexander now wore a set of silken, steel-blue pajamas, sitting calmly on the bed, waiting for her.

Once the maid left, that cool expression returned to his face. He tapped the spot beside him,"Come here."

Summer obediently walked over, perching on the edge of the bed, maintaining a little space between them as if worried her closeness might annoy him.

Alexander noticed, and his eyes darkened again. He patted the spot closer to him."Here."

Summer pouted a little but still scooted over, falling quiet.

That whole look made Alexander feel like some creepy guy trying to trick a little girl into his van.

"Not talking? You angry?"he asked, side-eyeing her.

"Big brother doesn't like Summer, does he?"She puffed up her cheeks and looked away, feigning innocence.

Even if she already knew the answer, she just wanted to hear him say it out loud.

"How could anyone not like our sweet Summer?"

Alexander's lips curved slightly as he leaned in and suddenly pinned her to the bed.

But underneath her growing blush was a hollow kind of sadness. He still hadn't answered her properly...

So he really didn't like her, huh?

"Don't expect me to be gentle tonight."

With that, Alexander's cool lips pressed against hers-intense and unwavering.

But even as the heat between them rose, he paused, eventually pulling away.

Summer blinked, dazed, her watery eyes locking with the deep, inscrutable look in his.

Why was he looking at her like that?