The Substitute Bride: Doted by My Billionaire Husband by Sumpto Midway

Chapter 22: A Woman Answered His Phone

Derrick paused, a frown furrowing his brow. As one of the four biggest tycoons in LA, he was, of course, aware of the Augustine family. Unfortunately, his knowledge was no greater than anyone else's. The Augustine family's young master, Elvis, was remarkably low-key and mysterious. Coconut Island, the city's most prosperous estate, was home only to descendants of significant wealth. Derrick had heard that an Augustine owned the island.

Gabriella noticed the shift in Derrick's mood and pressed on. "Derrick," she said, "when Olive was still here, she slept with a man in the cave one night. How old was she?"

Derrick drained his glass, then grabbed Gabriella and threw her onto the bed. The action was violent; Gabriella's head struck the bed's headboard. Her eyes reddened, filling with tears. Derrick pinned her to the bed, staring at her tear-filled eyes. Terrified by his behavior, Gabriella realized he lost control and became frightening whenever she mentioned Olive with another man.

But Gabriella truly liked Derrick, so she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "Derrick, I love you. You're my only man. My virginity is for you."

Derrick's face was ferocious. Olive had betrayed him. She was a slut, and not worth it. He wanted to forget her. He pulled at Gabriella's pajamas.

"I want to be with you forever," Gabriella murmured happily.

Derrick closed his eyes. Olive's face appeared in his mind. He remembered Olive's mother approaching him and asking, "Derrick, would you like to marry Olive in the future?" He hadn't spoken, retreating shyly to his room. He still remembered how soft and intelligent Olive had seemed as a child. Derrick buried his face in Gabriella's hair and whispered, "Olive."

A chill ran through Gabriella. The fantasy and enthusiasm drained away.

After Gabriella fell asleep, Derrick leaned against the table, lit a cigarette, and when it was almost finished, pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

Olive's beautiful voice answered, "Hello."

"It's me," Derrick mumbled, his voice thick with smoke.

Olive was silent for a few seconds. "What do you want?"

"Come to room 207 tomorrow night. I'll be waiting."

"Derrick, are you insane?"

Derrick licked his lips. "Since other men can sleep with you, why can't I?"

Olive tried to end the call and block his number, but Derrick anticipated this. "Olive," he interrupted, "haven't you been investigating your mother's death?"

Olive froze. She had returned home to care for her grandfather and uncover the truth about her mother's death. Officially, she'd died of an illness, but she'd been perfectly healthy. Olive suspected murder, but every lead had vanished; everything related to her mother's life had been erased. She felt a vast conspiracy was afoot. Ten years ago, following her mother's death and her grandfather's coma, everyone who loved her had abandoned her. They had all changed.

Olive gripped her phone. "What's your game?"

"I assume you're still clueless. I am too, but I have a reliable source. Someone you're particularly interested in: Aunt Rebecca."

Olive's eyes widened. Aunt Rebecca, her mother's maid, whom Olive had known growing up, had disappeared after her mother's death.

"Olive, tomorrow night, I'll be waiting in room 207." Derrick hung up.

Olive put down her phone. She wanted to meet Aunt Rebecca, but did she really want to see Derrick? He wasn't the type to be trifled with; unlike President Ronald, he wouldn't miss her petty games.

She remembered Elvis's parting words: "If there's something you can't solve, call me." Should she call him?

She found Elvis's number and dialed. The call connected, but Derrick didn't answer. The wait was agonizing. Olive suddenly felt reckless. What if he was working?

The call was answered, interrupting her thoughts. "Hello," she said quickly.

"Hello, who's this?" A sweet female voice replied.

A woman answered Elvis's phone. Olive's mind reeled.

"Hello, would you like to speak to Boss Elvis? He's showering; it's not convenient for him to take the call"

With a beep, Olive abruptly ended the call.