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

Chapter 3: Squeeze Her Neck

A knock sounded on the door. "Young Master," Henry, the butler, called from outside.

"Come in," Elvis replied, lifting his thin lips slightly. Henry opened the door and entered.

"Young Master, Young Mistress, is there anything I can do for you?"

Elvis stood beside the bed, wearing simple white trousers and a black T-shirt. The expensive, seemingly handmade fabric made him look tall and handsome, with a commanding presence. He lowered his eyes, skillfully flipping a silver button on his shirt. He glanced at Olive and asked, "Do you wish to eat anything?"

Olive's heart tensed. The marriage was arranged by the older generations of the four most powerful families in Los Angeles: the Augustines, the Blues, the Heavens, and the Dominos. Elvis, the Augustine family's young master, held a dominant position in the country. He was the youngest and most handsome of the business leaders, yet remained anonymous, his true appearance unknown.

The Red Villa was situated in a remote location, giving the impression, at first glance, of an unwealthy family. Monica, Olive's mother, desperately wanted to marry both her daughters into the four major families. News of the Augustine son's illness had made her want to break the contract.

But Patrick Hart, a feudal and filial man, refused to violate the ancestral agreement. Monica then thought of Olive, bringing her back as the substitute bride.

Olive had previously believed her husband-to-be was unremarkable, but she was now bewildered. The man before her was arrogant and condescending, yet undeniably captivating.

Olive tried to speak, but he suddenly slammed his hands on the table, narrowed his handsome eyes, and groaned. The butler's face paled; he stammered, "Young Master, I'll call the doctor!"

Olive's gaze fell to his hands, already bruised, a clear sign of illness. Is he sick? Their eyes met. He abruptly turned to the butler, "Get her out of here!"

Olive knew she couldn't leave. She had come to the Hart family with a purpose and needed to maintain her identity as the Red Villa's bride. She stared intently at Elvis. "You're sick. What is it? I know a little about medicine and acupuncture; I can treat you."

"Get out!" Elvis growled.

Ignoring him, Olive moved closer. "I smell precious medicinal herbs—lily, Poria cocos, and gastrodia elata. If I'm correct, you have insomnia."

The butler stared at Olive in shock. "Young Mistress, you…"

Olive's eyes fell on Elvis's handsome face. "How severe is your sleep disorder? Untreated, it can severely affect your mental state. You need rest."

The corners of Elvis's long, narrow eyes reddened. He reached out and grabbed Olive's neck. Olive's neck was delicate; his grip threatened to suffocate her.

"Young Master, please let go of her!" the butler pleaded.

Air grew thin. Olive's face reddened, but she quickly drew a silver needle from her hair and pricked Elvis's hand. He released her, collapsing onto the sofa.

Olive gasped for breath. The man was incredibly dangerous; a simple sleep disorder could transform him from an elegant nobleman into a monster. She had no choice but to proceed. Moving behind him, she placed her slender fingers on his temples, beginning a massage.

Elvis closed his handsome eyes, concealing the scarlet color within them. "Your treatmentis a massage?"

"Consider yourself lucky. You're the first man I've massaged."

"It seems you're not the first woman fortunate enough to massage me."

"I'll help you act the part in front of Grandmother, and I can treat your insomnia. How does that sound?" Olive asked, slowly massaging his shoulder.

Elvis remained silent. Olive took another needle from her hair and inserted it into Elvis's neck. He closed his eyes and slumped onto the sofa. Olive gently cupped his handsome face in her hands. He had fallen asleep.

The butler was drenched in sweat. Everyone knew the young master's identity—the favored son of the Lu family, a teenage prodigy who treated business as a game, creating the Lu family myth with minimal effort. No one had ever dared to negotiate with him, let alone a girl. Countless women had longed for his affection, yet Olive was different. Even facing a sick young master, she remained calm and intelligent. Even more surprising, she had lulled him to sleep. Elvis hadn't slept properly in a long time! The world's best doctors had failed to cure his insomnia.

"Young Mistress…" the butler began.

Olive placed a finger to her lips. "Don't worry, you can go. I'll be with him."

The butler felt a sense of reassurance from Olive and obediently left.

The room fell silent. Olive let him rest for a moment; once he was deeply asleep, she moved him to the sofa and covered him with a blanket. After settling him, she climbed onto the bed and fell asleep.

Elvis slowly opened his eyes and woke up. He stood and walked to the bed, stretching out his long fingers to gently caress Olive's smooth face.