The CEO's Replacement Bride

“Mr. De Luca, the results are in. Miss Hale’s gynecological examination shows that she is still a virgin and meets all the standards. She’s clean.” The bodyguard respectfully informed the man on the other end of the phone at the entrance of the hospital’s examination room.Aria Hale lowered her head and stood in the crowded corridor, trying to ignore the strange gazes of passersby.She was weighed down by the burden of her sick mother and father’s gambling debts. Hence, she had resorted to using her body as a bargaining chip and agreed to get into bed with Xavier De Luca.A moment later, Xavier’s deep and magnetic voice came through the phone. “Send her to Villa Azure.”Back at Villa Azure, in the dim light, Aria huddled nervously under the blanket.The man standing by the bed looked incomparably handsome as he stared down at her with his stone-cold eyes.Aria knew that he was Xavier De Luca—a man so influential in Florence, one could even call him the king.As Xavier lifted the silk

He immediately stopped the bodyguards. “Stop!”As the bodyguards stopped, the woman approached Xavier, trembling with fear and desperation.Tears fell as she introduced herself, “Mr. De Luca, my name is Daniella Love. I have something to say to you. Please.”Xavier’s gaze was complicated as he stared at the woman’s earlobe. Unknowingly, his voice softened. “Come with me.”With gratitude in her eyes, the woman replied, “Thank you so much, Mr. De Luca.”Xavier turned to look at Aria and instructed, “Postpone the meeting.”Aria opened her mouth slightly as if to say something but quickly swallowed her words.As she watched Xavier leave with the woman, Aria forced a smile and shut her mouth.Aria returned to her office desk after completing all of her boss’s instructions.However, before she could reach her seat, the vision of the sight before her swayed and she stumbled, grabbing onto the table to steady herself.As she regained her balance, she heard the sound of Daniella’s silver bell-

Xavier narrowed his icy eyes that resembled a thousand-year-old frigid lake, and sneered, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”“Aria?”Before Aria could unravel her boss’s enigmatic thoughts, a familiar gentle voice called out to her.At that moment, Aria suddenly recalled her conversation with Dr. Wilson the day before. That was right before her boss abruptly ended the phone call yesterday!Was Xavier referring to Dr. Wilson?Aria glanced up at Scott, who was approaching them, and then at Xavier, whose eyes gleamed with mockery.That must be it! Otherwise, why would he be here today?Scott came closer and observed the bleeding back of Aria’s hand. It was a result of her hasty removal of the needle without applying pressure.Frowning, he cautioned Aria, “You’re bleeding. According to the time of your drip, it shouldn’t have been finished yet.”Aria glanced down and quickly applied pressure to the needle puncture. “Thank you, Dr. Wilson. I’ll take care of it.”Scott sighed with co