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Dangerous Knowledge
Last Updated:
2025-04-24 15:32:02
Golden ButterflyBonus chapter. :)
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The Substitute Bride's Revenge Protection Instinct
ARIAThe weight of what I've uncovered changes everything.I wake with a jolt each morning, immediately checking for signs of intrusion. Each night, I lie awake cataloging potential threats and planning countermeasures.I've become hypervigilant, seeing danger in every unexpected phone call, every lingering glance from Eleanor or her people.I've installed my own security system in my private quarters: motion sensors, cameras, and alarms that alert only my burner phone.I've even started taking self-defense classes three times a week, telling Xavier it's for stress relief.But more than my own safety, I find myself increasingly concerned about Xavier. The emotional damage I once attributed to simple coldness or arrogance now reveals itself as the product of genuine trauma—a child who lost his parents and brother, who's been manipulated by the very person who may have orchestrated it all.His trust issues, his emotional detachment, his occasional bouts of unexplained melancholy… they al
Last Updated : 2025-04-25The Substitute Bride's Revenge Family Interference
ARIAThe Harrington family estate has become more comfortable, less like a museum and more like a place I could actually call home. I’ve spent time exploring the vast property. However, there are still rooms that feel forbidden. Eleanor's private study is one of them—a sanctum I've never been invited to enter.I'm passing by its heavy oak door when I hear my name spoken in Eleanor's crisp, authoritative tone.I pause, not intending to eavesdrop yet unable to move away when I realize she's speaking to Xavier."You're becoming distracted by Aria," Eleanor says. "The board has noticed. I've noticed.""The board is pleased with our performance," Xavier responds with an edge I recognize as defensiveness. "Our stock is up seventeen percent since the Kazakhstan deal.""This isn't about business performance." Eleanor's voice sharpens. "It's about your performance. The way you look at her during meetings. The rooftop dinner for her birthday. These gestures go far beyond our arrangement."I shou
Last Updated : 2025-04-25The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Accident
ARIAThe storm hits Midtown with unexpected ferocity, turning the afternoon sky an ominous slate gray.I should have rescheduled my meeting with Westlake Pharmaceuticals, but their CEO is flying to London tomorrow, and securing their distribution partnership for our Kazakhstan facilities is too important to delay."You could videoconference," Michael suggests when he sees me collecting my portfolio. "The weather warning's been upgraded to severe.""Westlake’s CEO is old-school," I explain, checking that I have all the necessary contracts. "Mr. Harrison won't sign anything without a handshake first."Michael frowns at the rain lashing against the office windows. "At least take the company car instead of yours. They have better traction.""Mine has all-wheel drive," I assure him, though I appreciate his concern. "And I grew up driving in harsh winters. This is nothing."My car glides smoothly through the downpour, and by the time I arrive at Westlake’s glass tower, the valet is already w
Last Updated : 2025-04-25The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Accident (2)
ARIAThe realization that he's here, that someone actually reached him, brings an unexpected wave of relief that makes my eyes sting with sudden tears.When he appears in the doorway, I barely recognize him.His usual immaculate appearance is completely disrupted: tie missing, shirt collar open, hair disheveled as though he's been repeatedly running his hands through it. However, it's his expression that truly shocks me. The emotion in his eyes."Aria," he breathes, crossing the room in three long strides to reach for me. Then hesitates with his hands hovering uncertainly as he takes in the monitoring equipment, the bandage being applied to my wrist, the bruise already forming at my temple."I'm okay," I manage. "Just a little banged up."Xavier's gaze sweeps over me, cataloging each visible injury with growing intensity. When he finally meets my eyes again, there's something raw and unguarded in his expression that I've never seen before."What happened?" his voice is rough.I try to
Last Updated : 2025-04-26The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unexpected Concern
ARIAThe night passes in fragmented pieces of Xavier waking me every two hours as promised, asking me simple questions to check my awareness."What's your name? What day is it? Do you know where you are?"Each time, I drift back to sleep almost immediately after answering, vaguely aware of his watchful presence in the armchair near the bed.Morning arrives with pale sunlight filtering through the blinds and the dull throb of pain in my head and wrist.I blink awake to find Xavier standing at the window and his back to me as he speaks quietly on the phone."Cancel everything through Friday. Reschedule the Tokyo call for next week. Tell them I have a family emergency."Family emergency. The term catches me by surprise. Hearing him use that terminology when he doesn't know I'm listening feels significant."I'm awake," I announce softly, not wanting to eavesdrop further.Xavier turns immediately, ending his call with a brief "Handle it" before approaching the bed.He looks exhausted, with
Last Updated : 2025-04-26The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unwelcome News
ARIAAfter a week of being confined primarily to the blue suite, cabin fever sets in with a vengeance.The walls seem to close in despite the spacious rooms, and I find myself staring longingly out the windows at the expansive gardens below."I need fresh air," I announce when Xavier brings lunch, another task he's taken to performing personally despite the household staff's availability. "Just a short walk. I'm going stir-crazy in here."Xavier studies me carefully as I stand to emphasize my point. "Dr. Pia did say light activity would be beneficial at this stage," he concedes. "The gardens, maybe. But not alone.""I wasn't planning a solo expedition," I reply dryly. "I assumed you'd insist on accompanying me."Something that might be amusement flickers in his eyes. "You're learning."The Harrington gardens are spectacular even in early spring. Maintained pathways winding between geometric hedges and early blooms.Xavier matches his stride to my slower pace with his hand resting ligh
Last Updated : 2025-04-26The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unwelcome News (2)
ARIAI'm sitting in the conservatory with a book I'm barely reading, still thinking about Xavier's emotional distance since Vivian's return, when my phone shows a number I haven't seen in months.The afternoon sun filters through the glass ceiling, casting dappled shadows across the pages I've been staring at for nearly an hour without absorbing a single word."Hello?" I answer cautiously, setting the book aside."Aria! Darling!" Vivian's voice drips with false sweetness. "It's been ages! How are you?"My stepsister still manages to sound both concerned and condescending.I sit up straighter automatically. The orchids beside me seem to wilt under the sound of her voice."Vivian. This is a surprise.""Is it? I assumed Xavier would have mentioned I was back in town." Her laugh sounds like breaking glass. "I've been dying to reconnect with family. Especially now that you've married into such... interesting circumstances."The way she says "interesting" feels like an insult.I run my fing
Last Updated : 2025-04-27The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Sob Story
ARIA~The Next Day~I'm sitting stiff as a board in my chair with my eyes locked on the empty doorway of the Harrington dining room.The crystal chandeliers overhead are throwing off harsh light that's making my head throb like someone's using my skull for drum practice and my ribs are killing me under my designer attire.The pain meds are wearing off, and I can feel every minute of it. The doctor said six weeks for full healing. It feels like someone's jabbing me with a hot poker whenever I breathe too deep one week in.Across from me, Xavier checks his watch for the third time in ten minutes. He's fidgeting like a kid waiting for Christmas morning, and it's painfully obvious he's not excited about spending time with me.His dark hair is perfectly styled and his custom suit impeccable as always.The dining table between us might as well be a football field. The shiny mahogany surface catches all the flickering candles, making weird dancing shadows that pretty much sum up how messed u
Last Updated : 2025-04-29
Latest chapter
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Divorce Demand
ARIAThe morning after catching Xavier and Vivian together, I walk into my office to find a sealed envelope sitting dead center on my desk. "Personal and Confidential" it says in bold letters, with the fancy embossed logo of Xavier's personal lawyers, not Harrington's regular attorneys.I shut my door before opening it. Inside are about fifty pages of legal crap, with "Petition for Dissolution of Marriage" right at the top in big, bold letters.Divorce papers. Not exactly shocking after last night, but the timing right after the board meeting where they restructured everything shows this was all planned out.I flip through the document, my finance brain kicking in despite feeling being punched in the gut.The settlement terms jump out immediately. He’s offering a lump sum that's less than 20% of what our original contract guaranteed. The number completely ignores everything I've done for Harrington's growth, all the value I've created, and the specific compensation our prenup spelled
The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Confrontation
ARIAAfter another day of Xavier playing hide-and-seek, I've had enough.The manila envelope feels heavy in my hands. Inside are all the receipts I've been collecting.Hard evidence he can't just brush off with more of his bullshit excuses.My plan seems reasonable - leave this with a note asking for an honest conversation. No drama, no screaming match. Just grown-ups dealing with a problem.Xavier's study door is usually locked, his sacred man cave where even I'm not supposed to go without an invitation now. But today, the heavy oak door swings open when I push it.What I see makes my blood freeze.Xavier's on the leather couch with Vivian practically in his lap.Her blouse is half unbuttoned showing lacy bra underneath. His tie is thrown on the floor, and his hand is wrapped around her waist like he owns her.They break apart when they hear me with shocked expressions.For a second, nobody moves. The envelope dangles from my numb fingers as my brain struggles to process what I'm see
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Painful Revelations
ARIAI arrive home drained, every muscle aching with the weight of the day.Too tired to think, I drag myself into a quick shower, hoping the water might wash away more than just the grime.But my chest still feels heavy with the ache lodged deep behind my ribs.I try to stay strong… to keep my head high, keep moving forward but nothing I do seems to lift the cloud settling over me.I flip through my leather journal, sitting cross-legged on my bed after a long shower, finally facing what I've been dodging for months.My hands are shaking as I read. The pages tell the whole embarrassing story of how I went from seeing Xavier as just a business partner to... God, I can barely admit it even to myself.May 22: Caught myself watching Xavier during the board presentation today. Not analyzing his strategy but noticing how his eyes crinkle slightly when he's pleased with a point well made.June 8: Missed Xavier during his three-day conference trip. House felt weirdly empty.My stomach twists
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Late Meetings
ARIAI start noticing a pattern. Xavier and Vivian's cars are the last ones in the executive parking lot night after night, sometimes until dawn. At first, I can buy the excuses—Asian expansion needs attention, European acquisition has those regulatory headaches. Sure, work happens.But then three nights a week becomes four, then five. They're staying past midnight no matter what's on the calendar the next day. And when they finally leave? They don't look exhausted like normal people after grinding through work all night. They look... energized. Sometimes disheveled. Often sharing little private jokes or lingering by their cars, talking low.I try to join one of these sessions, keeping it casual."The European acquisition filing deadline's coming up," I mention when I catch Xavier alone. "I could stay tonight, help finish the documentation. Those financial disclosures need a careful eye."Xavier doesn't even think about it. "Not necessary. Vivian and I have it covered.""Those financi
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Untitled
ARIAThe NeuroSphere acquisition report sits completed on Xavier's desk for tomorrow's meeting. Sixty-four pages of detailed analysis after three weeks of intense work. Singapore's tech market fits perfectly with Harrington's infrastructure, and I've covered every financial angle. When I walk into the conference room the next morning, I stop dead in the doorway. Vivian's standing at the presentation screen showing my financial models, just with different colors but clearly my work. The footer reads "Strategic Analysis by Vivian Taylor.""Aria, perfect timing," Xavier points to a chair far from the presentation area. "Vivian was just explaining the NeuroSphere opportunity."I sit there stunned while she presents my analysis as her own, occasionally adding comments that show she barely understands the actual numbers.The acquisition team directs all their questions to her instead of me, while Xavier nods approvingly at details I researched and put together myself."This is remarkably t
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Employment Favor
ARIAVivian starts at Harrington Consolidated exactly one week after getting back from Tokyo. Her office sits right across from Xavier's corner space that used to be for visiting board members only. The glass walls give her a perfect view of the executive floor while making sure everyone can see how close she is to the top.When the salary authorization form lands on my desk, I feel sick to my stomach. The number's higher than what directors with fifteen years of experience make. I question the ridiculous compensation package, but Xavier brushes me off without even looking up from his computer."Her role requires certain appearances be maintained," he says like that explains everything."Her role hasn't even been properly defined." I drop the form on his desk. "What exactly is she doing to earn this kind of money?"Xavier finally looks at me, clearly annoyed. "Client relations, social function representation, cultural consultation for international deals.""Those are just empty buzzwo
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Unheeded Warning
ARIAI don't know what I expected after Xavier left for Tokyo with Vivian two weeks ago. Maybe that distance would clear his head, give him perspective. Instead, they return closer than ever. I watch from my office window as their town car pulls up to Harrington headquarters. Xavier steps out first, then extends his hand to help Vivian. She emerges laughing at something he said, her hand lingering on his arm longer than necessary.My stomach twists as I observe their body language. They move in sync now, a closeness that wasn't there before. Two weeks in Tokyo accomplished what months of careful manipulation had been building toward.Michael knocks on my office door, his expression grim. He's been my only ally through this nightmare."How bad is it?" I ask when he closes the door behind him."Bad." Michael hands me a folder. "They shared a suite at the Imperial. Separate bedrooms, but..."I don't need him to finish the sentence. The implication hangs heavy between us."The Nakamura ne
The Substitute Bride's Revenge The Truth
ARIAThe investigation reveals Vivian's actual movements with perfect clarity. After leaving her musician boyfriend voluntarily and not fleeing abuse like she claimed, she moved directly into the Mediterranean villa of Bernard Huntington, a British shipping magnate thirty years older than her.Photos show them together at exclusive events, his elderly hand always on her waist, her practiced smile aimed at his wealthy friends. Their arrangement seems obvious to everyone except maybe Huntington himself.Financial records tell the clearest story. Vivian lived in luxury as Huntington's mistress until medical records show his diagnosis with terminal pancreatic cancer three months ago. The timing is crucial and phone records show Vivian contacted Victoria within hours of a family meeting where Huntington's will was discussed.The fortune would go to his legitimate children. Vivian would get nothing.Victoria's involvement becomes undeniable. Bank transfers show large sums moving from Vivian
The Substitute Bride's Revenge Suspicions
ARIAThe holes in Vivian's stories keep piling up.During dinner at our house, she mentions eating at L'Étoile Bleue in Paris during her supposed broke period."Their truffle risotto saved my soul during those difficult months," she tells Xavier, who hangs on her every word.I remember reading about L'Étoile Bleue's grand opening just two months ago—way after when Vivian claims she left France. The restaurant didn't even exist during her timeline.When I casually point this out, Vivian doesn't miss a beat. "Did I say L'Étoile Bleue? How silly of me. I meant Le Petit Étoile. The names get mixed up when you visit so many places."Xavier accepts this without question while I add it to my growing list of lies.Weather becomes another tell. Last week, Vivian described "unbearable August heat" during her time in northern Italy last summer, claiming she fainted from heatstroke while working at a vineyard."The temperatures hit record highs that summer," she insisted. "Workers were collapsing
