All Chapters of The Man Who Took His Place: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

At my words, my brother, Thayer Ashford’s brows drew together, and he spoke with clear displeasure, “Didn’t I say in advance that I was coming home? Didn’t you tell Isolde I’d be back?”I calmly took a sip of the tea in my hand.Years had tempered me and I was no longer the invisible younger brother living in his shadow.My silence completely infuriated Thayer.He shot to his feet, his voice sharp as it rang out.“What do you mean by that, Caspian? Don’t forget that the one engaged to the Fairchilds was me. “Now that I’m back, do you really think you can keep sitting in the position of their son-in-law?”I glanced at him and smiled.“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Isolde and I have a very good relationship.”Over the years, I accompanied Isolde to countless charity galas and social engagements.Our reputation as a loving couple had spread throughout our circle.With the image of a harmonious family, Isolde had earned the favor of many business partners.Perh

Chapter 2

I did not know what Thayer felt, but it could not have been good.Still, I knew in my heart that with his overbearing nature, Thayer would never give up so easily.I dragged my exhausted body back to the Fairchild residence.For the past few days, I have been busy with a project, working overtime almost every night.As I stepped inside the house, I rubbed the space between my brows.An hour earlier, I had received a message from my parents saying Thayer had returned.At the time, my body had gone rigid where I stood.I had always known Thayer would come back one day, but when that day truly arrived, I still found myself caught off guard.I hung my bag on the rack, then lowered my gaze and saw a pair of high heels placed on the floor.I paused for a moment, then instantly composed a polite smile.“You’re back?” a gentle voice called out.I turned and saw Isolde dressed in a black lace nightgown. Even in such modest sleepwear, her slender waist and full figure were unmistaka

Chapter 3

I sat in my office, my thoughts drifting far away.Back in elementary school, every winter and summer break, Thayer loved to grab a basketball and run wild. By the time school started again, his homework remained untouched.Afraid the teacher would scold him, he would try to pass off the work I had done as his own.My parents had a convenient excuse: my grades were excellent. Even if I didn’t turn in my homework, the teacher would never blame me.Thayer was different. If he didn’t do his homework, the teacher would certainly reprimand him in front of the whole class.For a boy, that would be utterly humiliating.To protect Thayer’s reputation, I redoubled my effort.From then on, every holiday, I sensibly prepared two sets of homework.In high school, Thayer started dating early. He pursued the campus beauty with dramatic flair, got into fights, and kept on the good side of every teacher.Although his grades were poor, his outgoing personality naturally drew many friends

Chapter 4

I staggered a few steps, feeling a burning pain across my face.Mom cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.“This is too much, what your Thayer did—but you can’t just watch our family fall apart! The guests are waiting for the groom!”My face went ashen.“I’m not getting married!” I said through clenched teeth.No matter how they pleaded, no matter if they tried to coerce me physically, I stood firm.I pressed a knife to my own throat, my eyes red, and said, “If anyone forces me, I’ll end it myself!”After that, no one dared move.I didn’t know if they were afraid I might die, or if they feared creating an even bigger mess by causing a death.Whatever their reason, I didn’t care.I had already graduated. Once I found a job, I could finally claim my freedom.Everyone in the room froze. Eventually, it was Isolde who suggested we talk alone.Everyone else was ushered out.Inside the dressing room, it was only her and me.Half an hour later, the door opened. I had changed i

Chapter 5

The clamor in the banquet hall seemed to have frozen, as if someone had pressed pause.Every conversation, every clink of glasses, abruptly stopped.Countless eyes fell on me like spotlights.I caught glimpses of familiar business partners, their expressions flickering between shock and doubt, and overheard murmurs from my company subordinates.Worse, the reporters covering the investor event had already pointed their cameras in my direction. Every microexpression on my face would be scrutinized and dissected endlessly.I felt blood rush to my head, then in the next moment, chill through every limb.Thayer stood beside Isolde, his brows furrowed as if the weight of the world pressed down on him.His fingers gripped Isolde’s arm tightly, his voice ringing clearly across the room.“Tell everyone, Isolde! Tell them! We are the ones who truly loved each other! “Back then, I was foolish and not ready for marriage—but that’s no reason for Caspian to take you for himself!”The wh

Chapter 6

At that moment, Isolde’s entire presence radiated a chilling calm, her aura pressing down to the very floor.Her sharp, measured eyes locked on Thayer, reading the desperation and impatience in his gaze.Isolde remained silent. Soon, several security guards hurried to the scene, tension etched into their every step.The captain of the guards, drenched in sweat, approached Isolde, bowing slightly as he spoke.“Apologies, Mrs. Ashford. It was our oversight. This man claimed he knew you, so we let him in.”Thayer’s eyes narrowed warily.“What are you trying to do?! I am Seraphina’s biological father! I have a blood connection to the Fairchilds!”I cut him off with a sharp, icy voice, “Do you even have an invitation to the investor event today?”My sudden question froze Thayer in place.Seeing his hesitation, I let a cold smile curl on my lips.“You don’t even have an invitation, and yet you’re throwing a tantrum here? Guards, remove him.”I stated it with authority, every syl

Chapter 7

On the screen, Seraphina had been sitting obediently on the sofa, waiting for me. Suddenly, the lounge door swung open. She stepped out, seemingly drawn by something she saw.“It’s Thayer!” I almost shouted, my nails digging painfully into my palms. “He must have taken advantage of everyone being in the main hall and had someone take Sera away!”Isolde’s face darkened to an almost terrifying degree, but she remained calm enough to reassure me, “Don’t worry. Thayer won’t dare to do anything.”Without hesitation, she dialed a number, her tone icy and commanding.“Corvin, go to the Ashfords' residence. I need to know exactly where Thayer is right now!”The sudden crisis threw the entire investor event into chaos.Yet Isolde quickly deployed a plan. Some people stayed behind to maintain order, publicly claiming Seraphina had been taken to the hospital for a sudden illness. Meanwhile, we gathered a team and drove straight to the Cheng family home.In the car, my breathing was

Chapter 8

Agatha stared at us coldly, her presence so imposing that it suppressed the air around us.The moment Thayer saw her, he froze as if he’d glimpsed a savior. In his panic, he barely thought of Seraphina. Instead, he rushed forward to plead his case.“Agatha, it’s me, Thayer. You remember me, don’t you? “I was engaged to Isolde—I’m the rightful son-in-law of the Fairchilds!” he said, desperation coating every word.I furrowed my brow, unsettled. Something about him felt… off. Thayer’s intensity seemed far too extreme, almost… unhinged.Agatha’s voice cut through my thoughts.“Thayer? That name does ring a bell. You’re my son-in-law’s brother, aren’t you?”A smile hovered on her lips—hard to read. Thayer froze, caught mid-plea.“No… I was her boyfriend back then… we…”Agatha stopped him with a firm gesture, cutting off the excuse before it left his lips.“Enough. Isolde and Caspian have always been devoted to each other. The Fairchilds don’t need another son-in-law.”

Chapter 9

It all began when Thayer provoked the daughter of a local gang leader abroad.Once she realized Thayer’s intentions, her love turned to hate. Silently, she set a trap for him, and he fell into gambling. Nights in the bar turned into nights at the casino. Every machine, every win and loss, had been rigged in the hands of her people.When she wanted him to win, Thayer could rake in millions in a single night, shouting with exhilaration across the casino floor. When she wanted him to lose, he could be stripped of everything in an instant. Under these extreme, shifting tides of fortune, he sank deeper into ruin.By the time he sobered up even slightly, he had already amassed debts of 28 million dollars.He could never pay it back. Helpless, he slunk back to Aurelion, only to see Isolde and me, flaunting our lives on television. Jealousy took root. In his mind, I had stolen the life that belonged to him.That was how the subsequent events unfolded. I suspected Thayer ha

Chapter 10

My parents slid to the floor, despair etched on their faces, nearly fainting from the shock.Inside the hospital room, Thayer screamed in pain, a raw, heart-wrenching howl. He was on the brink of collapse.The medical staff wheeled him out on a mobile hospital bed. His face was pale as paper, his bare skin marked with angry red blotches. Debt collectors had found him and beaten him mercilessly. It might not have been this severe, but he had also fallen into drugs. Returning to the country without them triggered violent withdrawals, and he frequently harmed himself.Instinctively, I stepped back.As I passed, Thayer’s eyes widened, locking on mine. Then, with immense effort, he raised a trembling hand, freezing everyone in place. I took a few steps forward, my gaze hard, knowing he had words for me.Through clenched teeth, he said, “The Fairchilds chose you for profit. This marriage… You won’t find happiness.”I smiled faintly and replied in a voice only he could hea

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