(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Gerald looked at the folder in front of him. Four hours after the mother and child drama performance, his assistant got all the data he needed.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

How easy is the power of money? And networking, of course.

Twins Ariana Leonidas and Karenina Brooks. Born in January twenty-five years ago. Father, Bradley Leonidas. Mother, Caitlyn Brooks. The divorce occurred fifteen years ago, and the Reason is economics.

The second sheet contains even more specific data. Caitlyn left Bradley after her husband was declared bankrupt due to fraud. A month later, Caitlyn became Brooks’ mistress despite the ongoing divorce trial. Meanwhile, since his wife left, Bradley’s health has declined. He had a heart attack and ended with a stroke.

Caitlyn took Karenina. Meanwhile, Ariana was left with Bradley. Little Ariana was raised by her father’s co-worker named, Hestia. Hestia also looked after Bradley until the man was declared cured. Two years after his divorce, Bradley married Hestia. Who is a divorcee because she cannot have children.

After that, they started the business again, which previously went bankrupt, and after thirteen years, Bradley Leonidas’ business had become many times bigger than when it started. And the woman who became Bradley’s second wife, previously declared barren, gave birth to two children. The first is a girl named Zelda Leonidas, who is 11 years old, and the second is Alexander Leonidas, who is seven years old. Strange? Maybe, but not according to Gerald.

Suppose the meek and spoiled Karenina stays home after graduating from business management college. So Ariana is different. The girl spread her wings in the culinary field. It already has a fairly well-known restaurant. Gerald even made Leonida’s one of his favourite places to eat because the food is delicious. And, of course, that was before he found out that the owner was the twin sister of his forced fiancé.

The girl also opened a famous catering business. Even many officials and conglomerates use their services. Twenty-five years old and successful in her field was a fantastic achievement. There was no description of the man in the data provided to him.

Is that girl single, or is she too good at hiding her relationship?

“There is no information about the man close to her?” Gerald looked at Vivan, his assistant. The thirty-year-old man shook his head. “How’s the Brooks family doing?”

“Still no sign of coming back, sir.” He answered in his usual flat tone. Gerald nodded.

“Okay.” Gerald slapped his thighs and stood up. “We’d better rest. It’s not good if the groom-to-be looks ugly on their wedding day.” Gerald smiled faintly. “And continue to tell them to monitor. Including monitoring the girl’s whereabouts.” he order. Vivan nodded. Gerald entered his room. And the assistant went to the other side of the mansion-where he lives.

Ariana… Gerald muttered the name again in his head. Seeing the girl lying exhausted beneath his body would be fun. Ahh damn, just imagining how he would touch that girl made Gerald horny.

***

The pick-up car had landed smoothly at the back of the restaurant. Wendi, the driver and assistant in the kitchen, is ready to ask other employees for help unloading the raw materials and putting them into the kitchen.

The restaurant managed by Ariana is not a luxury restaurant. But the system they use is like the Lunch and Dinner restaurant system like most other Western restaurants. As for the menu, it varies. Everyday. Before the restaurant opens, they always announce what menu they will make that day. A reservation system applies. They also accept menu requests as long as there is prior notification.

His crew, totalling eight people, were waiting. They immediately got busy with raw materials and their respective job descriptions. Ariana entered her office. There was already Amber there. A friend who is also an administrator at his restaurant.

“Full book for dinner. And the remaining four table sets for lunch.” She said before Ariana even sat her butt on the sofa.

“Catering?” She asked while combing her hair and trying to comb her hair with her fingers. She had to wash her hair again. Earlier, a fish trader accidentally threw waste in front of her and dirty her clothes and hair.

Yes, it’s also called a traditional market. Certainly less clean than a supermarket. But Ariana loves it every time she goes to the traditional market. See colourful vegetables and fruits, see the fresh meat and fish. And conversations between fellow traders need to be clarified. Be it personal discussions, politics and even artist gossip. Ariana likes crowds like that.

“There are two appointments for this Friday. If it’s a goal then it’s ours.” Amber answered. Ariana just nodded. She opened the cupboard and took out a change of clothes.

“I want to take a shower again. My hair smells fishy. If someone finds it, handle it.” Ariana said, to which Amber nodded.

Ten minutes later, Ariana was out of the bathroom. She wore faded blue jeans that fit perfectly and a Black long-sleeved shirt with folded sleeves to the elbows and half-buttoned buttons. Inside, she wore a camisole made from a T-shirt covering her chest’s upper part. Tempt? She had no intention of teasing anyone, but she didn’t show her cleavage. But if someone is tempted, it’s not their fault.

A knock on the door made Ariana rush to open it. “Ariana…” Amber looked at her with a worried face. The small towel was still tied to her hair. She doesn’t like using a hairdryer and prefers to dry her hair naturally. So Ariana wrapped her hair until it was half dry before she combed it.

“What?” Asked Ariana, who was applying moisturizer to her face.

“There’s a guest. It looks like someone important.” Amber whispered. Ariana still saw Amber’s worried face.

“Who?” she asked again.

“Just see for yourself,” Amber said again. Ariana walked ahead of Amber towards the workroom.

Yes, Ariana’s office has a special room for her and a bathroom. Not too big. It’s small enough, too. But it was enough to make Ariana as comfortable as she was in her home.

Ariana opened her bedroom door without bothering to remove her towel.

An older adult was seen sitting elegantly on Ariana’s soft single sofa. He looks dignified and exudes a strong aura of nobility. A middle-aged man stood behind her firmly. Like a bodyguard. Or is it a bodyguard? But is a bodyguard that old still strong at martial arts? Ariana asked silently.

Then there were two other figures, both women, who sat with their backs stiffly facing her. Ariana could only see one in a simple bun while the other had curly shoulder-length hair.

Ariana took off her towel and threw it on the bed before quietly closing the door. She didn’t bother combing and chose to go to his guests. They are not consumers because they would know business ethics if they were consumers. That is, make an appointment.

“Can I help you?” Ariana asked in a polite tone. But flat.