Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband-Chapter 1289: I’m Taking Her with Me

Ethan Barnes showed no expression, just squinting and smoking, "Can’t be killed, rest assured."

"..." The old man was silent for a moment, "I’ve always told you all, men are meant to do great things, women are like clothes, wear them if you want, change if you wish, I will never interfere with you. Back then, when your father wanted to marry your mother, the class system was strict, they were not a good match, but your father told me they truly loved each other, so I said fine, I agree with you getting married, and they really did."

"But look, is marriage the path to happiness? What was the outcome for your father and your mother in the end?"

"I’ve always blamed your father, since he couldn’t control his lower half, couldn’t resist outside temptations, then why bring your mother in with vows and deep affection? Without your father, your mother wouldn’t have seen the hypocrisy and cruelty of human nature, wouldn’t have lost her life, wouldn’t it be better to let her forever remain in the beautiful fantasy of love?"

Ethan smoked, turned to look out the window, saying nothing, but his whole demeanor appeared extraordinarily gloomy, a scarlet flame flickered from his fingertips, exuding a layer of hostility.

"Ethan, I’m telling you this to say, don’t waste too much time on the Linden siblings, in the future, you’ll meet girls more beautiful than Celeste Linden, and you’ll like them just as your father did," the old man laughed.

Ethan finished smoking a cigarette, "Done talking? If you’re done, I’ll leave."

He pulled the car door open, ready to leave.

"Ethan, come back!" The old man quickly stopped him, "I haven’t gotten to the main topic."

Ethan leaned lazily back into the seat, "Then why didn’t you say so earlier, what was all the rambling for?"

"..." The old man knew this grandson didn’t like talking about his parents, and he liked to contradict him, but who could resist his most beloved grandson, he was quite obedient to this grandson.

Over four years ago, he had countless ways to eliminate the Linden siblings, but he didn’t.

Now, those Linden siblings were increasingly displeasing to him, but he could only endure it.

He didn’t want to hurt the harmony between him and his grandson.

"Ethan, this time you’ve been back long enough, you should set out. Back when Titus Ashworth suddenly died, Caden Crawford became the Master of Westria. That young boy truly turned out to be the true Dragon Scion, a born emperor, and under his governance, Westria has become a strong nation, unparalleled compared to before."

"But Westria has a long-standing historical issue, which is the perpetual turmoil caused by dukes ruling the western part separately. Now Caden Crawford wants to reclaim the authority of Western Westria and achieve uniformity. This was originally something that seemed utterly impossible to accomplish because no ruler in Westria before has managed to do it, but Caden Crawford is different."

"Caden Crawford reveals his sharpness, his methods are cunning and powerful, he manipulates the clouds and rain. His sister is the Princess of Alani, and her future husband is Prince Rosen. Rosen, as a neighboring country to Westria, once the Princess of Alani and Prince Rosen unite in marriage, the two countries can launch a pincer attack on the government of Western Westria. By then, reclaiming the West will be just around the corner, and Caden Crawford will be the first king of such magnificent saga."

The old man, who had lived so many years, felt his eyes glitter and nodded continually when mentioning the name "Caden Crawford," showing how globally renowned Caden Crawford had become.

Yet Ethan heard a different point: Caden Crawford, the Master of Westria’s own sister seemed to be Willow Crawford, the girl Miles Linden liked.

Unfortunately, the marriage between Willow Crawford and Prince Rosen was inevitable, as the union between the two countries involved vast implications, concerning state affairs and authority, which was also the inescapable fate of Willow, the princess.

Interesting.

Ethan curved his lips into a smile.

"Ethan, your uncle is now one of the dukes of Western Westria. He thinks highly of you and is summoning you over. Now amidst the chaos, you can inherit your uncle’s position and become king in the West."

Ethan’s blood inherently bore a defiant and bloodthirsty nature. Over the years, the Barnes family had remained unyielding also because of the strong support by political power behind it, so Ethan was surely destined to take this path.

Ethan tossed a piece of gum into his mouth and chewed it for a few seconds before casually saying, "Oh."

The old man was very satisfied, having a hunch that this grandson would do even better than his uncle.

"But..." Ethan spoke again.

"But what? Ethan, whatever you want, Grandpa can provide it for you."

"I want to take Celeste Linden with me," Ethan said slowly, he wanted to take Celeste to the West.

The old man laughed heartily twice, "I thought it was something serious, just a woman, take her if you want, the army in the West is so lonely, taking a woman over to entertain is fine too. But Ethan, trust me, you’ll eventually get bored of Celeste Linden, and when that happens, Grandpa will get you someone better and prettier."

Ethan chewed his gum and slowly closed his eyes; maybe it’s true. Four years ago, he had approached Celeste with a playful mindset; she fit his aesthetic and he liked her a lot at first.

However, gradually he discovered Celeste Linden was not just a pretty face; she was soft outside but strong inside, stubborn, and now even fiercer.

Ethan licked his thin lips, unable to deny, she completely aroused his desire to conquer.

Just like he said, a woman to play with. Maybe in the past, he could let go, but now, he found her very intriguing, and wasn’t willing to let her go; he wanted to bring her to the West.

...

Celeste Linden awoke, and as Miles Linden pushed open the door of the hospital room, he saw Celeste sitting up, her head lowered, face pale as a sheet of paper, lost in her own thoughts, or maybe thinking of nothing.

"Sister." Miles walked in.

Celeste lifted her head, the previously unfocused and empty eyes had a slight focus, tugging pale lips into a small, raspy voice, "Miles, I’m sorry, Sister has troubled you again."

Miles put a coat on Celeste, "Sister, then don’t trouble me again in the future, let’s live well, okay?"

Miles hadn’t closed his eyes for two days, eyes fraught with weary red veins and gloom, making Celeste’s heartache beyond measure, she could only nod repeatedly, "Okay."

"I’ll go get the doctor, get you a full-body check-up," Miles said and walked out.

Celeste sat there alone, at this moment the phone on the bed cabinet rang, someone was calling.

Who?

Celeste’s heart tightened, the first person she thought of was that devil, Ethan Barnes; she hadn’t succeeded in dying, still hadn’t been able to escape that demon.

Since she woke up, Ethan hadn’t come to the hospital yet, but she already felt his footsteps, he was on his way, getting closer and closer.

But, it wasn’t Ethan, it was her father, Mr. Linden.

Yes, it was that father who loved drinking and gambling, who eventually accrued massive debts and sold his own daughter to the 1949 nightclub to work as a prostitute.