The CEO’s Substitute Lover

“What? Did I speak harshly? You must know in your heart that I’m telling the truth!” Lilian Drye tugged at her hair which had been ruffled by the sea breeze, she walked slowly along the beach feeling the sea breeze, the fine sand caressing her feet, Lilian Drye could not believe that Tredan Davi would give up his career, what he had now, in exchange for being with Octavia Gills. When Tredan Davi has nothing left, he would have to depend on her because everything that his family has given him will become Eddison’s. Will Tredan be willing to do that?

“Why do you have to be stubborn and pretend not to hear what I’m saying? I’ve been very honest with you; how can you still not be honest with me? You grew up being regarded as the illegitimate child, everything you’ve been given was always less than what your big brother gets, have you lived a happy life? Was there ever a time when you hated it all?” Lilian Drye hit a sore spot buried deeply inside Eddison. Every word penetrated Eddison’s inner-most thoughts, and even though he tried to restrain himself, a subtle change on his face can still be perceived.

“Eddison, are you willing to be in the shadow of Tredan forever, eating Tredan’s leftovers, picking up Tredan’s hand-me-downs? Tredan is sitting in the president’s chair right now, what about you? You’re just a bastard with no real power, and you dare hold to walk out with your mother with your head up calling Uncle Floyd as your father, and Tredan as your big brother? Pathetic!” Lilian Drye had no intention of restraining herself, and the more she spoke, the more intense her words became.

“Lilian, that’s enough, what the hell do you want?” Eddison yelled furiously at Lilian Drye.

“I’m helping you, Eddison, can’t you see? I’m feeling the injustice against you, I’m beating the drum for you! I, Lilian Drye, have the power to help you get everything that’s rightfully yours if you want it!”

“What belongs to me?” Eddison thought it was ridiculous, what was supposed to belong to him, he didn’t even know himself, he just wanted a normal family, to have a big brother who was affectionate and not be called an illegitimate child. Eddison had no choice, but who could he blame? His mother or his father?

“Yes, there is something that you can call your own, and when you get it, no one will dare to call you a bastard in your face ever again, and no one will ever dare to say that your mother is just a concubine!” Lilian Drye could not believe that Eddison seemed unaffected by her words. Who would want to carry a reputation that the world hates?

“I don’t want any of this! Ms. Lilian, you’re betting on the wrong horse!” Eddison didn’t want to compete with Tredan Davi for any property or position, Eddison just wanted a home like a normal family. “It’s late, Ms. Lilian, let me take you home!”

Lilian Drye looked at Eddison who was unmoved, “Wait, Eddison, have you thought this through? Think about it! If you get back your right to be treated as Tredan Davi’s equal, it means that you will no longer be a bastard and your mother can take her rightful place in the Davi family? Octavia Gills will come back to you when you are no longer a bastard, after all, Tredan Davi loves me, not her. And then you’ll be able to protect her, and even have the means to support and look after her family, don’t you see?”

The hand that had been opening the car door suddenly stopped, and Eddison seemed to hesitate. After all, his big brother didn’t love Octavia Gills, and Octavia Gills was only there to comfort her brother. If and when he had the same position, the same power as his big brother, he could hold on to the woman he loved for the rest of his life.

“I knew it, you wouldn’t let me down. Eddison, believe me, we’d make the best partners. You will get the woman you want, the esteem you want! As for me, I don’t want anything, I just want Tredan! Wouldn’t that be the perfect ending?”

“Get in the car! You really should go home!” Eddison didn’t say no to Lilian Drye, but Eddison knew in his heart that he had fallen into the web that Lilian Drye spun. He loved Octavia Gills and couldn’t help it, Eddison didn’t want to miss this chance at having Octavia Gills!

“Yes, good luck with our partnership!” Lilian Drye felt she had succeeded in gaining an ally for herself! She was so happy because she knew it wouldn’t take long until Tredan Davi comes back to her. Only the Drye Family, could save his project, and only she, Lilian Drye, could help Tredan Davi’s career soar as high as the eagles.

Yesterday’s engagement party between the Davi and Drye families made the headlines, and there were all sorts of speculation in the society and the company. Grimm was so angry that he slammed onto the floor shattering it and splashing soy milk all over!

“Eldwin, prepare the car!” Eldwin hurried in when he heard Grimm calling. He was about to hand Grimm the resignation letter in his hand, except that as soon as he came in and saw the soy milk and broken glass all over the floor, Eldwin knew it was not a good time and pocketed the envelope clutched in his hand! Arrangements for a driver were made and Grimm went on his way.

Grimm said to his wife on the way out, “My dear, don’t go out today! Stay with our daughter, keep an eye on her and call me if you need anything! I’m going to Group Davi today to look for that bastard Tredan, I won’t feel good if I don’t get to strike him a few times! He’s so ungrateful and insolent!” Grimm was prepared to go all out today! He couldn’t let his daughter suffer like this for no reason.

“Take it easy then! Don’t get too wound up, take care of your health!” She was very worried, she had always wondered why things had turned out to be like this, she knew that boy Tredan well, he always had a deep love for their Lilian and had even offered to marry her countless times. But Lilian always said she was too young and was in no rush to get married. Why had Tredan suddenly changed his mind? Her heart was beating erratically, and can’t put her mind cannot at ease!

Tredan Davi spent last night with Octavia on the yacht so when they woke up, they drove straight to their respective workplaces. The mess Tredan Davi caused yesterday registered countless messages and missed calls when he turned on his phone today, Tredan Davi had to go back to face his tough father right away. He gave Octavia Gills a nice relaxed hug before driving off.

Group Davi Head Office

“President Davi, you’re finally here!”

Tredan Davi’s assistant secretary has been called in for questioning by the chairman several times in the morning, and if Tredan didn’t appear, he may not be able to survive the chairman’s rigorous interrogation.

“Good work! I’ll give you a bonus!” Tredan Davi, knowing his father’s style all too well, must have horrified his assistant with his interrogation. He surely won’t be able to avoid facing the old geezer too!

“Thank you, President Davi! Oh, and I see that you have a great smile on today, you look especially handsome!” His assistant noticed Tredan’s ecstatic look and guessed that something good must have happened to him! “It’s just that, President Davi, you’re in a lot of trouble. Mr. Grimm, the old man, came here early in the morning and has been waiting for you. I’ve been hauled in for arraignment and but they couldn’t get anything from me about your lover so I’m worried that Chairman Davi will send someone to search your office later. Since you told me the combination of the safe, I’ve secretly put the files with the information about Ms. Octavia inside.”

“Well done! Very good, that’s another 500 bonus for you!” Tredan Davi held out one of his palms for him to slap to the delight of his assistant, who couldn’t believe it. In all the years being Tredan Davi’s assistant, he had never been that generous, and he seriously suspected that today, President Davi was under a spell!

“Wait a minute, President Davi, I think it will be a good idea to record this, please say it again so I can record it, it’s irreverent but it’s a guarantee of a subordinate’s bonus! Would it cost you much to humor my request, President Davi, wouldn’t you say?”

“Don’t worry! Since when has this president ever broken his word, never in all the time you’ve been with me, right?” Tredan Davi was indeed spellbound by Octavia Gills and was particularly contented and happy to have finally found his heart’s desire.

“I’ve never experienced it, but you are exuding happiness all over!” His assistant couldn’t believe it, never having seen such a gentle side to Tredan Davi, the cold President Davi who could send a chill down your spine before you even got close, was so much kinder today!

“By the way, Mr. Grimm said he is waiting for you to give him an answer today, otherwise… and Chairman Davi gave instructions that as soon as you arrive, you are to go to his office right away and immediately!”

“Alright! Get back to work now!”

Tredan Davi took the passport information and materials out of the safe, being already prepared for how he should face the situation today.

Tredan Davi arrived at Floyd’s office with aplomb and upon entering he saw Grimm crouched in the middle of his seat like a mountain of blackface, his expression not to be underestimated!Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Hello, Chairman Davi! Hello Mr. Grimm!” This being a company, Tredan Davi greeted them in a business-like manner.

“You rebellious son!” Floyd was relieved to see Tredan Davi finally showing up, but there was always a punishment or a beating that needed to be done, after all, Grimm was sitting there. With that, Floyd whacked the sheaf of paper in his hand into Tredan Davi’s face.

Tredan Davi had no intention of hiding and stood there with his face unfeeling, waiting for his father to continue his act of scolding him.

Grimm, however, could see that Floyd was putting on a show for him, and he wouldn’t have it!

“Oh, Tredan, come and sit down, you know exactly why Uncle Drye is sitting here waiting for you today, don’t you? As I have never been one to beat about the bush, sit down and let’s get straight to it! Tell me, what’s your reason for not showing up at the engagement party, leaving Lilian and all of us to face such embarrassment?”

Tredan Davi knew very well in his heart that this was the only step to take, but doing so would expose Octavia Gills. Then again, it would have to be faced eventually, there was no escaping it!

“Uncle Drye, being an elder, I have always respected you and I am grateful that you arranged for a young lady to be with me when I was three years old and going through one of the darkest days of my life. She took care of me for two years and I have always said that I loved that person. When I asked, everyone around me told me that the young lady was the Drye Family Princess Lilian, but Uncle Drye, you know in your heart that the person I am referring to is not Lilian don’t you?”

Tredan Davi didn’t want to be rude but had no choice but say it directly, and Grimm listened with his stunned face revealing his faint heart.

“Tredan, I want to hear what this accusation is that you have of my Lilian? I think what you’re talking about is something that has no relevance.” Floyd listened to the battle between Grimm and his son, and although it was not clear what kind of mumbo-jumbo they were talking about, Floyd realized that his son seemed to have the upper hand, and was particularly worried about this brat handling the situation poorly and cause trouble for the company. But now he seemed to feel relieved!