My Substitute Wife Is a Bigwig (Lily and Loid)

Chapter 1

relied on your sister’s intelligence and obedience to stabilize myself. “Now that Jason’s dead, the Martinez family is getting worse day by day. We must rely on this marriage to save the family business. It’s good for both you and me.” Over a decade ago, her ex-husband suddenly disappeared. After two years of searching in vain, she refused to spend her whole life toiling in the countryside. So, she left Lily, who was still a baby, with her grandmother and left resolutely. Later, she married the newly widowed second son of the Martinez family, Liam, and had a daughter with him. Shannon was clever and obedient. Liam and his mother, Julia, doted on her as well. But she did not live an easy life. The Martinez family favored sons over daughters. Liam had a son, Jason, with his deceased wife. He was excellent and the pride of the Martinez family. The Martinez family’s business had been thriving recently because of Jason. Hence, they weren’t pleased when they learned that Susan had given birth to a daughter. Over the years, she put a lot of effort into Shannon, raising her into an outstanding young lady in all aspects. That improved her life in the Martinez family. But now that Jason was dead, the Martinez family’s business was declining significantly. To save the Martinez family’s business, Shannon had to marry the eldest son of the Laurier family. Susan refused to allow that. Everyone knew that the Laurier family’s eldest son suffered from a serious illness six months ago. Because of this, he became ill-tempered, and the disease also ruined his looks. There were also rumors that he might not even be able to live for two more years. She couldn’t let Shannon become a widow at such a young age and live a life of loneliness. So, she had no choice but to sacrifice Lily. Lily stared at Susan with cold eyes and a mocking smile. This was how her biological mother treated her. Somehow, Susan twisted her selfishness into concern for her. “Did you hear what I said?” Seeing Lily keeping silent, Susan questioned angrily. Lily withdrew her gaze, giving a faint acknowledgment. Susan was infuriated but helpless. After Lily rang the doorbell, the housekeeper quickly opened the door. “Mrs. Martinez.” The one who opened the door was May Porter. She had been working for the Martinez family for 40 years and was the person Julia Goldberg trusted the most. May glanced at Lily behind Susan and calmly said, “Madam is waiting for you.” Although her tone was polite, it lacked respect. Over the years, Susan had gotten used to being looked down upon by the Martinez family’s domestic helpers. She gave a vague response and led Lily inside. Martinez Residence was huge. It took them several minutes to reach the main hall. Upon opening the door, they found the long table filled with people, seemingly preparing for a family meeting. Julia sat at the head, with her eldest son, Lionel, on her left and her second son, Liam, on her right. On both sides sat Julia’s daughters-in-law and grandchildren. “Mom, here’s Lily.” Susan was afraid of Julia, so she spoke cautiously, devoid of the arrogance she usually displayed in front of Lily. Julia nodded, her cloudy eyes scrutinizing Lily. Lily kept her head half-lowered with her hands still in her pockets. She stood quietly in place. A trace of disdain flashed in Julia’s eyes. “Lily, although you haven’t received a high-quality education, you should at least have basic manners, shouldn’t you? You should address your elders politely.” “She’s a country bumpkin who has no one at home to teach her. What manners could her grandmother who’s barely alive teach her?” Lionel’s second

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