Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 89: Perfect Plan

Ivy Winters or is it Quinn, paced the length of the grand living room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, lips pressed into a thin line.

The sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Winters Estate—Stefan’s house—but its warmth did nothing to ease the growing weight in her chest.

It was well into the afternoon. And still... no sign of Stefan. Not a word. Not a call. Not even a text.

Was he still mad at her and hell bent on finding Ruby wherever hole she’d crawled in? What was he doing now? Was he thinking of her or was determined to end their marriage?

If that were the case, he would have issued her divorce papers by now right? But he wasn’t doing that so what exactly did he want staying away from home this way?

He had left the night before, after that confrontation—after telling her to leave his house before he returned. His voice had been colder than she’d ever heard it. And yet, despite her mother’s warning not to leave the house on Stefan’s word, Ivy didn’t think staying was the right thing as much as leaving wasn’t either. What was she to do? Who would she obey and which one would favor her more?

Of course her mother’s advice, why would she think twice about it? Stating back would mean fighting got not just her marriage but also Stefan’s love and she was going to do just that. But why was she so scared?

He was probably at the office, she reasoned with herself for the hundredth time.

Still, her nerves were frayed. Her thoughts restless.

Stefan had never spoken to her that way. Not when they just met, not during the courtship, and certainly not since their so-called wedding. But last night... he hadn’t just been angry. He had been done.

She could feel it—see it in his eyes.

But she couldn’t let it end this way. She wouldn’t. Though she was scared of what he might do if he returned to the house to meet her, she knew she wasn’t going to leave. So what would it be?

Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she spun on her toes and walked back toward the windows, her fingers twisting around each other as her mind raced. Her mother had said it clearly: Get him to sleep with you. If she could just make that happen, everything else would fall into place. She could say she was pregnant too, spin a tale, make him feel bound to her.

But how? He was very mad and if she had forgotten that at any point in time, his absence and lack of call or text just reminded her that he wasn’t joking.

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. Stefan barely acknowledged her presence anymore. She needed a subtle approach. Something clever. Something she could do to have him let his guard down. But would he ever let his guard down around her?

do something? What was it? She thought still

Then it struck her—food.

refused the meals that came to his office especially if he ordered them or if maybe his secretary or Oliver offered him. He might be suspicious if she showed up herself, but what

slow smile curved her lips. His secretary. Once while they were dating, he’d talked about Noami bringing food and offering it to him because she felt bad about gifting

and tell her to help her without telling Steffy about

she could bribe the woman to give him food she prepared—and spike—then maybe she could make him vulnerable. Get closer.

to tell him where it came from. She could say it was a special order from a new caterer or whatever excuse that worked.

to herself, feeling the stirrings of control returning.

lunch already. She’d do it tomorrow, first thing. She’d make something, lace it lightly—nothing dangerous, just enough to

while he was in that state, maybe she could

a perfect plan, something that’d turn the strides in her favor. By the time he’d become sober again, she’d already gotten what she want. While her mother would try to make sure that bitch didn’t show up again, she’d do this to bring Stefan’s mind back to her and

still wasn’t happy. There was still the problem of tonight.

she wouldn’t risk that. Though she didn’t know what he’d do to her, she knew she

she do now? Moving out was not an option. She thought

guest room. Yes, that was what

think she left. And if she was careful enough, she could sneak out after he left for work in

make it seem like she’d packed up and left. Enough to make Stefan let his guard down. The maids wouldn’t tell Stefan anything as she’d make

her essentials and hurried down the hall to the guest bedroom, her

door was shut behind her, she exhaled in relief.

hide in the guest room. She’d go to the kitchen, prepare a few things, and

she stepped into the hallway and turned toward the kitchen, she heard a familiar

Ivy’s face lit up, her plan momentarily

the maids, asking questions and sounding so bossy as if she owned the place. Her chest swelled

she called out, walking in with a grin. "What are you doing here? You

that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Since when do I need to call my best friend before visiting?" she asked lightly, coming over to kiss

blinked. "Oh, yeah? That’s...

gave a casual shrug. "So, what