CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140: NOTHING MORE THAN A STAND-IN ALL ALONG

Iris Crawford was completely frozen there, totally taken aback by Dante’s unexpected demand. She was still holding Dante’s hand, watching his face full of rage, unsure how to handle the situation, "You... you need to calm down. How can we possibly fulfill this demand..."

"Can’t do it?"

Dante’s anger intensified, pointing at Skye Lockwood and Cynthia, "If you can’t, I’ll catch them both and lock them up in The Royal Prison!"

"You dare!"

Cynthia nearly rushed forward upon hearing this, "Dante, try me if you dare to do it!"

Dante was truly losing his mind; he had always thought Cynthia was mingling with men, yet he never expected this to be merely a smokescreen because she wanted to protect the one she truly loved—who turned out to be a woman!

Iris grabbed Dante and pulled him back, "Calm down, calm down. Sister, can you talk to Cynthia?"

Skye Lockwood was quite surprised to meet her sister here, but having just gotten a rough idea from Dante, she nodded, "Hmm, did I scare you?"

"How could I be?"

Taking advantage of the commotion, Iris pushed Dante towards the door and then swiftly closed it with a click, leaving the three of them inside the room.

Three women.

Three utterly different women.

Iris took a deep breath and asked her sister, "Sister, have you made your decision?"

"Yes." Skye Lockwood replied softly yet firmly, "This is one reason why I haven’t returned from abroad, Iris."

It’s wonderful to find someone you love; wouldn’t you be fearless even if others gossip?

Iris smiled, "That’s good. Leave the rest to me. You and brother have sacrificed so much for me, now it’s time for me to protect you both."

Skye Lockwood, midway, abandoned all the glamour to study medicine for Iris’s health; such a friendship can hardly be interfered by outsiders.

Even though Lachlan Wyatt once admired my sister yet didn’t achieve it, what does it matter?

Isn’t there still pure love and familial affection in this world?

Thinking of Jonas Kingsley, who repeatedly used me to provoke Lachlan Wyatt, always comparing me with my sister, I sneered coldly.

These cannot defeat the trust between me and my sister.

Skye Lockwood and Iris Crawford exchanged glances; the sisters indeed looked alike, as Cynthia, held by Skye, whispered, "You two look a bit alike..."

Smiling slightly at her, Iris said, "Sister-in-law, I wish you and my sister a long-lasting union."

Lilies, lilies, a century of union!

Cynthia’s face instantly blushed, she playfully punched Skye Lockwood’s chest, "You manage your sister!"

"I can’t manage her." Skye Lockwood’s brows were coolly charming, "It’s my fault for letting the Prince know. In the future, you’ll endure hardships with me, would you regret?"

"I won’t regret."

Cynthia squeezed her fingers tightly, then looked towards Iris, "I’m counting on you; I don’t want to be bound in marriage. I also want to trouble you with one thing, no one’s marriage should be kidnapped, not just mine...but Dante’s too. I hope you can help him escape from this sorrow too."

Iris was startled.

She belatedly came to terms with it.

Perhaps this is the reason why her sister fell for Cynthia. Clearly trapped, yet yearning for freedom, not only seeking her own freedom but also reminding others.

Dante hired private investigators to trail her, secretly photograph her, yet after exposing everything, her heart still contemplated...helping Dante escape the arranged marriage.

This woman is astonishingly pure and kind.

So wonderful, so adorable.

Iris blinked at Cynthia, then opened the door to leave. Outside, Dante and Raymond were waiting, they asked her, "How did the negotiation with your sister go?"

"I defected on the spot."

Iris closed the door behind her, pulling Dante along, "It’s late; why don’t we head back? You saw the situation inside; kidnapping them to The Royal Palace would only attract more attention, wouldn’t it?"

"Just leaving it alone?" Dante felt his hair standing up from anger, "But she’s my fiancée!"

Iris pulled Dante into the car, seriously looked at his face, "Do you have to marry her?"

"Everyone knows the Prince’s wedding alliance..." Dante gritted his teeth, "I can’t lose this face. I said it, if it doesn’t work, I’ll have you marry. I’ve just checked; you have a decent family background."

Iris laughed coldly, "Do you think you are selecting a concubine, talking about family background? Who are you to choose!"

Dante almost wanted to strangle Iris; why does her mouth have to be so infuriating!

But calming down, Dante realized indeed, Cynthia disliked men; even if married there would be name without reality. Others might fall in love after marriage, yet if he and Cynthia were to wed, there wouldn’t even be a basis for feelings as their sexual orientations fundamentally differ.

Now his mind was chaotic, unsure of what decision to make. Caught in such a revelation must have left even the worldly-wise Prince at a loss.

Returning to The Royal Palace, Dante sat alone on the sofa dazing, Raymond tried to approach and counsel but was chased away by Dante.

He sat there solitary, Iris stood not far away watching his silhouette for a while, then turned as if not noticing him, heading back to the bedroom.

"..." this woman can’t see him dazing? Not even there to accompany him in conversation?!

Thus, the Prince arose, personally came to Iris’s door, opened her door without a word of greeting.

Iris was in the middle of changing into pajamas, having gone out and gotten dust on her, needing to change into something clean. And shockingly, the room’s door was pulled open from the outside, she instinctively hugged herself, turned slightly back to Dante, muttered angrily, "How are you so rude again!"

"..." Dante said, "Do I need to repeat, this is my house, no need to greet you..."

Halting midway, he froze.

Iris hadn’t finished dressing, merely draped a nightdress over her shoulders, hadn’t had the chance to pull it down, facing away from Dante with half-exposed skin, the smooth fairness tempting Dante to take a fierce bite.

The man’s Adam’s apple moved up and down, "Put your clothes on."

Iris Crawford, back facing Dante, pulled the clothing hanging around her neck down to barely cover her thighs. Then, she turned around and said impatiently, "Weren’t you just pretending to be deep downstairs?"

Dante stepped forward and placed his broad palm on Iris Crawford’s back through the fabric, "Otherwise, let’s execute Plan B. I’ve said that Cynthia doesn’t have to be forced, as long as we replace her with you."

Iris Crawford frowned slightly, "Not forcing her, but forcing me?"

"It’s your choice," Dante looked at Iris Crawford’s face with interest, "Isn’t being a daughter-in-law of The Royal satisfying?"

"Not interested." Iris Crawford sneered and slapped Dante’s hand off her back.

This man is so touchy. Besides Lachlan Wyatt, only he dared to touch her like this.

"I’ll give you one night to consider; this is the best option."

Dante squinted his eyes delightedly, as if he finally finished evaluating Iris Crawford. This woman was too intriguing; if she stayed by his side, it should be quite fascinating.

With these words, Dante withdrew and left, his footsteps breezy, as if he was determined to have Iris Crawford.

The door closed, separating Iris Crawford and Dante, leaving the woman facing silence, her eyebrows sinking into thought.

That night, Iris Crawford slept alone, lying on the bed unable to fall asleep. She couldn’t think of a better way to resolve the marriage, and Dante wouldn’t relent; someone had to marry over, after all, the Prince’s engagement announcement had been released...

Would she really have to marry Dante?

While silently pondering, there seemed to be a rustling sound by the bedside.

Iris Crawford was startled, and while she wanted to check the commotion outside the window, a shadow swiftly emerged. Its movements were exceptionally quick and adept, like a spy in a movie. Before she could react, a strong force had already pressed her down firmly.

Iris Crawford was about to call for help, but her mouth was covered.

The next second, a familiar voice came, "Don’t make a sound! It’s me."

Even with just a few words, Iris Crawford’s heart skipped fiercely.

She didn’t need to turn on the light to see who it was. Just the voice and the aura were enough for her to know.

Lachlan Wyatt.

In the dark, the man fumbled beside her on the bed, seemingly confirming its size. Afterwards, Iris Crawford heard sounds of fabric rustling, and with a tense voice, she asked, "How did you get in? Are you a thief? By the way, when did you come to The Kingdom of L?"

"Missed me?" Lachlan Wyatt’s voice stopped, and his actions followed suit. He lifted Iris Crawford’s blanket and, as if nobody was around, crawled in. Only then did Iris Crawford realize he was undressed!

"Playing rogue!" Iris Crawford lowered her voice but her tone was still urgent, "Don’t touch me, explain first—!"

"I came on the flight after yours." Lachlan Wyatt’s voice remained deep. In the dark, he leaned closer to Iris Crawford and sniffed. Then, with an unfavourable tone, he said, "Why does it smell like another man’s perfume?"

"Dante’s." As soon as Iris Crawford mentioned this, she became furious, pushing Lachlan Wyatt away. She hadn’t reconciled with him, "Why are you here?"

"To settle the scandal." Lachlan Wyatt groped in the dark to grab Iris Crawford’s hand, the woman’s resistance within his expectations.

He resented Iris Crawford constantly defying him, pretty and defiant like a vixen. He chased all the way to The Kingdom of L just to see what this little brat was doing abroad behind his back.

And urgently needed physical contact with Iris Crawford to fill the emptiness in his heart.

Iris Crawford, fill me.

Lachlan Wyatt held her tightly, until Iris Crawford gave up struggling.

Hugging you, for the last time.

Iris Crawford made up her mind.

"After so long, with no news of resolving, I came over." Lachlan Wyatt, unaware, forced a slight mockery in his voice, "Why, too useless? Couldn’t even settle a scandal? Making our firm lose face."

"Can’t resolve it." After a long silence, Iris Crawford said one sentence, "No matter the outcome, it will be mutual destruction. There’s only one way."

Lachlan Wyatt was startled, feeling uneasy about Iris Crawford’s words.

"I’ll marry the Prince, and everything will be solved."

The Royal needs a woman with a decent family background for alliance, Cynthia and Skye Lockwood need freedom. Thus, this is the best solution.

At the moment of hearing this, a surge of murderous intention burst from Lachlan Wyatt’s pupils!

"Iris Crawford, are you crazy!"

Unable to contain his emotions, Lachlan Wyatt spoke bluntly, "Do you know what you’re saying? Do you think you will enjoy luxury if you go to The Royal? You are simply delusional!"

So, in Lachlan Wyatt’s mind, this is how he viewed Iris Crawford?

The woman chuckled.

"You consider me as a woman aiming to marry into The Royal Family with such a chance?"

"Isn’t it!"

Lachlan Wyatt didn’t know what to say to make himself feel better, so he spoke instinctively, "The Royal is basically a ruthless place, Iris Crawford, don’t fantasize! Why would Dante fancy you?"

"You don’t even know what happened!"

"I don’t care what happened; it’s not allowed!"

Before Iris Crawford could finish, in the pitch dark, the man’s body was already pressing down, pinning Iris Crawford beneath him. Although it was too dark to see anything, Iris Crawford sensed the presence of a pair of eyes with murderous intent staring at her.

Lachlan Wyatt.

Iris Crawford laughed, her voice carrying a hint of self-mockery, "I was always a stand-in, here for you, and there for Dante, just a substitute bride."

Upon hearing this, Lachlan Wyatt’s heart unexpectedly convulsed, the delicate pain made his hand tremble a bit, "Why... do you compare me to Dante? Just one night... did you fall in love with him?"