Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 1350 - 1344: A Whimsical Family

Mid-August, the season of family joy, Nicholas Croft brought Sophie Foster back to his hometown.He had called home in advance to inform his parents that he was bringing his wife. Julia Zabinski had also heard about Hannah Hargrave’s matter. That video had circulated wildly online, although it was quickly erased, but hearing the way the younger son described it still felt disgusting.

Especially when it’s both the mother and daughter having an affair with the same man, just thinking about it sends shivers down the spine.

On August 14th, Nicholas Croft entered the house hand in hand with Sophie Foster.

H City, a northern city, with Nicholas Croft’s successful career, his family was also enjoying the prosperity. His brother and parents lived together in the city’s most luxurious villa area, which wasn’t large, consisting of individual small western-style buildings.

Julia Zabinski had prepared the ingredients early, just waiting for her son and daughter-in-law to arrive home sooner. Seeing Nicholas Croft bring back that "Goddaughter," Julia Zabinski’s movement to welcome them halted.

"Nicholas, isn’t she..."

"Mom, she is my wife. We got married long ago. We were planning to bring her home last New Year to surprise you and Dad, but who knew that accident would happen."

Nicholas Croft had already told his mother about Sophie Foster’s car accident; the baby was gone, and his wife’s face was scarred...

Julia Zabinski...

It wasn’t that she didn’t like this daughter-in-law; it’s just that hearing her call her son "Dad" was a bit difficult to accept.

Julia Zabinski hesitated for a moment before walking forward, warmly shaking Sophie Foster’s hand with a smile, "You are... Nicholas, what’s her name again?"

"Mom, I’ve told you countless times, Sophie Foster, just call her Lara!"

"Oh, right, Lara," Julia Zabinski nodded with a smile, then asked with concern, "Lara, are you tired? Are you hungry? I’ll go cook, it won’t take long."

Sophie Foster forced out a small smile but said nothing.

Deep down, she still felt a barrier with this mother-in-law, who sided with Hannah Hargrave without distinguishing right from wrong and even encouraged Hannah Hargrave to lay hands on her... She wasn’t someone who bore grudges, but with such a mother-in-law, it’s truly difficult to pretend nothing had happened all of a sudden.

"Nicholas, keep Lara company on the sofa, I’ll go cook."

Julia Zabinski hurriedly headed to the kitchen, while Nicholas Croft led Sophie Foster to the sofa. In the large space, only his mother was home, and he couldn’t help but ask curiously.

"Where are Dad and Damian? Why haven’t I seen them?"

"Oh, your dad and I are separated; Damian took Tongtong to see her Grandmother."

Nicholas Croft...

Could it still be because of that issue?

His brother Damian Croft had told him that to trick their mother into coming back, he exaggerated father’s affairs with his dance partner, resulting in a big argument between his parents once she returned...

"Mom, how old are you both now? Why are you still separating?"

"Don’t worry about it, go upstairs with Lara to rest for a bit if you’re tired. I’ll call you when the meal is ready!" Julia Zabinski exclaimed sternly, not turning her head, as she went into the kitchen.

Julia Zabinski was meticulous, even though they lived in a small western-style house, she was reluctant to hire a maid. She said her monthly pension was only three thousand, not enough to hire a maid and she’d have to add quite a bit more, which she wouldn’t do knowing it’s a losing deal. Besides, she’s gotten quite old, so she cleans the house herself every day.

Nicholas Croft sighed; his mother’s hot temper, his father might have the mind but not the guts. Moreover, at their age, it’s impossible to cheat again.

"Lara, let’s go back to the room and take a shower first."

Nicholas Croft brought Sophie Foster back to their room, ran the bathwater, and called his father while Sophie Foster showered.

"Dad, it’s Nicholas. It’s almost time for dinner; why aren’t you home yet?"

"Humph! Seeing that old woman annoys me!" Benjamin Croft’s voice came through the receiver as he placed a chess piece on the board, "Check!"

Nicholas Croft could tell his father was playing chess with someone, he smiled and said, "Dad, I brought my daughter-in-law home. Isn’t it bad if you don’t come when it’s her first time here!"

"What? You brought your wife home? Why didn’t your mother tell me?" Hearing that his son had brought his wife home, Benjamin Croft stood up excitedly, talking while heading towards his small western-style building. Behind him, a chess friend shouted, "Hey, old Croft, not done playing yet? The game’s not over!"

Benjamin Croft no longer felt like playing chess, angrily pocketing his phone, putting his arms behind his back, and puffed up with anger, headed home.

"That damn old woman, let’s see how I deal with her when I get back!"

Benjamin Croft entered the house, loudly shouting, "Julia Zabinski! Come out!"

He shouted twice at the door, seeing no response, he strode into the living room, standing in the center, raising his voice, "Julia Zabinski, you wretched old woman, if you have the guts, come out here!"

"Hey, Benjamin Croft, you’ve grown some skills in a day?" Julia Zabinski walked out of the kitchen holding a spoon, sarcastically saying, "I’m the old hag, but the one you’re hooked up with, Old Li, isn’t? She’s a young girl? Huh?"

"Stop with the nonsense!" Benjamin Croft waved his hand angrily, "The thing with Old Li is in the past, now I want to discuss Nicholas’s matter with you!"

"You think it’s so easy to move on? Speaking so lightly, at your age, you still let them put a green hat on you, oh Benjamin Croft, my face, you’ve disgraced me completely!" Julia Zabinski pointed a spoon at Benjamin Croft’s nose with one hand, while slapping her own face with the other.

Benjamin Croft was scared and took a step back, fearing she would hit him with the spoon.

"Julia Zabinski, I’m telling you! We’ve already separated, I can be with whoever I want! It’s none of your business! What I’m saying now is about Nicholas bringing his wife home, why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Hmph! You said yourself we’re separated, why should I tell an old geezer when my son brings his wife home?"

"You!" Julia Zabinski responded with a sarcastic smile, leaving Benjamin Croft speechless, pointing at Julia Zabinski for a while without saying anything.

Elderly people reach a certain age and become like children, stubborn and prone to tantrums, starting fights after a few words of disagreement.

Nicholas Croft heard his parents arguing, knowing his father was back, he closed the door tightly after leaving his room, holding onto the railing as he walked downstairs.

"Dad, Mom, what are you arguing about? I can hear you fighting from upstairs."

"Hmph! Isn’t it all your mother!" Benjamin Croft grumbled, waving his hand.

"What happened with Mom?" Nicholas Croft came downstairs smiling and asked. Benjamin Croft looked resentful, "Didn’t you call and tell her before you brought your wife home?"

"I did."

"But this old hag, Nicholas called you, why didn’t you tell me?"

"Hey, Benjamin Croft, you’ve grown some skills, haven’t you? You’re still yelling? See if I don’t beat you up!" Julia Zabinski said, raising the spoon towards Benjamin Croft, who didn’t stop but turned to run.

"Julia Zabinski, I’m telling you, I’m a civilized person, a gentleman argues verbally, doesn’t use force. If you have a reason, tell me properly, don’t bring up those housewife things!" Benjamin Croft dodged around as he spoke, but Julia Zabinski didn’t care, holding the spoon while chasing him, shouting, "Benjamin Croft, if you have guts, don’t run!"

"I don’t run? Am I crazy?"

Watching the elderly couple run around the sofa, Nicholas Croft helplessly rubbed his forehead.

It’s a scene often seen in childhood, with so many years passed yet replayed again. Other couples argue verbally and it’s over, but in his house, every time they barely exchange three sentences before his mom chases his dad all over the place.

Initially worried that his mom would provoke his dad to anger and get into trouble, he and his brother would desperately try to pull them apart. Later, knowing the dad always gives way to the mom, they got used to it, the brothers even sat with small stools in the house, watching the mom chase the dad like watching a play...

"Dad, Mom, you two please stop messing around!"

Nicholas Croft stood at the stairway, tiredly pinching his brow, while Benjamin Croft ran in front, occasionally looking back, "Am I the one causing a scene? Isn’t it your mom! At our age, aren’t you afraid the daughter-in-law would laugh at us!"

"Uncle? What’s going on here?" Just as Benjamin Croft finished speaking, Sophie’s voice came from overhead. Having just taken a bath, with a towel wrapped on her head, she walked out curiously upon hearing the argument downstairs, dressed only in a towel.

Nicholas Croft...

Benjamin Croft...

Julia Zabinski...

All were stunned on the spot, the large space instantly fell silent.

It was Nicholas Croft who reacted first, seeing Sophie dressed only in a towel, hurriedly stepped onto the staircase, grasping her wrist and led her back to the room, "Lara, it’s okay, Dad and Mom are just playing around."

Sophie puzzledly glanced down once more before following Nicholas Croft into the room, downstairs, Benjamin Croft snorted angrily, "Look what you’ve done! Now the new daughter-in-law has something to laugh at!"

"Is it just my responsibility? If you had not come back, could I have quarreled alone?" Julia Zabinski held the spoon, glaring with widened eyes, Benjamin Croft angrily retorted, "Why shouldn’t I come back to my own home? If you lack manners, don’t blame others!"

"Benjamin Croft, who are you saying has no manners?" Julia Zabinski and Benjamin Croft began arguing again.

"Who? Would I say others for your sake?"

"Oh, Benjamin Croft, our son is back to give you support, isn’t it? It’s still not over!" Julia Zabinski said as she chased Benjamin Croft again, and Benjamin Croft quickly turned around and ran. This time he got smarter, instead of running around the living room, he ran towards the door. Just as he opened the door, Damian Croft and his family returned from a visit.

"Dad, Mom, you’re fighting again." Damian Croft said in an ordinary tone, showing no surprise.

"Mom, what’s that smell, it’s awful!" Five-year-old TongTong turned and plunged into her mom’s arms.

Julia Zabinski...

Started for a moment, then suddenly reacted, running towards the kitchen holding the spoon, "Oh my cooking! Blame you, old man!"