Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 1354 - 1348: Julia Zabinski’s Transformation

"Lara? Why are you crying?" Nicholas Croft forcibly turned Sophie Foster’s body to face him.Sophie Foster buried herself in his chest, "Uncle, am I having another episode?"

Seeing Sophie regain consciousness, Nicholas Croft exhaled a breath of relief, feeling a weight lifted, and gently comforted her by stroking her back, "It’s okay, it’s okay."

"But your mom won’t like me." Knowing about her condition, Sophie was worried that Julia Zabinski wouldn’t like her, especially since there had been unpleasant incidents before.

"Sweetheart, you’re the eldest daughter-in-law of the Croft Family. Mom won’t dislike you."

Nicholas Croft continued to comfort Sophie Foster. Although it wasn’t very important if his mother liked the woman he had chosen, deep down he hoped his parents would accept her without any conflict.

"But what if they don’t like me? In my current state..." Sophie Foster was still worried, and just as Nicholas Croft was about to comfort her again, there were a few knocks on the bedroom door.

"Nicholas, are you up? Breakfast is ready."

It was Julia Zabinski’s voice, sounding cheerful, as if she wasn’t the assertive woman from last night, her voice was very kind.

"Mom, we’ll be up in a minute."

Nicholas Croft called back toward the direction of the door, while habitually hiding Sophie Foster against his chest, even with the door still in place.

Outside, Julia Zabinski responded cheerfully, "Oh, then hurry up, the dishes won’t taste good if they get cold!"

"Lara, mom’s calling us for breakfast."

Sophie Foster hesitated for a moment before getting up with Nicholas Croft, putting on clothes and simply freshening up before being led down the stairs.

"Hurry up, we’re all waiting for you!"

Julia Zabinski stood at the bottom of the stairs with a smile, looking extremely pleased, completely different from her attitude last night.

Sophie Foster instinctively stayed behind Nicholas Croft, feeling a bit ashamed about her condition.

Nicholas Croft found it a bit strange but didn’t ask much, smiling, "You didn’t have to wait, you could’ve started eating without us."

"How could that be?" Julia Zabinski teased with a smile, "It’s Lara’s first time back, and a new bride’s entrance is special!"

"Old woman, stop nagging, hurry up and serve the kids some food." Benjamin Croft, sitting at the dining table, instructed sternly, looking the part of the family patriarch.

"Alright, old man, I’m coming..." Julia Zabinski responded quickly, unknown if it was Nicholas Croft’s illusion, but it seemed like his mother was exuberantly happy as if she had won the lottery. He glanced over at the dining table, where his father, Benjamin Croft, sat upright at the head, with his brother Damian Croft’s family of three neatly seated on the left. Seeing Sophie coming down with Nicholas Croft, their child cheerfully exclaimed, "Mom, look..."

Lydia Zimmerman hurriedly covered her daughter’s mouth, quietly admonishing, "Don’t talk nonsense, it will upset your uncle."

The little girl’s words were blocked by her mother’s hand, though she muttered defiantly under her breath, "But it’s true!"

Nicholas Croft led Sophie Foster to the dining table, where Damian Croft and his wife stood up politely to greet them, "Big brother, sister-in-law,"

Sophie Foster was a bit overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, as they weren’t this polite and warm yesterday... Nicholas Croft nodded with a smile, "Okay, let’s sit down and eat, little Tutu is hungry."

The Damian couple sat down again, and after sitting, Lydia Zimmerman quietly tugged at her daughter’s clothes. The little girl, seeing her grandfather’s disapproving gaze, had to greet them enthusiastically.

"Uncle, Aunt!"