Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 1356 - 1350: Saving Up for Baby’s Formula Money (Xiao Ru’s Here with 2000+)

After staying another day in their hometown, Nicholas Croft flew back to City T with Sophie Foster.His brother Damian Croft personally drove the couple to the airport, and Julia Zabinski insisted on coming along. Before boarding, she gently brushed Sophie’s bangs and said warmly, "Lara, come back often if you can. Since your mother left early, I’ll treat you as my own daughter from now on!"

Julia’s words, though crude, were genuinely sincere. Last night, while Sophie fell asleep, Nicholas chatted with his parents until late at night. He didn’t mention Sophie searching for her birth parents, only saying that her mother passed early, and she was left to fend for herself in her teens...

Julia was so moved that she cried, berating herself that if she’d known Sophie’s story was so heartbreaking, she wouldn’t have treated her the way she did...

Nicholas comforted his mother with a pat on the back, saying, "Mom, it’s not too late to treat her well now."

So, today Julia insisted on coming to see them off and spoke such heartfelt words.

On the plane, Nicholas requested a blanket for Sophie, gently smoothing her hair, worried that her ponytail might be uncomfortable. Under the shocked gaze of the nearby passengers, he untied her ponytail and naturally kissed her on the forehead, saying, "Sleep for a while; you haven’t rested well these past few days."

Instinctively, Sophie hooked her arms around Nicholas’s neck and murmured, "Uncle..."

Their lips met amidst everyone’s gaze, feeling as if they had returned to those shamelessly intimate days when they first got together.

...

In City T, as work hours ended, Nathan Moore walked out of the company’s building and noticed a luxury car parked on the street. He paused slightly; if he remembered correctly, it was Evander Lancaster’s mother’s car, an extended Lincoln with the license plate 8888.

He strode over to the luxury car and gently knocked on the window.

The window rolled down, and Violet Zimmerman’s face came into view.

Her black hair was neatly tied back, her face impeccably made up, and she wore a gray-blue business outfit, exuding a capable yet not overly aggressive aura.

"Aunt, is that really you? Are you passing by or waiting for someone?" Nathan greeted her politely with a smile.

Violet nodded at him with a smile, saying, "I’m waiting for a friend; you don’t need to stay with me."

Though friendly, Violet was clearly hinting for him to leave.

Even in her subtle wording, Nathan understood that she was waiting for her secretary, Sophia Hamilton. He stopped by not just out of courtesy but also to confirm for his brother.

Nathan took a step back, smiled, and nodded, "Then, Aunt, you continue waiting. I’ll head back first."

As the window of the extended Lincoln slowly closed, Nathan’s smile faded. His deep eyes tightened slightly as he quickly walked towards his parking spot.

Sitting inside his seat, Nathan took out his phone, intending to call the secretary still upstairs organizing documents. After thinking for a moment, he instead called Evander Lancaster.

"Evander, I just saw Aunt at the company entrance; she’s probably waiting for Secretary Han," Nathan said directly, without any beating around the bush.

"Got it, thanks, bro. When my son is born, you can be his godfather!" Evander replied lightly, though Nathan sensed a hint of bragging. His brother’s baby was already more than seven months along, while his wife showed no sign, leaving him displeased. Before hanging up, Nathan grumpily said, "Who cares!"

Then he cut the call and tossed the phone onto the backseat.

Meanwhile, Evander called Sophia Hamilton, "Honey, not off work yet? ...Still a bit longer? ...Oh, it’s fine, just letting you know, my mom is downstairs at the company. If she gives you anything, just accept it and save it for the baby’s formula."

"Do you have to say that! I’m not stupid!" Sophia packed up the last document, pinching the phone between her shoulder as she headed towards the CEO’s office. "I’m just worried you’ve turned silly; haven’t you heard, pregnancy makes one silly for three years?" Evander continued jokingly.

"You’re the silly one, your whole family is silly!" Sophia retaliated defiantly, and on the other end, Evander’s laughter grew more joyful, "Yes, my whole family is silly, but you can’t escape it either!"

Sophia realized she was caught in her own words again, and as she pushed open the office door, she said with annoyance, "Alright, I’m busy, hanging up now!"

She neatly placed the documents on the desk and ended her day.

During this period, Nathan hadn’t assigned her much work. The most frequent task was making coffee; all other duties were passed on to Ewan Zimmerman.

Today, since Assistant Ewan had family matters to attend to, she helped organize the documents for him.

Emerging from the elevator, she saw the luxury car through the glass door. Sophia slightly curved her lips and walked out with her crossbody bag as usual.

"Hello, Miss Sophia Hamilton, our madam wishes to speak with you." As she exited the door, a middle-aged man opened the glass door for her, bowed slightly, and gestured invitingly.

Evander had already given her a heads-up, and Sophia had interacted with Violet several times before. She looked over at the extended Lincoln on the roadside and walked over with determination.

The middle-aged man quickly followed, and as they passed her, he opened the rear door. Violet sat inside with crossed legs, holding a poised stance with arms folded, saying haughtily, "Come in."

"Wow, an extended version, it’s really comfortable to sit in." Once inside, Sophia exaggeratedly shifted and fidgeted, showing no signs of settling down even as an expectant mother.

Violet shot her a disdainful glance and instructed towards the front, "Drive!"

The extended Lincoln started slowly, and even after a while, the ride remained smooth. Sophia exaggeratedly looked around and feigned confusion, saying, "Hey, didn’t you say drive? Why haven’t we moved yet?"

As expected, Violet let out a light chuckle as soon as Sophia finished speaking.

"Madam, where are you taking me?" Sophia leaned in slightly and, while asking, moved the crossbody bag on the seat to her lap. She opened it and took out a paper bag of beef jerky, munching on it as she spoke with Violet.

For someone like Violet, strict in family upbringing, Sophia’s behavior not only lacked decorum but also appeared quite rude. Frowning with dislike, Violet replied, "To a café!"

"Oh, that works. I was just thirsty; beef jerky and milk tea, dinner’s done." Sophia nodded as she took a hearty bite of the jerky.

Violet...

Simply turned her face to the side, choosing not to see, thus sparing her peace of mind.

In front of a café, the Lincoln pulled over to the roadside. The man from the passenger seat opened the door and hurried over to open it for them.

"Madam, we’ve arrived."

"Get out," Violet said aloofly, her well-maintained face still slightly cold.

Sophia was still chewing on her jerky and gestured with her chin, "You first, I’m a bit heavy now,"