Chapter 2 Doppelganger

• Bryce explained, "This isn't photoshopped."
• Summer exclaimed, "What?"
• "The person in the photo is my sister, Yelena Jenson."
• Summer abruptly lifted her head and asked, "Huh?"
• "Yelena can't show up right now, but her wedding is coming up, and we can't postpone it. So, I want to ask you to stand in for her and complete the wedding."
• Summer leaped to her feet in shock. "What?!"
• Is this guy out of his mind? Can you even substitute for someone at a wedding?
• "Your father's a gambler, and your family is drowning in debt. He owes loan sharks 680 thousand dollars, and with interest, it's already ballooned to 1 million. Your sister has been frail since childhood, surviving on expensive medication. Am I right?"
• "And so?"
• "This is 2 million," Bryce said calmly, placing a check in front of Summer. "If you agree to help, this money is yours."
• Two million! A fortune! That's ten years of my salary! With this money, I could take Winter abroad for treatment!
• Summer was tempted.
• "All you need to do is act. You don't have to fulfill any marital duties," Bryce continued, clearly uncomfortable at the thought that the future husband of Yelena would get involved with another woman. "When Yelena's ready to come back, you'll switch places in secret, and your job will be done."
• A glitter of dollar signs flashed in Summer's eyes, and she asked, "What's the deadline?"
• "Three months."
• Three months to earn two million! Oh my God! How could a moneylover like me say no to him?
• Summer's fingers twitched as she weighed her options, reason-ping-ponging between yes and no.
• It's just putting on some act—pretending to be someone else—for the chance to get Winter completely healed. Why not?
• But is there really such a thing as a free lunch? What if this fake marriage come with hidden traps? If something went wrong, who would take care of Winter? I couldn't rely on dad. He would disappear at the first sign of trouble.
• "I heard a rumor," Bryce leaned in and said, "The loan shark company your dad owes plans to pressure him into selling your family's restaurant to pay off his gambling debts."
• Summer denied firmly, "That's impossible! The restaurant is under my name. He can't sell it!"
• "What if the loan sharks threaten to cut off his fingers? Will you sell it then?"
• Summer couldn't argue with that.
• Right then, Summer's phone rang.
• "Hey, darling! A friend of mine invited me to make some quick cash out of town. I'm leaving! Don't call me! You and Winter should stay out of the debt collectors' sights. Bye-bye!" Beep-beep-beep.
• "Hello?! Hello?!" The call ended before Summer could respond.
• The same old excuse! Quick cash? More like he's running away to dodge the loan sharks! And leaving all the mess behind for her! Ugh, I'm about to lose it!
• Bryce looked at her confidently and asked, "So, will you reconsider my offer?"
• Summer calmed herself quickly.
• Bryce came prepared, but she wasn't without leverage either.
• Summer looked at him with a smile and said, "If we're going to cooperate, we need honesty. Can I ask what exactly happened to your sister? Why can't she go through with the wedding herself?"
• ...
• At that moment, at the Jackman Manor in Southras.
• "I heard the Jensons are actually going to go through with the betrothal Mr. Archie set up years ago."
• "Yeah, I heard the same thing. Jensons' daughter will marry into the Jackmans. I wonder what kind of person she is."
• "Is Mr. Theodore really okay with this marriage?"
• "What choice does he have? You've seen Mr. Archie's health. If he refuses and something happens to the old man … "
• "True. If it weren't for the concern that Mr. Archie might not hold on, this wedding wouldn't be so rushed."
• ...
• The gossiping voices abruptly stopped as a tall figure appeared.
• Backlit by the sun, Theodore's strikingly handsome face betrayed no emotion.
• "Mr. Theodore."
• "Mr. Theodore."
• Everyone bowed their heads instinctively, and none dared to look up.
• Theodore passed them, expressionless. "Everyone who was gossiping—dock their pay for the month."
• George, the butler of Jackman Household, replied immediately, "Understood, Mr. Theodore."
• Even at home, Theodore remained impeccably composed. His hair was neat, and every button fastened.
• He had only learned today that he—single for 26 years—apparently had a fiancée.
• And that fiancée was about to marry into his family soon.
• Women were all the same to him anyway. As long as she could keep his grandfather happy and stay out of trouble, he would agree to marry her.
• "Ten minutes. I want every detail about Yelena Jenson," Theodore ordered without even looking up.
• In less than ten minutes, his assistants presented him with a complete dossier on Yelena from childhood to present.
• The girl in the photos wore a look of arrogant defiance. Her hair was dyed in every color of the rainbow, heavy eyeliner caked her eyes, and her attitude practically screamed trouble.
• Theodore's brow furrowed with instant dislike.
• "Mr. Jackman, the Jensons sent a message asking if the wedding should be traditional or foreign style." Chief Special Assistant Travis Jenson asked cautiously.
• "Whichever is cheaper," Theodore responded without emotion.
• "The Jensons may not be as wealthy as the Jackmans, but they're still one of the prominent families in Northlorn." Travis gently reminded him, "If the wedding is too simple, won't that … "