

Stand-in Bride
Miranda Lawrence · Ongoing · 39.2k Words
Introduction
At nineteen, her mother took her back to her stepfather's house.
"Harper, it's your luck that you are marrying Mr. Brooks on behalf of your sister. You should seize this opportunity."
She was considered worthless in her mother's eyes, a sacrificial lamb for personal gain.
Everyone knew that Mr. Brooks had a debilitating illness, causing a complete change in his temperament and appearance, with only two years left to live.
Since she married Mr. Brooks, his illness miraculously disappeared. However, when someone investigated a case from a few years ago, they unintentionally revealed Mrs. Brooks's true identity...
Everyone was shocked beyond belief.
She was a hidden boss.
Chapter 1
"The Powell family is not your grandmother's home. When you go in later, you better put away your bad habits and don’t embarrassing me and let others laugh at us." At the entrance of the Powell Mansion, a luxurious black car was parked, and Zoe Powell instructed the girl next to her to ring the doorbell. Instead, as she rubbed her temples, visibly impatient.
Harper, carrying a black shoulder bag, wore a black hoodie. The brim of her duckbill cap covered half of her face, and her eyes beneath it squinted. With both hands in her pockets, she nodded nonchalantly.
"You better keep my words in mind. If you mess things up, don't blame me for not being polite to you."
Zoe had married into the Powell family for over ten years, living a privileged life. Her every move exuded the mannerisms of a noblewoman. Seeing Harper’s Street ruffian appearance, she got angry. "This alliance with the Brooks family will be good for you. With your grades, you won't be able to get into an Ivy League school. You'll just be working for others. Marrying Mr. Brooks will save you the struggle for decades."
Upon hearing this, Harper raised her head and looked at the person who was lecturing her. Suddenly, she smiled, a cold smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If it's such a great thing, why don't you let your daughter do it?"
"Piper can't compare to you. She was carefully cultivated by me and will undoubtedly have a better life in the future. How could she marry into the Brooks family?"
Zoe realized that her tone was becoming agitated and toned it down a bit. "Harper, don't blame me for being heartless. I relied on your sister's intelligence and obedience to put a footing in the Powell family all these years. Now that Liam Powell has passed away, the Powell family is declining day by day. We must rely on this marriage alliance to save the Powell family's business. It's good for both you and I if you marry into that family."
Several years ago, her ex-husband suddenly went missing and didn't return for two years. She didn't want to spend her whole life working hard in the countryside, so, she heartlessly left baby Harper with her grandmother. Later, Zoe remarried into the Powell family.
Zoe married the second son of the Powell family, Elijah Powell, they had a daughter. Despite Piper Powell being intelligent and well-behaved, she didn't have an easy life.
Elijah had a son named Liam with his late wife, who was outstanding and the pride of the Powell family. In recent years, the Powell family's business had been thriving because of Liam. When they first found out that Piper had given birth to a daughter, the Powell family was not pleased.
Over the years, they put in a lot of effort in grooming Piper, into a talented young lady, which made her life in the Powell family somewhat better. However, with Liam's death, the Powell family's business took a nose dive.
In order to salvage their business, they wanted Piper to marry Mr. Brooks. Everyone knew that Mr. Brooks had a serious illness six months ago, and not only was his temperament cruel, but also his face was disfigured.
Rumor had it that Mr. Brooks might not live for another two years. Zoe couldn't possibly let Piper become a young widow and live a solitary life. Therefore, she had to sacrifice Harper. Harper's cold gaze locked onto Zoe's face, curling her lips in a mockery smile.
This was her own mother, speaking of her own selfishness and interests in such a deliberate manner. "Did you hear what I said?" Zoe asked angrily when Harper remained silent. Harper averted her gaze and gave a faint nod.
Zoe was furious and helpless. She rang the doorbell, and soon a nanny came to open the door. "Madam," it was Sophia, who had worked for the Powell family for forty years and was the one Madame Powell trusted the most. Sophia glanced at Harper behind Zoe and calmly said, "Madam Powell is waiting for you." Although her tone was polite, it lacked reverence.
Over the years, Zoe had grown accustomed to being looked down upon by the Powell family's staff. She responded with a nod and led Harper inside. The Powell Mansion was large, and it took them a few minutes to reach the main hall. When they opened the door, the long table was filled with people, as if they were preparing for a family meeting. Madame Powell sat in the middle, with her eldest son Caleb Powell on her left and Elijah on her right.
“Madam Powell, this is Harper.” Zoe said, fearing her. She spoke carefully, without the confidence she had previously exuded in front of Harper.
Madam Powell nodded, her cloudy eyes scanning Harper. Harper hung her head, hands still in her pockets, quietly standing in place.
A hint of disdain flashed in Madam Powell's eyes, "Harper, even if you aren’t well educated, you should at least have some basic manners, and address people properly."
"A country bumpkin who was raised by a barely surviving grandmother since childhood, what kind of manners can she have?" spoke Caleb's daughter, Lucy Powell, her words brimming with sarcasm.
Harper raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of coldness reflecting in her pupils. With her hands still in her pockets, she had a frail figure that would be easily toppled over by a gust of wind, yet she still emitted a strong aura. The girl was frightened by this gaze and subconsciously lowered her eyes.
"I apologize, I'm a wild child and don't know what manners are," Harper withdrew her gaze, her expression cold, and her tone indifferent.
The Powell family members were angered by her attitude. Someone couldn't help but curse, "Hmph, such a poor appearance."
"Don't say that, after all, she's going to marry Mr. Brooks in the future. What if she causes us trouble?" someone mocked.
"Hah, trouble from her? Let's hope she doesn't scare Mr. Brooks to death."
Laughter surrounded them one after another. At this moment, Harper's phone pinged, indicating a notification. She took out her phone and slowly replied to the message, completely ignoring the mockery from the Powell family.
Madam Powell was annoyed to see Harper ignore her while playing with her phone in front of her. But she suppressed her anger.
She raised her hand to stop others from speaking and looked at Harper, "Has your mother mentioned the arranged marriage to you?" To her, the most important thing was the marriage alliance with the Brooks family.
"She did," Harper finished replying to her message and looked up, her icy gaze sweeping over the crowd as she spoke nonchalantly.
Madam Powell nodded, "Although it's an arranged marriage, the daughter-in-law of the Brooks family must have at least a high school diploma. I've heard that your academic performance is poor, so I won't arrange for you to attend Toledo High School. You will go to Granada High School."
"You're still young, so you'll be engaged in a few days, then start attending school. Once you graduate, you can get married. As for your grandmother, don't worry, we will arrange the best hospital for her treatment. As long as you go as you go along with the plan, we will take good care of her." Zoe had repeated these words to Harper many times before coming here. But Madam Powell just wanted to personally remind her to put her mind at ease.
"Okay," Harper answered decisively.
Last Chapters
#30 Chapter 30 Piper Causes Trouble Again
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#29 Chapter 29 She’s someone the Thompson family cannot afford to provoke
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#28 Chapter 28 The Boss Gets Angry
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#27 Chapter 27 His leg
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#26 Chapter 26 Campus Belle Is Changing Classes
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#25 Chapter 25 First Day of School
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#24 Chapter 24 The Powell Family
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#23 Chapter 23 The Powell Family's Daughter Raises Herself
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#22 Chapter 22 Not His Student?
Last Updated: 7/29/2024#21 Chapter 21 The Powell Family, Not That Amazing
Last Updated: 7/29/2024
You Might Like 😍
Letting Go
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn
The pain of my unwed pregnancy is a wound I can never speak of, as the child's father vanished without a trace. Just as I was about to take my own life, Henry swooped in, offering me a home and vowing to treat my fatherless child as his own.
I've always been grateful to him for saving me that day, which is why I've endured the humiliation of this lopsided marriage for so long.
But everything changed when his former flame, Isabella Scott, returned.
Now, I'm ready to sign the divorce papers, but Henry demands ten million dollars as the price of my freedom—a sum I could never hope to scrape together.
I looked him in the eye and said coldly, "Ten million dollars to buy your heart."
Henry, the most powerful heir on Wall Street, is a former heart patient. He'll never suspect that his so-called shameful ex-wife orchestrated the heart beating in his chest.
You Rejected A Silver Wolf
Wandering off as a rogue, she heightened her powers and became the fearsome dread called Your Silver.
Accompanied by her silver wolf, she was ready to unleash hell on all who rejected her but then she meets her second chance mate, Alpha of Black Rose, who she couldn’t refuse.
An evil is rising that'd need the blood of the silver wolf to succeed. Would Rihanna forsake her pain and work with her mates, old and new?
Or would she charge head-on to the evil risking her own life? Enjoy this enthralling read!!
Stuck With My Three Hottie Boss
"Do you want that, buttercup? Do you want us to give your little cunt what it craves?"
"Y…yes, sir." I breathed
Joanna Clover's hard work through university paid off when she got a secretary job offer to her dream company, Dangote Group of Industries. The company is owned by three mafia heirs, they don't only own a joint business, they are also lovers and had been together since their college days.
They are sexually attracted to one another but they share everything together including women and they change them like clothes. They are known as the world's most dangerous playboys.
They want to share her but will she accept the fact that they fuck each other?
Will she be able to navigate business and pleasure?
She has never been touched by a man before let alone three, all at the same time. Will she oblige?
The Luna's Vampire Prince
His hand is cool when it brushes a loose curl from my cheek, but I don’t jerk away from him. I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t understand why I’m here. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. It seems like a lot of powerful people want me—dead or alive. And yet, all I can think about right now is how badly I want this vampire’s hands on my body.
I live in a desolate village on the edge of the Vampire King’s lands. This used to be wolf shifter territory, but now, we are just trying to survive.
When I mess up and find myself in a culling, I know I’m dead. No wolf shifters ever survive these events.
And after the stunt I pulled in the middle of the village, Prince Rafe probably wants me dead.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing when a vampire looks at you like you’re a snack?
Something tells me, once I reach the castle, I’ll be missing my miserable existence in the village.
But then—it turns out I have no freaking idea who I even am, and when the royals start referring to me as Princess Ainslee, I realize my life is about to take a turn—for better or worse.
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother
"What is wrong with me?
Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?
It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.
He’s my boyfirend’s brother.
This is Tyler’s family.
I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.
**
As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.
Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.
When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.
I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.
**
I hate girls like her.
Entitled.
Delicate.
And still—
Still.
The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.
Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.
I shouldn’t care.
I don’t care.
It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.
It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.
I’m not here to rescue anyone.
Especially not her.
Especially not someone like her.
She’s not my problem.
And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.
But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
The Wolf Prophies
Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Upon meeting the three Lycan kings, Zirah learns that the Kings are no prince charmings. That this would be no fairy tale love story, but one where her life is constantly balanced on the sharp edge of a knife's blade. A knife that is poised to take her life or leave her horribly broken. The Kings want nothing to do with her or each other and plan to get rid of her.
What they don't expect is for Zirah to fight back, only she plays with something far more dangerous than weapons. She’ll play with their hearts.
Zirah has to pick one King, but secrets will be revealed, and the battle between the Kings will be for more than just the throne. They will battle for the queen that they tried to break. But there's just one issue: Zirah wants revenge, and what better revenge than taking away their precious throne?
A pack of their own
A FORCED CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL
MXM R18+
A FORCED CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL.
I sucked in my breath when he all of a sudden took hold of my jaw and kept my other hand above my head" "Let go of me, you devil," I beat against his chest repeatedly. I wanted to shove him off me but he didn't even budge a bit. Within minutes , l brought my knee up and kicked him in the shin. As soon as I did, he groaned out in pain and I took that as an opportunity to free myself from his grasp. I rushed quickly to the other side of the room desperate to get away from him.
He wasn't going to do as he pleases with me and yet we are fellow men
Shattered Girl
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Was that too much?” I could see the worry in his eyes as I took a deep breath.
“I just didn’t want you to see all my scars,” I whispered, feeling ashamed of my marked body.
Emmy Nichols is used to surviving. She survived her abusive father for years until he beat her so severely, she ended up in the hospital, and her father was finally arrested. Now, Emmy is thrown into a life she never expected. Now she has a mother
who doesn't want her, a politically motivated stepfather with ties to the Irish mob, four older stepbrothers, and their best friend who swear to love and protect her. Then, one night, everything shatters, and Emmy feels her only option is to run.
When her stepbrothers and their best friend finally find her, will they pick up the pieces and convince Emmy that they will keep her safe and their love will hold them together?
Up North
My hands move from his jaw to his hair, tagging at its ends. His hands travel down my body and pull the material from my shirt up my body, he places a wet kiss right beside my belly button. I tense as I let out a gasp. He makes his way up, showering my stomach with slow kisses, studying my body as he goes until the shirt is completely off and his mouth is on my neck.
Aelin has been mistreated by her pack for as long as she can remember, but as the threats of the Vampire Kingdom becomes more and more palpable, her pack has to call the Northerners to help them train and prepare for the Vampire Kingdom. What happens when the Northern Alpha takes a liking to Aelin?