Tycoon's Substitute Beauty

Late one night, on the top floor of Court Hotel in Soulas.

Sheila Newell trembled with fear as she opened the door of Room 888. She held the knob so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

The air in the dimly-lit room was heavy with the smell of alcohol. Sheila uneasily walked over to the bed. Before she knew what was happening, somebody grabbed her wrist and yanked her, causing her to fall down on the bed against her will.

"Ah-!"

Sheila screamed as a hot body climbed on top of her.

The man was topless, revealing his taut muscles and perfect figure. With a straight nose, thin lips, and a pair of handsome eyes, he looked like a god from the Greek legends.

When she saw his face, Sheila's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

The man seized the opportunity to firmly imprison her under his body. The thick scent of alcohol assaulted Sheila's nose. She felt like a small animal that had fallen into a trap, and while she tried to struggle, it was futile.

After all, this was the task she had to complete.

"Don't be afraid."

Perhaps the man could tell just how terrified Sheila was, because his magnetic voice almost sounded comforting. Despite his heavy breaths betraying his lustful desire, Sheila felt her tense body relax a little.

Then, the man lowered his head and planted his warm lips on her collarbone, slowly making its way up her neck to the tip of her chin, and finally, her red lips.

His kiss was red hot, like a spark that ignited Sheila's desire.

Sheila couldn't help but let out a moan, but her mouth was covered by the man's lips. Gradually, tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably.

The man paused to gently wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.

His tenderness made Sheila lose all sense of rationality. Not only did she allow the man to do whatever he wanted, but she felt a bit of pleasure as he ravaged her.

It was past midnight.

Sheila quietly slipped out of the man's arms and picked up the clothes scattered on the floor. After hastily getting dressed, she crept out of the room like a mouse.

Winnie Newell had been waiting in the next room for what felt like an eternity. When Sheila finally stumbled inside, Winnie snapped, "What took you so long?"

Sheila tugged at the hem of her clothes uneasily and whispered, "Winnie, it's done. Ivan's medical fees..."

Winnie's eyes wandered to the hickeys on Sheila's neck and she snorted in disgust. "They've been paid. Now, if you want him to live, just keep your mouth shut."

If it weren't for the fact that the female lead role of Star of Tomorrow was at stake, Winnie wouldn't have gone to such lengths to pay Sheila to sleep with the director of the film. Although Sheila was just an adopted daughter of the Newell family, she looked similar to Winnie, which was why the latter took the opportunity to make Sheila do her dirty work.

Thinking of this, Winnie felt inexplicably irritable. She waved at Sheila dismissively and said, "You can go now."

Sheila nodded. Not wanting to stay another second, she turned around and left as quickly as she could.

The hickeys on her body were a shameful reminder of the humiliating deal she had just made. Fortunately, it was over and it would be kept a secret forever.

--

When it was almost dawn, Gerald Lamont awoke to the sound of running water. Almost immediately, he winced in pain from his hangover.

The memory of what had happened the night before flooded into his mind like a tide. He narrowed his cold eyes and glanced to the bathroom.

Was it the woman he had slept with last night?

Gerald dragged himself out of bed and strode over to the bathroom.

The sound of running water suddenly stopped. He pushed the door to the bathroom open and looked coldly at Winnie, who was wrapped in nothing but a bath towel.

Winnie looked shy and flustered. She had no idea that the man whom Sheila had slept with was not the fat greasy director, but Gerald, a rich and powerful man in Soulas.

What a pleasant surprise!

"I'm sorry." Gerald's cold eyes landed on Winnie's bare shoulders and neck, which were covered in hickeys. He was usually quite reserved, but for some reason, he lost all semblance of control to the woman he had slept with last night.

Thinking of this, the anger he had initially felt instantly vanished. His expression softened and his gaze was no longer cold.

He added, "I'll take responsibility for this."

Pretending to be in a panic, Winnie nodded wordlessly. The truth was that she was overjoyed in her heart.

His family influenced the city's economy. If she could get Gerald's favor, she would be set for life!

Of course she wouldn't let such a great opportunity slide!

Fantasizing about her bright future, Winnie didn't mind taking a gamble.

"What's your name?" Gerald asked gently.

"I'm... My name is Winnie Newell," Winnie answered in a timid voice, her face as red as a tomato.

"Well then, Miss Newell, put on your clothes first. I'll ask my driver to take you home. I'll contact you soon." Without waiting for a response, Gerald closed the door for her and left.

Winnie was wild with joy. She got dressed quickly and left the room in high spirits.

After Winnie left, Gerald took a shower and put on a suit. Just as he was about to leave the room, he caught a glimpse of something on the bed-it was a bloodstain. His expression softened slightly.

Next to the stained quilt, there was a shiny object. When Gerald picked it up, he found that it was a star-shaped earring.

Although the earring looked a little old, it was well maintained.

Winnie must've left it. Gerald carefully put the earring into his pocket and thought about the bright eyes he had seen last night. They sparkled like stars in the dark night.

Gerald smiled imperceptibly. They would see each other soon.

The second she left the hotel, Sheila rushed to the hospital to see whether the medical fees had really been paid. When that was settled, she returned home exhaustedly and went to the bathroom to take a shower as soon as possible.

She peeled her clothes off and stood naked in front of the mirror in the bathroom. Her neck and collarbone were covered in hickeys, which ran all the way down her belly.

With a heavy sigh, she turned on the shower and let the warm water slide down her bruised body. Soon, tears rolled down her cheeks, mingling with the droplets from the shower. Through gritted teeth, she scrubbed the marks on her body fiercely.

An hour later, Sheila walked out of the bathroom like a zombie. As she was drying her hair, she found that the star-shaped earring on her right ear was missing.

Panic ensued. As she racked her brains, she realized it was still on her ear when she went out last night. Could she have left it in the hotel?

Thinking of Winnie's warning, she quickly took off the remaining earring and slipped it into a small drawer in the dresser.

Then, her heart beating fast, she went to bed.

Sheila stared at the ceiling numbly. After what felt like an eternity, she finally closed her eyes, as though her soul had slowly left her body.

As long as she could forget that humiliating night, things would be fine. No one would know about it.

--

Before she knew it, Sheila had fallen into a deep, restless sleep. When she woke up, she went downstairs and found Winnie standing in the living room impatiently. She was wearing an elegant suit and exquisite makeup.

"You're finally up! Go to Lisboa Hotel with us tonight," Winnie snorted coldly, her expression full of reluctance.

"Why?" Sheila was confused. The Lisboa Hotel was a famous seven-star hotel in Soulas. The Newell family had never taken her to such a place for dinner. What was going on?

"The Lamont family invited us. We're going to the Lisboa Hotel to discuss the engagement date between Winnie and the third son of the Lamont family. Go and get ready. We'll wait for you outside." Sheila's adoptive parents, Enoch Newell and Miranda Newell, came over. They looked very giddy and excited.

Engagement?

But before Sheila could respond, Winnie started dragging her back upstairs.

Sheila was inexplicably flustered. Biting her lower lip, she forced herself to calm down. "What's going on?"

Winnie looked back at Sheila and sneered, her eyes burning with jealousy.

Although the two girls had similar facial features, Winnie's beauty was far inferior to that of Sheila. In particular, Sheila's bright eyes were strikingly beautiful, and the mole at the corner of her eye gave her an even more irresistible charm.

Gnashing her teeth in hatred, Winnie took out a pair of thick black-framed glasses from her bag and shoved them into Sheila's palm. "Put these on. Take them off and I'll kill you."

Today was her time to shine, and Winnie wasn't about to let anyone take her spotlight away.

Sheila put the glasses on, lowered her head, and muttered, "Fine..."

Winnie raised Sheila's chin and looked her up and down contemptuously. When she was finally satisfied, she said loftily, "Don't forget that you're not an innocent little girl anymore, you slutty whore."

Hearing this, Sheila clenched her fists and her chest heaved violently. But when she thought about Ivan, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and bear the insult.

When they arrived at Lisboa Hotel, Enoch and his family headed to a luxurious private room on the second floor to wait for Gerald.

Before Sheila could take her seat, Winnie stopped her. Glancing at Sheila in disgust, Winnie ordered loudly, "I left my lipstick in the car. Go get it."

Sheila didn't dare to refuse. She scurried out of the room with her head down, fearing that Winnie would scold her again if she dilly-dallied.

The corridor was long and narrow. Sheila had to trot. As soon as she turned the corner, she bumped into a strong, broad chest, and her glasses fell.

Wincing, she looked up to apologize to the man when her breath caught in her throat.

It was him.

It was the man she had slept with the previous night.

The burning sensation swept over her body again, and every cell of her being was screaming.

Sheila quickly picked up the glasses and put them on, lowering her head and not daring to look at the man again.

Frowning, Gerald squinted at the woman in front of him. He felt that she was inexplicably familiar somehow.

"Look at me."

Sheila didn't dare to look up. Her heart banged against her chest wildly and she had to bite her lower lip to keep herself from crying out.

The next second, her chin was grabbed and she had no choice but to raise her head.

In that moment, Gerald's eyes met hers.

He stared at her face, studying every inch of it. In his hazy memory, the woman he had slept with last night had also looked at him with such frightened eyes.

She was so shy and cute, like a small animal, which made Gerald want to protect her for some reason.

Suddenly, a trace of surprise flashed through Gerald's eyes. How could this woman look so much like Winnie? "Who are you?"

The well-tailored suit the man was wearing outlined his profile so well, which made him look noble and domineering. Sheila looked up at his handsome, cold face. Memories from the previous night whirled in her head, making her break out in cold sweat.

She winced and apologized, "I'm sorry for bumping into you..."

Only then did Gerald realize that he was holding Sheila so tightly that the woman was probably in pain. He immediately let go of her, but he couldn't tear his scrutinizing gaze off her.

Sheila felt a shiver run down her spine. What kind of man was he?

Just then, a young man's voice came from behind Gerald.

"Why are there always women throwing themselves at you?" Gerald's younger brother, Herbert Lamont, teased playfully, winking at Gerald mischievously.

"I'll settle accounts with you when we get back. For now, just shut up." Gerald cast a sidelong glance at Herbert. Seeing that Herbert stuck out his tongue and didn't seem to care at all about his warning, Gerald glared at him threateningly.

The man's magnetic voice reminded Sheila of their crazy night together. She lowered her head again, not wanting to meet his gaze.

Just as she was thinking about running away, the sound of high-heels clattering against the floor echoed across the corridor.

"What's taking you so long?!" Winnie's shrill voice came from behind Sheila.

Sheila winced in fear. She fiddled with the corner of her T-shirt nervously.

"Did you get my lipstick yet? You-" Winnie wanted to curse Sheila harshly, but when she rounded the corner, she found that Gerald was also there. She was so startled that she stopped abruptly mid-sentence.

Gerald glanced at her indifferently. He felt a little dissatisfied with her behavior just now.

Winnie immediately put on a flattering smile and asked in a much softer voice, "Gerald, why didn't you come in yet?"

"I am going in," Gerald replied simply.

Although Gerald was talking to Winnie, his eyes were still fixated on Sheila.

Sheila and Winnie looked similar, and it was more obvious when they stood side by side.

What was the relationship between the two women?

Seeing this, Winnie almost couldn't keep up her gentle facade anymore.

Was this bitch trying to steal Gerald?

Winnie panicked. She slipped her arm around Sheila's and smiled. "Gerald, meet my younger sister. We look like each other, don't we?"

Gerald nodded. "I suppose so."

Gritting her teeth, Winnie pretended to be close to Sheila. "We're very close, ever since childhood. She always said that she wanted to look more like me, so she even had a plastic surgery as soon as she graduated from high school."

What Herbert hated most was hypocritical women. Hearing what Winnie said, he looked Winnie up and down in disgust and snorted. "Really?" I think she looks way better than you."