The Billionaire’s Secret Bride

"The jade pendant?"

Celia suddenly remembered—it wasn't with her anymore. It had been left behind at the Su residence.

"Grandma, the pendant is still at the Su house. I'll go get it right away."

Her grandmother had already drifted back into a weak slumber."Okay, Ci Ci... that jade pendant must not be lost. Promise me, get it back," she murmured, her voice barely audible before falling asleep again.

Celia gently pulled the blanket over her grandmother and then left for the Su residence.

Back at the Su household, Sylvia—who had returned home in a panic—was startled to see her.

"Celia? What are you doing here?"

Celia's expression was icy. "I'm here to get my jade pendant."

Jade pendant?Sylvia's face drained of color.

Celia went upstairs straight to her old room. But when she opened the drawer where she used to keep it—the pendant was gone.

Unless… someone had taken it!

She turned and stormed back down. "Sylvia, where's my pendant? Did you take it? Give it back—now!"

Sylvia's expression stiffened. She hadn't expected Celia to come back for that pendant, especially not now. That jade pendant had already been handed over to the Fu family—it had been the key to sealing their marriage alliance.

They never understood why the Fu family valued that jade so much. All they knew was that once they offered it, the Fu family accepted the match.

And the original bride-to-be... was never Sylvia—it was Celia.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sylvia said sharply. "What pendant? Do you have proof? If you keep accusing me, I'll sue you for defamation."

"Then I'll search your room myself."

"Don't you dare step into my room!" Sylvia stepped forward to block her.

"Move!" Celia shoved her forcefully.

Sylvia stumbled back—her face slammed into the hallway wall.

"Ahhh!"A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the house. She clutched her nose and stumbled to a mirror—her nose was crooked!

Years of expensive cosmetic work… ruined. The Su family had invested millions in giving her this perfect face. Now, thanks to Celia, it was disfigured.

"Call the doctor! Someone call the doctor!" she wailed.

Amid the chaos, Sylvia's phone rang.She glanced at the screen: Nathaniel Fu.

She scrambled to answer. "Darling~"

"Where are you?" Nathaniel's cool, deep voice came through. "I'll have the driver pick you up. Come back to the estate—my mother wants to meet you."

What?! Meet his mother?!

With a crooked nose?!

Absolutely not. If his mother saw her like this, she'd know instantly her face wasn't natural.

Sylvia wanted to decline, but before she could, the call had already ended.

She panicked. Her eyes darted to Celia."Celia! You go in my place. Meet Nathaniel's mother for me."

Celia stared at her. "You still want me to be your stand-in? This time… to meet his mother?"

"I won't do it."

Sylvia's tone turned threatening."If you don't go, then we both go down together. I'll tell Nathaniel the truth—that it was you who slept with him that night. You spent two nights in his bed pretending to be me. Do you think he'll let you live if he finds out?"

Celia froze.Yes… Nathaniel would strangle her.

He already had once. That cold grip on her neck, that terrifying feeling of suffocation—it wasn't something she'd ever forget.

She closed her eyes and whispered, "Fine. I'll go."

Arriving at the Fu estate, Celia found Nathaniel already waiting. His sharp, elegant features were drawn into a frown.

"You're late."

"I... I was nervous. It's my first time meeting your mother," she replied softly.

By day, Nathaniel found "Sylvia" tiresome and overly done up. But today, she looked different. Her bare face was clean and luminous, framed by dark silky hair tucked neatly behind her ears. Her eyes sparkled like glass under sunlight, and her lips—naturally red—formed a gentle curve.

Nathaniel gave her a lingering glance.

"You didn't wear makeup today?"

"No… but if you'd prefer it, I can go put some on."

He shook his head. "No need. My mother's been waiting. Let's go."

"Okay."

He extended his hand toward her.

Celia's lashes trembled.

"My mother's been pushing me to settle down. So when we go in there, we need to look like a real couple. You understand?"

"...I do."

Without hesitation, Celia placed her small, warm hand into his.Her heart skipped a beat.

And just like that, their fingers intertwined—not just for the performance, but for something far more complicated neither of them fully understood.