The Mysterious Billionaire and His Substitute Bride (Ethan and Janet)

Chapter 1362 Who Dared To Torment_You

As the clock struck six in the twilight, Brandon, weary from a long day at work, nudged the door open and entered his abode. On the brink of illuminating the room with a flick of the switch, a curled-up shape on the sofa flashed at the edge of his vision.

J sat there, a terrified creature trapped within her own emotions, quaking in the corner of the sofa. It seemed as though a shadow of immense sorrow had swept over her. Her delicate frame trembled subtly and the faint echoes of her sobs hung in the room.

This was the premiere act of her silent sorrow and despair he had ever witnessed.

A surge of anguish twisted his heart. With brisk strides, he closed the distance between them, his hands landing gently on her shoulders, and his voice rang with urgency. "J, what's the matter? What happened?"

Slowly, like the lifting of a tragic mask, J raised her face, cheeks glistening with the tracks of her tears.

With a brave heart, she attempted to shield Brandon from her distress. She stifled a sniffle and contorted her features into an awkward grin, managing to utter, "I'm alright..."

Witnessing her forced sense of maturity, Brandon's heart shattered even more.

He crouched down, cupping her tear-stained cheeks, his thumb tracing the wet trails away as he softly interrogated, "Can you confide in me about your tears? Have you been harassed, or are you unwell?

Why didn't you alert me?"

Inundated by Brandon's flurry of inquiries, J felt slightly overwhelmed. But the palpable concern laced in his questions stirred warmth within her.

"I promise, I'm okay." J burrowed herself into Brandon's comforting embrace, nuzzling affectionately into his chest. "You must be starving, right? Shall I whip up something for you?"

Her attempt to distract him was transparent to Brandon, a seasoned businessman. He gently disengaged from her, locking his gaze on hers, his tone growing grave. "Tell me the truth; why the waterfall of tears? Who dared to torment you?"

Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she teased, "Why don't you try guessing?"

Irritated, Brandon pinched J's cherubic face, retorting somewhat harshly, "How am I expected to play detective?"

"Assume someone did torment me, how would you react?" J tilted her head upward, silently anticipating Brandon's response.

Wouldn't that be easier, if someone else were to blame?

Unfortunately, destiny was the devious antagonist she found herself unable to counter.

Brandon's gaze hardened, his eyes

glinting ominously. "I can't stomach

the thought of harming lady

lovedf anyone dares to hurt you, they will rue the day they were born."

The intensity of his vow drew a chuckle from J, her face finally brightening with a genuine smile.

Beholding her enchanting smile, a surge of adoration flooded Brandon's heart, compelling him to lean in and plant a tender kiss on her lips.

Between breathless kisses, he murmured in a husky undertone, "Your smile is the most beautiful sight to behold."

Although the shared kiss left him gratified, Brandon couldn't quell the lingering concern for J's unspoken tears.

He guided J to sit upright, his resolute gaze signaling that he wouldn't rest until he was privy to her secret. "Will you share the truth with me now? What made you cry?"

To drive his point home, he reiterated sternly, "Speak the truth; don't try to conceal it from me!"

J cocked her head and offered him a teasing smile. "Do you really wish to know?"

Impatient, Brandon playfully tapped J's forehead, his brow furrowed. "Out with it, don't leave me hanging."

J playfully stuck out her tongue. "Alright, I'll come clean."

She straightened her posture and her expression gradually adopted a serious demeanor.

"Brandon, do you recall our promise?" J locked her gaze on Brandon's.Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

Brandon was puzzled. "What promise?"

Gently clasping Brandon's larger hand within her own, J's voice was sober, her words laced with gravity. "Didn't we swear to always be forthright and transparent with each other?"

Brandon was momentarily stunned. Before he could voice a response, J pressed on, her tone layered with a calculated emphasis, "Are you concealing something from me?"