Chapter 85 I am Your Substitute?

A week later, Nolan brought Mandy to see Michael.

Michael took one look at Mandy, who already had a striking resemblance to Anna, and nodded.

He slid a check across the table. "Here's $1.4 million. Your job is to drive a wedge between Anna and Charles, no matter what it takes."

Mandy's eyes sparkled.

She quickly grabbed the check and stuffed it into her bag. "Don't worry. Breaking up a marriage? That's right up my alley."

Mandy had been through some rough times and had long forgotten Charles' initial warnings.

Even though Michael's plan was to wreck Charles' marriage, the money was too tempting to pass up.

As she eyed Michael's handsome but cold face, Mandy couldn't help but entertain some inappropriate thoughts.

She sauntered around the big desk, swaying her hips, and let her fingers trail over the back of Michael's hand. "How about I stick around after this is done, Mr. Tudor? I could!"

Before she could finish her flirtatious offer, Michael frowned and shoved her away like she was garbage.

Mandy stumbled and crashed into the edge of a cabinet behind her.

The sharp pain in her back made her face go pale.

Michael, looking disgusted, pulled out a tissue and wiped his hand right in front of her.

Seeing this, Mandy's face turned even whiter.

Michael tossed the tissue into the trash, his cold, deep eyes locking onto her.

His gaze was icy, like he was looking at something dead. "Get rid of those thoughts and focus on your job. Do it right, and you'll be taken care of for life. But if you try anything else."

Michael's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing. "I'll make you disappear without a trace."

Mandy's body shook like a leaf in a storm, every nerve screaming in fear.

She knew she could be killed at any moment.

She quickly closed her eyes, endured the pain, took a few steps back, and promised with her head down. "Don't worry. I'll get it done."

Michael's gaze softened slightly. "Remember, make Anna hate Charles. And don't mention my name."

Mandy wasn't dumb. She was smart enough to navigate the world of the rich and powerful.

Two years ago, she made a stupid mistake by trying to force Charles to marry her with a fake pregnancy.

Michael's warning was clear: no one should know he was behind this.

Right now, all Mandy wanted was the money to secure her lifestyle.

Michael had given the order, and she wasn't about to cross someone as powerful as him.

"Don't worry, Mr. Tudor. I know what I'm doing," Mandy said.

"Tomorrow afternoon, I'll get Charles out of the way. Go to Radiant Life Hospital at 5 PM and find Anna in Room 308," Michael instructed.

The next day at Radiant Life Hospital, Room 308, Anna called to the nurse beside her, who then went to the door to call the next patient. 

A minute later, a woman in a red dress, with wavy hair and high heels, strutted in arrogantly.

Seeing Mandy dressed like that, the nurse instinctively frowned.

Most people who came to the hospital were patients, and it was the first time the nurse had seen someone so flashy.

Mandy didn't even glance at the nurse.

She walked straight to Anna.

Standing in front of the desk, she looked down at Anna with a superior air. "Are you Anna?"

After a moment, she spoke again, her tone dripping with arrogance.

Anna frowned slightly but kept her professional demeanor. "What's bothering you?"

"I'm not here for a check-up." Mandy stepped forward and sat in the chair opposite Anna.

Her fingers, with bright red nails, lightly brushed her hair.

Her eyes carried a hint of contempt and provocation. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Mandy. Ever heard of me?"

Anna could tell this wasn't a medical visit.

She tossed her pen aside, leaned back, and looked at Mandy, who was clearly there to cause trouble. "Do we know each other? Why should I have heard of you?"

Mandy squinted her eyes.

Charles' wife wasn't the delicate, easily bullied type.

Collecting her thoughts, Mandy directly brought up Charles.

"Charle never mentioned me to you?" Mandy said, "Before you got married, did you ever hear that he had someone he loved very much?"

Mandy's tone remained unchanged as she continued, "And Charles and I even had a child together."

Anna's fingers paused slightly.

A sudden flash in her mind reminded her of what Aurora had mentioned about a woman who loved money.

Anna looked up at Mandy.

Was this the woman?

Anna's emotions flickered, but her face remained calm and composed. "What is your purpose in coming here and saying these things to me?"

Mandy smirked. "You're straightforward, so I'll get straight to the point. As far as I know, you approached first and wanted to marry him?"

Anna didn't speak, and Mandy smiled as she asked, "Have you never wondered why someone from a top-tier family like Charles would agree to marry you? You should be able to see that we look very similar."

Mandy pointed to her face, smiling meaningfully. Anna's eyes narrowed slightly.

Before Mandy could speak again, Anna suddenly smiled. "So what are you trying to say? That I'm your substitute?"

Mandy nodded. "You are indeed smart."

As she spoke, she carefully examined Anna's face. "He married you only for your beauty. If it weren't for the fact that you resemble me, do you think Charles would want a woman who had been with Michael for eight years?"

Her last sentence was particularly so harsh that coldness gathered silently in Anna's eyes.

But Mandy didn't think her words were excessive at all.

She lowered her eyes, looked at her newly done nails, and slowly spoke again, "Since I'm here, why don't I tell you about my past with Charles so you can understand your husband's past?"

With that, she looked up at Anna and asked, "Do you want to hear it?"

"If I say I don't want to hear it, will you leave?" Anna said.

Hearing this, Mandy was stunned for a moment.

Then she regained her composure, took out her phone to check the time, and then showed Anna the screen, letting Anna see the current time. "Dr. Howard, it's not your off-duty time yet, and I came in through the normal process, so during my consultation period, I have the right to say a few words."