The Substitute Bride: Idiot Or Not?

The yacht was a double-decker, and Winnie snuck onto it before it set sail by climbing up the rope.

Unfortunately, she had only just gotten onto the deck when she heard two pairs of footsteps approaching.

Not knowing who it could be, she had no choice but to crouch and hide in a dark corner.

Thankfully, her hiding spot offered a clear view of the person standing right opposite her, whom she instantly recognized as one of Xavier's bodyguards.

As for the other man who was dressed in white and had his back facing her, Winnie didn't know who he was, nor had she ever heard his voice before.

What she could tell, though, was that Xavier's bodyguard seemed pretty worried about their itinerary for the night. "Is your information reliable? The winds are rather strong tonight. I think it's dangerous to go out to sea now."

As it turned out, the man in white was a private detective.

"Of course, it's reliable!" he said determinedly. "Why would you even ask that? Did Mr. Fairchild put you up to it? Is he not confident of my capabilities?"

"No, you've misunderstood. That's not Mr. Fairchild's intention," the bodyguard hastily explained. "But as you know, my job is to protect him. That's why I have to be extra cautious. Furthermore, you're his mother's old friend, so there's no doubt he trusts you implicitly. Otherwise, why would he rush here after getting your message?"

"I'm glad you understand. Finding these clues already took up a lot of my time and energy. Do you know how unruly those islanders are? It was so difficult to investigate Mrs. Fairchild being kidnapped to the island and sold to traffickers," the man in white grumbled. "Besides, it wasn't easy getting this yacht, either. I didn't even consider a speedboat since a larger vessel would be able to handle rough seas better. Do you think I wouldn't prefer to set sail in the day when it's safer? I'm just afraid that our delay might cost Mrs. Fairchild her dignity! Mr. Fairchild has been looking for her for so long, and now that we finally have some news, why would he want to wait any longer? Even if you persuaded him to turn back right now, there's no way he'd comply."

Winnie, who was still in hiding, was utterly dumbfounded.

What the hell? That man in white used such a ridiculous excuse about me getting trafficked to the island to lure Xavier out here at night! More importantly, I can't believe Xavier fell for it! Oh, wait a minute, I remember the bodyguard saying the man's an old friend of Xavier's mother. No wonder he trusts the guy so much.

At the thought of that, Winnie couldn't help but grimace. In any case, I bet Zyon has bribed the man in white. Then again, I got to hand it to Xavier. He has a cast, yet he refused to deploy his subordinates and even insisted on heading out to sea personally. Isn't he just throwing himself into Zyon's trap? I can't save him from his stupidity, but what's maddening is that he hasn't told me where the badge is! I'll have to make sure he stays alive until he does.

Winnie might be secretly mocking Xavier, but unbeknownst to her, the latter was only being so dumb and reckless because the safety of his "Dumbo" was at stake.

If it were anyone else, he'd never be as anxious as he was now.

The sea at night was already full of peril, but what made it worse was that Winnie couldn't trust anyone onboard the yacht. Logically speaking, her best option was to find a way to stop the vessel. After all, the farther they sailed, the closer they'd be to danger.

Unfortunately, Winnie wasn't confident about seizing control of the boat, and even if she did, she knew nothing about operating one. With that thought in mind, she took her phone out and decided to call Christopher for assistance.

However, she suddenly froze in her tracks when she felt her wet pocket. Ah! I just remembered I didn't keep my phone in a waterproof pouch before jumping into the water! The entire device is a goner now. I can't even turn it on!

"D*mn it!" she cursed under her breath.

With that, Winnie had no choice but to head to the control room to try her luck.

Sadly, Lady Luck wasn't on her side. She managed to feel her way to the room, but that was when she saw four men playing cards by the door.

With them blocking the entrance, there was just no way for Winnie to get close to the control room.

Those men look big and strong, and since there isn't much room on the yacht, it'd be impossible for me to take them on now. In that case, my next best option would be to look for Xavier. I have to tell him that he's walked into a trap! Only then can we join forces to take down the enemies!

Having made up her mind, Winnie walked to the upper deck swiftly and quietly.

What she hadn't realized, though, was that a tall, shadowy figure had been standing on the upper deck and following her every move.

As soon as Winnie climbed up the stairs, the dark figure jumped into action.

His movements were quick and precise, and it wasn't long before he had covered her mouth with one hand and locked her wrists behind her with the other.

Even as he was doing that, the dark figure never once uttered a word.

Winnie, too, remained silent despite the sneak attack. After all, she was more afraid to alert the bad guys on the boat than anything else.

Fear aside, she still managed to catch the scent of the dark figure.

Huh? Isn't that the disinfectant smell in hospitals? His height and build seem somewhat familiar too. Ah! I know who he is!

"Xavier?" Winnie exclaimed. Although her voice sounded muffled, Xavier still heard her loud and clear.

He lowered his eyes and glanced at her, illuminated by only the pale moonlight.

Wait, I remember this outfit and the face mask that seems to be a permanent fixture on her.

"Fake Paulina?" Xavier whispered as he let go of the hand covering Winnie's mouth. "What are you doing here?"

The latter instantly flinched at the name. My goodness, did he call me Fake Paulina? Trust him to come up with that!

"Why wouldn't I be? You're still holding on to one of my things, so how can I watch you get killed without doing anything?"

"What do you mean I'm getting killed?" Xavier replied with furrowed brows. "I came out to look for someone."

"You've been lied to!" Winnie grumbled as she tried to squirm out of his grasp. "Let go of me first!"

However, as soon as she finished her words, the men in the control room kept their cards and walked out, looking as though they were about to make their way up the deck.

"The private detective you hired has conspired with the people on the

lower deck to kill you. We have to

leave here immediately!" she

hurriedly explained.

"That's impossible," Xavier said determinedly. "He's someone I trust a lot, and I'm sure he won't betray me."

"Hugo, did just hear a woman's

voice, or am I hearing things?" one of

the men walking up the stairs

suddenly shouted. "Oh, f*ck! ThereNôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

really is a woman! When did she get on board?"

Upon hearing that, the rest of the men perked up and rushed to the upper deck.

The one by the name of Hugo was the first to get there, and in his hands was a big, glistening knife.

With Winnie standing in front of Xavier, she was undoubtedly the closest to Hugo. If he were to launch an attack, she'd be right in the line of fire.

Knowing that Xavier's legs weren't in the best condition, Winnie decided to grab him and run.

What shocked her, however, was that he pulled her behind him and shielded her with his body.

It was also at that moment when Hugo plunged his knife into Xavier, and after pulling it out, blood spurted everywhere.

"Xavier!" Winnie screamed as her eyes widened in horror. Never in her wildest dreams did she think Xavier would block an attack for her!