Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband-Chapter 1261: Genius Youth Miles Linden

Celeste Linden looked at her brother, "Miles, you’ve planned everything out for the future already. Taking me abroad is just a matter of time, so why did you suddenly enroll at First High? I remember Principal Young came a few times to invite you, and you refused every time. I even saw an invitation from Stanford University in your drawer. You’re a genius; you don’t even need to attend high school." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Miles Linden didn’t speak. Sometimes silence is a form of acquiescence.

"I didn’t understand it at first, really didn’t, until today when that girl, Willow Crawford, came here. It was then I seemed to understand everything. First High isn’t worthy of you, but Willow is, so you paused your steps for her."

Celeste Linden understood her brother too well. This brother of hers had a talent and depth beyond his years, but heaven is fair; as it grants, it also burdens. The unbearable, original family and an elder sister like her weighed heavily on his shoulders, nearly suffocating him.

She knew her brother had always lived in guilt and self-reproach, feeling he hadn’t protected her, his sister.

"Sis, don’t overthink it. Going to First High was optional for me. Some people... I just wanted to see them; I never hoped for anything more."

Hope...

The word made Celeste Linden’s eyes turn red. She choked, "Miles, I’m sorry. It’s your sister that’s held you back... We shouldn’t burden you... Your life shouldn’t be like this..."

Only she knew how outstanding her brother truly was.

Miles reached out and gently embraced Celeste’s trembling, fragile shoulders, comforting softly, "Sis, please don’t say such things again. I won’t ever leave you. I will take good care of you."

The wound in her heart was his lifetime of pain. Miles often thought that if he hadn’t left years ago, everything might have been better.

He would never forgive himself.

...

Celeste Linden was already asleep. Miles Linden entered his room and opened his laptop to start working.

The numbers kept rolling on the computer screen, dizzying to the eye. Miles’s slender fingers danced across the keyboard, quickly deciphering what was deemed the world’s strongest firewall.

Ping.

A chat box quickly popped up. You’re amazing, X!

X. Miles took a sip of plain water from his cup. At this moment, a text message arrived. He opened it on his phone, noting that 500,000 had been deposited into his account.

Miles reached out to shut down the computer.

But messages kept coming in from the other end, all in English. Hi, Xboy, don’t close it, you only contact us once every two years. We’ve waited too long.

We noticed, whenever you need money, you contact us. Come on, join us. There’s plenty of money and beautiful women of your choice. Money, power, everything a man dreams of, we have it all.

Xboy, we really like you. You’re the one we’ve been waiting for. Don’t stay in that slum; you’re meant for the world of fame and fortune.

Miles remained expressionless, and with a "snap," he directly shut the computer.

Damn it! Consider yourself tough! Stay in touch!

Miles stood up, ready to shower, but then he thought of something. Reaching into his pants pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief.

Willow Crawford’s handkerchief.

He didn’t know why she’d suddenly come to First High. Years ago, he’d sold himself to pay for his mother’s burial, and she’d come from afar. He later inquired and found out her name was Willow Crawford, with her father Hayden Crawford being the world’s richest person. She was born as the Princess of Alani and was even destined to be the future First Queen.

She was the chosen one, lofty. He never imagined she would come into his life again.

Because she was in First High, that’s why he went to First High.

Some people, once seen, become an obsession. He was rational and restrained, knowing deeply that only no hope meant no disappointment. Just one glance, to fulfill his teenage dreams.

But he didn’t expect her to repeatedly bump into him, even coming to his house today.

He always wanted to make her leave because it would be better if she didn’t hover in front of him.

Don’t tempt him.

Miles never considered himself a good person. The things he desired, he could easily obtain, and if he wanted her, he had many ways.

No matter what kind of princess she was, or future queen, whoever stopped him from getting her, he could ruin that person. If the whole world stopped him from having her, he could ruin the whole world.

But he didn’t want to do that.

Such a dark, possessive person — she certainly wouldn’t like that.

Miles clenched the handkerchief tightly in his palm, telling himself over and over, let it go...

...

Willow Crawford hadn’t slept well the previous night. She felt weary in the morning and showed signs of catching a cold.

At school, Rachel Underwood quickly ran over, "Willow, I heard Principal Young is back today to handle the matter of Miles Linden and Hannah Alden’s early relationship."

Willow didn’t reply. Right now, she was utterly sick of Miles; his affairs had nothing to do with her anymore.

"Willow, look, all the school board members are here. They’ve all come to confront Principal Young, insisting on expelling Miles!" Rachel pointed.

Although Willow didn’t want to get involved with Miles’s matters, she still looked up to see a crowd gathered at the door of the principal’s office, all board members of the school.

These board members were parents of other students at First High, wealthy and influential people who had donated a few buildings and libraries to the school. They were pressuring the principal to expel Miles.

Willow walked over and soon heard their discussions.

"Dad, Miles Linden has always been a notorious problem child. How did he even get into First High in the first place? Today Principal Young must give us an explanation."

"Exactly, this Miles even dared to start an early relationship at First High. If we don’t punish this behavior strictly, it’ll definitely corrupt other students!"

"I also heard that Miles got into First High because of his sister. His sister was a bar hostess who became the mistress of a wealthy married man, and that lover squeezed Miles into First High."

Board members’ sons and daughters gathered, criticizing Miles together.

This made the board members even more agitated, "Why isn’t Principal Young here yet? We must expel such a degenerate as Miles from First High today!"

Hearing these condemning and scornful voices, Willow had already furrowed her brows. Though Miles was annoying, he wasn’t that kind of person, and his sister...

Willow recalled seeing Miles’s sister in that closed, dark little room last night. A blooming young girl, tragically short-lived — her sufferings woven into a web of vilification and thrown at her.

Last night, Miles had said she, a high-society lady, wouldn’t understand. Now Willow realized how true that was because she couldn’t even begin to imagine the extent of the pain Miles’s sister had endured.

Willow stepped forward and spoke out, "What are you all talking about?"