The news of Old Mrs. Rathborne’s coma quickly spread, and the media reporters with cameras rushed over again. This time, Yvonne Knight accepted a brief interview, crying and lamenting sadly, Our family’s matriarch has always been in robust health. Recently, too many things have happened concerning Annette, and we’ve feared that the elder matriarch, given her age, wouldn’t be able to bear it, so we haven’t dared to tell her. But today, somehow the news leaked out, and upon hearing that Annette slit her wrists and ended up in the hospital, the matriarch had a heart attack and fell into a coma. Now, the doctor says the situation isn’t optimistic, and we don’t know when she’ll wake up. Yvonne Knight blamed the incident with Old Mrs. Rathborne on Serena Sterling. This made Serena Sterling’s accusations even bigger, as everyone angrily said, This Serena Sterling is really a troublemaker. She caused Miss Annette to slit her wrists in a suicide attempt, and now the old matriarch is hospitalized, worrying about her granddaughter. I think this Serena Sterling wants to destroy both the Rathborne and Knight families. Serena Sterling is such a bad person! After the interview, Yvonne stayed in the intensive care ward. The ward was quiet; the matriarch was in a coma, and the heart monitor beside her didn’t look good. At this moment, Anabelle Rathborne rushed over. Seeing her grandmother in a coma, she didn’t feel sad at all but rather breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking of her grandmother’s affection for Serena, Anabelle even thought it was better this way, that the coma was overdue! Anabelle softly asked Yvonne, "Mummy, how did you do it, won’t it be discovered?" Thɪs chapter is updated by n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net Yvonne gestured "shh," indicating that the matter was safe and no one would detect it. Of course, she was tight-lipped and didn’t want to discuss it. Anabelle nodded knowingly, "Mummy, let’s go. Anyway, there are nurses here to take care of grandma. Come with me; I’m scared at night alone." Yvonne was just putting on an act. Now that the media reporters had left, she certainly wouldn’t stay with Old Mrs. Rathborne, as she deeply resented her. Yvonne led Anabelle out. But as soon as they stepped out, two figures approached from the front; leading was an extremely handsome and noble man, Julian Rathborne was back! Old Mrs. Rathborne said Julian would return tomorrow, but Julian had already returned tonight. Julian wore a black coat with a matching black suit underneath, a business waistcoat and tie, as if he had just come from a peak business meeting. His features were exceedingly handsome, as if chiselled, as he strode forward, his inherent noble lineage making him appear unattainable, cold, and merciless. Back then, in Aethelgard, the two big magnates were Julian Rathborne, noble, and Jude Crawford, profound. Yvonne suddenly halted her steps; she hadn’t expected Julian to return tonight, and now his handsome figure forcefully entered her vision, causing her heart to flutter erratically. Anabelle also saw Julian; she immediately gasped in delight and ran over, "Daddy!" Anabelle threw herself into Julian’s embrace. Julian extended his strong arm and caught Anabelle, who nuzzled her beautiful little face into Julian’s chest, acting coy, "Daddy, you’re finally back. I’ve missed you so much." Julian reached out and patted Anabelle’s little head. After all, he doted on Anabelle just like the matriarch did. Seeing this scene, Yvonne’s expression softened. How she wished they could live happily as a family together, now that the obstacle of the matriarch had been swept aside. She was one step closer to her goal. Yvonne approached, transforming from a strong career woman to soft and tender, gazing at Julian with admiration, "Julian, you’re back, why didn’t you let me and Anabelle pick you up?" Julian released Anabelle and glanced at Yvonne indifferently, "No need." Still the distant attitude that kept people at bay, unwavering over the years. Yvonne’s face paled, her whole demeanor stiffened. At that moment, Julian strode into the intensive care ward to see Old Mrs. Rathborne. Yvonne lifted her foot, also wanting to follow inside. But Julian’s private butler, Gary, blocked Yvonne, "Sorry, madam, you can’t enter." "Why can’t I go in?" Yvonne felt a bit panicked inside, "I want to tell Julian about the matriarch’s condition." "No need, the nanny is here, and sir will learn about the situation." Gary replied formally. Yvonne looked back, and indeed, the clever and capable nanny by the matriarch’s side had arrived. The nanny glanced at Yvonne, then followed into the intensive care ward. Yvonne could only stand outside; she didn’t know what was being said inside. Anyway, she hadn’t left any handle or flaw, so it should be fine. Julian tucked in the blanket for Old Mrs. Rathborne, and then the nanny beside him quietly said, "Sir, don’t worry, the matriarch is fine because before Yvonne came over, Miss Serena secretly sent a heart-saving pill." Of course, Julian knew that the matriarch had taken a liking to a young girl with the surname Sterling and wanted to adopt her as a granddaughter, but he hadn’t met her. Julian raised his hand and unbuttoned his black coat, "What’s going on?" The nanny shook her head, "I’m not quite sure about the specifics either. Miss Serena didn’t say much. She just asked the matriarch to take the heart-saving pill, and everything would be explained on the day of Jude and Yvonne’s wedding." Julian glanced at the nanny, "You’ve followed the matriarch for so many years and have always been loyal, but now it seems you trust that Serena Sterling very much, listening to her almost completely. A girl who can win over both the matriarch and the nanny—must be quite extraordinary." The nanny smiled, "Sir, once you meet Miss Serena, you’ll understand. Miss Serena has a heart as astute as a seven-holes linquistic gem; she truly is a charming girl. I always feel... feel that Miss Serena has a shadow of the matriarch from her younger days." Old Mrs. Rathborne came from a prestigious family, and the nanny was her accompanying maid. The nanny saw the shadow of the young matriarch in Serena Sterling. That wisdom, that spirit, is entirely the style of a matriarch. At night, Julian returned to the Rathborne family. He went into the shower, had a bath, and came out wearing a black silk robe, his short hair damp, making him look younger and more handsome than usual. At that moment, there was already someone waiting for him in the bedroom, none other than Yvonne. Yvonne had also taken a bath, wearing a red strap dress, her figure alluringly seductive, exuding feminine charm everywhere. Now, she looked at Julian with eyes filled with spring, then approached and reached out to embrace him, "Julian..." Julian discreetly avoided her, stepping away from her touch.
Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband - Chapter 405
Updated: Oct 28, 2025 8:25 AM
