Born With Top-Tier EQ, I Refuse To Be A Sad Stand-In

Ive always had unusually high emotional intelligence.

When I was little, a rich woman took a liking to my dad. I understood immediately and brought my young, handsome uncle over.

Girl, my dads prime is long gone. My uncle is hotter.

When a coworker lost a project to me and cried like the world was ending, I understood immediately and introduced her to two interns on our team who were both six-foot-two and eighteen.

Ms. Parker, you let me win this time. Im not an ungrateful woman. These two cute boys are yours to get to know.

Thanks to this emotional intelligence, I moved through my social circles like a fish in water.

Until one day, I transmigrated into an angst romance novel as the substitute heroine nobody even wanted.

The white moonlight hated the original heroine for stealing the male lead. For the male lead, she framed and tortured the heroine again and again, until the heroine died miserably on the street.

Looking at the male lead in front of me, his face cold as he warned me to treat his white moonlight well from now on, I nodded.

Then I enthusiastically revealed the two male models standing behind me.

Sweetheart, its our first meeting, and I didnt know what you liked. So I brought you two male models as a little gift.

As the saying goes, you dont slap a smiling face.

Grace Whitfields icy expression twitched, as if she had been shocked speechless.

I pressed my advantage and bent slightly, grabbing her hand with both of mine.

Sweetie, youve been hanging from one tree too long. You dont know how handsome, obedient, enthusiastic, and most importantly, clean the younger boys are these days.

That sentence seemed to carry an extra meaning.

I paused.

Of course, Im not saying Mr. Ford isnt clean.

I patted Graces hand.

Sweetie, life is only a few tens of thousands of days. Women need to be good to themselves. Isnt it a shame to waste your youth on an overcooked old vegetable?

I turned to the two men.

Boys, hurry and introduce yourselves to Miss Whitfield.

The two male models, both broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, handsome, and perfectly built, hurried to Graces side and greeted her in voices that were shy yet gentle.

Grace instinctively backed up two steps, her face burning red.

This... this isnt appropriate, is it?

Seeing this, Malcolm Ford roared at me in disbelief.

Ivy Lane, what are you doing? I told you to treat Grace well, and this is how you treat her?

I was confused.

I scratched my head hesitantly.

What? Am I not treating her well enough?

I still have the agencys number. Should I call a few more?

You... you... Ivy Lane, well done.

Malcolm angrily dragged Grace out from between the two male models and turned to leave with her.

You stay here and reflect on yourself.

I had no idea what I was supposed to reflect on.

Was I wrong to save myself as an angst novel heroine?

My dear vicious supporting female lead framed me again and again for this male lead, making me donate blood, kneel as punishment, and get locked in a freezer.

When you got to the root of it, she did all that because of Malcolm Ford, this crooked little tree.

Was I wrong to tell her the world was vast?

After all, three-legged frogs are hard to find, but men with two legs are everywhere.

With Graces family background, she could absolutely choose a partner who was more handsome, younger, and emotionally stable.

Just like every romance novel plot, Malcolm left me where I stood and took Grace to a luxury store, then to a romantic dinner for two.

As I packed my luggage, I happened to see a private message from Grace.

You really are sinister. Malcolm told me everything. Those men were part of your plan to make me leave him. You found so many male models to tempt me and make Malcolm think Im a fickle woman.

But Im telling you now. I will always be his white moonlight. The person he loves most will always be me. You have no right to compete with me.

The corner of my mouth twitched.

At that moment, the sound of the front door opening came from downstairs.

Malcolm walked in cold-faced and ordered me to make him hangover soup.

My fingers flew across my phone screen.

Sweetie, that isnt love. If he really loved you, why would he find me as a substitute? From here to Europe is only a seven-hour flight. You were studying abroad, not leaving the biosphere. Did he really need a substitute?

To put it another way, even if you had left the biosphere, if he had even a shred of decency, he wouldnt have found a substitute like me within a month.

Sweetie, youre too innocent. You dont understand. He just wants to have two women at once. The substitute thing is his excuse.

If you dont believe me, go find a substitute too. See how he reacts.

The other side was silent for a long time.

I carried my suitcase downstairs.

Malcolm was leaning on the sofa like some grand lord, staring at me coldly with the expression of a man who had seen through everything.

Ivy, dont think you can make Grace leave me with little tricks.

Youre only a substitute. You need to understand your place.

Besides, Grace doesnt care for the men you found.

Then he spoke as if granting me mercy.

Ivy, I know you dont want to leave me. Dont worry. After Grace and I get married, there will still be a place for you by my side.

I lifted my suitcase and shook my head at him.

Nice fantasy, but when Miss Whitfield gets married, there might not be a place for you beside her. You might not even qualify as the side piece.

Malcolm shot to his feet.

What do you mean?

I smiled at him, hesitating while staring at his face for a long time.

Then I shook my head and sighed.

Nothing much. Its just that Mr. Ford should find time for some facial maintenance.

Then I dragged my suitcase out into the endless night.

I was done serving him.

Anyway, the original heroine had been a substitute for three years. She must have saved quite a bit of money. I could live a good life from now on.

Humming, I booked a hotel room.

Then I opened the bank balance.

Three hundred eighty-five dollars and seventy-nine cents.

I fell silent.

So the five thousand I spent hiring male models just now was my last savings.

An angst novel heroine got tortured by the male lead for three years, and her wallet didnt even have four digits?

Even a nanny should have saved hundreds of thousands after three years.

What exactly had she been chasing?

Furious, I opened my messaging app and found Grace in my contacts.

Sweetie, to create enough space for you to test Malcolm, Ive already moved out of his place.

But this man really has terrible character. We agreed back then that hed pay me one million a month, but now hes withholding my wages. What exactly do you see in a man who doesnt even honor his word?

Think about it, sweetie. Today he can kick me out of his house with no money and make me sleep on the street. Tomorrow he can make you leave with nothing. Marrying him is too risky. I truly advise you to reconsider.

If youre willing, we can meet. I promise Ill tell you everything.

After I sent that whole string of provocation, Malcolm finally realized I had left the villa.

What are you doing? Ivy, youve grown a temper. Now youre running away from home?

Dont forget, your mothers medical fees are still waiting for me to pay. In a few days, youll crawl back and beg me.

I was not the original Ivy, who only knew how to feel wronged and do nothing.

As a woman experienced in worldly games, I cursed him, then skillfully deleted and blocked him in one smooth move.

The next day, Grace asked to meet me.

She chose a caf.

She wore a coffee-colored dress, with very little makeup. Her face was full of hesitation and conflict.

I think what you said makes sense, but I still think youre doing this so Ill give up Malcolm and you can take his side.

Ive seen plenty of women like you. I didnt come today for advice. Ill give you one million to leave Malcolm.

I already knew she would not trust me.

But I grew even more enthusiastic.

Sweetie, thats where youre wrong. Do I look like Im doing this for money?

Forget everything else. With your face alone, youre so beautiful. I only look thirty percent like you, and people call me a beauty. What about you? Youre the real top-tier beauty.

After Mr. Ford has seen someone like you, how could he marry someone who only has thirty percent of your looks?

And your family background is so good. I dont know what Malcolm told you to make you this insecure.

But look at your family. Look at your face. Why would you think I can compare with you? Even if you dont want Malcolm, a man who once liked you wouldnt look at me.

Grace looked a little embarrassed by my sincerity.

I seized the chance.

I know youre afraid Malcolm will be angry. But think about it. Since you came back, has he ever publicly confirmed your relationship?

Hes stringing you along. So whats wrong with you dating someone too?

I guarantee that once you know what real dating feels like, youll understand how badly Malcolm treats you.

If youre really worried, we can keep it secret. You can pay me a little and hire me, and we can sign a confidentiality agreement. Everything will be your choice.

Grace wavered.

Does Malcolm really treat me badly? But he bought me many things and took me to a candlelit dinner.

I spread my hands.

But cant you buy those things yourself? Youre the only daughter of the Whitfield family. People should be placing the best things in front of you.

If you really cant accept it, think of this as revenge for his three years of wavering. Finding a substitute is not something a decent person does. Are you willing to let that go without payback?

My words hit Grace right where it hurt.

Fine. Well sign a confidentiality agreement.

Actually, when Malcolm told me he found a substitute because he missed me too much, I did feel uncomfortable. But there was always a voice in my ear saying he only did it because he cared about me.

After hearing you say this today, Im starting to doubt it.

I smiled at her.

Doubt is good. From now on, I will serve as your relationship consultant and help screen eligible men around you. If you like anyone, you can try getting to know him. Ill also help you monitor Malcolms emotional state in real time.

Grace shook my hand.

Just as I said.

Grace was beautiful, from a good family, and highly educated. The men who wanted to pursue her could line up from one end of the city to the other.

Before, she had only focused all her attention on Malcolm.

Now that news spread that she was willing to go on dates, those who secretly liked her came rushing forward.

Especially a handsome young man named Ryder Cole, who worked hard every day to create chance encounters.

After learning I was Graces relationship consultant, he directly slapped a five-million-dollar check onto my desk.

Help me pursue Grace. Whether I succeed or not, the five million is yours.

Holding Ryders five million, I almost cried.

The original heroine followed Malcolm for three years and only had a few hundred dollars. This young master gave five million in one move.

I looked into Ryders background.

The Cole family was old money. Clean background, good upbringing.

His grandfather, father, and older brother had no mistresses or scandalous side families.

He was not the eldest son, so he had no heavy pressure. His personality was lively, and he liked extreme sports, but he also kept himself clean.

As for Grace, she had been restrained by her family since childhood, always proper and disciplined.

The two of them were perfectly complementary, a natural pair.

Of course, only if Malcolm did not get in the way.

A few days after Grace and Ryder became ordinary friends, the four of us met at the same banquet.

After not seeing Malcolm for more than ten days, he was still as annoying as ever. Beside him was a female companion with a great figure.

The moment Grace saw him, she instinctively wanted to distance herself from Ryder.

She walked toward Malcolm to explain.

But what I did not expect was that Malcolm saw me first.

He smiled with a self-important expression.

Ivy, you chased me all the way here?

What? Have you finally thought it through? Being my lover is your best choice.

Faced with someone so confident, I truly did not know what to say.

Before I could speak, he noticed Grace beside me.

Looks like you really thought it through. Im satisfied seeing you two getting along like this.

I told you Grace has always been generous. She wont mind.

Grace froze and instinctively looked at Ryder.

Ryder walked to her side and took her hand with perfect restraint.

Only then did Malcolm finally notice him.

He frowned.

But Grace, after you marry me, you cant stand this close to other men anymore. As Mrs. Ford, your circle must be clean.

Grace looked sadly at the woman beside Malcolm.

But you also brought a female companion today.

Malcolm did not care at all.

So youre jealous. Grace, you need to understand. Im a man. Im only networking.

If I dont make money, how will you be the glamorous Mrs. Ford?

Grace lowered her head. Her eyes reddened unconsciously.

She wanted to ask what I, the substitute, counted as.

But in the end, she did not speak.

Her eyes were red as she lowered her head and held back tears.

Just as I had said, in the three years she studied abroad, Malcolm found me as a substitute and had countless female companions.

Even after marriage, he planned to keep me, the substitute, ambiguously by his side.

Yet Grace only stood a little close to another man, and Malcolm became unhappy.

So Malcolm did not fail to understand that this was wrong.

He was simply a hypocrite.

He simply believed both Grace and I could not leave him.

Malcolm did not notice Graces unhappiness.

He spoke to her from above, like bestowing a reward.

You can handle the wedding preparations yourself for now. I probably wont have time to try on suits recently. Just call me when the wedding happens.

If there were not so many people present, I would have slapped him.

Grace stood there stunned for a long while, covered her reddened eyes, turned, and left.

Ryder hurried after her.

The next day, Grace came to me.

You were right. Malcolm never treated me like an equal.

So Ive decided... I dont want him anymore. There are plenty of flowers in the world.

From that day on, Grace and Ryders relationship advanced rapidly.

When she had loved Malcolm, there was rarely a smile on her face. It had been filled with jealousy.

Now her eyes seemed to hide stars, and every day she was in high spirits.

When Malcolm was mentioned, she even looked regretful.

So this is what normal dating feels like. I gave up Malcolm too late.

After a few months, they met each others families and prepared to get engaged.

Malcolm still did not know that the supporting female lead who had once been obsessed with him was about to marry someone else, and that his own heroine had been the matchmaker.

He continued dreaming of having women on both sides.

So when he received Grace and Ryders engagement invitation, he did not even look at it.

Grace really is a capable future wife. She handled this well. But why hasnt she sent over the grooms suit yet? Does she expect me to prepare it myself?

Fine, Ill prepare it myself.

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and sighed helplessly.

Also send Ivy an invitation. Tell her that after Grace and I marry, our relationship will remain the same. She can secretly come watch, but she cant disturb my wedding with Grace.

On the day of the wedding, Malcolm arrived in a gray suit.

Then he saw Ryder in a white grooms suit, standing arm in arm with Grace.

He froze.

When he turned back, he finally saw the sign by the entrance, where four bright red words were written.

Congratulations on the marriage of Grace Whitfield and Ryder Cole