Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)
Substitute 1

Walking out of the Registration office, Katerina stared at the red marriage certificate in her hand, momentarily dazed.

Had she really gotten married?

And to a stranger she'd only met once, no less.

The marriage certificate was still warm to the touch, bearing the name "Joshua." Everything else about him remained a mystery to her.

"When should we hold the wedding? I'm rather pressed for time," said the stern-faced man standing beside Katerina, his gaze fixed steadily upon her.

After a moment's contemplation, she replied, "How about in two weeks? I need some time to prepare."

Joshua's lips curved into a slight smile, a hint of tenderness appearing in his deep, dark eyes. "Very well.

You won't need to worry about any of the wedding preparations. Just wait for me to pick you up on our wedding day."

Katerina nodded with a faint smile. "I live at the Green family residence in Upper East side. I'll wait for you there."

His thin lips parted as if to say more, but just then, a phone call came through, and a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of them.

"I apologize, but I have to leave for some business."

After receiving her understanding look, Joshua got into the car and departed.

His car gradually drove away, eventually shrinking to a black dot before disappearing entirely.

Immediately afterward, three luxury cars of distinctly different styles stopped in front of Katerina.

The car doors opened, and three brothers stepped out - different in personality but equally matched in looks.

The eldest, Ethan Green, was the first to exit his car. He strode over to Katerina on his long legs, casually adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Beth has a fever, and I've been busy taking care of her. That's why I couldn't make it to get our marriage certificate as planned."

The second brother, Tony Green, followed close behind, cutting an elegant figure in his black trench coat.

"Weren't you still undecided about which of us three to choose? Perhaps it's for the best that you missed today. We can discuss marriage again next year."

The third brother, Andrew Green, known for his unrestrained personality, chimed in, "Why wait till next year? Let's put it off for a few more years, give her proper time to think it through." Katerina merely shook her head, pulled out the marriage certificate from her bag, and smiled slightly.

"I won't be choosing between you three anymore, because... I'm already married."

Upon hearing this, all three brothers froze, disbelief flashing across their eyes. Their first reaction was pure denial.

Ethan's cold eyes narrowed slightly, his brows furrowing. "Kate, are you trying to scare us because we broke our promise to you while taking care of Beth?"

Tony's warm expression instantly turned cold. "Beth saved our lives in that car accident before, that's why we've been taking extra care of her.

You know very well that you're the only one we care about. As the young lady of the house, couldn't you be a bit more understanding?"

Andrew loosened his tie, a fierce look crossing his typically defiant face. "Everyone in New York knows you're the woman we three brothers care about.

Who else would dare to marry you unless they have a death wish? Kate, since when did you learn to forge marriage certificates?"

With that, he snatched the marriage certificate from her hand. The sound of tearing paper filled the air as the red booklet was ripped to shreds.

With a casual toss, the pieces fluttered to the ground like confetti.

Katerina stared at him in disbelief, about to speak but forcing herself to hold back her emotions.

Today was her wedding day, after all. She shouldn't lose her temper. Besides, a marriage certificate could be reissued if lost.

So she merely gazed at them calmly and said, "Tearing up the certificate doesn't void the marriage. My wedding will be in two weeks. You're all welcome to attend."

The three brothers exchanged glances, each clearly seeing the disbelief in the others' eyes.

True to their brotherhood, they shared the same thought, convinced this was just her playing hard to get.

Tony stepped forward, his tone ice-cold. "This trick isn't amusing anymore."

"I'm not playing any tricks."

"Fine, fine, you're not playing tricks, happy now?" Andrew replied dismissively.