Chapter 4 Broken Trust

Chapter 4

To save her grandma, Marguerite was willing to pay a huge price. She would do anything.

But getting married was hard for her. She hesitated, "I don't have enough identification."–

"I've taken care of it for you," the voice on the other end said "My guy is waiting for you at the hospital entrance. The last two digits of the license plate are 25 Come down now."

Marguerite hung up the phone, her mind foggy.

With just a few words, had she entrusted her life to a stranger?

But who was this Frederick? Why was he so keen on marrying her?

Marguerite was puzzled.

But she couldn't afford to ponder these questions. Her grandma's life was at stake.

She took one last look at her unconscious grandma in the hospital room, then made up her mind and left.

But just as she was about to step out, Zoe and Ablett appeared in front of her, blocking her way.

Marguerite's heart leapt. "Mom, Dad, have you decided to save grandma?"

If Zoe and Ablett were willing to save grandma, she wouldn't have to marry this stranger called Frederick.

But Zoe slapped Marguerite across the face. The burning pain seared across her cheek.

"Dream on! Do you know that Yuna was almost taken away by Hanley because of you? You should be with Hanley, not causing us trouble, you wretch! Put this mask on!"

Zoe tossed a human–skin mask at Marguerite.

Marguerite was fuming, her heart filled with both hatred and pain. "Mom, Hanley's debt is yours, not mine. Why should I wear this mask?"

Ablett picked up the mask and handed it back to Marguerite. "From now on, the Lockwood family only has one daughter, Yuna. You shouldn't look like her. Wherever she is, you can't be."

At home, Zoe and Ablett had guessed that last night, Marguerite might have mistakenly entered the room and confused Frederick for Hanley. That was why that incident happened.

So, the person Frederick wanted to marry was actually Marguerite, not Yuna.

To keep this secret from being discovered, Marguerite had to wear the mask and never let Frederick find out about the truth.

Marguerite, clutching her aching face, looked at her parents in disbelief, crying out, "Mom, Dad, I'm your daughter too. Why are you treating me like this?"

"Ha! I don't have a daughter like you! If it weren't for your inauspicious birth, would our casino business be in decline? Your face is mine to control, I have the right to make you wear this mask!"

Zoe's eyes were bulging out of their sockets.

Marguerite, having cried herself out, felt completely dead inside. "What if I don't want to?"

Zoe pushed Marguerite aside, walked straight to her grandma's bed, and swiftly reached for the respirator.

"Then I'll pull out your grandma's breathing tube right now! If you don't wear the mask, your grandma's death will be on your hands!"

Hearing this, Marguerite's mind went blank, as if she had been struck by lightning.

"Mom, that's my grandma, your mother–in–law. How could you do such a thing?" Marguerite asked Ablett anxiously, "Dad, she's your mother. Why are you doing nothing?"

Ablett pressed down on Marguerite's shoulder, angrily retorting, "You heartless girl, if you don't wear the mask, you'll be the one who kills your grandma!"

Marguerite felt weak, her worldview shattered.

These two people were not human, they were demons!

How could the world be so cold and ruthless!

"Marguerite, I'll count to three. If you don't put it on, I'll pull the tube!"

Zoe arrogantly lifted her chin, her eyes threatening, "One...two...three"

"I'll wear it!" Marguerite's voice was filled with despair and sorrow.

With trembling hands, she put on the lifelike mask.

The two of them left triumphantly.

Marguerite, drained, stumbled to her grandma's side. Looking at her sleeping face, tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Grandma, I'm sorry I can't protect you. Please wait for me, wait for me to find a way to cure your illness. Then we can leave this city forever." Wiping away her tears, Marguerite hurried downstairs and found the luxurious car mentioned in the mysterious phone call.

But as soon as she sat in the back seat, before even getting a good look at the driver, she suddenly passed out.

Half an hour later, in the registry office.

Frederick had already filled out the paperwork with Yuna. They were waiting for the staff to review it, then they could register their marriage.

Yuna felt like she was in a dream, completely unable to believe what was happening.

The man beside her was the king of the city!

And she was about to become the wife of the king, to enjoy a life of luxury.

For a moment, she felt it all too surreal.

Would Marguerite be insanely jealous if she knew?

Just as Yuna was basking in her triumph, an unexpected voice shattered her fantasy, "Mr. Winston, you can't marry Ms. Lockwood."

Frederick furrowed his brow, "Why not?"

The staff member swallowed nervously, "Because our system shows you're already married."

Already married?

Frederick was stunned, an aura of terror radiating from him.

But the most shocked of all was Yuna.

How could Frederick be married? He was the city's most eligible bachelor!

"Did you make a mistake?" Yuna asked anxiously.

The staff member looked embarrassed, "The system shows this result. There can't be a mistake."

Soon after, Chuck rushed in, his face covered in sweat.

"Bad news, Mr. Winston! Sadie just called saying there's a passed–out woman at the back door. She's clutching some marriage papers, and your name's on it."