Billionaire's Beloved Substitute Wife with Gold Touch

Rebecca gazed at the wedding chamber, feeling as if she were in a dream.

Just like that, she had married into Boston's most powerful family, becoming the wife of The Harody family's heir-Alexander.

A month ago, Nancy had been flaunting her impending status as Boston's first lady, claiming that she would make every woman in the city cry with envy.

But fate had other plans.

A week ago, Alexander was involved in an accident that left him blind.

To avoid offending The Harody family, The Campbell family proceeded with the wedding as planned.

However, the bride had been secretly swapped for Rebecca, an orphan whom The Campbell family had raised in the shadows for four years.

The sound of the door opening made Rebecca tense up. She turned toward the man entering the room, holding her breath for a moment...

Alexander had already discarded his heavy wedding attire, now dressed in just a simple white shirt and black trousers.

His appearance had always been a mystery in Boston.

Some said he was terrifying, like the Grim Reaper himself.

Others claimed he was a man of unparalleled beauty, breathtaking beyond words.

As Rebecca took in his impossibly refined features, she barely dared to breathe.

"I can help you," she offered, knowing that he relied on touch to navigate due to his blindness.

"No need." The man's tone was cold and unfriendly.

Standing three meters away from her, his expression was frosty.

"The Campbell family sure knows how to scheme. The moment I went blind, they sent you as a disposable substitute."

Rebecca felt a twinge of guilt and lowered her head without a word. The wedding dress she wore now felt almost mocking.

She hadn't wanted this either. But The Campbell family had bound her with the weight of their so-called kindness, leaving her with no escape.

"You don't want this either, do you?" he suddenly changed his tone.

Rebecca instinctively looked up. "That's right. I didn't have a choice."

Alexander let out a cold chuckle. "At least you're honest. Not a hypocrite."

"But it doesn't matter. Whether it's you or Nancy, the result is the same."

His marriage to Nancy had always been a business alliance-there was never any love between them.

Nancy had some beauty, but Alexander had never been the kind of man who cared about looks.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Rebecca," she replied softly.

"How long have you been with The Campbell family?"

"Four years."

"Why did they take you in?"

Rebecca hesitated but decided to tell the truth.

She knew that in powerful families like his, anything could be investigated easily.

"My grandfather once saved Mr. Old Campbell's life. He promised my grandfather that his grandson would marry me."

"Oh? So you were Justin's fiancée first? Did he willingly let you marry me?" Alexander sneered.

"Justin never wanted me. I know my place."

"How old are you?"

Alexander, perhaps tired of standing, fumbled his way to the master bedroom's sofa and sat down casually.

"Twenty-two."

"Are you still in school?"

After a long pause, Rebecca answered slowly, "I never went to school."

"What? Never? Don't tell me you didn't even go to kindergarten?"

Rebecca awkwardly tugged at the hem of her dress. "No."

"Hah. Interesting. Very interesting."

Alexander looked genuinely surprised.

"I never thought that my wife would be an illiterate woman. How amusing."

Rebecca couldn't sit still at his mockery. She stood up, took a deep breath, and said,

"You don't have to ridicule me. I'm only here because The Campbell family ordered me to marry you. And your family didn't object to the switch either. After all, someone was still willing to marry a blind man like you, wasn't she?"

She continued, "If you're that unhappy with me, we can get a divorce anytime. Write up the papers now, and I'll leave immediately."

"Do you really think you have an escape route?" Alexander raised a brow.

"Then do you think you still have a choice?" Rebecca shot back, refusing to back down.

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then Alexander let out a low chuckle.

"Uneducated, but sharp-tongued."

Rebecca didn't respond. The truth was, if she hadn't been desperate to leave The Campbell family after four miserable years, she wouldn't have agreed to this marriage so easily.

Just as Alexander had said-did she have another choice? Of course, she did.

But not yet.

Not until she found what she was looking for.

"You sleep on the bed. I'll take the couch," Alexander said, his tone indifferent yet still carrying a hint of gentlemanly decorum.

"No need. This is your house. I'll sleep on the couch," Rebecca replied, standing up. The golden crown on her head made a soft sound as it shifted.

"Do as you please. I'm going to take a shower." He got up and started feeling his way toward the bathroom.

Rebecca hesitated before asking, "Do you need help?"

She had meant it practically-after all, the man was blind.

But Alexander interpreted it very differently.

"Oh? Sure," he said, suddenly playful.

Rebecca's face instantly turned red, though thankfully, he couldn't see it.

"I meant in case you fall in the bathroom. If something happens to you, I'll be held responsible. Don't misunderstand."

"So, are you going to wash me yourself?" he teased.

"If you don't mind, I certainly can." She refused to back down.

"Okay, then come in."

Rebecca froze, momentarily caught off guard.

"You can still back out now," Alexander smirked, sensing her hesitation.

Back out? As if. It was just a bath.

"Who's afraid of who?" she muttered, stepping inside the bathroom. Out of caution, she left the door slightly ajar.

"Are you going to undress me, or should I do it myself?"

Alexander's words made Rebecca freeze in awkwardness once again.

This man... he was doing it on purpose!

She took a deep breath and asked coolly, "Mr. Harody, you're blind, not paralyzed, right?"

"Fair point. I'll do it myself," he chuckled, shrugging off his jacket and dress shirt.

Immediately, his well-defined eight-pack abs came into view...

Rebecca whipped her head around, her fair cheeks tinged with pink.

Sensing her embarrassment, Alexander smirked.

"Just adjust the water temperature. Then you can leave."

He had only been teasing her-he had no real intention of keeping her inside.

Relieved, Rebecca quickly bent down to adjust the faucet.

In her haste, she accidentally brushed against his leg as he stepped into the tub.

The next moment-

Splash!

They both lost their balance and fell into the bathtub together!

Rebecca landed on top of him, her palm pressing firmly against his bare chest...

Under her fingertips, she could feel the smooth skin and the firm ridges of his muscles-along with two hardened points.

For someone with zero experience, Rebecca was momentarily stunned.

"Sir, Madam, I brought you some soup-"

A maid appeared at the bathroom door, only to be greeted by the shocking sight.

"Ahh! Sir! Madam! I-I'm so sorry!"

Panicked, the maid placed the tray on the table and fled.

The two inside the tub were left in an even more awkward predicament.

"How long do you plan on staying on top of me?" Alexander raised a brow, voice laced with amusement. "Didn't you say you didn't want this marriage? What, changed your mind after seeing me?"

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself! Sure, your body's nice, but who knows if it's just for show?"

She tried to pull her hand back.

But Alexander grabbed her wrist.

"You're the first woman to mock me. Interesting. Want me to prove you wrong right now?"

"Let go of me! ...Wait."

As she struggled, her fingers accidentally brushed against his arm-her brows furrowed.

"Alexander, are you sure your blindness was caused by the accident?"

"I've studied some traditional Chinese medicine. When I took your pulse just now, I felt something was off."

"You've never been to school, have you?" Alexander frowned even more, his inherent suspicion and vigilance surfacing.

"I learned it while living in the countryside with my grandfather. Self-taught."

"Your grandfather was a doctor?"

"Also self-taught."

"Why didn't he attend your wedding?"

"He passed away."

"I'm sorry."

Touched on a painful subject, his tone was apologetic. Rebecca didn't dwell on it and continued, "Back to the point-I'm just telling you what I sensed. Believe it or not, that's up to you."

"Go on."

"Would you mind if I check your pulse properly?"

Alexander said nothing but released her and cooperatively extended his arm.

Rebecca sat up, kneeling slightly at the edge of the bathtub as she took his pulse.

She wasn't the type to be infatuated easily, but she had to admit-seeing Alexander's face up close was quite the experience.

How to put it?

His face was far more attractive in person than in the photos on TV and in the news.

During her four years as a foster child in The Campbell family, she had heard about him from time to time and seen some pictures.

After all, The Harody family was the most prestigious in Boston-known by everyone.

And just a month ago, when the betrothal gifts were delivered, Alexander had personally visited The Campbell family.

She hadn't been allowed to sit at the table, but she had stolen a glance from afar.

His aura was undeniable, but she hadn't gotten a clear look at his face.

Now, seeing him up close-and shirtless, no less-was certainly a feast for the eyes.

"Have you stared enough?"

"If you're done staring, focus on checking my pulse properly."

Rebecca quickly averted her gaze, closed her eyes, and concentrated.

Her slender, fair fingers gently pressed against his strong wrist.

The cool touch of her fingertips sent a subtle sensation through his nerves-an indescribable feeling.

"Give me your other hand," Rebecca said.

"Troublesome," he muttered but still obediently extended his other arm.

A moment later, she slowly sat up. "I'm done."

"So? What's your conclusion?" Alexander asked calmly.

"You've been poisoned."

"Oh?" That was clearly something he hadn't considered before.

"I'm just speaking from personal experience. I've never formally studied medicine, nor do I have a medical license, so take my words as a reference."

"Go on."

"Your pulse shows clear signs of poisoning, and the poisoning must have happened within the last two weeks. The toxins are still active and detectable in your pulse."

"Do you know what kind of poison?" Alexander asked.

"Methanol poisoning-you've been drinking fake alcohol, haven't you?"

Rebecca's words made Alexander laugh outright.

"Me? Alexander? Drinking fake alcohol? Do you even hear yourself, little girl?"

"I'm just stating my opinion. Believe it or not, that's your choice."

Being doubted about her medical skills made Rebecca a little annoyed. She stood up and turned to leave. Think whatever you want.

"Wait."

"What now?" She turned back.

"If you're willing to help me, I won't treat you unfairly. But if you have any ulterior motives, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Rebecca scoffed at his warning.

"Mr. Harody, you haven't been polite to me from the moment you walked in."

"And by the way, paranoia is also an illness. I suggest you visit a psychiatrist when you have time!"

With that, she slammed the door and walked out.

Bang!

The sound was so loud that Alexander's ears hurt a little. Having lost his sight in the past week, he had been relying heavily on his hearing.

If it had been the old him, a woman behaving like this would have been thrown out without hesitation.

But he didn't do that now-he had more important things to focus on.

He picked up his phone and made a call.

"Look into the toxicology report of the truck driver who died in the accident that day. Also, arrange a full medical check-up for me tomorrow-bring several doctors."

Alexander stayed in the bathroom for a long time. When he finally came out, Rebecca was already asleep on the bed.

Listening to her even breathing, he smirked. This little girl has quite the relaxed heart-she's sleeping soundly.

Alexander chuckled, found a comfortable spot on the couch, and drifted into a light sleep.

The Next Morning

When Rebecca woke up, Alexander was already fully dressed, sitting still on the couch.

Even the soup the maid brought last night remained untouched.

Her mind was still booting up as she greeted him in a husky morning voice, "Morning."

"You're awake. Get up and eat." His face was as expressionless as ever.

"Okay."

"Change into something more festive-we're going downstairs to serve tea to the elders."

"Alright."

Rebecca knew that wealthy families had many customs. Even The Campbell family-a second-tier aristocratic family-was unnecessarily pretentious.

If not for Nancy using her beauty and charm to win over Mrs. Harody...

There was no way The Campbell family would have been chosen for this marriage. There were plenty of women in Boston eager to marry Alexander.

The Campbell family's business had been struggling recently, and they were facing financial difficulties.

The hefty dowry from The Harody family had solved Justin's crisis.

Yet in the end, it was Rebecca-rather than the true Campbell heiress, Nancy-who had to bear the consequences.

Rebecca pulled out a simple suitcase and chose a light red dress.

Without the heavy headpiece from yesterday, she felt much more relaxed, tying her hair into a simple ponytail.

With her youthful face, she instantly looked full of life again.

When they walked downstairs, the whole family was already waiting.

Alexander couldn't see, but Rebecca could.

A long dining table was filled with people.

She gently supported Alexander as they walked down the stairs.

"They're coming," Mrs. Harody said with a smile.

"Grandmother, please have some tea."

"Father, Mother, please have some tea."

"Aunt, please have some tea."

"Uncle, Aunt, please have some tea."

The Harody family's matriarch, over 80 years old, was still in good spirits. She was happy about her grandson's wedding.

But before she could speak, Alexander's second aunt sneered.

"Since The Campbell family replaced their true heiress with a fake one, shouldn't we reconsider how much dowry they deserve?"

Alexander's third uncle chimed in, "The Campbell family's actions were truly disgraceful. If they didn't want to marry, they could have refused. But to substitute someone else-that's a sign of disrespect to our family."

With both his second aunt and third uncle taking turns belittling her, Rebecca felt out of place. She clenched the hem of her dress, trying to remain composed, but she still felt humiliated.

Nobody wanted to be treated like an unwanted substitute.

Bang!

Alexander slammed his chopsticks on the table.

"Why didn't you say this yesterday?"

"You waited until after the wedding and legal registration to complain-don't you think it's a bit late?"

"If you had said it yesterday, I'd assume you were just making things difficult for The Campbell family."

"But saying it now? I can only assume, Aunt, Uncle, that you're making things difficult for me."

Isabel and Berton exchanged a knowing glance. Isabel quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Alexander, of course I didn't mean that. How could I make things difficult for you? We're family! I just feel sorry that you were wronged. Even your mother said this new bride isn't as pretty as Nancy."

A truly venomous woman-pretending to explain while dragging Alexander's mother into the argument.

To be fair, Rebecca was indeed not as beautiful as Nancy. Mrs. Harody had made that remark before.

But no matter what, it was inappropriate to say it in front of the new bride.

Mrs. Harody suddenly looked embarrassed. "That's not true, Rebecca is also very pretty. They both are."

"Enough! It's early in the morning, and you elders are embarrassing yourselves. The younger ones are serving tea, so just take your red envelopes and stop all this nonsense!"

In the end, it was the old lady who asserted her authority.

She loved her grandson the most. As long as he was happy, she didn't care who he married.

Grandma Harody looked Rebecca up and down with a smile. "Rebecca is a good child, with a round face. She has good fortune-I like that."

"Here, take it. This is from Grandma." The old lady handed over a big red envelope.

Rebecca instinctively glanced at Alexander. He didn't show any particular reaction, so she accepted it without hesitation. "Thank you, Grandma."

With the old lady backing her up, the others naturally didn't dare to make any more trouble. After that, Alexander's parents, uncles, aunts, and even his picky aunt all gave their blessings.

Compared to The Campbell family, The Harody family members were much easier to get along with. During breakfast, everyone just chatted casually-no one deliberately made things difficult for Rebecca, and there was no unnecessary drama. At least on the surface, everything was harmonious.

After breakfast, Alexander left the house.

Rebecca, still tired from the lack of proper sleep, went back to bed.

By the time she woke up again, he had already returned.

He sat silently on the sofa, not making a sound.

"You're back?"

"This is for you. Open it and see." Alexander gestured toward a pile of elegantly wrapped gift bags on the floor.

"What is it?" she asked, curious.

"Clothes, a phone, and a handbag."

Rebecca was stunned, just about to ask why he was giving her these things when he said, "What kind of era are we living in? And yet, you don't even have a phone."

"I don't go to school, I don't have friends-there's no use in having a phone," she said, lowering her head.

"The Campbell family isn't exactly bad to you, considering they raised you for four years."

"But they're not exactly good to you either-since they didn't even buy you a phone or decent clothes."

Rebecca remained silent because what Alexander said was true.

To say The Campbell family treated her poorly wouldn't be entirely accurate. After all, she had lived a peaceful life for four years, and no one had outright mistreated her. But she had little presence in the household-so much so that she often ate with the servants.

To say they treated her well, though, also didn't seem right. After all, they never sent her to school, nor did they ever acknowledge her existence publicly. If it weren't for the fact that Alexander was blinded and Nancy refused to marry him, he probably never would have known that The Campbell family had a foster daughter.

Although he still hadn't seen what she looked like, based on her voice, she probably wasn't unattractive.

"Why are you giving me these things?" she suddenly asked.

"Because I don't want you embarrassing me."

Rebecca: ...

"My wife shouldn't look so shabby. Take them and use them. At least they should match your current status."

"Thank you." She wasn't too proud to accept gifts-there was no reason to refuse.

Rebecca walked over, crouched down, and carefully took out the items one by one.

The most eye-catching thing was the phone-it was the latest model, in a soft shade of pink.

No girl could resist this color. If Alexander weren't blind, he would have seen how her eyes lit up instantly.

The other items-designer clothes and handbags-didn't excite her much.

Before she was eighteen, Rebecca had lived with her grandfather in the mountains.

So she had little interest in luxury goods.

But the phone-this was something she had always wanted.

Her foster father at The Campbell family had once suggested giving her one of his old phones.

But for some reason, Mrs. Campbell objected, saying Rebecca had no friends and no job, so she wouldn't need one.

And that was the end of it.

To make things even more awkward, in the four years she spent at The Campbell family, she had never had any money of her own. She wasn't allowed to work, and without any formal education, getting a job would have been difficult anyway.

Even the medicinal herbs she loved had been out of reach.

Rebecca held the phone in both hands, staring at it carefully for a long time, feeling a small surge of joy.

"I have a question-if my poisoning is indeed methanol-related, do you have a cure?"

Rebecca turned around slowly and looked at Alexander.

So that was it. There was no such thing as a free lunch. She knew it-why would this man suddenly be so kind, giving her gifts?

She answered seriously, "The doctors must have told you that methanol poisoning causes irreversible damage to the body, right?"

"Yes." He admitted it.

Today, he had gone to his private hospital and consulted several renowned doctors.

They had confirmed that his condition matched methanol poisoning symptoms.

But they also said that once methanol damages the eyes, there is no cure.

Alexander had been in a foul mood all day. After returning home, he had waited for Rebecca to wake up.

Something deep inside told him that this woman might be his last hope.

"So, it really is methanol poisoning?"

"Yes."

"Alexander, I've never tested my skills in a clinical setting. Everything I know, I learned from my grandfather. You would be the first person I attempt to cure. But if you're willing to trust me, I can try." She spoke clearly, each word steady.

"How confident are you?" he asked calmly.

"I have no confidence."

"No confidence?" Hearing that, Alexander's heart sank.

He had come to her as a last resort, only to hear that she had no solution?

"That's right. I won't promise that I can restore your eyesight. But I can try."

"So, I'd be your experiment?"

"That's about right," Rebecca replied, her tone unwavering.

Alexander suddenly lost his temper and threw his phone to the ground. "Rebecca, you've got guts. Do you believe I won't kill you right now?"

"Mr. Harody, I wasn't the one who poisoned you, nor was I the one who caused your car accident. I think it's important to remind you of these facts."

The air turned cold again.

Alexander was naturally withdrawn, arrogant, and quick-tempered-his violent streak ran deep.

Rebecca, on the other hand, was unshakable.

Two completely different people, yet fate had brought them together.

"If it fails, will I be in danger?" he finally asked, as if convincing himself.

"Of course not. At worst, your vision won't return, and things will stay as they are."

"Then there's nothing else to say. Do it-fast."

After a week of blindness, he had lost all patience.

"I need certain herbs," Rebecca said.

"Write a list. I'll have someone buy them."

"They can't be bought."

"What do you mean? Are you messing with me?" Alexander frowned again.

"No. The herbs I need are in the mountains-they're wild and nameless. I can't describe them in detail. So if possible, send me back. I'll gather them myself. My old house also has tools for making medicine-it'll be easier that way."

"Fine. We leave immediately."

Thus, on the second day of their marriage, Alexander took his wife out of Boston, claiming it was a honeymoon trip.

No one expected that when they returned three days later, Alexander's sight had been fully restored.

That night, in a small cottage in Phoenix Town, just ten minutes after taking the antidote, Alexander slowly opened his eyes.

The world became bright again.

"How do you feel? Can you see?" Rebecca cautiously waved five fingers in front of his face.

Alexander pulled her into his arms.

Their eyes met.

In that moment, the girl before him became a legend in his heart.

"Alexander, you can see now, right?" Seeing his reaction, Rebecca couldn't hide her excitement.