Pampered And Spoiled By My Husaband's Uncle

Slap! A crisp slap echoed through the room.

Tracy, dressed in a mini skirt, teetering on fifteen-centimeter-high heels, and wearing heavy yet artful makeup, crossed her arms and looked down with an air of superiority.

Cathy, standing in front of her in a simple white wedding dress, hadn't even figured out what had just happened.

"Why did you slap me?"

Tracy stared at Cathy's bare, porcelain-like skin-smooth and flawless, even without makeup. That face drove her insane with jealousy.

"I just wanted to remind you-though I can't marry Roderick, you're nothing more than a mere shield for us. Your marriage is fake, so don't even think about getting any funny ideas!"

Being slapped for no reason, Cathy stared coldly at the woman in front of her, who looked as smug as a hen that had just laid an egg.

No matter how furious she was, she had taken the money, and now she had to deal with the trouble that came with it.

Taking a deep breath, Cathy silently reminded herself to endure-to hold back.

"Miss White, I'm fully aware that this is merely a contractual arrangement. Besides, I already have someone I love, and it's not Roderick. Once the contract ends, I will leave Roderick cleanly, with no lingering ties."

Even though Cathy had reassured her, no woman could feel secure seeing such a face by her man's side.

"Good. Consider this slap a warning-so you don't forget your place. A woman like you, who would do anything for money... who knows what you might try to pull..."

Tracy was about to continue her mockery when a knock on the door interrupted her.

"Miss Turner, are you ready?"

The deep, clear male voice belonged to Roderick. Tracy shot Cathy a glare.

"I don't want Roderick hearing anything unnecessary. Remember your role-you're nothing but a paid actress."

Cathy clenched the fabric of her dress, forcing herself to maintain the grace she was expected to uphold.

"Miss White, I don't have the habit of gossiping."

"Good. Touch up your left cheek so no one notices."

With that, Tracy strutted away on her high heels, swaying her hips seductively.

The door opened, and in an instant, Tracy's voice softened, turning sweet and gentle.

"Roderick, Miss Turner is still doing her makeup. Even though this is just a formality, the details still matter. Otherwise, your family might start suspecting."

"Why are all the makeup artists outside?"

"Miss Turner prefers doing her own makeup. Let's wait outside."

The door closed. Cathy stared at her reflection in the mirror, then slammed her fist against the vanity.

From the very first time she had met Roderick, he had made things crystal clear:

"I already have someone I love. Marrying you is just to shut my family up.

I know the Turner family is struggling financially. I'll pay twenty million. If you agree, we'll get married, but we won't register it legally. The wedding will be low-key. Any issues?"

The Turner family was on the brink of bankruptcy. Thinking of her parents, Cathy had no reason to refuse.

"Thirty million. I agree to all your conditions."

"Fine. Thirty million."

"Deal. I won't interfere in your personal life, and I'll play the role of Mrs. Smith in public. But you are not allowed to touch me."

"That's exactly what I wanted."

This marriage was nothing more than a transaction. He didn't love her, and she didn't love him.

But she hadn't expected someone to give her such a harsh "welcome gift" right from the start.

Yes, she was in it for the money-but in Tracy's eyes, that made her a woman without dignity.

Two silent tears slid down her cheeks.

What Cathy didn't know was that the mirror in front of her was actually a two-way mirror.

On the other side, a handsome man with golden hair and piercing blue eyes held a cigarette in one hand, resting his head on the other in a lazy posture.

Watching the fragile yet stubborn woman who had nowhere to vent her emotions, the man curled his lips into a devilish smirk.

"What a poor little thing."

Night fell. Cathy hugged her knees, gazing at the countless twinkling lights in the distance.

The sound of a door opening startled her.

She quickly got off the windowsill as Roderick walked in-carrying Tracy in his arms.

Seeing them glued together like this, Cathy froze on the spot.

Tracy was despised by the Smith family due to her low status and inability to bear children. She wasn't even allowed to marry into the family.

Yet here she was, sneaking into the Smith residence.

Clearly, Tracy wasn't just bold-she was brazen.

Roderick glanced at Cathy apologetically.

"Miss Turner, there are plenty of guest rooms on the third floor. Could you spend the night in one of them?"

"Sure."

Cathy got up without hesitation. It was better this way-at least she wouldn't have to deal with the awkwardness of sharing space with Roderick.

"Roderick, go take a shower first."

Tracy pushed Roderick into the bathroom, and the moment he was out of sight, her gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by arrogance.

"Were you hoping to spend the night with Roderick? I already warned you-know your place!"

Cathy coldly interrupted her, "Miss White, I know exactly who I am. I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the Turner family. And you? Which prestigious family do you come from?"

Tracy's face darkened at the jab-coming from an ordinary background, she had always been insecure about her status.

Furious, she raised her hand to slap Cathy again.

But this time, Cathy was ready. She grabbed Tracy's wrist mid-air.

"It seems Miss White not only lacks a noble background but also proper manners."

"So what if you're the Turner family's heiress? Your family is bankrupt! Listen to me-I am the rightful Mrs. Smith. Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Whether you're someone's wife has nothing to do with me. And as for the Turner family's affairs-you have no say in them. Besides, it's Roderick, not you, who is financially supporting the Turners. Let me make this clear for the last time-I have no interest in Roderick."

Cathy flung Tracy's hand away.

Tracy glared at her. This woman had been sold off by her own family, yet she carried herself with such unyielding pride.

"Bitch." Tracy muttered under her breath. She had to get rid of Cathy before she could cause trouble.

With that thought, Tracy viciously slapped herself across the face.

So when Roderick came out of the bathroom, he was met with the sight of Tracy sitting by the vanity, crying.

"What happened, Tracy?"

Tracy ran into his arms, sobbing.

"Roderick, Miss Turner was upset that I made her leave, so she slapped me before she left."

Roderick frowned. "She did that?"

"Don't blame her. She's a rich heiress-maybe she's used to hitting people. Besides, we should be grateful to her. If not for her, how would you have explained things to your family?"

Roderick comforted Tracy, but his impression of Cathy grew worse.

Meanwhile, Cathy wandered the dark halls of the Smith estate like a ghost.

Most of the household staff were already asleep.

The third floor was filled with guest rooms, most of them unoccupied.

She picked one at random, assuming no one was there.

She had rushed out too quickly earlier and had forgotten her phone. Now, in the pitch-black room, she fumbled for the light switch.

Her fingers brushed against something soft-something silky. Was this silk wallpaper?

She ran her fingers over it again.

Then, a low, husky male voice purred in her ear:

"How does it feel?"

"Not bad, but a bit-AHHH!!! A GHOST!!!"

Cathy screamed as if she had just seen a ghost.

Cathy, like a startled cat, instantly leaped up as she heard the man's soft laughter in the room.

It was her first time at the Smith family's mansion, which was much larger than the Turner family's estate. This floor was usually unoccupied, so stumbling into a supposedly empty room in the middle of the night and hearing a voice was enough to scare anyone to death.

She fell back onto the floor, her hands pressing against the carpet as she frantically retreated. "Don't hurt me! I-I'm a good person!"

"A good person?"

The "ghost" had a pleasant voice. Cathy nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! I've never done anything evil in my life!

Well, except for one thing-I agreed to a fake marriage with Roderick for thirty million to deceive the Smith family, but I had no choice! Without that money, the Turner family would-"

With a soft "click," the room was suddenly flooded with light. As Cathy's eyes adjusted, she found herself staring dumbfounded at the "ghost"-or rather, a man.

He was tall, wearing a silk robe, and most importantly, he had an unbelievably handsome face.

Golden hair still damp with water, piercing blue eyes like the ocean covered in a misty haze. His facial features were sharp and well-defined, and a single water droplet trailed down his honey-colored chest.

Cathy swallowed hard, completely stunned by the breathtaking sight before her.

The man crouched beside her, gently lifting her chin. "So, you and Roderick are in a fake marriage, hmm?"

Cathy's soul finally snapped back to reality. What the hell had she just said?!

This man was definitely part of the Smith family. Cathy frantically shook her head. "N-no! You misheard!"

"Good kids shouldn't lie, should they?" His voice was dangerously seductive, like a devil whispering in her ear.

Cathy was terrible at lying. She racked her brain, trying to find a way out.

Flushing red with frustration, she finally blurted out something utterly spineless.

"Um... can you forget what I just said?"

The man, expecting her to spin a clever excuse, was amused by her reaction.

He chuckled. "I have a particular talent."

Cathy asked dumbly, "Is it... being handsome?"

She had never seen anyone more attractive. Many people had good looks, but this man carried an aura no one else could match. With his mixed-race features, he was downright unfairly good-looking.

This silly little thing. "No, I have an excellent memory. Even people I met once, years ago, I never forget.

Like you. A little liar."

Cathy's face instantly paled with panic.

"Sir, I didn't mean to deceive anyone! The Turner family was desperate, and Roderick needed a stand-in wife. We're just using each other.

Please don't tell the Smith family..."

If this got out, how would she survive?

"And what do I get in return for keeping your secret?" The man asked seriously.

Cathy met his mesmerizing sapphire eyes and shook her head. "I'm very poor... I gave all my money to my family."

A finger flicked her nose. "What a foolish girl. Get up."

"Oh..." Cathy's cheeks flushed. She couldn't figure out his intentions at all.

"Since you have nowhere to go, stay here for the night."

"Huh?" Cathy was completely lost.

"It's late. Go to sleep."

"But I-you-you..." She glanced at the single bed.

The man knocked on her forehead. "What are you thinking? You sleep on the sofa. I sleep on the bed."

"And about keeping the secret?"

"We'll see. Depends on my mood."