Chapter 9

“I said—dad’s not home!” Yelena smirked victoriously.

“Dad forgot all about your visit today! I mean, given the kind of man you got married to, is it really necessary for dad to welcome you back? Please, it’s embarrassing enough as it is!”

“I don’t need any welcoming!”

Cordelia sprang up to stop Yelena. “I want my wedding gift!”

“Wedding gift?”

Yelena arched a brow and smirked vilely at her. “What wedding gift? Never heard of it!”

Cordelia was stunned, but her heart beat fast. At that moment, all the reluctance, indignation, and resentment she felt rushed through her. She knew that she did not have a high starting point. The second she had come to this world, she had been stamped with the label of an illegitimate daughter.

That was not what she would choose, however. Despite the darkness she had experienced all these years, she had worked hard to chase after the light.

No ordinary girl would agree to the absurd request to marry a man in place of someone else! She had just wanted to save her mother. Why were they ripping this sliver of hope away from her too?!

Yelena scoffed and turned around to go upstairs, but Cordelia pulled her back.

“Don’t leave yet. Explain this!”

“Explain what?” Yelena pinched Cordelia’s arm.

The pang of pain made Cordelia stumble back and knock the back of her head against the wall, causing her to hear a loud buzz in her ears. She looked up to see Yelena’s growingly vicious smirk.

“Cordelia, you’re married now. You live in some deserted part of the countryside. Don’t even think about associating yourself with the Jenners!”

“But… dad promised!” Cordelia gritted her teeth. “As long as I got married in your place, he said he’d give me a good amount of money as a wedding gift so my mom—”

“So your mom could stay in a better hospital ward and use imported medicine?” Yelena cackled. “My silly sister, do you remember why dad kicked you and your mother out of the house back then?”

Cordelia stayed quiet as a chill crept in.

“Your wh*re of a mother got pregnant with some b*stard and made dad angry!

“Cordelia, sl*ts go to hell! You think dad will save her? Pft, dad wants nothing more than to see her die out there!”

“No…” Cordelia’s eyes were red around the rims as she tried her best to rein her emotions in, but tears were already falling down her cheeks.

“My mom isn’t like that. Someone framed her…”

“You mean my mom framed her?!” Yelena raised her voice as she glared at Cordelia.

Cordelia’s gaze was cool. She remembered her mother telling her that the guiltier someone’s conscience was, the more they pretended to be aggressive.

“I didn’t say that,” she said, wiping her tears. “You and I have no idea what happened among them, so watch your words. I won’t let you go if you dare disrespect my mother like that again!”

“Hah, if only you were capable of it!” Yelena snorted and flicked her hair back to flash the diamond necklace she had just bought.

“What do you think? Pretty?” She looked at Cordelia provocatively. “I just bought it. It’s not cheap, you know? Cost me $40,000!”

Cordelia froze.

Yelena spat sadistically, “It was bought using the money for your wedding gift!”

“You—”

“Let me be honest. Dad didn’t even think about giving you a gift. It was an honor that you replaced me! Be thankful!”

Cordelia bit her lip and shook from rage, but there was nothing she could do. She kept her eyes on Yelena’s triumphant face as the servant politely “asked” her to leave.

As she left glumly, the sky was gray and emanated a damp scent. The weather changed erratically in this season, and heavy rains came when one least expected it. She could only hurry over to the bus station.

“Mr. Z, Ms. Jenner is out.”

“Mm.” Marcus took off his boxing gloves and tossed them aside before he unwrapped the layers of gauze wrapped around his hands. “How’s she doing?”

“Doesn’t look… very good.”

The man frowned.

“Ms. Jenner doesn’t look happy. She’s probably upset with her family. I asked around. The Jenner’s servant said that she didn’t manage to ask for her wedding gift and was insulted by her elder sister.”

Marcus clenched his fists as an icy glint flashed across his eyes.

“How much was her wedding gift supposed to be?”

“$40,000 more or less.”

“How much is the plot of land the Jenners are bidding for worth?”

“$150,000,000.”

“Very well,” Marcus snorted. “Use the plot of land to make them realize their stupidity!”