The substitute bride is a mute

Chapter 3

At the Blake mansion, laughter occupied the building.

Jenna was playfully clinging onto Matthew's arm. "Can't you just get me that Masaretti, dad? With the 10 million dollars we're getting from the Reid family, we don't need to worry about money in the future anyway!"

Matthew sat in his chair, engrossed in the newspaper. When Jenna made her request, he turned sharply, his gaze piercing.

"How can you still ask for a luxury car? Turning down that marriage was foolish. The Reids are wealthy beyond measure. They could have given you anything you desired."

Jenna scrunched her nose, clearly displeased.

"Dad! Clark Reid is hideous, and his personality is as odd as they come. The thought of marrying him repulses me. Why would I want that?" Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

She added, "And besides, that mute Judy married him on my behalf anyway."

Jenna paused, her eyes rolling before a devious smile spread across her face. "I'd gladly marry Dominic, though. He's a doctor in Fulgaria, handsome, and successful. Men like that are more to my liking."

Matthew had always indulged Jenna, but her upbringing had made her unreasonably spoiled. He sighed deeply before gently tapping her on the nose. "Dominic Helps is Sally's son, not an heir to the Reid family. What good is he?

"And Clark is no fool. If it weren't for Judy, where else would we find a replacement for you?"

Jenna lifted her chin defiantly. "If not Judy, then someone else. Maybe she desired to marry into the family. Joining a wealthy family like that would be a stroke of luck for a mute like her!"

Matthew chuckled but said nothing. Only he knew that he had used Judy's grandmother's medical expenses to coerce her into taking Jenna's place. But such matters were of no concern to his princess.

Although Judy was also his biological daughter, a mute he'd only come in contact with recently was nothing in comparison to the one he'd spent years coddling.

Moreover, Judy couldn't possibly bring honor to the family like Jenna could.

Their conversation was interrupted by a call from the office.

Matthew's expression turned grave as he spoke into the phone. "What do you mean the capital chain from the Reid family is null? This can't be happening!"

After that call, his expression remained grim, leaving everyone wondering what had been said on the other end of the line.

Jenna, standing nearby, overheard the conversation about the missing money and looked visibly distressed.

"Dad, what are we going to do now?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Matthew furrowed his brows, a glint of anger in his eyes. "That bastard Clark Reid!" he exclaimed. "How dare he betray me like this? He's reneging on our deal after I sent my daughter to marry into his family?"

"He's such an eyesore!" Jenna chimed in, her expression a mix of irritation and relief. "Thank goodness I didn't end up marrying him. A man who can't keep his word is worthless!"

Then, turning back to her father, Jenna asked hesitantly, "What's our next move, Dad?"

Matthew took a moment to compose himself, his mind racing with plans for revenge. "I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget. And let's not forget, Judy is still with him," he replied with a determined tone.

Jenna smiled, reassured by her father's confidence. She knew he was resourceful and cunning, and Clark wouldn't know what hit him.

Meanwhile, Judy was busy mopping the floor in the Reid household.

Sally sat on the sofa, sipping her tea, her gaze critical as she watched Judy work.

"Make sure it's spotless. A Reid family wife should be diligent, always tending to the house. You should clean the rooms daily," she instructed, her tone laced with judgment.

"Lora is our senior housekeeper. We shouldn't overburden her. You should assist wherever needed. The Reid family doesn't tolerate lazy daughters-in-law."

Sally's disapproval of Judy was palpable, but she couldn't outright dismiss her from the household. Her priority was upholding the Reid family's reputation, so she aimed to make Judy's stay as uncomfortable as possible, hoping she would leave voluntarily.

"And if you find this treatment unacceptable, you're free to leave," Sally added before grabbing her purse and exiting the house.

Once Sally was gone, Judy let out a long sigh of relief. Dealing with Sally was exhausting, to say the least.