For the sake of his family, Richard married a woman he had never met before. However, his newly wed wife was not only hideous but also viscous, which he only discovered on his wedding day. He thought he would be disgusted by her, but unexpectedly could not help but be attracted to this mysterious woman. What made Richard scratch his head even more, was that her face under the mask seems to be hiding some secret.
Chapter 1 The unwanted bride
In the elite circles of New York city the Andrew's family were the richest.
Inside the spacious and luxurious bridal chamber, a tall and imposing man suddenly grabbed the bride who was dressed in an expensive wedding gown, his anger palpable.
"You are not Emily Weston. The Weston family have some nerves, dating to follow me with a fake bride. You're courting death."
The bride was forced to tilth her head back, her slender and graceful neck stretched out, but it did nothing to soften the man's wrath.
"Let...let go..."
The bride's face was partially covered by a snow- white mask, concealing most of her face. However, her eyes, bright and clear like stars were visible.
"Let... Let go...
Tears welled up in the bride's eyes as she chocked out the words, her voice trembling with discomfort. With a flick of his wrist, the man threw Ashley Weston to the ground, looking down at her in disdain.
Ashley noticed that one side of her mask has loosen. She panicked for a moment and quickly adjusted it back into place with a loud "bang,":the man opened the door and strode out.
A nearby servant, who had witnessed the entire scene, hurried over to help the bride who had been thrown to the floor.
" Young madam, are you alright? Let me help you up"
"Thank you"
Ashley stood up, rubbing her reddened neck, she glanced at the now empty doorway, confusion flickering in her tear--filled eyes. "Was that man just now Richard Andrew?"
The maid adjusted Ashley's wedding dress. "Yes, young madam, he is our young master, your husband."
Wasn't it rumored that Richard was disabled? Emily had cried her eyes out, refusing to Mary a cripple and insisted that Ashley takes her place.
But Richard turned out to be tall, with long legs and a commanding stride, showing no signs of any disability.
Ashley's lips curled into a light smile. If her sister Emily knew that Richard was not only disabled but also strikingly handsome with a model--like physique, she would regret her decision bitterly.
Ashley dragged her wedding dress and sat down on the vibrant red wedding bed. "Ahem, isn't it time for dinner?"
She hadn't eaten a single bite all day and was starving.
The maid was puzzled. Just a moment ago the young madam had almost been strangled by the young master and was in tears. How could she now act as if nothing had happened?.
Noticing Ashley's gaze, the maid quickly collected he er thought and stammered, " young madam dinner has been served. It's just... You were the only one... Who didn't eat.."
Ashley was momentarily stunned what? They had dinner without her? It was clear that she was not welcomed by the Andrew's family. Rumors had it that Imogene was always strict,and as soon as she entered the house, she wasn't given any food. This was obviously a way to show the new daughter -in-law who was in charge.
"Go bring my meal," Audrey ordered.
The maid looked troubled.
"Here's what you do; if they give you a hard time, tell them I've not eaten for three days. If I don't get food soon, I"ll starve to death in the Andrew's family. Also, sat that I've already fainted once from hunger."
" Will that really work?" Maid asked hesitantly
Ashley winked at the timid maid
"Go on, trust me."
Downstairs, Richard sat in a sleek leather sofa, repeatedly gripping and releasing the cup in his hand.
An assistant approached with a stack of documents. "President Andrew, we've confirmed it. The woman who married you isn't New York top beauty, Emily Weston but rather the infamous, disfigured Ashley from the Weston family. They tricked us."
Richards dark brows furrowed,and his hand loosening causing the cup to drop to the floor.
The assistant laid out photos of Emily Weston and Ashley Weston in front of Richard Andrew.
Two photos, starkly contrasting each other: Emily Weston, with her delicate features and fair, beautiful skin, and Ashley Weston whose right cheek bore a glaring, hideous car, resembling an ugly centipede.
Richard let out a cold laugh, " well, well, well, the Weston family must have a death wish, daring to deceive me with a marriage scam."
Beside him, the elegantly dressed Madam Imogene Andrew picked up two photos, her frustration growing with each glance
"The audacity do they really think my son is crippled, sending an ugly woman to marry into the Andrew's family."
Five years ago Richard had indeed been in a car accident. Afterwards, rumors spread that his legs were crippled.
Madam Andrew wanted to dispel the rumors but Richard stopped her.
Sitting next to madam Andrew, Mabel Anderson felt a weight lift off her shoulders upon hearing the news. The position of the young mistress if the Andrew's family would be hers sooner or later. how could am ugly woman ever catch Richard's eye?
"Auntie, don't let this upset you,vlet me give you a massage," Mabel offered, trying to soothe her.
The marriage between the Andrew's and Weston wasn't a grand affair; it was conducted privately.
The Andrew's family was looking for a woman of noble status who could match their family's prestige. Emily was the chosen bride after a meticulous selection process by the Andrew's family.
The wedding was extremely simple The Andrew's sent just one car to the Weston's to pick up the bride. In terms of social standard the Weston's are definitely marrying up.
No one expected the Weston's family to pull a switcheroo
It wasn't untill Richard returned from work and saw Ashley who was wearing a mask, that he realized the person he married wasn't Emily.