Cyrus and Josephine left the county clerk's office after receiving their marriage license.
Josephine felt a sense of unreality. Just seven days ago, she had been despised by everyone, but now everything had changed.
She gently ran her fingers over the marriage license as if trying to confirm whether this was all just a beautiful dream.
Cyrus noticed her unusual behavior and gently held her hand. "Josephine, from now on, we're officially husband and wife," he said.
Josephine looked up, her eyes still carrying a trace of bewilderment, and murmured, "Everything happened so suddenly. I feel like I'm still dreaming."
Cyrus smiled and embraced her. "Silly girl, this is real. I'll be by your side from now on," he said.
"Cyrus, I'm so lucky to have met you," Josephine said, leaning into his embrace, feeling his warmth and heartbeat.
Cyrus released her and took her hand. "Let's go home. Our new life together begins now," he said.
Josephine nodded and walked forward hand in hand with Cyrus.
"Let's go to my home. I want to share this good news with my parents!" Josephine said, bringing Cyrus to the Thompson Villa once again.
When they arrived at the Thompson Villa, they were stopped by the security guards outside.
"This is the Thompson family's private property. No unauthorized personnel allowed!" one of the guards said, his eyes scanning Josephine with amazement, wondering who this beautiful woman might be.
Josephine's expression immediately darkened. "Open your eyes and look carefully. I'm Josephine Thompson!" she said loudly.
"Nonsense! Everyone knows what that ugly freak looks like. She could barely even walk properly. How could you be Josephine?" The guard's face was full of doubt and contempt.
Josephine's chest heaved with anger. "You blind fool, I am Josephine!" she shouted, furious that she couldn't even enter her own home.
"Are you Josephine?" Nolan and Jennifer, walking hand in hand, happened to pass by and were shocked to hear this beautiful woman claim to be Josephine.
Nolan's gaze toward Josephine was filled with desire as if he wanted to devour her.
Jennifer, however, was full of jealousy, clearly disliking women who were prettier than her.
She gritted her teeth and glared at Josephine. "Hmph, stop pretending to be that ugly freak. Just looking at her used to ruin my appetite for days!"
Josephine's lips curved into a faint smile. "Jennifer, don't you recognize me anymore?" she asked.
Nolan finally came to his senses and stammered, "You... You are really Josephine! How... How did you become like this?"
Josephine straightened her back. "I'm healed now. What's so strange about that?" she said.
"It's impossible! How could you be that ugly freak?" Jennifer's voice was sharp and piercing, full of disbelief and extreme jealousy.
Her eyes were wide open, staring intently at Josephine as if trying to find any trace of disguise.
Josephine coldly looked at Jennifer. "Jennifer, can't you accept the fact that I've changed for the better? I remember clearly how you used to bully me," she said.
Jennifer's face instantly turned pale. "You... You're lying! I never bullied you!" she said frantically.
Nolan stood awkwardly to the side, looking between Josephine and Jennifer, unsure of what to say.
Josephine continued, "Nolan, you used to look down on me, and now you keep staring at me. Do you think that's appropriate?"
Nolan's face turned red as he stammered, "Josephine, I was ignorant before."
"Honey, let's go," Josephine said, pulling Cyrus into the Thompson Villa.
Jennifer's face turned terribly dark, thinking that now that Josephine had become so beautiful, she might marry an heir of the four major families.
As Josephine stepped through the Thompson Villa's gates, her eyes swept across the familiar yet strange courtyard, stirring a mix of emotions within her.
Here, she had endured countless moments of neglect and bullying, but now she was determined to face everything with a completely new attitude.
The Thompsons' servants were visibly surprised to see Josephine, whispering among themselves as they stole glances at her.
Josephine approached the house and gently knocked on the door.
The door opened, and a middle-aged woman stepped out. It was Elena Thompson, Josephine's mother.
"Who are you looking for?" Elena asked, her expression confused as she took in the sight of the beautiful young woman standing at her door.
"Mom, it's me, Josephine!" Josephine's voice carried traces of excitement and grievance, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Elena's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked Josephine up and down. Her lips trembled as she said, "Josephine? My daughter? How... How did you become like this?"
Tears welled up in Josephine's eyes as she said, "Mom, I'm much better now. I'm not like before anymore."
Elena reached out, gently touching Josephine's cheek, her voice choking with emotion. "Josephine, it really is you. You've become so beautiful, I barely recognize you."
Josephine took Cyrus's hand and said, "Mom, this is Cyrus Parker. We're married."
"Josephine, how could you do something so foolish? Now that you're so beautiful, this man is no longer worthy of you. I'll find you another husband. As for this guy, let him leave. The Thompson family is no place for someone like him!" Elena's words cut through the warm atmosphere like a sharp blade.
Josephine's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice trembling. "Mom, what are you talking about? Cyrus is my husband. We're legally married. How can you say such things?"
Elena frowned, her expression severe. "Josephine, I know what's best for you. Now that you've become beautiful, you can find a better man with more power. Who the hell is this guy? He's just an orphan with no power or wealth. He's not worthy of you!"
Cyrus's face darkened as he held Josephine's hand tightly. "Mrs. Thompson, my love for Josephine is real. No matter what, I won't leave her," he said firmly.
Elena snorted. "Your love doesn't put food on the table, does it? Can it elevate the Thompson family's status? Josephine, listen to me. Divorce him."
Josephine trembled with anger and shouted, "Mom, I won't do that! Cyrus has been good to me, he cured me, and he's the only one I'll ever marry!"
Elena's eyes flashed with anger as she huffed, "Why are you so stubborn, Josephine? If you won't divorce him, don't consider me your mother anymore!"
Tears streamed down Josephine's face as she said, "Mom, why can't you understand and support me?"
"Stop crying. Let your grandfather decide!" Elena snapped.
Everyone gathered in the living room.
Aaron sat at the head, with Hudson and William seated below him.
Hudson sat up straighter as he took in how beautiful his daughter had become.
"Did Josephine take some magic elixir?" someone muttered under their breath.
"Indeed, within just seven days, she's like a completely different person!" others whispered.
Their eyes were filled with surprise and confusion as they exchanged glances. Their voices were low but clearly audible in the quiet living room.
"Could she have hit the jackpot and found some miraculous secret medicine?" someone speculated.
"Who knows, but her transformation is too incredible to believe," another person said, shaking their head.
"Maybe she received help from some medical expert," someone else suggested, their tone filled with imagination.