The Ruthless CEO And His Substitute Wife

Chapter 5 Dealing With Another Carnegie

It took Matilda minutes before she could recover from the effect of his words. She gritted her teeth and tried to get up, but Arthur's big hand was still clasped around her arm.

"You can never own me, Arthur. We are married, but that doesn't give you the right to speak to me in that manner." Matilda was upset.

Arthur reached out his long, slender fingers and grabbed her chin tightly. Her lips parted from the pressure he exerted.

"My actions are more severe than my words. Don't test me if you want to live," Arthur said in a chilling voice, then pushed her face away.

The thought of being abused by him angered Matilda. She pushed her dishevelled hair behind her ears and forced herself up, while glaring daggers at him

"I'll be returning to my father's house tomorrow. I have my stuffs to pick up." Matilda said, nonchalantly.

She just wanted to get the hell out of Arthur's sight and talk to her best friend- Ariana who undoubtedly, would side with her and give her a valuable piece of advice.

"I need you to come with me tomorrow to a charity gala." Arthur's voice was cold and commanding. "There is no room for discussion. You will be by my side."

Matilda couldn't help but scoff at the thought of a ruthless man like Arthur being a philanthropist.

'Oh, please! The only thing you are philanthropic towards is your own bank account.'

The idea of Arthur caring about anyone or anything asides making more money and wielding more power, was laughable to her.

Matilda took a deep breathe and pretended to be sad. "I'm sorry but I can't go with you. I have to pick up some things at my parents' house."

She felt a twinge of annoyance that instead of discussing where they would spend their honeymoon, Arthur was asking her to follow him to a charity gala the very next day after their wedding.

"There are famous beauty models and celebrities who are willing to take up your position. You did not only lose that opportunity, but you knowingly disregarded one of the rules I gave you, and you must face the consequence." Arthur's tone left no room for negotiation.

Matilda rolled her eyes, taking his words lightly. The day had been a long one and the ruthless husband of hers would not let her rest peacefully.

At 7 a.m. the next morning, Matilda deliberately woke up early to avoid Arthur and have breakfast.

She emerged from their bedroom but soon realized that she had no idea how to find the kitchen. The house was enormous and she felt like she was wandering aimlessly through its hallways.

Just when Matilda was starting to feel hopeless, she turned to a corner and found herself in an elegant and spacious kitchen with gleaming marble countertops and a beautiful island in the center.

Matilda was startled to see a woman in a wheelchair. Her heart skipped a beat and her hands trembled. But when she saw Mrs Thornhill standing nearby, she felt a wave of relief.

"May I introduce you to Miss Caroline Carnegie, Mr Carnegie's twin sister?" Mrs Thornhill said, her tone low and respectful.

Matilda was yet to take in the shocking fact that Arthur had a twin sister, when she heard those words.

"There was no need to introduce me," Caroline chided, her tone sharp and cold. "I am perfectly capable of introducing myself."

Mrs Thornhill looked flustered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, Miss Carnegie. I didn't mean to offend you."

Caroline didn't seem mollified. "You must be more mindful in the future." She retorted, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "I can speak for myself and do not need your assistance."

Matilda could tell that her husband and Caroline weren't identical twins. But their attitude was so much alike!

"I know this must be a shock to you. My name is Caroline, and I'm your husband's twin sister." Her sister-in-law stated, her voice flat and unemotional.

Matilda was unsure of what to say. She forced a smile and stretched out her hand. "I'm Matilda. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Caroline simply stared at her, her face impassive. This agitated Matilda whose smile faltered as she slowly withdrew her hand.

'It's enough to deal with one Carnegie. But now there's his twin! Hopefully, she'll leave soon.'

"The food is ready!" Caroline tilted her head, her voice shrill with sudden impatience. "The table needs to be set right away."

Matilda was stunned. She wondered if Caroline had done the cooking herself or instructed Mrs Thornhill on what to cook. Either ways, the housekeeper flinched at her tone and hurried to gather the plates and silverware.

At the dining room, Arthur sat at the far end of the twelve seater glass table, while Matilda sat right next to him. She couldn't help but notice the critical eye with which Caroline watched her.

Fifteen minutes ago when she confront Arthur about letting his sister into the house without letting her know, he reminded her that he was the supremacy. Though he briefly ran down the important details, he thought Matilda should know.

Caroline was the older twin. She spent three years of her life living in a farmhouse at the countryside, as a consequence of partying with hooligans on her birthday and being caught by the paparazzi.

Mrs Thornhill lifted the lids off the steaming dishes and ladled the food onto the waiting plates.

Matilda stared in shock at what she beheld, as she tilted her head to share a glance with Arthur who seemed to share her thought, for once.

"These are delicious veggies and steamed buns. It's nutritious enough for breakfast." Caroline stated with a warm smile.

Matilda scoffed. It was her first time seeing the cold witch smile. She tasted the veggies and nearly threw up.

They were salty.

"This is not nutritious enough for breakfast. It's small and salty." Matilda calmly stated, hoping she didn't come off as rude.

Caroline leaned back in her chair, her expression smug and condescending. "You seem to weigh about as much as a bag of rice. Shouldn't you be mindful of the quantity of food you eat?"

Matilda felt insulted but said nothing, as she wouldn't want to offend Arthur. The next minute, her phone buzzed with an incoming text.

She glanced at the screen, and her eyes widened. It was a message from her dad, and it looked urgent.

[Matilda, your mother's dying. Come home right away!]

This seemed ridiculous. Yesterday at her wedding, her mother was perfectly okay. Nevertheless she quickly stood up from the table, her  chair scraping the floor.

"Excuse me, I have to leave right now." Matilda hurried out, her heart pounding in her chest.

It didn't matter that it was her foster mother. There were times she had received genuine love and care from them.

Matilda threw the door open once she arrived and called out for her foster mother. She was about striding towards the master bedroom when she sighted her cousin- Cardi sitting on the couch, a wicked grin playing on her face.

"What are you doing here?" Matilda was mad with fury. "What is going on?"

Cardi simply shrugged, her expression smug. "Maybe I was just using your father's phone to send you a little text." Her tone was unrepentant.

Matilda clenched her fist in anger. She couldn't believe she fell for that witch- Cardi.

"Let's talk about you and Arthur! When do you plan on divorcing him?!" Card bluntly asked.

Matilda chuckled bitterly. She couldn't believe this was happening. "What makes you think I'd ever divorce him?"

"I'm sure you know he doesn't like kids. I got my uterus removed because of that. Could you do the same?" Cardi said proudly, staring at her cousin in disdain.

"You did something this stupid because of Arthur? You both are definitely insane." Matilda was stunned.

"I know him better than anyone else! You have no place in his life and you'd surely be thrown out of his house soon." Cardi smirked.

Before Matilda could speak, Cardi sauntered over to her with her phone held up so Matilda could see the incoming text.

It was from Arthur.

[I can't stop thinking about what we would be doing if you were here with me...]