Chapter 1: The Husband From Heaven
“You’re already married! Why are you here to register again?!
“Don’t you realize it’s a crime to be a bigamist?”
Keira Olsen, startled, stepped out of the courthouse, holding a just-printed marriage certificate.
The man who had accompanied her here to register looked at the stunning woman and lamented, “Miss Olsen, you’re already married. Why did you hire me for a sham wedding?”
After saying that the deposit was non-refundable, he left in a hurry.
Keira bit her lip, still reeling from the shock.
She’d never even had a boyfriend. How could she possibly be married?!
She lowered her head to look at the printout in her hands.
In the certificate photo, the girl appeared a bit constrained with a forced smile. The mole on the corner of her eye proved that it was indeed her. As for the man…
He had heavy features and a prominent nose. His thin lips curved into a faint smile as he stared into the camera lens intently as if they were piercing through the paper.
His mystery and commanding presence couldn’t be concealed, even in a black-and-white photo.
She then looked at his name: Lewis Horton.
She was certain she never met this man!
What on earth was going on?!
Keira took out her phone, snapped a picture of the certificate, opened w******p, and sent it to a contact with a black avatar. “Help me figure out who this is.”
She got an instant reply. “Got it.”
Only then did Keira momentarily set aside her confusion. She climbed onto her old electric scooter and slowly rode into an upscale villa area, returning to the Olsen family.
Today was her older sister, Isla Olsen’s, big day. Her future husband was coming over for the betrothal.
The house was brilliantly decorated with servants busying about in an orderly fashion. A few temp workers had also been hired for the occasion.
Keira parked her scooter in a corner and heard the chatter of the temp workers and servants she passed by.
“Who is she? She’s so pretty!”
“Shush, she’s the illegitimate daughter that the Boss doesn’t acknowledge.”
“Her mom was the mistress. When Mrs. Olsen was about to give birth, she showed up heavily pregnant, demanding rights, and they both delivered on the same day. That old woman has got balls. She has made up all sorts of excuses and not left the house.”
“At least Miss Keira knows her place. She moved out in junior high and hasn’t been back for many years. I wonder what brings her here today…”
Keira kept her gaze lowered, pretending not to hear their talk, and walked into the living room.
Her mother, Poppy Hill, was waiting at the door. The woman, still elegant at such an age, anxiously pulled her upstairs as soon as she entered the house. “Come with me to see your sister. By the way, did you get the marriage certificate?”
There was no emotion in Keira’s voice. “Yes.”
It was technically true, even though the groom was someone else.
“That’s good. You have to remember your place. Jake Horton is your sister’s fiancé. He’s from a high-ranking noble family, something an illegitimate child like you could never hope for! Only your sister is worthy of him!”
Hearing these words, a touch of mockery flashed in Keira’s eyes.
Jake Horton, the legitimate grandson of the first branch of Oceanion’s preeminent Horton family, pursued her for four years in college, only to propose to Isla on graduation day…
Upon learning about the proposal, Poppy demanded Keira to immediately find someone else to marry, extinguishing any potential between her and Jake.
That’s how it had always been…
Whenever there was even the slightest chance of a conflict of interest between her and Isla, Poppy would demand her to unconditionally give way.
Because she was the illegitimate daughter, her mere existence was a sin.
As a child, she was brainwashed into believing that undergoing all those hardships was a natural thing.
But now she was no longer oblivious.
Keira’s expression was solemn as she stressed each word, “We agreed. This is the last time.”
Poppy was the culprit. She was the one who clung to the Olsen family day after day just to see her man, and she was the one who wanted to appease Isla. Keira wouldn’t ruin her own life for Poppy’s sake.
Today’s event was to repay Poppy for giving birth to her. After that, they were even.
Poppy sounded annoyed. “I heard you.”
In the middle of their conversation, they arrived at Isla’s room.
The pretty girl was like a princess in her stunning dress. She was sitting on the sofa selecting her jewelry, and the room was filled with the glamorous sparkle of gemstones.
Keira, dressed simply, maintained her straight posture despite the contrast.
Isla greeted her upon seeing her. “Keira, what brings you here?”
Before Keira could answer, Poppy interjected, “Isla, Keira got married today.”
Isla was surprised. “So soon? Who’s the guy? Is he better than Jake?”
Poppy said in a mocking tone, “Of course not! There isn’t a single person in all of Oceanion of higher standing than young Mr. Horton! Isla, do you really think she could find a decent suitor? The loser she married didn’t even dare to come here with her. He’s afraid that his poverty-stricken appearance will offend your sight!”
Isla asked with a hint of jealousy, “How can that be? Keira’s so pretty; otherwise Jake wouldn’t have pursued her for four years.”
“What’s the use of being pretty? A shabby shoe will only match a ragged sock. Given her status, only the scum of society would marry her. Young Mr. Horton merely saw her as a toy and a passing amusement. Only you, Isla, with your status, are a match for young Mr. Horton…”
Keira frowned.
The man in the photo, with his looks and presence, didn’t seem to correspond with Poppy’s description of a ghetto husband and scum at all.
But she couldn’t be bothered to refute these frivolous remarks.
Right at that moment, Isla finished picking out her jewelry. She wanted to put on her heels but found it difficult to bend over due to the tight-fitting dress.
Isla gave Keira a slight smile.
Immediately, Poppy pushed Keira. “Useless girl, always so oblivious! Your sister is having trouble. Now go on and help her put on her shoes!”
Keira was speechless.
It was always like this.
Did Poppy still think she was that naive, ignorant little girl who wouldn’t know how to fight back even when bullied?
Her eyes were cold, and her voice hinted with impatience. “You can help her yourself.”
“Keira Olsen, what’s this attitude? Do you think you’ve grown wings just because you’re married now? Your husband is nothing more than a freeloader! In the end, you’ll still need to rely on the Olsen family!”
Poppy raised her voice. “If you don’t make peace with your sister now, there will come a day when you and your husband will come begging her for help! Besides, the Olsen family raised you, so you should be serving the family like a servant!”
At that moment, a tall figure appeared at the door. It was their father, Taylor Olsen.
The man frowned. “A distinguished guest is about to arrive, and you’re arguing here?”
Isla remained silent, playing innocent.
Poppy, however, played the victim. “It’s all because of this cursed girl. She’s looking down on her mother just because she got married today… ”
Taylor fixed his gaze on Keira, “You got married? Why didn’t you let us help introduce someone decent to you? Where’s the marriage certificate, let me see… ”
Faced with this estranged father’s so-called concern, Keira hesitated for a moment before fishing out the printout from her bag.
However, the very next second, it was snatched away by Poppy. “Let me see what kind of loser you married!”
Isla asked curiously, “Dad, who’s coming that’s got you so nervous?”
Upon thinking of the guest, Taylor instantly brightened up. He excitedly announced, “It’s Lewis Horton.”
Keira was immediately taken aback.
Who?
