Chapter 13

Richard returned to the company.

At the same time a major piece of news broke online.

"Breaking news, New York City's business man Richard is not disabled, and still reigns supreme, managing the Andrew's family."

Shortly after, another shocking headline emerged.

"Shocking!!! Richard might have been tricked into marriage, secretly wed to the notorious and ruthless Ashley."

The moment Nelson saw the news he hurried to the CEO office.

Upon entering, he found Richard scrolling through his laptop for the news with a stern gaze.

"President Andrew" Nelson called out but Richard didn't respond.

It was clear from Richard's expression that he was deeply troubled, and Nelson felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach.

Richard's eyes briefly flicked over Ashley's photo. He picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts, but he couldn't find Ashley's number. His expression grew even colder, and the air around him seemed to thicken with tension.

"The woman's phone number."

Nelson quickly pulled out his phone, found Ashley's number that he had already looked up, and handed it over.

Shopping mall.

"This ice-cream cone is so good, so sweet," Ashley laughed.

"You little foodie, just a bit of food, you are hooked." Ella teased.

"Hehehe, it's really delicious," Ashley replied.

As Ashley's phone rang, she and Ella just left the Ice-cream shop and were about to enter the shopping mall.

Ashley looked at the unfamiliar number on her phone, wondering who it might be.

However, as soon as she answered a familiar angry voice pierced through her eardrum.

"Ashley you have some nerves first you exposed am not crippled, telling the world am still high and mighty Richard. Then you revealed I married the ruthless you making you the biggest winner in my life. Are you enjoying yourself?"

Ashley was utterly confused. She moved the phone away from her ear for a moment, thinking Biggest winner in my life? What is this man ranting about now?

Ella noticed something and tugged on Ashley's arm, pointing her towards the giant screen advertisement on the wall.

"Madam, look at this. It's bad."

On the giant screen an exaggerated headline was paired with unflattering photos of Ashley and a handsome shot of Richard. The related event was clear as day.

Ashley's eyes widened in shock, her scalp tingling. How could this happen?

Who leaked this?

"It wasn't me"

"Still denying it? The biggest beneficiary of this is you. Now the whole world knows Richard isn't crippled and Ashley has become Mrs Andrew overnight."

Ashley pressed her lips together, staring at the glaringly unflattering photos of herself on the screen. She felt a knot of discomfort in her stomach.

Why did this man assume it was her?

She gritted her teeth, do you think I will call myself ugly and evil? Do you think I have such a strong heart to degrade myself like that? Clearly, it is because you have made too many enemies and dragged me into this.

The voice on the other end became incredulous.

I've made too many enemies and dragged you in?

"What else? You can slander me but I can't speculate about you? This is modern society where men and women are equal. Everyone is equal, Do you have any evidence that I did this?"

Was she accusing him of being a tyrant?

"Very well do you know what happens when you get me angry?"

Ashley held her ice-cream cone tightly and spoke defiantly.

"The worst you can do is to starve me, right? But now the whole world knows I'm your wife. If I starve to death, everyone will know you let your own wife die of hunger. I'll be your lifelong shadow. If you are not afraid of karma, go ahead and keep being cruel."

Richard was stunned. He had intended to call and scold this woman, but instead, she had turned the tables and scolded him with righteous indignation.

"If I found you, I'll split you in half."

After pinching the bridge of his nose, Richard spat out the harsh word and threw the phone aside. This woman was incredible at arguing.

Just then, Nelson, who had just stepped out, received an important message and hurried back to report.

"Mr Andrew, the people from the rival company had returned secretly."

A cold sprint flashed in Richard's eyes, mixed with a hint of surprise.

When did they come back?

"On the day Mrs Andrew moved in, an discovered that the recent leak was also from them."

Nelson felt embarrassed, he had overheard the president questioning Mrs Andrew earlier.

Richard pressed his knuckles, his face covered with a layer of frost. How interesting, they have returned and even sent him a huge gift.

Nelson was puzzled by the situation.

"Five years ago, you were in a car accident, rumors spread that you were crippled. Now they are saying you aren't crippled isn't that contradicting themselves?"

Richard tapped his fingers on the desk thoughtfully.

"Five years ago they spread those rumors to try and take my family from me, but they failed. This time they cleared the rumor that I wasn't crippled while spreading another one, that I married an ugly and vicious woman. They are making me a laughing stock again. People will think that the mighty CEO of the Andrew's family was duped by a woman. Their goal has always been the same, to strike me down hard."

Nelson suddenly understood.

I'll suppress the rumors online.

"They are annoying, do it"

As Nelson closed the door and left, Derek his tie feeling irritated. He had blamed the wrong woman.

Thinking about how she had confidently accused him, over the phone saying he had enemies and dragged her into the mess, he felt a mixture of anger and something unexpectedly lively.

Was he losing his mind?

**Hospital.**

Mabel's eyes turned red with anger upon hearing the news.

Which idiot leaked this information? No, it must have been that wretched woman Ashley.

Now the whole world knows Richard is married to no one lesser than Ashley.

What was supposed to be a quickly dissolved secret marriage has now become public knowledge.

Mabel was furious. She glanced at the small cut on her arm, her lips curling into a cold smile as she left the hospital. "Ashley, I won't let you get away with this."

The Old Lady's banquet was approaching and she beaded to pick out a dress that will outshine everyone else.

….

At the boutique, the store was incredibly upscale, with every piece of clothing so beautiful that it was hard to look away. Ella couldn't help but exclaim admiration.

"Wow! This clothes are stunning no wonder it such a famous brand."

A sales girl approached them.

"These are our latest arrivals.

Please feel free to browse ladies."

Ashley walked in a light blue mermaid dress and gently touched its fabric. It was smooth and silky, and the dress looked particularly striking on the mannequin.

"I'd like to try on this dress."

"Excellent choice miss, the dress is one of our store's prized pieces."

Just then she heard whispers behind her. Ashley turned to see a group of women in the store, pointing and gossiping about her.

"That her, the ugliest woman in New York city, Ashley Weston. See? She's wearing a mask."

"Did you see the news? This woman is vicious. She replaced Emily and married the heir of the Andrew's family, Richard Andrew. And guess what? Richard isn't even crippled. Now she's Madam Andrews."

"How could anyone miss such big News?

Richard isn't crippled, and he married that ugly freak. Why on earth will I do that? It makes me so mad."

Ella, fiercely loyal to her mistress, couldn't stand hearing anymore and rushed to defend Ashley.

"You're all talking nonsense, you're the ugly ones, and you the vicious one. My lady is not ugly or vicious at all."

However, Ella's words did nothing to intimidate them. Instead, it only fueled the anger of the wealthy ladies.

"Hah, listen to her. 'My lady,' she says. What a joke. With her looks, she'd scare people just by sweeping the floors at the Andrew's family estate."

Ella's face turned red with anger. These women were supposed to be high - society ladies but their words are so cruel.

Miss Anderson is here.

Suddenly, Mabel appeared at the store entrance. A staff member eagerly welcomed her. Recognizing Mabel as a regular customer.

When Mabel saw Ashley, a flicker of jealousy flashed her eyes.

A few socialites walked over to Mabel.

"Miss Anderson, you are close to Andrew's family, did you know all along that Richard wasn't actually disabled? Always said he was more handsome than those popular stars. It's such a pity if he was disabled. But why on earth will he marry an ugly woman?"

"Exactly, Miss Anderson told us. How could Richard possibly be interested in her? It's like the mystery of the century."

Ashley crossed her arms and circled the woman who had just spoken, raising an eyebrow.

"If he didn't choose me, should he have chosen someone with a waist like a barrel?"

"You wretched woman, how dare you mock me!"

The woman pushed Ashley and raised her hand menacingly, but Ashley caught her hand, squeezed it, and then flung it away.

"Ouch!" The socialite winced in pain.

Mabel's lip curled into a cold smile.

"You're truly a vicious woman. You should rot in a ditch. Haven't you seen the news? It says, "she tricked him into a marriage."

"What? Is the marriage scam true? She really is capable of anything shameless"

The store clerk held the limited-edition dress, staring coldly at the scene unfolding before her.

Noticing Mabel's gaze lingering on the dress, the wealthy lady immediately snapped.

"This dress is what Miss Anderson wants, you can't sell it to her."

Ashley quickly grabbed the dress.

"Sorry, but I picked the dress first. If you like it, you I'll have to wait till i'm done trying it on."

Ashley headed to the fitting room, while Ella stood guard at the door with her arms crossed.

"Hmph, an ugly woman trying to wear a beautiful dress? It's a joke. No matter how pretty her dress is, she 'll still look down like a clown in it. Miss Anderson, don't be upset."

The wealthy lady tried to comfort Mabel, who had missed out on a dress.

Mabel's face twisted in anger, her fingernails digging into her palms. How dare Ashley try to take a dress from her? No, his dress could only belong to her.

She turned to the store manager.

"I want the dress she's trying on."

Three minutes later, Ashley emerged from the fitting room, having tried on a dress that looked stunning on Ashley. Her fair skin, slim waist, and long legs made for a very pleasing sight.

The people in the store were taken aback, even if it was just a little.

"Miss Weston, you look stunning in that dress! I just have to take a few pictures," Ella exclaimed, pulling out her phone and snapping away at Ashley.

"Sorry Miss Weston," the store manager interrupted, stepping forward. "There's been a misunderstanding. This dress was reserved for Miss Anderson. It slipped my mind. Could you please change out of it as soon as possible?"