Chapter 3

"Stop it! Get back!" Richard was furious beyond endurance. This woman was both ugly and stupid, was she trying to drive him to his grave?

" I'm heading upstairs now ," Ashley said striding up the stairs.  With a light step after rilling up the person behind her.

Behind her, Imogene was practically scratching at her heart in frustration, groaning aloud.

" What kind of bad karma did our family acquire in the past life to deserve this ugly woman tormenting us? Oh, I can't take it. I'm going to have an heart attack from all this anger."

Ashley returned to her room ready to remove her mask and eat. Suddenly, she realized the maid was still standing there, eyes wide with curiosity, clearly eager to catch a glimpse of her supposed hideous face.

"You can go I will call you when a done eating."

"Ah... Yes , ma'am " the maid replied leaving the room.

Only then did Ashley remove her mask.

" But there was no scar on her face, instead, it was a stunningly, beautiful face, flawless and smooth. Her skin was like porcelain , her eyes bright and clear, her nose elegant shaped, and lips were so vibrant and inviting that they seemed to beg for a kiss.

When Ashley was twelve, her birth mother, Elizabeth, passed away from a severe illness. Not long after her mother's death, her father Victor made a grand show of marrying Sophia Miller, who brought along get older stepsister, Emily Weston.

Sophia and Emily, always saw Ashley as a thorn on their side. One day, on her way home from school, Ashley as ambushed by some thugs sent by Emily, each holding a knife, determined to ruin her beautiful face.

That day, if it hasn't been for a stranger who saved her, her face would have been ruined for sure.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ashley bribed the thugs to create an illusion that her face have been disfigured. Since then, she has always worn a mask.

Ashley eagerly picked up a piece of braised pork and popped it in her mouth savouring the happiness it brought.

Half an hour later, she finished her meal. The maid, estimated the time, knocked in the door to come in and clear the dishes.

At that moment Ashley went to the bathroom to wash her face. Wearing mask all day makes her face feel suffocated. The maid knocked for a while no one responded, she let herself in.

Downstairs, the Young master was about to come up. Known for his cleanliness, he will surely scold them if he say the left over food scattered around.

Ashley finished washing her face and was about to look for her mask when the maid pointed at her and screamed.

"Madam... Your...your face..."

The maid's mouth hung wide open wasn't madam supposed to be hideously disfigured? But this face so delicate and flawless, couldn't possibly belong to the rumored ugly madam!

Had she seen a ghost? Just a moment ago in the kitchen everyone had gathered around searching for pictures of the disfigured madam on their phones. The woman in those pictures were indeed ugly and terrifying.

Richard suddenly appeared at the doorway his face Dark and stormy. "It's late, why are you screaming?"

"Master, the lady's face..."

Ashley's heart skipped a beat. Oh no, am I about to be exposed?

In a flash, Ashley quickly lowered her head grabbed her mask and put it on hastily. She then grabbed the maid's hand tightly.

"Oh I just took off my mask for a moment and scared her."

"Cough... Cough, it wasn't that I was  scared it was.." The maid's word were cut off as she felt a sharp pain in her hand

- Ashley had pinched her in a moment of panic.

"Madam..." The maid stared blankly at Ashley. Why wouldn't the lady tell the truth?

Ashley patted the maid's back in a comforting manner. "It's okay. I'll keep my mask on from now on so I won't scare you. Don't be afraid."

The maid's mouth hung opened unable to close it. Why was she saying the opposite of what she meant?

Richard watched the bizarre scene unfold, pondering for a moment before furrowing his brows.

"If you are ugly, you should know your place. Keep your face covered and don't embarrass me."

At the same time Richard felt a chill run down his spine. Ashley's face has scared the servant into screaming -- just how ugly could she be?

  Ashley breathed a sign if relief. Thankfully he believed it. Richard turned and went downstairs not even wanting to enter the bedroom after what had just happened.

"Madam.. your face.. there's no scar y are you pretending?

Ashley sized up the maid, a young girl who could be in her early twenties. Her face innocent, and her eyes bright, not the type to stir up trouble.

"What your name?"

"I'm Ella."

"Alright Ella keep this to yourself, don't tell anyone. U have my reasons for doing this, trust me you will be rewarded for you discretion."

"This... okay ," Ella managed to squeeze out the words with difficulty.

After Ella left with the dishes, Ashley picked up her phone her phone. Her best friend Olivia has already sent her a message.

"Ashley, are you still alive, you haven't been torn apart by the Andrew's family yet right?"

Ashley quickly typed back, "you little devil, wishing for my downfall can you wish for something good for me?. By the way , how are the new jewelry designs selling?.

Olivia responded almost immediately. Hey am just worried about you! As for the Jewelries they are selling like hotcakes. Ashley, you are amazing. Every piece you design is a hit. You're truly a little genius In design."

Ashley twirled the small ruby ring on her middle finger, her smile radiant.

"See? From now on treat me better, stick with sister Ashley and you will always have good fortune"

"Ptff, you will always be my Ashley. But seriously are going to keep wearing that mask in Richard's house? You have a goddess like face yet you hide it and let people think you are ugly. Such a waste."

Ashley replied " I will keep wearing the mask. I was forced into marriage. Once Richard sees am hideous he will be eager to divorce me. It won't be long before am free again. During this time I need to find kymani and convince him to perform the surgery on my grandma,that's my goal.

I married into the Andrew family because Sophia and Emily threatened me with my grandma's surgery. She has a large tumor in her brain that requires a very complicated removal procedure.

Currently, only two people could perform the surgery : Emily's uncle Derek Miller and Richard's cousin Kymani Thompson.

Kymani was a mysterious person know by name but rarely seen. Untill I find kymani I have to keep doing Emily's bidding cause she's my only hope for now.

If I didn't marry Richard in place if her Derek won't agree to perform the surgery. Which I know he still won't.

Rumor has it that Richard was crippled. And Emily with sher high aspiration will never marry a cripple. But the Andrew's betrothal gift was a piece of land, which greatly tempted Sophia Miller. Since Emily couldn't marry a cripple Sophia told me to Mary in her place to secure the piece of land from the Andrew's.

After chatting with Olivia, Ashley felt a bit thirsty, and checked for water in her room but was empty. Having no other choice than to go to the kitchen to get some water.

Once downstairs Ashley called a maid cause the house was so big that she couldn't even locate the kitchen.

"I am thirty, and I can't seem to locate the kitchen" Ashley said.

"Madam pls follow me"

Following the maid towards the kitchen Ashley instructed her to get some water to her room. After sending the maid away she took a sip of water, she then left the kitchen heading back to her room.

She passed by the road she thought the maid took, but rather she saw a door slightly open and she could from inside a soft, delicate voice could be heard.