Chapter 6 Replacement Bride

##Jill stormed in with a furious expression on her face, pulling Rose along with her.

"Since you messed up the marriage arrangement and the Duffys withdrew their funds, the company is now facing a deficit of seven to eight million dollars on the books. There's no money left to give you."

Jill then walked tearfully toward Gary and said, "Our money is meant for Rose's engagement. If you give Jessica that money now, what will happen to Rose?"

"That's right, Gary. You can't sacrifice my happiness for the sake of that old hag."

"What do you mean by 'old hag,' Rose? You'd better show some respect."

Jessica's piercing gaze made Rose retreat in fear, seeking shelter behind Jill.

"I… I didn't say anything wrong. Besides, she's unrelated to me, so why should I save her life with my dowry?"

The word "unrelated" echoed in Jessica's mind.

It was unbelievable!

In an instant, Jessica shifted her gaze to Gary.

"Gary, do you also feel the same way?"

Gary remained silent.

"When you had nothing, it was Judith who lent you a helping hand."

Still, Gary remained silent.

Yet Jessica wanted to make one last effort.

"I'm borrowing money from you, not taking it. I can write an IOU and repay it once Judith recovers."

"Repay my ass!" Jill looked at Jessica disdainfully. "With your petty salary, can you afford five million dollars? Stop joking."

After that, she also cautioned Gary. "Rose's dowry and our family's expenses depend on this money. If you give it away, both Rose and I will be doomed."

After uttering those words, she forcefully pulled Rose toward the window, acting as if they were about to leap.

In the end, Gary compromised.

"I can't help you, Jessica."

Gary walked toward Jessica, his face filled with signs of internal struggles.

"You've seen how difficult it is for me. I'm really going through a tough time. I have a family of my own and must shoulder the responsibility of providing for Jill and Rose. What will be left for Rose's engagement if I give you this money?

"However, Judith did show me kindness, so I can't turn a blind eye to her now."

Gary then pulled out a stack of cash, around a few thousand dollars, from his pocket.

There were bills of one hundred, fifty, and twenty dollars.

"This is my personal savings. Though it's not much, it's my gesture of goodwill. Take it and buy something nice for Judith."

As he spoke, he handed the money to Jessica, making it seem like the grandest act of generosity.

Jessica, however, found it utterly ridiculous.

As Jessica looked at the money in her hand, tears of self-deprecation welled up in her eyes. Finally, she waved her hand and threw the money in Gary's face.

"Gary Shaw, karma will come your way."

Jessica walked out of the villa without turning back, while Jill's curses echoed behind her.

Jessica's heart ached intensely, but she held back her tears until she reached the hospital and saw Judith. Only then did she burst into tears.

"Jessica, don't cry."

Since Judith was still weak, her voice was barely audible.

Jessica held Judith's hand tightly.

"I'm not crying. I'm happy, you know. I'm happy to see you awake."

"Silly girl. Linda told me already."

Jessica paused, her gaze somewhat embarrassed.

"I've burdened you."

"No!" Jessica hurriedly wiped away her tears, saying, "It's my fault. I didn't take care of you properly."

"Nonsense. How can it be your fault? It's all because of my poor health."

Judith reached out and grabbed Jessica's hand, stroking it gently with her withered, slender fingers.

Judith realized that Jessica had become thinner, and in an instant, a wave of heartache and guilt surged through her body.

"Jessica, let's go home."

Judith said this with careful consideration, not wanting to burden Jessica.

But there was no way Jessica would agree. "We can go home only after the surgery."

"But the surgical fees…"

"Judith, I'll handle the surgical fees. Right now, your only focus should be on recuperating. Don't worry about anything else. As for the expenses, I have my ways, okay?"

Jessica then added, "Don't worry, I'll raise the money through proper means."

Jessica understood Judith well, and as expected, Judith stopped demanding to be discharged after hearing these words.

Judith then willingly took the medication and drifted off to sleep under Jessica's watchful care.

At noon, Jill arrived.

Jessica was doing laundry for Judith in the bathroom when she heard a sound from outside the door.

Jessica immediately rushed out, asking, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to visit Judith."

"Don't pretend to be kind-hearted, you hypocrite."

Jessica would never believe Jill's words. Instead, she grabbed Jill's arm and forcefully threw her out of the ward.

"Jessica, don't you have any sense of shame?"

Jill fell to the ground, her heavily made-up face filled with anger.

After all, Gary had always pampered Jill and ensured she never experienced such humiliation. Unconcerned about decency, Jill pointed at Jessica and began to curse.

Jessica disregarded Jill. After all, it was pointless to retaliate against an unreasonable individual.

She turned around, intending to return to the ward, but Jill hurriedly approached her, blocking her path.

"Don't you want to save Judith?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I can lend you five million dollars."

"What are the conditions?"

"You're quite smart." Jill raised her head, smiling slyly. "The condition is that you have to marry Thomas on behalf of Rose."

"It's indeed a brilliant plan, killing three birds with one stone."

Jessica gave a bitter smile, but in reality, she wasn't surprised at all.

"It can secure Rose's happiness, salvage Gary's career, and hand me over to an infamous bastard who is infertile. You must be very proud of your plan, Jill."

"Yes. I want to torment you, you bitch!" Jill didn't hide her disgust for Jessica. "I want to see you serve a disabled man and live as a widow for the rest of your life. I want you to be lonely and miserable."

Jill's words were filled with resentment and hatred.

After all, Jill couldn't help but feel anxious whenever she saw Jessica's face, as it bore a striking resemblance to Celine's.

"But even if you're aware that it's a trap, won't you still fall into it? Jessica, you're backed into a corner and have no choice. If you refuse, you'll only witness Judith's demise.

"So, tell me, is it a deal or no deal?"

"Go to hell! Get out of here!"

To Jessica's surprise, Judith, drawn by the sound of the commotion, had emerged from the ward.

Judith, who was still attached to the IV, accidentally knocked over the saline bottle when she came out.

Ignoring Linda's shouts from behind, Judith hurriedly staggered toward them.

"Jill, you've already driven Celine to her death. If you dare to harm Jessica, I won't let you off, even if I have to haunt you as a ghost."

"Judith, why did you come out?"

Jessica hurriedly extended her hand to offer support, but to her surprise, Judith forcefully pushed her aside and rejected her help.

Judith was enraged, so angry that her pallid lips trembled.

Judith looked at Jessica with reddened eyes and said, "Jessica, if sacrificing your happiness is what it takes to save my life, then I would rather die."

After speaking, Judith knelt on the ground and fiercely slammed her head against the floor.

"Judith!"