The substitute bride is a mute

Chapter 4

After doing chores for the entire afternoon, Judy was feeling thirsty and decided to get some water for herself. As she passed by the staircase, she overheard two housekeepers secretly talking about her.

"I heard Jenna Blake has a doctorate from a university overseas. She's not just pretty, she's good at dancing too. She just won first place at the Lakecity White Swan Dance Competition last year."

"Right?" Answered the other. "Look at the one Mr. Reid married. She's mute and can't stand up for herself.

"They even brought her into the family without a wedding. How cheap, what kind of a wife is this?"

"Although there's a scar on his face, Mr. Reid is such a successful man. With the amount of influence and money he has, I don't think he deserves a wife that can't speak."

"I know right. I heard people like her who can't talk are considered severely disabled."

Judy's eyes flickered briefly at the mention of 'severe disability'.

She wasn't born mute. A devastating fire injured her throat when she was ten years old, but her father didn't want to spend an enormous amount of money to send her for treatment overseas. Hence, the delay led to irreparable damage.

She didn't quite understand when she was younger. Now, she knew that it was because she wasn't the beloved daughter that grew up beside him, but an outsider that was brought back to the household midway through her life.

These discussions didn't affect her in any way. She smiled nonchalantly and turned to leave. Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Who gave you permission to speculate about Reid family matters like this?"

The two women turned their heads and were met with the icy expression and cold stare of Clark Reid. He narrowed his eyes at them and they instantly started panicking.

"We're so sorry, Mr. Reid! We won't do it again!" They pleaded. "We won't throw out words like that anymore! Please spare us!"

His expression didn't waver at all. Jeremy Mills, his assistant who followed closely behind, approached the pair and said, "Both of you. Don't come in from tomorrow onward."

They were devastated.

Then, Clark's attention turned to Judy. He noticed the stains on her hands and the apron around her waist. He furrowed his brows in confusion.

"You're my wife. Why are you doing these chores?"

She felt slightly puzzled at his question. Sally had instructed her to do so, she wasn't sure why either.

Furrowing his brows deeper at her silence, he said, "There are maids around the house. You don't have to do these things next time."

Thoughts ran through her mind but she didn't let it show on her face. She merely nodded in response.

Judy took off her apron and put down the broom before casting a quick glance at the fired women who were on their knees. Then, she headed upstairs.

Her heart raced as she processed the situation.

This man wasn't being kind to her. He was only concerned about the Reid family's reputation. It felt like something out of a fairytale, but it wasn't genuine help. So, she couldn't bring herself to feel grateful. That would be too naive.

As she reached the bedroom upstairs, her phone suddenly rang. It was her father. She hesitated before answering.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Clark received a message from Jeremy.

"The Blake family called Mrs. Reid."

His expression shifted, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

Unaware that her call was being monitored, Judy listened to her father's urgent request.

"Judy, I need your help. Go to Clark Reid's study and take photos of a business contract labeled 'Real Estate' in red. Snap every page, and don't let him catch you."

Matthew's tone was casual, but the request was significant. Judy remained silent.

Anticipating her refusal, her father's tone turned colder. "I know you're a good daughter. Don't forget about your grandmother."

The mention of her unconscious grandmother startled her. Her father had stooped so low as to use her grandmother's condition to manipulate her.

Feeling conflicted, Judy made a decision.

Later that night, after the housekeepers had retired, she stood outside Clark's study, hand poised on the doorknob.