Chapter 40: I Obtained a Marriage Certificate With My Husband

Choosing clothes and putting on makeup, Ophelia fussed for quite a while. She had been looking forward to this day, going with Winford to get their marriage certificate! In her past life, she and Winford had also obtained a marriage certificate, but she had forgotten the details. She only remembered being unwilling and resistant, and that her photo on the certificate showed no smile. This time, she felt no reluctance; only guilt, nervousness, and a hint of anticipation.

After getting dressed, she checked her reflection to ensure she looked beautiful before leaving the room. As Winford came down the stairs, he heard a noise and looked in her direction. His gaze settled on her; his expression was somewhat inscrutable.

Ophelia felt nervous and uncomfortable. “Do I… not look good?” She waited anxiously, sensing his gaze soften. He answered, “It looks great.” Her voice was low and hoarse, carrying an emotion she couldn't quite identify, and Ophelia’s heart inexplicably raced. She smiled quietly, lips pressed together, noticing he had also changed his clothes. Feeling a bit happier, she ran over and said, “Then let’s go!”

On the way, as Ophelia watched the scenery rushing past the car window, a hint of nervousness showed in her eyes as they approached City Hall.

“Regretted?” Winford’s voice came from beside her. Ophelia was startled and turned, seeing the man’s cold eyes. Just as she was about to speak, her wrist was unexpectedly yanked, causing her to stumble into his arms. She instinctively wanted to get up, fearing he would misunderstand her rejection, but forced herself to hold back. His scent enveloped her, making her feel dizzy and slightly flushed. She quietly defended herself, saying, “I didn’t, I just… I’m a little nervous.”

To bolster her words, she hesitated, suppressing her embarrassment, raised her hand to embrace him, gently rubbed her cheek against his chest, and softly said, “Honey, please don’t always doubt me. Can you give me a little trust?” She sensed Winford’s tension since leaving the house; his attention never left her. Even the slightest movement caught his eye, as if he didn't truly believe she was willing to marry him. He was clearly a powerful man; what couldn't he obtain? Yet, now he was filled with uncertainty before her. Ophelia felt a mix of happiness, sadness, and guilt. Her embrace caused Winford to momentarily freeze, barely perceptible, as he was taken aback by her moving closer instead of pulling away.

Listening to her voice, filled with apprehension, feeling her soft warmth leaning against him, and looking down at her bright, moist, captivating eyes, Winford’s heart, cold and hard for many years, fluttered. “Okay.” His slightly calloused fingertip brushed her cheek, and he replied with a deep gaze. A little trust? He could still afford it.

Hearing his response, Ophelia felt a wave of anxiety wash away. She gently curved her eyes and rubbed her cheek against his strong chest, saying, “Honey, you are so wonderful!” In the passenger seat, Graham pretended to be deaf and blind. He appeared serious outwardly, but inwardly scoffed. Ever since Ophelia arrived at Sunset Vista, Mr. Winford’s obsession with cleanliness had remarkably improved!

The marriage certificate process went smoothly. As Ophelia left City Hall, she looked at the red booklet in her hand and felt overwhelmed with emotion. She carefully opened the brand-new certificate, glanced at their photo, then closed and cherished it as she put it away. The corners of her lips turned up, clearly showing her good mood.

Winford turned his head and saw something that made him pause. A hint of tenderness softened his usually cold and stern expression, though he didn't notice it himself.

Chapter 40: I Obtained a Marriage Certificate With My Husband (Continued)

Ophelia’s good mood lasted until she returned to Sunset Vista. “Mr. Winford! My Elva was wronged!” As soon as she entered, she encountered Bertha’s crying. Elva, who was supposed to have left, hadn’t; she stood to the side, red-eyed. The smile on Ophelia’s face vanished. Could Elva still be wronged? She wanted to hear their story.

She pushed Winford’s wheelchair over and gracefully sat beside him on the sofa. She glanced at Bertha and Elva and calmly said, “Go ahead!” The two simple words carried an air of quiet authority. Bertha’s face darkened. Although a servant, her family had been kind to Glenda, yet Ophelia dared to treat her with such a dismissive attitude!

“Madam, I was speaking to Mr. Winford!” she said coldly. Ophelia smiled and said, “Did Bertha mean I am unworthy to talk to you?” Bertha was speechless. She naturally meant it, but how could she admit it? She looked at Winford, “Mr. Winford…”

“Talk to the lady,” Winford glanced at his phone and interrupted casually. “Elva entered the lady’s room and used the lady’s phone. If there’s any problem, talk to the lady.” He hung up casually and said to Ophelia, “Besides me, no one here has the right to oppose your opinion. Do whatever you want.” After speaking, he ordered Graham, “Take me to the study.” Graham responded.

Ophelia curved her lips, relaxed against the sofa, and raised her chin. “Bertha, go on!” Bertha’s face fell. Winford was telling her that Ophelia's identity wasn't something she could dismiss casually!

She said firmly, “Since the lady asked me to speak, I will. I knew the lady looked down on my Elva, but she couldn’t wrongly accuse her like this and use this baseless charge to drive her out of Sunset Vista!”

Ophelia remained calm. She wasn’t angry or in a hurry to refute; instead, she nodded and said, “Then go ahead and tell me how your daughter was wronged.”

Bertha: “Elva, you said it yourself!”

Elva immediately said, “I didn’t steal the phone! When I saw it, the phone was already on the table. I didn’t intend to touch it, but at that moment, a text message came in, and I accidentally glanced at it. I saw it mentioned Mr. Winford, and realizing something was wrong, I boldly took a look… I know the lady holds a grudge against me for revealing those messages to Mr. Winford, but how could she slander me like this!”

Bertha: “If you want to wrong someone, at least use some logic. You said my Elva opened your drawer, where did she get the key? You claimed she deliberately went through your phone, what reason would she have to do that? Could she possibly have known in advance what messages were on your phone?”

“Are you done talking?” Ophelia lifted her eyelids, her face radiant and captivating, but the faint smile at the corner of her lips hinted at mockery.

“Yes, I’ve finished speaking. It would be best for you, madam, to quickly apologize to my daughter; that way, I could overlook it. Otherwise, I might have to seek Madam Pruitt to mediate this matter!” Bertha openly threatened.

Ophelia ignored her and elegantly crossed her legs, saying, “You all should know that there are cameras in my room.” Hearing this, Elva quietly curled the corners of her mouth.