Chapter 155

Early the next morning, a servant arrived to help Thea with her makeup and dressing. Staring at her own dispirited reflection, Thea felt like a mindless corpse. A servant, beside her, offered cruel taunts.

“Miss Rowland, today is your big day,” she sneered. “Make sure you don’t cry yet. Because there’ll be plenty to cry about later.”

Another servant chimed in, "You probably don't know yet, right? After you marry into the Xander family, Mr. Rowland plans to arrange Emmalie's marriage next. Word is, he's going to approach the head of the Hendrix family himself.”

"You mean Nicolas?" a third servant exclaimed. "Oh my, Emmalie has such good fortune!"

"One's marrying an illegitimate child, and the other's marrying an actual family head," another servant sneered. "Both are daughters of the Rowland family, yet one's up in the heavens while the other's down on the ground.”

"But she deserves it," another added. "Emmalie is so gentle and kind, while Thea just torments and bullies others."

Thea found this laughable, her cracked lips trembling. Her life was already in ruins, and yet they mocked her.

In due time, Thea, looking like a carefully adorned doll, was placed in a wheelchair and wheeled to the living room. Word was that the Xander family considered this marriage unworthy of publicity, so they weren't even holding a wedding ceremony; they would simply take her to the family estate.

Perhaps to spite Thea further, Emmalie had people whispering constantly about the Xander family's illegitimate son.

“They say that while he’s decent-looking, he has a terrible personality—a sadist who loves to torment people. Cross him, and you’ll be doomed,” one whispered.

“Nothing to fear from that type of person,” another countered. “He’s just an illegitimate son, with no chance of inheriting anything.”

“Exactly,” a third agreed. “He has plenty of siblings ahead of him. Where would he get the chance?”

“I also heard he’s a notorious flirt, never missing a chance to visit those… places. There are already several women around him,” another added.

The group giggled, occasionally giving Thea a shove.

“Our dear miss will be in luck once she’s there,” one of them said.

“What’s all this noise?” Ivy walked over briskly, giving the unruly servants a displeased look. Her tone was cold. “Remember, she is still a legitimate daughter of the Rowland family. What gives you the right to speak about her affairs?” The servants exchanged looks and quickly scattered.

Thea stared straight ahead. Her beautiful eyes were devoid of emotion, lacking any brilliance. She was like a numb wooden doll.

Ivy cleared her throat awkwardly. “I’ve met that boy myself. He’s refined, not as vile as they make him out to be. He’s a fine match.”

“Is that so?” Thea chuckled, her voice sharp. “If he’s a good match, then you wouldn’t have considered me, would you? After all, in your eyes, the very best should always be reserved for Emmalie. What right do I have?”

Ivy’s smile faded. Her voice lowered, visibly displeased. “Thea, even now you don’t see sense? Do you always have to think we owe you? Haven’t we treated you well over the years? Emmalie suffered so much, all because of you. I didn’t blame you. I only want you to show some understanding. What did I do wrong?”

Suddenly, Thea picked up a nearby cup and smashed it on the floor.

Her tone was icy. “Because of me? Have you ever once listened to my side of things? Whenever something happens, you all blame me. At this point, it doesn’t matter whether it was me or not. All that matters is you’ve found a scapegoat. It’s fine. I’ve long said, we’re not family. We have no connection.”

She raised her head and looked at Ivy. Her gaze was intense and chilling.

Thea added, “You’d better pray that I die there. Because if I get the chance, I’ll find a way to repay everything I’ve suffered. None of you will escape.”

Ivy clutched her chest and staggered back, looking terrified. She kept shaking, muttering, “Crazy… you’re insane…”

But Thea laughed, tears beginning to fall. She quickly wiped them away. From now on, she would never shed another tear for these people.

At that moment, Max approached, catching part of their conversation. He looked at Thea with slight disapproval, but assuming she would settle down, he didn't engage. He said, “The Xander family representatives are here. Let’s bring Thea over.” Thea’s face betrayed nothing, but her hands, resting on the wheelchair’s armrests, trembled uncontrollably.

In the living room, someone waited. Seeing Max, the man greeted him warmly. Thea got a closer look at the visitor’s face; her eyes widened. It was Corey. He also noticed her and offered a slight smile, though his eyes gleamed with an underlying chill. “Long time no see, Miss Rowland.”

“Mr. Xander, you know each other?” Max asked in surprise.

Corey nodded. “We’ve met once, but we haven’t been formally introduced.”

Max relaxed and nodded approvingly. “Since you’re acquainted, that makes things easier.”

Max turned to Thea. “This is Mr. Corey Xander, your future husband. Although we can’t hold a wedding, I still need to remind you: Once you’re married, you must be sensible. Don’t act recklessly as you used to.”

The unease in Thea’s heart began to subside as she gazed steadily at Corey. Corey’s self-satisfied smirk made her suspect he’d known about this arrangement all along. Beside him stood April; her expression was sour, and her sharp glances at Thea held such bitterness it seemed she might carve a piece from her if she could.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you. My family lied to you. I’m already married,” Thea suddenly declared in a loud, clear voice.

The smile vanished from Corey’s face, and he instinctively glanced at Ivy and Max.

Max cleared his throat, his face darkening with displeasure. “Thea, what nonsense is this? I know this marriage came up suddenly and might be hard for you to accept, but you have to move on. Besides, Mr. Xander here is a good man who will treat you well.”

Corey, as if to demonstrate his commitment, moved toward Thea. He gave her a gentle smile, and the tenderness in his gaze was almost suffocating. He took her hand, pressing a soft kiss on the back of it.

He said, “Miss Rowland, if you don’t trust my feelings, I’m willing to live separately for a while. I respect whatever you need.”

Thea smiled, then immediately pulled her hand away, her smile disappearing. She could trust no one's words but Corey's; she knew his scheming well. Marrying him, she doubted she'd last a week. She was deeply curious about how Corey Sandy became Corey Xander, and why he wanted to marry someone from the Rowland family, especially her.