As Jerome Hudson’s arranged marriage partner, what I wanted was never the title of “Mrs. Hudson.”

On my wedding day, I happened to overhear a conversation between my father and Jerome outside the dressing room.

“Jerome, are you really willing to marry Lacey Gilmore just for Anna Gilmore?”

After letting out a heavy sigh, Jerome said, "It’s the only way I can tie Lacey down and make her give up the fight for the inheritance. I’m doing all this for Anna.”

I silently curved my lips into a smile.

Father, oh father, you really are muddle-headed. Did you think that by marrying me off, you could, without any scruples, openly let your illegitimate children acknowledge their ancestry and inherit the Gilmore family’s hundreds of billions in assets?

And Jerome really overestimated himself. The reason I spared him more than a glance and agreed to this marriage was simply because he was the man Anna couldn’t stop thinking about.

Is there anything sweeter than stealing your enemy’s beloved, using him to the fullest and then discarding him?

After all, my mother taught me since I was young that whatever belongs to you, you must take back, by any means necessary.

——

Father patted Jerome’s shoulder, spoke earnestly, “It’s rare that you have such feelings for Anna. After the wedding, I’ll give you five percent of Gilmore Group’s shares as compensation.”

But Jerome directly refused, “I don’t want compensation. When Anna returns from her vacation, I just want to explain to her in person and coax her.”

Anna truly deserved to be their precious darling … they babied her all the time. Just to avoid her being depressed, my father had specially sent her abroad before the wedding.

I curled my lips in disdain and turned to leave.

I told the makeup artist to fetch the wedding ring I had forgotten. After all … If it were not mine, I would not care about it. If it were mine, you could forget about taking it away.

I pulled my hand back and pinched my thigh hard. The pain brought two streams of tears to my eyes before I choked up and threw myself into my father’s arms.

I pulled my hand back and pinched my thigh hard. The pain brought two streams of tears to my eyes before I choked up and threw myself into my father’s arms. Then I cast a glance at Jerome, pouted and asked, “Daddy, what if Jerome … isn’t good to me in the future?”

Jerome’s body stiffened. His brows slightly furrowed. “Lacey, I will treat you well for the rest of my life.”

I let out a soft, mocking laugh. Such clumsy acting.

I withdrew my gaze, not looking at him again and didn’t respond. Instead, I clung to my father’s hand, swaying it like a spoiled child. “Dad, do you remember when I was eight and threw a tantrum at you, saying I wanted a younger brother to protect me?”

“You carried me on your back, spinning in circles and told me I was your one and only precious jewel and that you’d protect me for a lifetime.”

It seemed that my father had realized something, as there was a slight change in his expression, but he still managed to let out a smile, though it was strained.

I ignored it and continued in an innocent tone. “Later, I learned that when Mom gave birth to me, she was left with health issues and couldn’t have more children. “But you didn’t care about those rumors saying ‘a son is the family pillar.’ You always took good care of me and Mom.”

“Even after Mom passed away five years ago, you never remarried or had more children. Dad, thank you. Thank you for giving all your love to me and Mom.”

If anyone else had said this, it would’ve melted their father into a puddle. But my father… he kept a mistress hidden away and even had two illegitimate children with her. He had always thought I was a naive, sweet fool, unaware of his affair and the existence of those two children born in the shadows.

My father planned to use this wedding banquet to bring his mistress and illegitimate children into the open and force me to accept them. But I just refused to give him this chance.

Before my father could speak in defense, all the guests praised him.

"Mr. Gilmore is famous for loving his wife and doting on his daughter. In our circle, he's a true role model."

"Only a man with such a noble character as Mr. Gilmore can manage such a large enterprise. He truly deserves to be our example."

My father valued his reputation the most and the guests’ flattery completely blocked the words he was about to say. His face turned red with embarrassment and he instinctively glanced toward Celia Rockstone and Robert Gilmore.

Both of them had tense expressions and their fists clenched tightly. Their long-prepared plan was ruined by what seemed like my unintentional actions and they looked as if they were being roasted alive.

I appeared to be an innocent and gentle woman on the surface, but in reality, I could hardly hold back my laughter.

My father sighed heavily and the next second, I decided to press him even harder. "Dad, even if I get married, I’m still your only child, your most precious darling, right?"

My father drew in a sharp breath.

I smiled, looked at him with big, expectant eyes. Because, as long as he admitted in front of so many people that I was his only child, Anna and Robert would never be able to be acknowledged publicly. But if he refused to admit it, the flattery he had tacitly accepted earlier would turn into a boomerang that hit him right in the spine.

Celia clenched her fists and looked at him nervously.

This man, who was decisive and ruthless in the business world, was stumped by such a simple question. The loving smile on his face faded and his eyes could not hide his inner struggle. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but not a single word came out.

Seeing my father in panic, Jerome turned his eyes toward me and his eyes instantly turned full of disgust.

"Lacey, stop being so aggressive. Let’s just continue the matrimony, okay?"

Why is it okay for them to scheme against me, but when I fight back, I have to be ignored?

I pretended to be upset and turned my head away. "No, Dad hasn’t answered my question yet. I’ve been alone abroad for so many years, so I feel so insecure. I just want one promise from Dad."

"Prove that whether I get married or not, I’ll always be his only child and he’ll never abandon me."

Maybe it was guilt over my mother’s tragic death, or he felt there was a knife at his throat, my father finally gave in helplessly and bore it all. "Lacey, don’t overthink. How could Dad ever abandon you? You’ll always be Dad’s only child."

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Celia and Robert leave with dark faces, gritting their teeth.

The look Jerome gave me was no longer just disgust … it was pure hatred. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching him hate me while being forced to smile and play along with me.

Amidst the cheers and applause, Jerome and I exchanged wedding rings.

Then it was time for the groom to kiss the bride, but Jerome pressed his lips together in reluctance.

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist.

Just then, the doors of the wedding hall were suddenly thrown open. Anna stormed toward me in anger and slapped me hard across the face. Her eyes reddened.

"You homewrecker! How dare you steal my boyfriend!"

I didn’t get angry. Instead, I smiled. After all, I was the one who secretly arranged for her to receive the news about me and Jerome’s wedding.

Anna turned her head away as tears fell like rain on her face. "Jerome, you … why are you marrying this woman?”

Jerome suddenly pushed me away, his steps moving forward unconsciously, but he stopped after only two steps. He clenched his fists, his eyes full of heartache.

The guests looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

"Who is this person? So bold, daring to snatch Mr. Gilmore’s son-in-law."

"Yeah, she's already married, yet still coming to make trouble. She's really shameless."

Anna was being mocked, but her face was still filled with arrogance.

I looked at Jerome and said in grievance, "Who is this girl? Jerome, shouldn’t you give me an explanation?"

The veins on Jerome’s restrained forehead bulged, yet he didn’t say a single word.

"Jerome, since you married me, you should settle down. Don’t let them dance in front of me, okay? I’m scared …"

Perhaps because I acted too weakly, they didn’t take me seriously.

Jerome softly comforted, "Anna, it’s not what you think. Go home first, I’ll explain to you later, okay?"

Anna still wanted to hit me, but her father, thinking of the bigger picture, stopped her with a loud shout. So, she stormed off angrily.

As I stared straight at her back, my eyes filled with intense hatred. That was because my mother's death was inseparable from Anna, her mother and brother.

This time, as I returned to the country, I wanted the family estate, the truth ... Each one of them!

After such a scene, both my father and Jerome had no mood to deal with the guests. So, I just took the chance to mingle with the big shots from all walks of life.

From the current situation, I was undoubtedly the sole heir of the Gilmore Group and seeing that I was so easy to manipulate, those shrewd people all tried to curry favor with me, yet their eyes revealed greedy and calculating light.

My informant in the Gilmore Family villa told me my father had just said the plan to announce their identities would be postponed and several people started to cry and made a fuss.

My father coaxed Celia and his pair of illegitimate children for a long time. Even Jerome, who should have been entering the bridal chamber with me, used the excuse of urgent business to rush over.

They must have come up with some kind of plan before finally appeasing the three of them.

In the end, Jerome held Anna in his arms back to her room, only to come out two hours later.

Jerome returned home at three in the morning and went straight to the study to sleep.

The next day, Celia, my father’s secretary, was promoted to financial director. Robert parachuted directly from the headquarters’ lowest level to the president of a subsidiary. Anna also received a beautiful riverside villa.

Meanwhile, I, his legitimate daughter, still hadn’t even stepped through the doors of the group’s headquarters.

I didn’t care whether I went in because having my people inside was enough. Well … more precisely, my mother’s loyal people.

I heard my father was going to set up a foundation named “Roona Foundation.”

What a ploy! Who doesn’t know it was built for Robert and Anna?

After Jerome left for work, I dialed a number.

"You can act now."

"And also, Robert went to the subsidiary. He’s a useless fool, greedy and lustful. Make him cause as big a mess as possible."

Just as I hung up, the front door lock clicked.

I thought Jerome had forgotten something, but it turned out to be Anna, with three thugs behind her.

Seeing the results of my work from last night, I instinctively shrank my neck, trembled all over and moved toward the living room.

"You… what do you want? How do you have my house key?"

"Breaking into a private residence… that’s illegal!"

I trembled as I reached for my phone to call the police, but Anna contemptuously slapped it away.

She kicked me to the ground, grabbed my hair and forced me to look up.