Chapter 3

In the corner of the stairs, Jolene saw the name flashing on the screen and answered the call despite her disgust. "Hello." "Jojo." There was a hint of probe in Glenda's voice. "I heard Mr. Welsh has woken up. Is it true that his legs are paralyzed?" The doctor had just made the diagnosis, and the Patel family already knew the inside scoop. Glenda didn't care about how the Welshes would deal with a stand-in stepdaughter. She didn't ask how Jolene had survived last night either. Instead, she came probing for insider information. Jolene's heart grew colder. She replied lightly, "If there isn't anything else, I'm hanging up." "Wait!" Glenda anxiously called out. "Help Kathrine! Steven has a huge project that's a collaboration between Horizon Group and Welsh Corporation. If you can convince him to sign the project transfer agreement, Kathrine can marry Bradson Welsh, the eldest grandson of the Welsh family. You two can become sisters-in-law." Jolene chuckled in disbelief. "What makes you think I can help? I'm just a bride married to bring good luck. I have no status." Glenda patiently coaxed, "Steven woke up the moment you married him. The second branch of the Welsh family is now relying on you. "Plus, he's paralyzed. What use will a project do in his hands? He might as well let it go and make things work between Kathrine and Bradson." Greed flashed in Glenda's eyes. Once completed, the project could rake in billions in profit. It was the project that precisely solidified Steven's position in the Welsh family. "I can't help." With that, Jolene was about to hang up the phone. Glenda's voice became sharp and shrill. She shouted, "That old woman from the countryside has been brought to the Patel residence! If you don't agree, you can forget about seeing her ever again!" "Are you even human? That's my grandmother and your mother-in-law!" Jolene yelled. She would've died long ago if it weren't for her grandmother, Emma Ganson, raising her all these years. Emma lived a hard life, scrimping and saving to send Jolene to school. She wore herself out until her body started aching from exhaustion. No matter how hard Jolene tried to learn medicine, she still couldn't save Emma. And now, Glenda had brought Emma all the way here. Who knew how many ordeals and grievances Emma had suffered? "Your father's long dead, and that old woman isn't related to me by blood," Glenda coolly stated. Jolene clenched her phone, her knuckles turning white. Her hands trembled. She bit her lip. Eyes red with anger, she questioned, "Am I even your biological daughter?" After a moment's silence came Glenda's cold voice. "I raised Kathrine. She has a good family background, grace, and talent. If even you can marry Steven, she must do better. "I don't care if you have to steal or cheat, you must get it done. I'm expecting good news on the day of your visit. Otherwise… "Anything could happen to the old woman. She's caught up in years, after all." Glenda hung up at once. A chill ran down Jolene's spine. She felt like the air she was breathing was slicing her throat and lungs, each breath sharp and painful. … After a long while, there was a voice from the stairs. Rita had been searching for her for a long time. She pulled Jolene toward the master bedroom. "Mr. Welsh woke up and is asking for you." Jolene put away all her troubled thoughts and followed Rita into the room. Upon seeing her, Daphne warmly pulled her to the bed and told Steven, who was lying on the bed. "This is Jolene Adkins, your wife. We arranged for your marriage while you were in a coma." Jolene met Steven's cold eyes. She felt embarrassed and lowered her head. He probably thought that she was shameless. Steven's eyes were like a sandstorm sweeping through, brewing a tempest. His brows furrowed, and his expression was icy. "Divorce," he said with a hint of command. Jolene looked at him in shock. "No way!" Daphne raised her voice, which was full of anger. "Jolene's your life! If you divorce her, what happens if you die? Are you still thinking about that slut?" "Mom, I'm awake, but I'm paralyzed. I've lost the right to inherit the family, so why hold her back?" he said in a voice slow and hoarse from recovery. There was a trace of helplessness. Daphne's eyes reddened. She covered her mouth, sobbing out the words, "You'll get better as long as we can find Dr. Ashton! You still have resources, and you can make a comeback! Everything will be alright!" "Have you asked this young lady if she wants to spend her life as a widow?" As Steven spoke, he looked directly at Jolene with an expression that suggested a different meaning in his eyes. Daphne felt a little sorry for Jolene and looked at her, clearly in a dilemma. "Jolene, are you willing to stay with Steven? Although the second branch has fallen from grace, I have a huge wedding gift that's enough to cover your expenses." She looked at Jolene with earnestness. Jolene bit her lip tightly, and her nails dug deep into her skin. Glenda was threatening Jolene with Emma to get Steven's project, but that seemed to be the second branch's only hope of a comeback. Should she take away the hope of the Welsh family's second branch? But what about Emma? The mother and son interpreted her silence as reluctance. Steven had an aloof demeanor and noble air even while lying on the bed. Realization struck him as he made a decision. "Let's finalize the divorce procedures tomorrow." Jolene suddenly snapped out of it. She said in a soft yet firm tone, "I won't get a divorce!" Facing Steven's terrifying gaze, she mustered the courage to say, "I've married you. It doesn't matter even if I become a widow." Daphne let out a sigh of relief and smiled through her tears. "Good child, I knew you were different from other women. "Rita, let's go and not disturb the young couple's quality time." "Yes," Rita responded. She gave Jolene a look, admiring her bravery. The two of them left, locking the door behind them. Jolene stood by the bed, her head lowered as she fiddled with her fingers and licked her dry lips. Steven's sharp gaze was fixed on her. After a long while, he said breezily, "Ms. Adkins, if you want money, I can give it to you. "My mom's so-called wedding gift is stuck in the stock market. She was lying to you." Jolene clenched her teeth and explained, "I'm not after money." Scenes from last night flashed before Steven's eyes. His chest heaved slightly in frustration. "Now that I'm awake, I won't let you treat me like that again. To live as a widow means you can't touch even a single finger of mine, not even… "Not even to satisfy your lust." His expression grew colder. Jolene's face flushed so red that it looked like a ripened tomato. Kissing and hugging, was that what Steven meant to satisfy lust? She murmured, "There's no such thing. Plus, you're impotent anyway." "What did you just say?" Steven snapped. Joelene shook her head and made up her mind. She unclenched her tightly held hands. Her eyes were bright with resolution, and her voice was firm when she said, "Mr. Welsh, I'm confident I can cure your legs." Steven let out a snort of laughter. From the pride of the family to being a cripple, his heart was full of irritation and frustration. Yet, Jolene couldn't stop humiliating him. Even with the best of manners, Steven lost his patience. "Get out." Jolene stubbornly insisted, "I'm not lying." "Do you have a medical license? Have you cured anyone? Do you have any proof?" Jolene shook her head. "No, but I've treated many people in the countryside. When I was wiping your body, I checked your pulse, and it was…" "Get out!" Jolene frowned. Faced with his resistance, she was growing irritated herself. She stepped forward and yanked the covers off Steven. Then, she pulled her pants to reveal his toned muscular legs. Steven fumed. "Jolene Adkins!"