Janice scoffed quietly and thought. "Vanessa was the one who wanted to replace me to be married into the Walters. She was also young and still studying back then."
"That's right. Vanessa is still young and naive. She's not suitable." Gladys tried to divert the topic, afraid that her daughter would be chosen instead of Janice.
"Auntie, how could you say that? Vanessa majors in Finance. Didn't you and Dad always praise her for being smart? Also, she was supposed to take over our family's company in the future. Why are you saying differently now?"
Gladys was speechless. She quickly said, "Janice, both of you are sisters. It doesn't matter who's smarter. The most important thing now is to help the company. Moreover, both your Dad and I have come to beg you in person. Just say yes and come home with us now."
"If I come with you, I won't be able to leave." Janice scoffed. She wasn't stupid. "Auntie, I can't do that. I have to go to work."
Gladys said, "Which is more important? Your father's company or your work? Besides, I've already informed your superiors."
Janice knew that Gladys would do that, so she put on a sad face and continued.
"That won't do. Even if I want to help Dad, the Walters will not agree. Besides, I have to discuss this with my husband."
"Husband?" Gladys was shocked. She looked at Malcolm and then sneered. "Janice, you're not married. What are you talking about? Aren't you ashamed?"
"Who said I'm not married?"
Janice replied.
"You... what do you mean?"
Gladys felt that something was wrong.
Staring at Gladys' expression, Janice continued.
"Oh, by the way, there's something I've not told you. I'm married."
Everyone was dumbstruck.
No one said a word for several moments.
Gladys' mouth was wide opened for a long time before she asked in shock, "What?"
She was so shocked that she stopped her pretense. She slammed the table and stood up. "Janice Gladwell, what are you talking about? When did you get married?"
Since Gladys was so shocked, Janice brought the marriage certificate she had just
received that morning and placed it in front of them.
"Take a look for yourself."
Gladys couldn't believe it. She quickly took the certificate to verify it. She was stunned.
"You... you are married..."
Gladys felt lightheaded and fell onto a chair.
Vanessa shrieked in surprise and held her mom. She glanced at the marriage
certificate in disbelief. Sure enough...
"Janice, did you do this on purpose?"
Vanessa stopped her pretense and turned hostile. "Dad, she must be lying. She didn't want to marry into the Walters, so she deliberately made a fake certificate."
"You're right, Vanessa. Janice, how could you get married so soon? This certificate must be fake." Gladys said.
Janice smiled and continued, "You can find out yourself by calling the City Hall."
Gladys and Vanessa were flustered by Janice's response. She was right, they would find out if it was a fake certificate. Besides, Janice was such a cunning person. How could she not know about that?
Since she had the guts to show them the certificate, it must be genuine.
However, if Janice really got married, what should they do? Vanessa couldn't be married into the Walters.
Gladys would never allow her daughter to suffer in the Walters.
"Malcolm, what should we do? Say something."
Gladys was extremely worried.
"Enough!" Malcolm spoke after a long silence. Gladys didn't dare to continue.
Malcolm spoke with a dark face, "Janice, how could you do that? You didn't even inform us about this."
"Dad, that's because I'm afraid that you won't agree. My husband is an ordinary guy with no money. I'm afraid that you won't allow us to be together."
Malcolm sighed after listening to Janice. Initially, he didn't quite like the idea of marrying Janice into the Walters. Since she was already married, he would need to find another solution to resolve his company's issue.
Malcolm left after a while.
Vanessa and Gladys had no choice but to leave together with Malcolm.
As soon as Vanessa returned to the hotel room, she cried, "Mom, Janice is married. What should I do? Do I have to marry that rapist? No, I don't want!"
Vanessa cried bitterly. She thought that she was about to get rid of that engagement. She did not expect that she would be fooled by Janice.
Gladys' heart ached while looking at her crying daughter. She gritted her teeth in hatred when she recalled Janice's glib words just now.
"Don't worry."
"So what if she was married?" Gladys thought. "She could still find a way!"
...
Janice returned home in a good mood. She was thrilled when she remembered Gladys' furious expression. Over the years, Gladys had always been mean to her. It was her turn to get revenge. Her decision to marry Chris in a haste was worthwhile after all!
Although she had gotten her revenge, she couldn't help but be worried about the company. Even though she blamed Malcolm for favoritism, he was her father after all and he was her only family left in the world.
No matter how cruel she was, she still couldn't bear to let her father's company to go bankrupt.
Anyway, Vanessa could still replace her to marry into the Walters.
She should be the one marrying into the Walters. Plus, as a part of the Gladwells, she should contribute to the family when needed, not only enjoying the glory and wealth.
Janice felt happier after that.
She opened the door and was shocked when she entered the house.
"Oh my god!"
"Is... Is this her house?"
"Did I enter the wrong house?" Janice retreated her footsteps to check the house number. "Yes, it's my house."
But...
"It has become so beautiful."
The floor was covered with a grey carpet. There were wallpapers adorning her house and the sofa in the living room was changed to a Scandinavian styled sofa.
In short, her house went through a makeover.
She had only been away for a day. How could there be such a drastic change in the house?
Janice stared at everything in front of her as if she was dreaming.
Christopher walked out of the bedroom and met Janice's surprised gaze.
"You're back." He greeted.
When Janice saw Christopher, she was stunned for a moment. She was still unaccustomed to the fact that she was already married.
"Did you give the house a complete makeover?"
Janice was doubtful.
Christopher looked indifferent. "The landlady knew that we were married, so she purposely arranged for a makeover."
"The landlady?"
Janice was surprised. "How would it be possible?"
The landlady was a stingy old woman. Why would she spend so much money on her now?
"That's impossible." Janice would never believe it.
At that moment, the phone rang. Janice glanced at the phone. It was a call from the landlady.
She glanced at Christopher and turned away to answer the call.
"Hi Janice. How's the house makeover? Do you like it?"
She wasn't sure if she heard it correctly, but the landlady's tone was particularly gentle today.
For a moment, Janice was stunned.
"Are you.. Are you saying that you did the makeover?"
"Of course! Janice, you've been living here for a while. Just treat it as your wedding gift. Plus, the house needs a makeover. I'll do it sooner or later."
Janice was still in disbelief after listening to the landlady.
"By the way, you have to take care of the house. Otherwise, you'll have to compensate me for the damage." The landlady hung up and glanced at Rob with a smile. "Sir, I have performed according to your orders. The check is mine, right?"
Rob handed the check to her and warned her coldly, " Pay attention to what you say."
"Of course."
The landlady took the check and kissed it repeatedly. Rob was a little speechless. That was the result of his hard work that afternoon. In the end, this woman took all the credit. He wondered about Mr. Bateman's motive. He was pretending to be poor even though he was rich.
Rob grumbled before calling Christopher. "Mr. Bateman, everything was done as your request."
Christopher hung up after listening to Rob, then Janice walked over.
Her doe eyes blinked in disbelief and she said, "It's really the landlady."
Christopher stared at her with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Janice circled the house in a good mood, even though the landlady sounded a little unusual today.
The house looked good.
Although the apartment was a little small, it was cozy after the makeover.
She didn't expect to come home to a surprise like this after venting her anger at Vanessa and Gladys today. It seemed that today was a good day to be married.
Janice was so happy. As soon as she turned around, she bumped into Christopher. "Oh..."
...
A brief shot of pain hit her forehead. When she realized that she had bumped into Christopher's chest, she was about to retreat with a red face when a pair of strong hands supported her waist. Her whole body suddenly leaned forward and was forced to stick to Christopher's body.
"Ah..." Janice screamed, her heart pounding.
"Does it hurt?" Christopher asked with concern.
Before Janice could answer, she saw Christopher extending his slender and beautiful hand and caressing her forehead.
"Oh my god, how can a man's hand be so soft? It doesn't even hurt much after being touched by him, and it feels so comforting."
Janice blinked her eyes in a daze and happened to meet Christopher's gaze. She quickly looked away with a guilty conscience.
It was not good to be like this. She had just gotten married, and she was already charmed silly. She had to be more reserved.
"Yes, be more reserved!"
Janice quickly broke free from his arms, patted her burning cheeks, and stammered, "No... it doesn't hurt. Well... this place is a little small."
Janice felt a little awkward. It was strange. Usually when alone, this place didn't feel small at all. Now that there was Christopher, it seemed that the space had shrunk a lot.
Christopher retracted his hand and stared at Janice, who was still feeling uneasy. A playful look flashed across his eyes.
For some reason, there was an indescribable sexual tension in the air.
Janice felt a little uncomfortable. After a while, she broke the silence.
"Well, it's getting late. You can take a shower and go to bed first. I have to rush a draft article."
As she spoke, she turned around and placed her laptop on the table. Just as she was about to open it, a hand stopped her.
Janice was stunned, and her body was quickly enveloped by a strong aura.
Christopher stood behind her. His hands crossed her shoulders as if he was hugging her from behind. His chin was slightly pressed against her earlobe, and his low voice was a little intoxicating.
"Our precious wedding night should not be wasted. Don't you think we should do something in this moment?"
Janice felt hot in her ears and her pulse quickened. She was not a clueless and ignorant girl, so she could understand his hint.
However, for him to say it out loud, it was a little embarrassing.
"Well... I haven't taken a shower yet. Why don't... you take a shower first..."
"It's a waste of time to shower separately, huh?"
"That damn voice is so sexy."
Janice's cheeks were red all the way to her neck, and she felt tongue-tied. She didn't know what to say. It was not good to be so crazy from the beginning.
"Are you shy?"
Christopher stared at her red ears and found her increasingly interesting.
Janice was so embarrassed that she wanted to find a hole to hide in. Since they were married, she should have thought about this.
However, at that time, her emotions were so complicated that she didn't think of this. So she didn't have much mental preparation, and she couldn't help but be at a loss.
It was too hypocritical to refuse at this time.
"Forget it. Anyway, we've got the marriage certificate. I'll have to do it sooner or later."
Janice made up her mind and turned around. She coughed dryly and said, "Well... why don't you take a shower first? I'll clean up the bedroom."
She really couldn't imagine the embarrassing scene of the two of them in the bathroom.
Christopher stared at her little face, which was as red as a cherry. Just now, he saw that she was very cute, so he couldn't help teasing her.
He didn't expect her to be so easily embarrassed, so he stopped joking.
"I can take a shower first, but you are not allowed to work!"
His tone was a little overbearing.
Janice had no choice but to compromise. "Okay, I promise I won't work."
Only then did Christopher turn around and go to the bathroom. Janice finally heaved a sigh of relief.
But what should she do later?
Janice thought about what was going to happen and felt uncomfortable.
"You have been in the shower for more than half an hour."
This was Christopher's second reminder.