Chapter 3 Thea, You Have To Be Obedient

Maggie's mother had made it clear that, with Thea's photo sent to the Reynolds family, she was to play the role of Mr. Reynolds's intended bride in Maggie's stead. This would allow the Russell Group to secure the Reynolds family's financial support.

Maggie thought that Thea dared not resist.

Thea's mother had been in a coma for many years, and her elder sister...

Maggie, sporting a triumphant smile on her face and red-rimmed eyes, pressed on. "She had the audacity to slap me just for a few choice words! Grandma, you must lock her up!"

"I didn't!"

Thea protested, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She also knew how to feign tears!

"Grandma, I stayed at Mabel's place last night," Thea said with a quiver in her voice. "Maggie accused me of spending the night with a man. What if word of this reaches Mr. Reynolds? I don't care about my reputation, but it would be disastrous if they discover that the person who is going to marry Mr. Reynolds isn't Maggie!"

She had merely sought the company of a man for a night. What was the big deal?

They were forcing her to marry an old man nobody would willingly wed. Couldn't she indulge herself with a handsome man for once?

"Thea!"

Maggie had only one objective now: for Thea to marry Mr. Reynolds and then expose her as a substitute. This would effectively legitimize Maggie's relationship with Trevor Gibson who was Thea's ex-fiancé.

"Thea!"

Nina gazed at Thea with icy detachment. In a stern tone, she announced, "The Reynolds family called. They're here to collect you."

"He's here?" Thea quivered, avoiding the name that everyone in the room knew all too well—Mr. Reynolds.

"Yes." Nina confirmed.

"Thea, go upstairs and freshen up. Mr. Reynolds is waiting for you."

When Maggie heard that the Reynolds family was going to pick up Thea, a triumphant smirk appeared on her lips.

Thea bit her lip but didn't utter a word. As she ascended the stairs, she heard Nina's admonition echo behind her. "Thea, you have to be obedient!"

Those words served as a harsh reminder of the person she needed to protect. Thea clenched her fists and replied, "Grandma, I'll follow your arrangement."

——

"Thea, what are you going to do? Are you really going to marry into the Reynolds family?"

In a bustling bar, Thea's friend, Mabel Walsh, voiced her concerns after hearing about the recent events.

"What other choice do I have?"

Thea took a mocking sip of her drink and wore a sardonic smile. "If I refuse, they'll lock me up. Besides..."

Thea's smile turned sadder. "My mother has been in a coma for so long, and they agreed to help my sister."

"But Mr. Reynolds is truly frightening," Mabel interjected, worry etched across her features. She had heard countless tales of Mr. Reynolds's cruelty and ruthlessness.

"Have no fear!" Thea rose from her seat and patted Mabel's shoulder. "I've had a fling with a handsome man! If Mr. Reynolds finds out, it might irritate him so that I could be sent back to the Russell family."

However, returning to the Russell family meant being subjected to their manipulations once more.

She had no one in this world to shield her.

Thinking of her comatose mother in the hospital and her grandmother's scheming ways, Thea reached for the glass in front of her and downed its contents.

"But let's set aside this depressing talk for now. We're here for business," she declared.

"Who am I going to teach a lesson today?"

"Oh!"

Mabel promptly retrieved her phone, located a photograph, and placed it before Thea. "Shane Hayes! This scoundrel is a womanizer. The client wants you to deliver ten slaps before snapping pictures. You'll be paid once it's done."

When she heard the mention of money, Thea's eyes gleamed with renewed determination. She still needed to repay the handsome male escort over a thousand and eight hundred dollars.