Editor: Henyee Translations Matthias’s hands tightened around the armrests of his wheelchair.
It took every ounce of his self-control to suppress the humiliation and self-loathing churning inside him.
Yet, when he spoke, his voice remained remarkably steady.
“It’s exactly what you’re thinking,” he said.
“I’m disabled.
And all the other problems that usually come with that…I have those too.” The implication was unmistakable, and Evelyn understood immediately.
As she looked into his dark eyes, she felt as though she were staring into a place untouched by light.
An unexpected ache tightened in her chest.
The man before her was nothing like the proud young heir she remembered.
He wasn’t rejecting her because he opposed the engagement.
He was rejecting her because he had already rejected himself.
Without thinking, Evelyn reached out and took his hand.
“Matthias, don’t push me away.” Years ago, he had said those exact words to her.
Now she was returning them.
Determination shone in Evelyn’s eyes as she held his gaze without wavering.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, Matthias found it impossible to look away.
Ever since the accident, he had pushed everyone away.
He didn’t want anyone’s pity.
Yet Evelyn was the first person who refused to leave when he pushed.
Even his own mother had eventually learned to keep her distance.
As if guided by some force beyond his understanding, he heard himself answer, “Okay.” The moment the word left his mouth, Evelyn’s face lifted up with a radiant smile.
“Then it’s settled.” For a brief moment, Matthias found himself distracted by her warmth, forgetting entirely what he had intended to say.
A strange realization struck him.
This woman, someone he had only just met, had somehow torn down the walls he had spent years building around himself.
For reasons he couldn’t understand, he found himself yielding to her in ways he never would with anyone else.
By the end of their conversation, they were discussing an engagement and wedding plans.
He had entered the meeting fully intending to reject the arrangement.
Instead, everything had gone in the opposite direction.
The entire conversation had lasted less than twenty minutes, and yet the marriage was practically settled.
Soon afterwards, the two families parted.
The moment Isabelle climbed into the car, the smile vanished from her face.
Remembering the subtle criticisms she had endured from Mrs.
Lowell throughout dinner, she felt deeply humiliated.
She immediately rounded on Evelyn.
“You shameless girl!
Did you forget everything I told you?
I specifically told you to say you graduated from Crestview Medical University.
That story was difficult enough to sell, and you actually claimed you graduated from Northgate University!
If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable!” “I didn’t lie.” Evelyn’s tone was calm.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of guilt on her face.
For a fleeting moment, Isabelle almost believed her.
Then she remembered that Evelyn had never attended college, or so she had always believed.
As far as she was aware, her education had ended after high school.
Seeing that Evelyn refused to admit her lies, Isabelle got only angrier.
Years in the countryside had ruined her.
Not only did she pick up bad habits, but she had also become a compulsive liar.
A graduation from Crestview Medical University is already an outrageous claim for someone like her.
“Grace worked tirelessly for three years just to get accepted into Crestview Medical School.
Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get into a prestigious school?
Let alone a place like Northgate University!” She shot Evelyn a contemptuous look.
“You embarrassed yourself in front of the Lowells.
Didn’t you notice Mrs.
Lowell’s reaction?
Who would believe a ridiculous lie like that?
You’ve disgraced the entire Ashford family, you little liar!” Evelyn wasn’t surprised.
In Isabelle’s eyes, she would always be nothing more than an uncultured country girl.
Her mother had never once tried to understand her.
That alone made her a spectacular failure as a parent.
When Isabelle brought up Grace again, Evelyn almost laughed.
The very university Grace had struggled so desperately to enter had spent an entire year inviting Evelyn to return as a guest lecturer.
If Isabelle knew that, she’d probably faint on the spot.
Evelyn turned to her.
“So saying I graduated from Northgate University is a lie…But claiming I have a MD from Crestview Medical University isn’t?” Evelyn’s gaze sharpened with utter disappointment.
“Don’t forget you are the one who taught me how to lie in the first place.
If anyone here’s a liar, it’s you.” Isabella froze and couldn’t utter a word.
She was about to snap at her daughter for being impolite when Evelyn interrupted, “I don’t want to hear any more of this.
You wanted an alliance with the Lowell family.
Now you’ve got one.
We are both satisfied with the outcome, so let’s pretend there’s nothing to discuss.” The car rolled through the gates of the Ashford estate.
Before Isabelle could respond, Evelyn opened the door and stepped out.
Watching her daughter’s retreating figure, Isabelle’s expression darkened.
How had Evelyn managed to silence her at every turn?
What an ungrateful child.
No manners.
No respect.
No sense of family.
She must have learned it from that damned old woman who raised her.
If Matthias hadn’t been confined to a wheelchair, she never would have agreed to bring Evelyn back into the family.
Children raised by outsiders could never compare to those raised at their parents’ side.
The Ashford estate consisted of four floors.
The first floor housed the common living areas.
The second floor contained the family’s bedrooms.
Several rooms on the third floor were used for storage, whilst the fourth floor was reserved for guests.
Of all the rooms in the house, Evelyn’s had been assigned to the third floor, tucked away at the end of a hallway beside a storage room.
Meanwhile, a spare bedroom on the second floor had been converted into Grace’s private study.
Without this marriage arrangement, they probably never would have brought Evelyn home at all.
So Evelyn wasn’t surprised by Isabella’s treatment.
Still, she couldn’t entirely suppress the bitterness lingering in her chest.
As she headed upstairs, she heard footsteps approaching.
Looking up, she saw a teenage boy descending the staircase.
He looked about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in trendy streetwear.
His handsome features still carried traces of youthful immaturity.
Evelyn had never met him before.
But she didn’t need an introduction to guess who he was.
Her younger brother.
Aric’s eyes met Evelyn’s.
Evelyn had tied her hair in a simple ponytail and dressed plainly.
Yet the aura she carried was beyond ordinary.
She was stunning.
The instant he saw her, Aric guessed exactly who she was.
His friends had spent days mocking his sister’s appearance in the group chat, claiming she was someone hideous and unsophisticated.
He had believed every word.
Now he felt completely deceived.
Her striking features were untouched by heavy makeup.
The two of them even carried a clear family resemblance.
By this point, he became more certain than ever of her identity.
Who on earth had spread those malicious rumours about her appearance?
He wondered.
Originally, Aric had felt nothing toward the sister he had never met.
Then her sudden arrival had somehow made Grace upset.
That alone had put her firmly on his bad side.
Aric scoffed inwardly.
So what if she’s beautiful?
She bullied his sister.