Chapter 4 Sorry! The System Shows You're Married

• Gabriella had already sacrificed her body in her efforts to save Matilda, so marriage was nothing to her. However, this union wasn't a decision that she could make. Hence, she was hesitant. "I don't have a birth certificate."
• "I have it all arranged," the other party reassured her. "My associates are waiting at the hospital entrance. The license plate number is J 5125. Come down now."
• Gabriella hung up the phone, feeling completely bamboozled.
• Did I just agree to marry a stranger in a few seconds? But who exactly is Duncan Mooney? And why is that guy so insistent that I marry him? These questions left her baffled.
• Even so, she pushed aside her doubts for Matilda's sake and went to the ward to check on the unconscious Matilda before making up her mind and turning around to head downstairs. However, Holly and Arthur suddenly appeared and blocked her path before she exited the ward.
• Gabriella was elated. "Mom, Dad, have you changed your mind and decided to save Grandma?"
• If Holly and Arthur were willing to help save Matilda, Gabriella wouldn't have to marry Duncan, a total stranger to her. To her astonishment, she received a slap across the face from Holly instead. It left a burning sensation that gradually worsened and caused her cheeks to sting.
• "Save who? Do you know that Mr. Mason almost took Gina away because of you? I told you to accompany Mr. Mason, but you went and slept with a random man! You disgraceful b*tch! Put the mask on!"
• As Holly spoke, she forcefully put a hyper-realistic face mask on Gabriella's face.
• Gabriella felt a mix of resentment and anguish as she cried out, "Mom, the debt owed to Mr. Mason is your responsibility. What does it have to do with me? And why must I wear this mask?"
• Then, Arthur picked up the mask from the ground and thrust it back into her hands. "Moving forward, Gina will be our only daughter. You do not deserve to look like her. And you can't show your face wherever she is!"
• Earlier at home, Holly and Arthur had pieced together the situation and figured out that Gabriella had mistakenly entered the wrong room and confused Duncan for Josh which led to their erroneous intimate encounter. Consequently, Duncan wanted to marry Gabriella, not Gina. To avoid the truth from coming to light, they thought it was best for Gabriella to wear a mask so Duncan would never find out.
• Gabriella stared at her parents in disbelief with a hand cupping her throbbing cheeks and shouted, "Mom, Dad, I'm your daughter too. Why're you doing this to me?"
• "Ha! I don't have a daughter like you! If it weren't for your birth chart clashing with ours, would our gambling business suffer such a downfall? Your appearance was bestowed upon you by me. I have the right to have you wear the mask!" Holly's eyes were blazing with wrath.
• Gabriella wept until she was drained, and her spirit crushed. "What if I refuse?"
• Holly then pushed Gabriella aside, made a beeline for Matilda's sickbed, and swiftly reached for the ventilator.
• "I'll unplug her oxygen tube right now! If you don't wear the mask, your grandmother's life will be in your hands!"
• Upon hearing these words, Gabriella's mind went blank as if struck by lightning. She couldn't believe her ears. "Mom, that's my grandmother, and you're her daughter-in-law. How could you even think of such an act?" She anxiously appealed to Arthur, "Dad, Mom is about to harm Grandma. Are you going to just watch?"
• However, Arthur merely pressed down firmly on her shoulder and said with a stern voice, "You chit, if you won't wear the mask, you'll be responsible for your grandmother's death!"
• Gabriella went weak at her knees as her beliefs shattered. These two people aren't fit to be parents, let alone someone's children! How can such cold-hearted and ruthless people exist in this world?
• "Gabriella, I'll give you until the count of three. If you won't comply, I'll unplug the oxygen tube now!"
• Holly raised her chin defiantly, her narrowed eyes filled with threats. "Three... Two... One."
• "I'll wear it!" Gabriella's voice was sharp and carried a piercing and mournful tone that struck at the heart.
• She smoothed out the hyper-realistic face mask in her hands before placing it over her face with trembling fingers.
• Holly and Arthur had achieved their desired outcome and departed happily.
• However, Gabriella felt drained as she stumbled to Matilda's side. She cradled her unconscious face while tears streaming down her cheeks.
• "Grandma, I'm sorry. I can't protect you. Please hang on for me. I'll find a cure for your illness, and we'll leave Ascot forever."
• With that thought in mind, she wiped away her tears and hastily descended the stairs. She promptly located the luxurious Mercedes-Benz with the license plate number J 5125.
• Yet, as soon as she settled into the back seat, she suddenly felt dizzy and lost consciousness before even catching a glimpse of the driver.
• …
• Thirty minutes later, Duncan had swiftly completed the paperwork with Gina at city hall. Once the staff had reviewed it, they could obtain their marriage certificate.
• Gina felt like she was on cloud nine, floating in disbelief at the unfolding events.
• This man beside me is the king of Ascot! And I'll soon become the king's wife with a life of wealth and prestige before me!
• At that moment, everything felt surreal to her. If Gabriella finds out about this, she'll surely be jealous. As Gina basked in her prideful thoughts, a voice shattered her reverie, "Mr. Mooney, you can't marry Miss Burns."
• Duncan frowned. "Why not?"
• The staff swallowed nervously. "Because the system shows that you're married."
• Married? Duncan's eyes widened, and he exuded an icy aura that sent shivers down one's spine.
• In comparison, Gina was even more shocked. How can Duncan be married? He's famous as a single noble in Ascot. A golden bachelor!
• "Is this some kind of mistake?" Gina asked pressingly.
• The staff appeared sheepish and answered, "The system is usually right."
• Before long, Clark burst in anxiously with his stern face drenched in sweat. "Oh no, Mr. Mooney! Mrs. Wilkins called to say they found an unconscious woman in the backyard. And she's holding a marriage certificate with your name on it."