Chapter 2 Flash-married To His Uncle

Not far away, Isabella saw this scene. She rushed forward and clung to the car door. "Eleanor, you've done enough harm to Arthur. Now you want to harm someone else? Don't ruin this gentleman's life!" I sized Isabella up. She was probably afraid I'd get hooked up with some noble again. "You, a mistress who took the wife's place, have the nerve to say I'm causing harm?" "Don't talk nonsense!" Isabella could barely hold back from cursing. She immediately turned to Edward. "She has a wild private life. She's slept with different men. There are even photos. Such a woman isn't worthy of being taken home as a wife!" I scoffed. "Isabella, you don't really think everyone will fall for your stupid tricks, do you?" I exposed her further. "Arthur believed it because he's brainless. But my future husband is smart and can see through it at a glance." A smile spread across Edward's face. "Well, I trust Eleanor's character. And..." His voice was hoarse, and there was a force in his tone that made Isabella break out in a cold sweat. "Whether she's worthy or not is up to me. What's it to you?" My heart skipped a beat. I knew he was just trying to save face, but a warm feeling still welled up inside me. Coming to my senses, I deliberately said to Isabella, "My dear stepmother, did you hear that? Anyone with eyes knows how to choose. Keep your daughter with that good-for-nothing. After all, like goes with like. I'm outta here!" With that, the car sped off in a cloud of dust. Isabella's face turned livid, her expression twisted. This man was actually going to marry Eleanor?! She couldn't let Eleanor get the upper hand over Vivian! No, she had to think of a way. Half an hour later, inside the Registry Office. Edward was ushered to the third floor. A man who seemed like a leader respectfully handed the registration documents to the two of them. I was a bit puzzled. Was all this fanfare really necessary just for getting married? But at least I'd managed to marry Arthur's uncle. After all, only by marrying into the Cavendish family could I fully retrieve my mother's inheritance. I signed my name, and just as I let out a sigh of relief, I turned my head and saw Edward smoothly write three words: Edward Leopold Ashford. Wait a minute, Ashford. I was so shocked that my face paled. "You... why is your last name Ashford?" Arthur's uncle should have the surname Cavendish, shouldn't he? Edward, who was signing, didn't look up and simply said, "I changed my last name once." "Oh, oh..." I patted my chest. I was scared to death. I thought I'd married the wrong person. However, can one's last name be freely changed? But still, something felt off. The name Edward seemed familiar. I frowned, and suddenly a light flashed in my mind. I jerked my head up and stared wide-eyed. —Edward Ashford! The most mysterious and wealthiest man in the whole of Ravenshire! I was silent for three seconds, completely stunned. I almost bit my own tongue. "You're the head of Argent Holdings?!" Edward paused his pen, then let out a meaningful chuckle. "Miss Lancaster, you seem so surprised. Didn't you find out about my identity before volunteering to marry me?" I was left speechless. Of course I hadn't! I just wanted to marry someone from the Cavendish family. Who knew the head of Argent Holdings was Arthur's uncle! No wonder everyone in the Registry Office was on high alert. Edward getting married was indeed a big deal. I swallowed hard. I couldn't let Edward think I was a country bumpkin, so I pretended to be calm. "I just didn't expect someone as famous as Mr. Ashford would get married in such a c... " Under the man's gaze, I quickly changed my words, turning "casual" into: "conventional way. I thought for your wedding, the people from the Registry Office would come to your place instead." Edward let out a low laugh. The sound sent a tingle through my ears. "Seems Miss Lancaster has some misunderstandings about me. But if you'd like, I can arrange for them to come to my place." That's not what I meant at all! Just then, the staff had finished processing the Marriage Notice Certificate and handed it to me, explaining that the registry would post the marriage notice on the public notice board for a 28-day notice period. I immediately objected and looked at Edward. He seemed to understand what I meant and said to the man who looked like a leader, "I don't want my marriage information to be made public. I hope you can keep it confidential." The staff member seemed a bit reluctant, but his superior bowed and nodded, saying, "No problem. We can skip this procedure. After all, there are so many women who want to marry you. I understand. The information won't be made public, but according to the process, please come back in 28 days to collect the marriage certificate." Then, as if remembering my question earlier, he added, "If you need us to provide an on-site service, that's also possible." Only then did I take the two pieces of paper. A huge weight lifted off my heart. I even forgot the embarrassment just now and couldn't help but smile. Walking out of the Registry Office, I stopped and didn't get into his car. I still had enough self - awareness. Marriage was just a deal for both of us. Now that the deal was done, I had no reason to stay. We could go our separate ways. But I still gave an explanation. "Well, Mr. Ashford, since we're married, I won't bother you. I'll just..." Edward slightly lifted his eyelids. "Miss Lancaster, you've just caused your family a huge headache today. They're probably looking for you to settle the score. Do you think you have any other choice but to come home with me tonight?" I thought about the troubles that were coming my way. My face changed slightly, then I pretended nothing had happened and casually got back into the car. "Mr. Ashford is right. Since we're married, talking about disturbance or not is being too polite. Let's go, head home." The air in the car turned awkward. Edward let out a low laugh. "Miss Lancaster, I've seen your ability to adapt today." I lowered my head, pretending to be shy. "You flatter me. Mr. Ashford, you'll discover more of my merits in the future." Even Edward was silent for a while. Then he suddenly turned to me, his fingertips gently sliding across my neck, casually pushing aside the necklace to reveal the deep scar. I knew the scar was ugly. Edward seemed to be jolted. He then said, "I'll have Nicholas take you back to the villa. You can choose any room you like. I have something to deal with and won't be back tonight." I pursed my lips. Humph, men! Just now he said we were going home, but after seeing my scar, he said he had things to do. However, not having to live together suited me just fine. I politely said "goodbye", then leaned back in the back seat and closed my eyes to rest. Early the next morning, when I woke up, I was immediately taken aback. This wasn't my room. Oh right, I got married to Edward yesterday. This was a guest room in Ravensworth Manor. I rubbed my head and walked out of the room, planning to go to the kitchen to get something to eat. Suddenly, a thought struck me. Wait! Arthur had said before that his uncle was quite accomplished at painting and always lived in the castle with the elders. But Ravensworth Manor clearly showed signs of long-term habitation, which meant Edward lived here for a long time. And yesterday, I'd looked around the whole villa and there was no artwork at all. The Cavendish family was an aristocratic family. Arthur's grandfather, Edmund Cavendish, the first Duke of Cavendish, had been honored with the title "Guardian of the Crown’s Trust" by the king for his loyalty and contributions to the royal family. Yet Edward went into business alone and founded Argent Holdings... I felt something was off. Could I have made a mistake about who he was?! No, no, that can't be possible. I clearly saw Arthur call him uncle... Right! Arthur mentioned once by accident that there was always a black king chess piece at his uncle's bedside. It was given to him by a prince during his childhood when the prince received him. He cherished it so much that he wouldn't let anyone touch it. Why not just go and check?