Through the light curtains one could hear the raindrops falling on the hardy banana trees.
In the west wing of the Duke of Gardner's mansion, a woman's clothes and jewelries were scattered all over the ground. A stream of ambergris spice came out from a golden cauldron and mixed with a smell of sweat.
Carly Loken was lying on a rosewood bed. She woke up and felt strong pain in her head. Her body ached as if she had been pressed by something heavy.
There was a banquet for Sherly Mitchell, daughter of the Duke of Gardner, in the mansion today. It was the first time that Sherly returned home after she got married. And Carly attended the banquet with her husband Jader Charlson.
During the meal, Jader persuaded her to drink a few glasses of fruit wine, and then she felt dizzy...
Carly vaguely remembered that she was brought to the wing. She heard the door locked, then she was taken to the bed...
While she was thinking, someone passed the screen and walked towards her.
The room was dim so Carly could not see the person's face clearly. The man was tall, imposing, and somehow familiar.
She held her breath and did not dare to move. Fear was growing from the bottom of her heart.
He was dressed in a scarlet official robe, and the rank badge on his chest was embroidered with a kylin on the auspicious clouds!
Kylin was the symbol of a military official of the first rank!
Carly panicked. Jader was an assistant minister of third rank and the animal on his badge was a peacock...
Some noise came from outside. Someone was approaching the room. Before she recognized the person, the door was broken open.
"Greg, how could you do this to my wife? You are shameless!"
Carly looked up at the man. She could now see his face clearly by the light.
Greg Mitchell?
Carly broke out into a cold sweat and couldn't help trembling in panic.
Jader was irritated and stepped forward. He pulled Carly off the bed. She staggered into his arms and the quilt covered her pale face.
She could hear Jader cursing and disdaining Greg under the quilt. Then she suddenly blacked out.
...
Carly was taken to room in the Birchleaf Pear Room of the east courtyard of Assistant Minister's Mansion.
Carly's eyes was dull as she sat on the alcove bed. She didn't feel well these days so the maid sent for a doctor to take a look. It turned out that she was pregnant.
Jader had been busy with work and they hadn't slept together for six months. Carly suddenly recalled the scene when she was fighting that man a month ago...
Carly covered her face in despair. She was pregnant with Greg's child.
"Mr. Charlson, Mrs. Charlson has woken up." The maid said to Jader.
The door was pushed open.
Jader passed the screen and walked to the bed. He held a green bowl with decoction in it.
Carly looked up at him. Jader was dressed in a red brocade robe, which made him look decent. He was not the shabby guy anymore.
She had been married to Jader for three years.
When her family was trying to find her a suitable man, Carly had an accident. It left a long scar on her face, from her eyebrows to her cheeks. There were people pursuing her. But they never showed up after the accident.
Jader was the only one that kept visiting and asked for marrying Carly. He was sincere.
Carly was moved. The Charlson family was no match for the Loken family, but she still married him.
Carly was grateful that Jader didn't give up on her. Therefore, she managed the housework and help him run his business. She devoted all her time and energy to this man.
But what did she get in return?
To help the Third Prince defeat Greg, Jader used his wife as a bait and drugged them...
Carly was weak and her lips were dry. She asked in a hoarse voice, "Why?"
Jader held the bowl and slowly stirred the decoction with a celadon spoon.
"Carly, it was very important to me. Greg is cautious and always careful of people, but he never guards against you. I couldn't let go of the opportunity."
