To Ruthanne’s surprise, Janice slapped her across the face. “Rescue her? Did you know Mr. Jenner nearly took Marianne away because of you? Instead of accompanying Mr. Jenner, you chose to fool around with another man. Put this mask on, you shameless b*tch!” Janice said, tossing a hyper-realistic mask at Ruthanne’s face. Ruthanne’s anger burned inside her, intermingling with the pain of rejection. “Mom, the debt you owe Mr. Jenner is your responsibility. What has that got to do with me? And why should I wear this mask?” Anson forcefully picked up the discarded hyper-realistic mask and thrust it back into Ruthanne’s hands. “From now on, the Forrest family only recognizes Marianne as our daughter, and I forbid you to show up wherever she is. It’s a disgrace to her that you bear any resemblance to her.” Earlier, Anson and Janice had a discussion at home, and they deduced that Ruthanne must have entered the wrong room and mistook Theodoric for Hunter. Due to that twist of fate, they spent an intimate night together. So, the one Theodoric intended to marry was actually Ruthanne, not Marianne. In order to prevent the truth from being exposed, Ruthanne had to don a hyper-realistic mask. Anson and Janice could not afford to take the risk of Theodoric discovering the truth. Ruthanne covered her throbbing face and looked at her parents in disbelief, sobbing with anguish. “Dad, Mom. I’m your daughter too. Why are you treating me like this?” Janice’s eyes widened as she scoffed. “I don’t have a daughter like you! If it weren’t for your incompatible astrological signs, our casino business wouldn’t have suffered such a downfall. Since I gave you that face, I have the right to make you wear this mask too!” Ruthanne, exhausted from crying, felt her heart completely dead inside. “What if I say I refuse?” Janice forcefully pushed Ruthanne aside and swiftly headed straight to the bed, determined to reach the ventilator. “You think I won’t pull out her tube? If you refuse to wear the mask, you’ll be directly responsible for your grandma’s death!” Upon hearing those words, Ruthanne felt her ability to think sensibly desert her. She was struck with disbelief, unable to comprehend what she had just heard. “Mom, that’s my grandmother, and you’re her daughter-in-law. How can you do such a thing?” Ruthanne anxiously looked toward Anson for support. “Dad, Mom is planning to harm your own mother. Are you going to just stand there and let it happen?” Anson firmly grasped Ruthanne’s shoulders and spoke in a harsh tone. “You’ll be the cause of her death if you don’t put on the mask!” Ruthanne’s body went weak, and her core beliefs and moral compass were profoundly shaken. Not only do they not deserve to be parents, but they also don’t deserve to be called children themselves. How could there be such heartless and ruthless people in the world? “Ruthanne Forrest, I’ll count to three. If you don’t put it on, I’ll immediately pull out the tube!” Janice lifted her chin, narrowed her eyes, and aimed a threatening glare at Ruthanne. “One, two, thr—” “Fine! I’ll put it on!” Ruthanne had no choice but to compromise for the sake of her grandmother. She unfolded the hyper-realistic mask in her arms and tremblingly put it on her face with both hands. Once Anson and Janice had accomplished their objective, they departed with a sense of fulfillment. Ruthanne felt weak and unsteady as she approached her grandmother’s side, holding her unconscious face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Grandma, I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect you. Please wait for me. I’ll find a way to cure your illness. Once you’re better, we’ll leave Jadeborough forever.” After speaking, Ruthanne wiped away her tears, hurriedly went downstairs, and immediately found the Mercedes-Benz with license plate number “JIN-5125.” But as soon as she settled into the back seat, her mind began to spin, and she suddenly fainted without getting a clear look at the person inside. Half an hour later, Theodoric and Marianne efficiently filled out the forms at City Hall, awaiting staff review for their marriage certificate. Marianne felt as if she were floating on cloud nine, finding it hard to believe the reality of everything unfolding before her. By her side stood the authoritative figure who practically ruled Jadeborough, and soon she would bask in a lifetime of wealth and glory as his wife. For a moment, she felt everything around was extremely surreal. I wonder if that jinx, Ruthanne, will feel jealous when she finds out I’m marrying a man of such high stature. When Marianne was still immersed in her thoughts, an unexpected voice emerged, dampening her spirit. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lasker. You can’t marry Ms. Forrest.” Theodoric knitted his brows. “Why not?” The City Hall employee carefully explained, “Because our system shows you’re already married.” Theodoric’s eyes widened in disbelief as a chilling aura enveloped him. I’m married? Marianne was even more thunderstruck. Theodoric is married? How is that possible? He’s the most eligible and admirable bachelor in Jadeborough! “Is there a mistake?” Marianne asked anxiously. The employee’s expression hardened. “It’s unlikely for our system to make such an error.” Not long after, Ballard rushed in, his face filled with urgency. “Bad news, Mr. Lasker! Mary called and said an unconscious woman appeared at the back gate of the manor. She was holding a marriage certificate with your name on it!”