"You're hitched here already! Why have you returned to register? 

"Don't you know it's wrong to be a Adulterer?" 

Startled, Sophia Johnson exited the courtroom with a freshly printed marriage license in hand. 

Looking at the beautiful woman, the man who had escorted her here to register bemoaned, "Miss Johnson, you're already married." I was hired for a fictitious wedding; why?" 

He hurried out the door after declaring that the deposit was non-refundable. 

Sophia, still in disbelief, bit her lip. 

She'd never even been in a relationship. How on earth could she be married? 

Her head fell to study the printout she was holding. 

The child had a forced grin and seemed a little restricted in the certificate shot. It was definitely her, as shown by the mole on the corner of her eye. Regarding the man... 

His nose was large and his features heavy. He looked directly into the camera lens as if it were penetrating the paper, and his thin lips curled into a slight grin. 

Not even a black-and-white picture could hide his mystique and imposing presence. 

After that, she noticed his name: Donald Parker. 

She was sure she had never seen this man before! 

What in the world was happening? 

Sophia pulled out her phone, clicked on Messenger, took a picture of the certificate, and forwarded it to a contact who had a black avatar. "Help me figure out who this is." 

She received a response right away. "Got it." 

It was at that time when Sophia temporarily put her confusion aside. She got back on her ancient electric scooter and cruised into a gated community of affluent villas, heading back to the Johnson residence. 

Mia Johnson, her elder sister, had a big day today. For the betrothal, her future husband was scheduled to visit. 

The staff were occupied in a neat and organized manner, and the home was beautifully adorned. For the occasion, a few temporary employees had also been employed. 

After parking her scooter in a corner, Sophia heard the conversations between the temporary employees and housekeepers she went by. 

"Who is she? She is so lovely." 

"Shush, she is the illegitimate daughter that the Boss doesn't believe." 

"The mistress was her mother. Mrs. Johnson arrived extremely pregnant and demanding rights just before giving birth, and they both gave birth on the same day. That elderly woman is a baller. She has not left the house and has made up a lot of reasons." 

Miss Sophia is aware of her place, at least. She left for college in her junior year and hasn't returned for a long time. What brings her here now, I wonder." 

Sophia entered the living room with her head down, acting as though she couldn't hear them conversing. 

Maryann Arderson, her mother, was there at the entrance. The moment she stepped inside the house, the woman—still graceful at her age—pulled her worriedly upstairs. "Come visit your sister with me. Did you receive the marriage certificate, by the way?" 

Sophia's voice lacked any feeling. "Yes." 

Despite the fact that the groom was a different man, it was technically true. 

"That's excellent. You need to keep your position in mind. The fiancé of your sister is Jude Parker. You could never dream of being an illegitimate kid, but he comes from a noble family of great standing! Your sister alone is deserving of him." 

Sophia's eyes glowed with mocking when she heard these comments. 

Jude Parker, the lawful grandson of the first line of the esteemed Parker family in Oscalake, courted Sophia for four years during her college years, and on her graduation day, he proposed to her. 

Maryann put an end to any prospective relationship between Sophia and Jude by demanding that she find someone else to marry as soon as she learned about the proposal. 

It has always been that way. 

Should there be the least possibility of a conflict of interest between her and Mia, Maryann would insist that she yield without reservation. 

She was the daughter of illegitimacy, therefore her very being was a sin. 

She was indoctrinated as a youngster into thinking that going through all those struggles was normal. 

However, she was no longer unaware. 

Sophia emphasized each phrase with a somber face. "We concurred. This is the final instance. 

It was Maryann's fault. It was she who wanted to please Mia and who clung to the Johnson family day after day only to see her guy. For Maryann's sake, Sophia wouldn't lose her own life. 

The purpose of today was to give Maryann back what she gave birth to. They were even after that. 

Maryann seemed irritated. "I heard you." 

They made it to Mia's room in the middle of their chat. 

In her gorgeous gown, the attractive girl looked like a princess. The room was filled with the glitzy shimmer of jewels as she sat on the sofa choosing her jewelry. 

In stark contrast, Sophia, dressed modestly, kept her posture straight. 

When she saw her, Mia greeted her. "Sophia, what brings you here?" 

Maryann interrupted before Sophia could respond, saying, "Mia, Sophia got married today." 

Mia was taken aback. "So quickly? Who is this guy? Is he superior than Jude? 

With a scornful tone, Maryann said, "Of course not! In all of Oscalake, not a single individual is more esteemed than young Jude Parker! Do you truly believe Mia could find a respectable partner? Not even the loser she married dared to accompany her here. He fears that you will find his impoverished look offensive." 

Mia enquired, little envious, "How can that be? Jude wouldn't have pursued Sophia for four years if she weren't so attractive." 

"What good is being attractive? Only a frayed sock will go with a shoddy shoe. Only the lowest members of society would marry her given her rank. Jude was only a passing amusement, a toy to young Jude. Mia, you alone are a match for young Jude because of your status. 

Sophia scowled. 

The man in the picture didn't seem at all like the scumbag Maryann described, either in terms of appearance or demeanor. 

However, she was too lazy to respond to these petty comments. 

Mia had just finished choosing her jewelry at that point. The dress was too tight for her, making it hard for her to bend over when she wanted to wear heels. 

Mia smiled slightly at Sophia. 

Sophia was shoved by Maryann right away. "Youthful girl, so blind all the time! It's not going well for your sister. Proceed to assist her in putting on her shoes now!" 

Sophia couldn't say anything. 

This was how things were always. 

Did Maryann still think she was the innocent, uneducated little girl who wouldn't know how to fight back even when bullied? 

Her eyes were , and her voice hinted with irritation. "You can help her yourself." 

"Sophia Johnson, what's this attitude? Do you believe you've developed wings simply because you're married now? Your hubby is nothing else than a freeloader! In the end, you're going to still have to count on the Johnson family!" 

Maryann increased her voice. "If you fail to make peace with your sister now, there will come a day when both you and your spouse will come asking her for aid! Besides, the Johnson family reared you, therefore you should be serving the family like a servant!" 

At that moment, a towering person came at the door. It was Lucas Johnson, their father. 

The man scowled. "A prominent guest is about to arrive, and you're arguing here?" 

Mia played the innocent part and said nothing. 

But Maryann pretended to be the victim. "This cursed girl is the reason behind it all. Just because her sister got married today doesn't mean that she should be demeaning her." 

With his eyes riveted on Sophia, Lucas "You were married? Why wouldn't you allow us to assist you meet a suitable person? Let me see where the marriage certificate is. 

Sophia took a minute to process her estranged father's apparent worry before pulling the document from her bag. 

Nevertheless, Maryann grabbed it the very next instant. "Let me see what kind of loser you married!" 

"Dad, who's visiting that's got you so anxious?" said Mia inquisitively. 

Lucas lit up the moment she thought about the guest. Declaring with excitement, "It's Donald Parker." 

Sophia was shocked right away.