Richard's voice suddenly turned cold, causing the servant to shiver in fear.
"Y.. Yes, I will check right away."
Knock, knock, knock…. Knock, knock, knock….
Ashley lay on the bed, weakly rubbing her stomach.
"What's going on?"
"Madam are you alright?"
Hearing someone show concern for her Ashley's face lit up with hope. She quickly got out of bed and walked to the door, trying to open it, but it still wouldn't budge.
"Are you here to bring me food? Just open the door and bring it in, I am starving.
The servant hesitated for a moment. "Madam, you should have apologized to the master. Without his permission we can't bring u food."
Ashley's face fell instantly. She had her bride and would rather starve than apologize to Richard Andrew.
As darkness fell Ashley dragged her growling stomach to the mirror. She looked at her delicate face, which seemed to have grown thinner since morning.
She pinched her cheeks. Would she become the first wealthy wife to starve to death?
Putting in a mask, she knew complaining was useless. Ashley swallowed hard, ignoring her hunger, and picked up a highlighter to start sketching the outline of a ring.
Knock, knock, knock….
Someone knocked on the door. Ashley glanced at it but didn't say a word. It wasn't like they were bringing her food, so she couldn't be bothered to respond.
"Sis, it's Brian."
Brian? Ashley furrowed her eyebrows thinking for a moment. Ah, Brian was Richard's uncle's son.
The sound of the door lock turning echoed, and the door opened.
Brian, holding a key, first poked his head in. Seeing Ashley, his face lit up and he walked in.
"So, you are the sister-in-law of the so called ugliest girl in New york. Yep, that you with the mask on."
Ashley's lips twitched as she turned her head away. This brat, could his mouth be any nastier?, the ugliest woman in New York? Well, he was probably the ugliest man in New York city.
Seeing that Ashley was ignoring him, Brian fearlessly moved closer.
"Sis, what are you up to? I heard about what happened to you. That jerk of a cousin, how could he not let you eat? What a scumbag."
Ashley "..."
Calling Richard a scumbag? Hmmmm, well said.
Looking at Brian, Ashley realized he was actually quite handsome. It seems that Andrew's family have strong genes, making them all exceptionally good-looking.
"Did you need something from me?"
Ashley asked.
Brian grabbed Ashley's arm. "Come in, let 's go get something to eat. You haven't eaten all day have you?"
Ashley's gaze fell on where Brian was holding her arm. Realizing his inappropriate behavior, Brian quickly let go.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I just thought you haven't eaten all day and got a bit worked up. Seriously, my cousin is too much. How can anyone treat someone like this?
Ashley glanced at the door, her eyes filled with longing as if a feast awaited her outside.
Forget it, she thought. She had to fill her stomach. To heck with Richard's warning that she had to apologize before eating. If she listened to him she would have to starve to death today.
Ashley walked towards the door. Behind her Brian noticed the design sketches on the table.
"Are you a jewelry designer? He asked, turning to her.
Ashley quickly gathered up the sketches. "I'm not a jewelry designer. I just doodled this. Weren't you going to take me to eat?"
"That's impossible, your design looks so professional; there's no way it's just a random sketch," Brian said, full of disbelief.
Ashley rubbed her forehead, feeling pangs of hunger gnawing at her.
She didn't want to waste another second and ignored Brian as she headed downstairs. Brian, feeling helpless, had no choice but to follow her.
Once they were downstairs, Brian called out the maids, urging them to quickly bring the food.
The maids hesitated, as they hadn't received permission from the young master.
"Don't worry about it, I will take responsibility for everything. Just hurry up and bring the food. If she starves, you will all be in big trouble."
After exchanging uncertain glances, the maids nodded and headed to the kitchen.
This time, Ashley gave Brian a grateful look.
Soon, the food was brought out.
Ashley pointed upstairs. "Take it to the room upstairs, I will eat it there."
After a hearty meal, Ashley stretched, completely satisfied.
Once she finished eating. Ashley came back downstairs. The servants didn't stop her; after all Brian already told them he will take responsibility.
"Sis, come over and sit," Brian said, still there, flipping through his phone as he searched for a birthday gift.
Ashley gleaned in and noticed Brian browsing through pictures of jewelry.
"Buying jewelry for someone?" She asked.
Brian glanced up. "Yeah, you didn't know? Grandma's birthday banquet is in three days. I'm picking out a gift for her. Every year she lives the gift my cousin gives her the most. Hmph, this year, I'm determined to stand out and give her a gift she'll love even more.
Ashley's interest piqued instantly, her eyes sparkling.
It was Old Madam Andrew's birthday banquet, and the entire Andrew's family will be there.
Kolton, Richard's cousin, would definitely show up too. That would be her chance to connect with him, and her grandma's surgery will have a better chance of happening.
Brian rubbed his chin, a thought crossing his mind. He looked at Ashley with keen interest.
"Sis-in-law, do you know what my cousin is planning to give grandma? Come on, have been good to you right? If it weren't for me you would still be hungry. Help me out here.
Ashley shook her head, "I have no idea."
She had just found out about grandma's birthday herself. How could she know what Richard was trying to give her?
Brian was momentarily stunned, his idea squashed and his face filled with disappointment.
"But I can help you pick a gift that grandma would love. It will definitely outshine your cousin's."
Brian was skeptical and continued scrolling through his phone. "Yeah, right. You've never even met Grandma. How could you possibly know what she likes better than I do?"
Ashley felt indignant.
"Hmph, don't underestimate me. Those Jewels you're looking at? Grandma's seen them all before. She's tired of expensive jewelry. We need something heartfelt, not just high-end."
Brian was struck by her words. He has been thinking the same thing, which was why he had been scrolling for so long without finding the right piece.
"Alright, tell me what grandma likes the most, and I'll design a piece of jewelry based on that. She'll definitely love it."
Brian was speechless.
You'll design it for me? Didn't you just say you're not a jewelry designer and those sketches were just for fun?"
The tables had turned quickly. Ashley awkwardly waved her hand. She had only said that to keep Andrew's family from prying too much into her life. Who knew Grandma's birthday was coming up so soon?
"I didn't know you were a good guy earlier, so I wasn't being honest. I can design jewelry, trust me but if I agree to help you, I have one condition."
Although Brian was a layman, he could tell that the sketches from earlier were very professional. There was no way someone could draw that we'll just for fun.
"Alright, sis-in-law I believe you. Grandma loves magnolias. Now, tell me what your condition is."
"Got it magnolias. My condition is that you have to find a way to let me attend grandma's birthday banquet."
The sound of a car engine came from the yard.
Ashley frowned. It must be Richard coming back. She had to hurry back to her room. If she didn't admit her mistakes and had already eaten, Ashley would skin her alive.
" The scumbag is back, I am heading upstairs."
Ashley quickly dashed upstairs, Brian stared at her disappearing figure for a couple of seconds.
Sure enough just as Ashley reached the top of the stairs, Richard walked into the house.