It seemed that things were going just as Rhea Vale had predicted. This person was also opposed to this marriage. As she thought of this, Rhea Vale's red lips curled up. This was great.
Mr. Vale reluctantly passed Rhea Vale's hand to Riven Ashford. Rhea Vale's fingertips were cold, and Riven Ashford's palm was warm. The moment they touched, Rhea Vale reflexively wanted to withdraw her hand. Riven Ashford was quick to react. He quickly closed his palm and grabbed her hand tightly.
Rhea Vale was shocked. She raised her head and met Riven Ashford's sharp gaze. She paused and laughed under her breath. "What? Are you afraid that I'll go back on my word?"
Riven Ashford narrowed his eyes. While he was helping Rhea Vale straighten up her veil, he threatened, "Go back on your word? Can the Vale family bear the price of you going back on your word?"
Like father like son, their methods of delivering threats were exactly the same. Rhea Vale looked at Riven Ashford with a mocking gaze. This person clearly did not seem to be willing to get married. If she went back on her word right now, wouldn't that be exactly what he wanted? 'Why...'
Rhea Vale was deep in thought, but her gaze did not leave Riven Ashford's face. To everyone else, they just looked like two newlyweds gazing at each other lovingly, unwilling to part for even a moment.
When the auspicious time was approaching, the priest had no choice but to interrupt them. "Do you, Rhea Vale, take Mr. Riven Ashford to be your husband, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, to love him, to care for him, to honor him, to accept him, and to be loyal to him until the end of your days?"
Rhea Vale came back to her senses and faced the priest. "I do."
Perhaps her voice was too firm, but Riven Ashford could not help but glance at her. She was even younger than he had imagined. Her fair and tender face still had baby fat in it, and she looked dainty. He was very close to her, so close that he could smell her milky fragrance.
If the circumstances had allowed, Riven Ashford would have massaged his temples. The wife his father had chosen for him was too young. They were eight years apart... He was truly in a May-December romance.
After the priest finished asking Rhea Vale to say her vows, he asked the same of Riven Ashford. When the man answered "I do," his voice was deep and pleasant, but when Rhea Vale heard it, she wanted to roll her eyes. 'What a hypocrite.'
When it came to the exchanging of rings, Riven Ashford finally let go of Rhea Vale's hand. He took the ring and put it on Rhea Vale's finger. He found that the back of her hand was completely red, and he could vaguely see the imprints of his fingers.
Riven Ashford said nothing. He only shook her hand lightly. How could there be such an obvious mark? Was this woman made of porcelain? Would she break when he touched her?
...
Rhea Vale also saw the red blemish on her hand. She snorted lightly. When it was her turn to put the ring on Riven Ashford's finger, she deliberately used brute force to put the ring on his ring finger.
The pain in his fingertip made Riven Ashford subconsciously look at Rhea Vale. It seemed that his new wife not only had tender skin and a bad temper, but she was also very vengeful.
Rhea Vale noticed Riven Ashford's gaze and she stared back fearlessly!
After the wedding, Rhea Vale was taken directly to the Ashford family's old mansion. The servants took her to a room on the second floor then left.
Rhea Vale grabbed fistfuls of the wedding dress that was in the way and sat down on the sofa. She was exhausted from the tedious etiquette. Why had no one told her that getting married was such a troublesome thing!
When Riven Ashford pushed the door open and entered, he saw layers of the snow-white wedding dress piled up on the sofa. Rhea Vale sat in the layers of wedding dress. Her small face was scrunched up as she massaged her calf. She was mumbling something.
Hearing his voice, Rhea Vale stretched out her legs and raised her chin at the sofa opposite her. "Sit, let's talk."
Riven Ashford was just about to say something when he saw Rhea Vale wave her hand. "Forget it, it's fine if you don't sit. I just want to say a few words to you. I was forced to marry you. You know your old man's personality. The strength of our Vale family is nothing in the face of your family. In order to protect my family, marriage is the only option. I don't like you, and you don't like me. We can just maintain this superficial marriage without any problems. You can do whatever you want. Do as you wish. I won't care."
Riven Ashford sneered. "Playing hard-to-get? Do you think you can gain my interest that way? Protecting your family? That's quite an excuse. If your family had not signed for more than 20 orders in my family's name, I might even believe you."