Chapter 40 She Was Assaulted
That single word—"wife"—was like a pebble dropped into the lake of Xandra's heart, sending ripples spreading in circles.
She smiled, pressing her lips together, and pulled Frederick along as they wandered casually through the showroom.
The exhibition hall featured everything from top-tier luxury cars worth millions to entry-level models priced at twenty or thirty thousand.
In the distance, Xandra spotted the limited edition Bugatti supercar Philip had mentioned.
The sleek body lines paired with a regal sapphire blue made it look like automotive royalty, its presence so commanding you couldn't look away.
"Like it?"
Seeing her eyes sparkling as she stared at the car, Frederick asked.
Xandra nodded instinctively. "This car is gorgeous!"
Frederick raised an eyebrow slightly and said deliberately, "Sorry, I'm not as rich as Mr. Russell. I can't afford to buy you a car like this."
Xandra turned to look at him, her brow furrowing. "What are you talking about? Is 'materialistic' written on my face?"
She looked genuinely displeased, but Frederick's lips curved upward. "Not at all."
"So stop comparing yourself to others. Do what you can with what you have, and focus on living your own life well. That's what really matters."
Her slightly pouting, mock-annoyed expression made her impossible not to stare at.
Frederick's heart stirred, his gaze sweeping over her slightly pursed lips, his eyes darkening a shade.
If they weren't in such a public place, he'd have the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
"Even if I can't buy you a luxury car, you can still test drive one."
Xandra blinked her bright eyes. "I'd better not. I only got my license recently. If I scratch or dent a multi-million-dollar car, you could sell me and it still wouldn't cover the damages!"
Frederick raised an eyebrow, deliberately goading her. "That timid?"
Xandra didn't take the bait. "I have a family to support now. Being cautious never hurts."
Frederick chuckled softly and unconsciously ruffled her hair. "Why should I let a woman support the family? What good am I as a grown man then? I've got your back in everything."
Those words—"I've got your back"—flowed through Xandra's heart like a warm current.
Her flash-marriage husband was the second person to give her a sense of security after her parents' accident.
"Wait here. I'll go order the car, then we can test drive it."
Frederick pulled out his phone and walked to a corner of the showroom to make a call.
Though Xandra had said she didn't want to test drive, with this luxury car right in front of her, her palms still itched. She couldn't help but walk around it, admiring it from every angle.
Before long, a woman's voice came from nearby.
"Xandra Cavendish?"
Xandra turned around to see a man and woman approaching.
The woman wore a form-fitting black dress with a thick layer of foundation on her face. Though her outfit was trendy, it had a tacky edge to it.
This was her cousin—Edith Cavendish.
The smile on Xandra's face dimmed.
Edith's father and Xandra's father were cousins. When Xandra's father was alive, Edith's father held the position of purchasing manager at the family company—a role rich in connections and resources, making it easy to skim benefits. Over the years, Edith's family had relied on Xandra's father's support. While they weren't wealthy, they lived comfortably.
But after Xandra's father passed away, the relationship immediately cooled.
When her mother had the car accident and Xandra tried to borrow emergency money, Edith's mother had turned her away at the door.
The coldness of human nature—you only truly see people's hearts after experiencing it yourself.
Xandra gave a bland nod in acknowledgment.
"Xandra, it really is you! What are you doing here?"
Edith click-clacked over in her heels, looking Xandra up and down.
"Didn't your family go bankrupt? You're not here to buy a car, are you? Especially a luxury car worth millions! I knew it—your dad must have held something back. He definitely hid money away before he died, didn't he?"
Her voice wasn't quiet, immediately drawing curious looks from people nearby.
Xandra's brow furrowed. Just as she was about to respond, Frederick finished his call and walked back over.
"What's going on? You know her?"
His expression was cold as he stood beside Xandra, his protective stance obvious.
"She's my cousin," Xandra said.
"Xandra, who's this?"
Edith's eyes lit up—this man's face and physique rivaled any entertainment star's.
"He's my husband. He's here ordering this car for his boss."
Xandra explained why she was there.
"He's your husband? You're married? But weren't you engaged to Lucius York before?"
"Lucius and I called off the engagement." Xandra replied flatly, then asked Frederick, "Did you order the car?"
"All set. Let's go test drive it."
Frederick lightly wrapped his arm around her waist, preparing to leave.
Edith stared at Frederick's infuriatingly handsome face, looking utterly incredulous. "Wait, Xandra, you didn't commit marriage fraud, did you? Hey handsome, do you know she has three kids?"
Frederick's expression turned cold as he asked Xandra, "She's really your cousin?"
Xandra's face didn't look good either. "Yes."
"Her IQ is questionable."
Frederick activated his sharp-tongued mode.
The corners of Xandra's mouth unconsciously lifted slightly.
Edith bristled. "Whose IQ is questionable?"
"Not yours—must be mine then? Is 'idiot' written on my face?"
Frederick continued his verbal assault.
Edith choked on her words, then sneered. "If you're not an idiot, why would you marry a woman whose family went bankrupt and who has three kids of unknown origin?"
Xandra hadn't wanted to engage with her, but she absolutely wouldn't allow anyone to speak badly of her children.
"Edith, watch your words!"
"What! I say your kids are baggage and you get mad? That's just the truth—am I not allowed to say it?"
Edith glanced at her bare ring finger. "You say you're married, but you're not wearing a wedding ring. I get it now—this guy isn't your husband at all. He's a boy toy you're keeping, isn't he?"
"I knew it! Your dad definitely hid money away for you! Xandra, who would've thought—you really know how to enjoy life!"
This was getting more and more outrageous.
Xandra said coldly, "Shut up! You can't say anything decent! The people in my family conduct themselves with integrity and honor, unlike certain families..."
She left her sentence half-finished.
Edith's smile faltered. "What are you trying to say?"
Xandra's gaze was icy. "You know exactly what I mean. Edith, I suggest you watch your words, or you'll force me to say something really ugly in front of everyone."
Her uncle had limited abilities but was a serial philanderer. Edith was his illegitimate daughter, kept hidden for years. It wasn't until she was eight, when Xandra's aunt discovered the truth and filed for divorce, that Edith's father finally brought her home.
After Edith's birth mother successfully took the wife's position, she didn't raise Edith particularly well, which was why Xandra's relationship with this cousin had always been distant.
Edith certainly understood what Xandra meant—she was looking down on her illegitimate daughter status.
She sneered. "Integrity and honor? You're a woman who was raped—how do you have the nerve to talk about conducting yourself with integrity and honor!"