The substitute bride is a mute

Chapter 32

Clark's grip was so hard that it hurt, but Judy could only whimper. Her voice was hoarse.

Even Sebastian couldn't help but take a second look through the rearview mirror, feeling sorry for her.

"What did Matthew give you?" The cold voice echoed in the car. Clark saw Matthew give Judy something, but he was interrupted by Jenna at the Blake mansion.

Judy's eyes welled up with tears as she shook her head repeatedly. The sight of her meek and submissive appearance caused Clark to loosen his grip.

It had been a while, even if Matthew had given her something, she likely had hidden it. Why would she wait until now to hand it over?

"Keep in mind. As long as you're in the Reid family, you are one of us. Don't try to be a spy and sell us out. Or else, don't make me do this the hard way."

Clark looked at Judy huddled in the corner of the car, looking terrified. He let go of his grip.

Clark was well aware of Judy's place in the Blake family. Even if he doubted before, today's trip to the Blake mansion made it very clear.

If it weren't for the leverage that Matthew held over her, she probably wouldn't have been so compliant with him. Thinking about the hospital incident, Clark had a clear understanding.

Judy looked at Clark in panic, one hand covering her sore chin, her back firmly pressed against the car door. Only after confirming that Clark had let her free did she dare to take a breath.

That moment felt as if she were on the verge of death. Being around Clark was truly a test of the heart.

After dropping Judy off at the Reid manor, Clark went straight to the company.

His assistant, Jeremy, came in with a cup of tea. "Mr. Reid, the hospital has made arrangements. Ms. Blake can start her internship tomorrow."

"Have you informed Dominic?" Clark didn't look up. After taking a sip of tea, he turned the page of the book in his hand.

"Not yet. Dr. Phelps wasn't at the hospital today. But the hospital director, Mr. Pendleton, will inform him."

Clark nodded slightly, "Is Judy's grandma in that hospital too?"

"Yes." Jeremy nodded. "Dr. Phelps is the chief surgeon, but..."

Hearing Jeremy's hesitant tone, Clark raised his head. "What else?"

"The hospital records show that Dr. Phelps paid for Mrs. Dean's surgery."

This puzzled Jeremy as well. Why did Dominic do that?

Clark frowned slightly.

Seeing Clark flipping through the book, Jeremy hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Reid, you seem to be quite concerned about Mrs. Reid lately."

The book in Clark's hands was a sign language book, something Jeremy had never seen in Clark's office before. Clark had brought it with him when he came in today, and he hadn't stopped reading it since.

Jeremy felt uneasy thinking about Judy's situation. "Should we inform the hospital to have a more experienced doctor perform the surgery?"

Clark was lost in thought when he heard this. He glanced at Jeremy coldly.

Jeremy shivered and realized he had made a slip of the tongue. "That was out of line."

After Jeremy left, the office became quiet.

Clark's slender fingers turned the pages of the book and turned to the last page. He found words written on the last blank page. The handwriting had faded but the words were still legible. It was a copy of the poem "To the Oak Tree". All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"If I love you, it will never be like the spineless vines, flaunting myself on your high branches…"