The substitute bride is a mute novel Chapter 5

Her palms grew damp with anxiety as she hesitated at the door.

With a deep breath, she pushed it open, revealing the dimly lit room. Using her phone as a flashlight, she made her way to the desk, her eyes fixed on the drawer below. Finding the document she sought, she picked it up, puzzled by its easy accessibility.

Her expression shifted—she realized what was going on.

The lights flicked on suddenly, revealing Clark's presence. He was holding an identical looking document in his hands.

"What are you searching for?" His voice cut through the silence, causing her to drop the document in surprise.

As it fell, the file opened to reveal its emptiness, leaving Judy stunned.

Clark's gaze bore into her, unreadable and intense. "Matthew put you up to this, didn't he?"

Her heart raced at his revelation. How did he know? And why was he here waiting for her?

As he advanced towards her, panic gripped her, each step feeling suffocating.

Finally, he stood before her, his expression condescending. "You're bolder than I thought," he said.

Judy wondered if he was mocking her or actually giving her a compliment.

Her smile was forced— he didn't know that she had no choice in the matter. In the face of a clever man like him, she didn't try to explain herself. Any form of explanation would only feel like a cover-up, and would lead to more mistakes. The best thing she could do right now is stay quiet.

But his tone shifted sharply. "I could report you for stealing confidential information from my family as my legal spouse. Then, you can rot in jail for the rest of your life."

Fear shot through her as he reached for his phone.

His threat left her speechless. What would happen to her grandmother if she went to jail?

Clark's expression remained cold as he offered her a choice, his phone poised to dial.

She couldn't hide her fear any longer. Would he really follow through?

The man's expression, however, remained unchanged. "Now you're afraid?"

She pursed her lips forcefully as the color drained from her face.

But then, he took in her flustered demeanor and scoffed, "Do you want me to let you off the hook?"