Chapter 2: Please step aside, I'm taking my wife home

Words : 1682 Updated : Jan 22nd, 2026

Emery Casson's eyes were rimmed red. "Our family will never agree to this marriage. I will never let my daughter marry an ex-convict." Lydia Juggins sneered. "Second Aunt, Grandpa already gave his blessing. Are you really going to defy his order?" "Besides, Ander Yale is an ex-convict-hard-edged and fierce. He's perfect to ward off her bad luck. Maybe she'll stop being out of her mind." The venom in her words made Emery flare. "Lydia Juggins, you've always been jealous of our Alexis." "She's like this and you still won't leave her alone. Are you even human?" Lydia scoffed, contempt spilling across her face. She had indeed once envied Alexis Juggins-Alexis outshone her tenfold in everything. But now, everything had flipped. She was the most outstanding, most beautiful woman in the Juggins family, in all of Zerton. Guests around the hall were already whispering, saying Alexis's family had become the joke of the Juggins family, a disgrace among Zerton's old families. An upper-class clan pairing their daughter with an ex-convict-people would laugh themselves silly. Ander Yale spoke, voice cool. "Lydia Juggins, that's enough. Bullying a sick, frail woman-does that make you feel strong?" "What, unhappy?" Lydia let out a cold laugh. "Oh, Ander Yale, you haven't even married in yet and you're already playing the doting husband." "Don't tell me it's love at first sight-you actually fell for my simple-minded cousin?" Ander's gaze stayed flat. "I'll say this once. From now on, you'd better stop bullying Miss Alexis and her family. Otherwise, I won't let it slide." Lydia's face darkened. "Ander Yale, you've got some nerve-threatening me." Emery and Quinton Juggins exchanged a startled look. They hadn't expected Ander, an ex-convict, to stand up for their daughter. Looking at Alexis Juggins, pure as an orchid in a secluded valley yet lost in a daze, Ander's mouth tipped into a faint smile. Fate, it seemed, wasn't done being kind. Fresh out of prison, he had run into a girl who meant something special to him. Back when he had first been locked up in the Women's Prison, those were the worst days. Troublemakers hunted him down daily, leaving him bloody and broken. At that time, Alexis happened to be doing charity work there, visiting the inmates. Seeing Ander's miserable state, she grew furious and warned the other prisoners that anyone who dared bully Ander would be crossing her-the eldest miss of the Juggins family. She had personally bandaged his wounds. Ander still remembered her breathtaking face, and the pain in her eyes when she looked at him. The kind eldest miss would help anyone being bullied, true. But after that day, Ander etched her into his heart. He hadn't known who she really was, only that if he ever saw her again, he would thank her in person. A man ought to repay such a debt tenfold. All the more so when his benefactor, Alexis Juggins, had become simple-minded. He couldn't stand by. He was a cultivator, after all. With his uncanny medical skills, helping Alexis recover would be no problem. "Ander Yale, you really are in a rush," Lydia said, eyes narrowing. "Getting to marry into our Juggins family, getting closer to me-makes you happy, doesn't it?" Seeing Ander's smile, her annoyance flared again, certain he still wanted to cling to her. A suited young man stepped out, smirking. "Lydia, this ex-convict really thinks he's got a shot-talk about way out of his league." "Too bad you're already taken. Ha!" Ander's gaze cut to him, cold. Lydia gave a smug little hum and took the young man's arm. "Ander, Kamari and I fell in love the moment you were sent to prison." "I was foolish then, choosing a good-for-nothing like you. Kamari, with his powerful family, is my true match. I hope you understand." That "Young Master" was Kamari Zorn. Back then, he had harassed Lydia, and Ander split his scalp open. The Zorn family was another major clan in Zerton. After greasing palms, they had shoved Ander into the Women's Prison and tried to grind him into dust. Ander hadn't expected Lydia to sink so low-to choose the man who had violated her. But it no longer mattered. The pair were just roadside trash to him. "Do whatever you want. I lost interest in your kind long ago." He flicked his eyes aside. "Now do me a favor and step aside. I'm taking my wife home." Under Lydia's livid glare, Ander walked forward and dropped to one knee before the dazed Alexis. "Miss Alexis, I'm Ander Yale. It's an honor to marry you." "You will not touch our daughter!" Emery shouted. Lydia and the others wore playful, mocking smiles. Alexis might be simple now, but she was still the pampered heiress of the Juggins family. Ander, a lowly ex-convict-let's see what nerve he had, thinking he could sway her. Then a scene that stunned everyone unfolded. The eldest miss, vacant and mute all this time, suddenly turned her clear, liquid eyes and regarded Ander with curious focus. "I think… I remember you." "What did you just say? You want to marry me?" Ander nodded firmly. "Yes. I, Ander Yale, want to marry you, Miss Alexis, and stay faithful for life." Alexis blinked, then clapped her pale, delicate hands together, thrilled. "Okay, okay! Alexis will marry you and be your wife." "But you can't bully me. And you have to buy me candy every day. I like candy the most." Seeing her innocent delight, Ander smiled. "Alright. I'll buy you candy every day." Alexis's parents were stunned. Since her condition, she had let no one but them near. Anyone who approached triggered a tantrum she would not drop. Yet with Ander-fresh out of prison-she was this close. It was beyond strange. "Damn it, the punk's absurdly lucky-he actually won Alexis's favor." Kamari Zorn and the other rich youths bristled with jealousy. Alexis might be simple, but she remained breathtaking. To be near her was still the dream of countless men. And now, it fell into the lap of Ander Yale, an ex-convict. Watching Ander and Alexis like that, Lydia's mood curdled. She had wanted Alexis's family humiliated, Ander bowing his head before her. Instead, she had made these two look perfect. Patrick Juggins sat at the head and snorted. "What a disgrace-one fool, one ex-convict. Wrap it up. I don't want to stay here another minute and invite ridicule for no reason."

Chapter 2: Please step aside, I'm taking my wife home

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