Mated to my sister’s ugly mate

Jessica’s hair prickled with fear as Shadow’s gaze fell upon her. Her body tensed, unable to hide her terror. Though she tried to keep a calm facade and smile, the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. Her face contorted into an eerie expression resembling an epileptic seizure.

The others in the elevator couldn’t help but notice Jessica’s abnormal behavior, but they dared not utter a sound.

Shadow approached Jessica slowly, gripping her arm with one hand while admiring the fabric of her coat with the other. Envy dripped from Shadow’s words, “Sister, is this dress newly bought? It’s so beautiful and expensive looking.”

Under normal circumstances, Jessica would have flaunted her new dress to Shadow. But now, faced with the very person she thought was dead, she had no desire to show off.

What’s more, this dress had been purchased using Shadow’s black card.

“Not that expensive,” Shadow murmured, her arm curling around Jessica’s, making her feel trapped like prey ensnared by a poisonous serpent. Every movement threatened her life.

“For you, maybe not. But I saw the same dress at the mall yesterday. It cost over $900, 000. People have to book it in advance just to buy it. Normal folks can’t even dream of affording it,” Jessica explained, having pre-booked the coat as part of their plan to swindle Shadow.

To others, it appeared as if Shadow was intimately holding onto Jessica, envious of her new dress. But only Jessica knew the true depth of her fear, suffocating her every breath.

Shadow was pleased with Jessica’s reaction; it was the response one should have when they had done something wrong.

Ding~

The elevator doors opened on their floor, but Jessica hesitated to step out, knowing Shadow had not released her.

The others in the elevator, nervous and unsure, refrained from walking ahead of Jessica.

Pretending surprise, Shadow queried, “Sister, what are you waiting for? Why aren’t you stepping out? Everyone is waiting for you.”

With that, she pulled Jessica along.

As they exited, Shadow turned to the elevator occupants and bid them goodbye.

They arrived at Jessica’s office, and Shadow locked the door behind them before finally releasing her grip on Jessica.

“Big Sister, you seem quite scared of me. You’re making things difficult,” Shadow said, her voice carrying a cruel edge. To Jessica, it felt as if she were in the clutches of a deadly snake, ready to strike her down should she make a wrong move.

Jessica attempted to appear bewildered, casting off Shadow’s hand. “Shadow, have you taken the wrong medicine? Why are you saying such strange things to me?”

Turning away, she moved to sit behind her desk, exerting an air of authority. “Alright, it’s time for work. You should go back to work too. If there’s anything, come find me after you finish.”

Unfazed, Shadow accepted Jessica’s act of ignorance. “Okay, I’ll come find you later,” she said, smiling before turning to leave.

The moment Shadow left, Jessica anxiously swept the documents off her desk, scattering them on the floor. Shadow was alive and well, not a scratch on her!

The kidnapping scheme on Saturday had been concocted by her and Jason. They had intended to trick Shadow into giving up her precious black card.

Their plan involved letting the kidnappers escape once they acquired the card, leaving Shadow unable to retaliate without evidence.

But Jessica despised Shadow to her core and couldn’t let her off so easily. She had secretly bribed the kidnappers.

Those criminals were fearless and ruthless, wanted by the law. Jessica had refrained from contacting them afterward, wary of leaving a trail. She had believed Shadow would surely die, but their plan had failed.

Shadow was different now. Once she discovered Jessica’s involvement in the kidnapping, she wouldn’t let her get away.

Having left Jessica’s office, Shadow sought out Jason.

The kidnapping on Saturday could only have been the doing of the father-daughter duo. Jessica couldn’t have pulled it off alone.

Shadow knocked on Jason’s door, and upon hearing his invitation to enter, she obliged.

Jason’s eyes held surprise upon seeing Shadow, but he showed no fear.

In other words, Jason might not know of the kidnappers’ intentions towards Shadow.

Standing up, he asked, “Shadow, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Is Mom okay?” Shadow approached quietly.

Observing her organic avoidance of the kidnapping incident, Jason smiled gently. “She’s fine. She’s bringing lunch. Do you want to join us?”

Shadow nodded, responding, “Sure.”

At noon, Lisa arrived at Eden Group to deliver lunch to Jason and the rest. Upon noticing Shadow’s presence, her expression shifted slightly. “Shadow is here too.”

“It’s been a while since I tasted Mom’s cooking. Dad said she’d bring lunch, so I came to freeload,” Shadow explained, her gaze fixed on Lisa. Her smile held an indistinguishable mix of amusement and something deeper, leaving others wondering what thoughts churned within her.

“The food I cook tastes rather ordinary,” Lisa said, averting her gaze from Shadow.

Shadow’s perception of Lisa’s obvious evasion confirmed that she also knew about the kidnapping. Why else would she feel guilty?

It didn’t sadden Shadow, but it did leave her disheartened.

She had to admit that in the twenty-two years she lived, her birth mother had never truly loved her. Shadow held no place in Lisa’s heart.

Lisa would do anything for Jason.

And Jessica was right. She truly was a pitiful individual, unloved even by her own mother.

A soft laugh escaped Shadow’s lips as she lowered her head. “I haven’t eaten much of your cooking, so I don’t remember what it tastes like.”

Lisa hesitated for a moment before looking at Jason, who gave her an inscrutable look and shook his head. Her relief was short-lived.

After what happened on Saturday, Lisa realized how much Shadow cared for her. Shadow willingly handed over her precious medicinal black card, proving her significance.

Since she meant so much to Shadow, Lisa felt compelled to further aid Jason. If she could make him happy by assisting in his endeavors, he would treat her even better.

Smiling, Lisa reached out to serve Shadow more food, adopting a fawning tone. “Then you should eat more today.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.