Silly Bride

Chapter 81

in shock, “T-Three times? Are you sure?”“Yes, all in cash. Please prepare the agreement and come over at the first opportunity you have.”The landlord could not hide the elation in his voice. “Sure, sure. I’ll get it done now and will be right over shortly.”After grunting in acknowledgment, Xavier inquired in a nonchalant tone, “By the way, I heard you’re well known on the island. Since I’m unfamiliar with these parts, could I get your help to resolve any trouble that I encounter?”“What? Which fool dares to cause you trouble? Do you know his name? Just let me know, and I guarantee that I’ll teach him a lesson he’ll never forget,” the landlord asserted with furrowed brows.“I don’t know his name.” Xavier looked up and glanced at the man in his thirties, who was standing beside Hayden. With an emotionless expression, he added, “But you can talk to your nephew about it.”“Nephew? Which nephew?”The man beside Hayden raised his hand at once. “Me! Uncle, it’s me, Spike.”“Spike, you son of a b*tch! What have you done this time? Nothing good ever comes out of you. And yet, you don’t even bother to get a proper job. Wait, why are you in my mansion? The last time, your mom begged me…”In the midst of being reprimanded, Spike quickly grabbed the phone and turned off its hands-free mode to prevent his humiliating secrets from being exposed. Subsequently, he lowered his head to continue the call.Shortly after that, Spike’s attitude underwent a seismic change.He would not only bow and apologize profusely to Xavier but also slap his own mouth.Under normal circumstances, Xavier was not into such drama. However, on the account of Spike’s sincerity, he decided to let the former off the hook.Relieved at being forgiven, Spike returned Xavier’s phone respectfully before attempting to leave.Watching the scene that had unfolded, Hayden admonished him in a low voice, “What are you doing? We haven’t even gotten the girl and the money, so where do you think you’re going?”Spike shoved Hayden aside. “Are you an idiot? Can’t you see this is someone you can’t afford to trifle with? My advice to you is to apologize and leave.”As his words fell, Spike left with his men.Meanwhile, Hayden decided to lie on the ground shamelessly after watching Xavier break his mob apart with just a single phone call.This mansion costs at least a few million. Given that he’s willing to pay three times its value, he must be filthy rich. No matter what, I must squeeze something out of him today.“Ahh, what a terrible life I have. After finally being matchmade in my fifties, someone had to come out of nowhere to steal my wife. This is a grave injustice that condemns the Briggs family to have no descendants. Why is my life so difficult? All I want is to continue the line of my family. Besides, are we still stuck in the olden days? Given the rule of the law applies now, how can one be allowed to take my wife just because he’s rich and powerful? My fellow islanders, I appeal to you to be the judge of my case. How can we, citizens of Sirona Island, allow one of us to be bullied by an outsider? Just look at me, covered entirely with wounds. This is how badly they have beaten me when they took my wife.” At that moment, there were two groups of people who remained in the mob after Spike had left. One was in cahoots with Hayden, while the other naively wanted to seek justice for him after being lied to.As a result, Hayden’s attempt at playing victim caused an uproar in the mob.“Exactly. So what if you’re rich?”“Get out of Sirona Island!”“Hand the woman over. Otherwise, compensate him for the mental distress he has suffered and us for missing work just to be here.”“That’s right!” With the crowd hollering on his account, Hayden began to lament in tears, “I’ve spent a lot of money in marrying this bride of mine. When she first arrived, I gave her the best of everything. Now that he has taken her for the entire night, who knows what he has done to her? Therefore, I demand to be compensated.”“Huh,” Xavier snorted in laughter. “Who are you claiming to be your wife? Are you even worthy?”“Her!” Hayden adjusted his exceptionally thick spectacles while lying through his teeth, “The woman behind you is my wife, and we’re officially married.”“Married?” The more audacious Hayden’s words became, the graver Xavier’s expression turned. “What evidence do you have? Do you have a marriage certificate?”Xavier’s words stunned Hayden. All he did was buy a retarded woman, and Winnie was not even her. Thus, it was impossible for him to have a marriage certificate.But this is Sirona Island where locals rule the place! Here, my word alone is enough.“Marriage certificate or not, she’s my wife. Both my parents and my neighbors can attest to the fact.”“Hmph, you might not have one, but I do.” No sooner had Xavier spoken than he turned to look at Winnie.Not expecting him to suddenly turn around, Winnie reacted slowly as she looked in his direction. It was then that their gazes locked with each other.She was well aware that they were legally married, all thanks to Rufus. Back when Xavier was still lying in bed as a “vegetable,” Rufus had completed the administrative process for it.Hence, Xavier was telling the truth when he claimed that they had a certificate as proof of their marriage.Since Winnie had never seen it before, she was suddenly curious as to what it looked like.In Adrunian countries, the marriage certificate was different from the ones found in Chanaea. One could easily get one as long as the government authorized it.There were no pictures on them, and their exterior was not protected by a red cover.That was the reason why she was so intrigued by it.As she looked at Xavier, her eyes began to fill with anticipation.Retracting his gaze from her face, Xavier took out his phone.After censoring the sensitive portions, he flashed his phone in front of Hayden and the rest of the islanders to show them the marriage certificate.“Look closely. Both of us are the ones who are legally married. I’m sure none of you have any doubts as to who the victim is and who deserves compensation now.”As the islanders crowded forward to take a look, they began chattering among themselves. “It’s true. I have no doubt it’s them. The seal from City Hall is definitely real too. What’s going on, Hayden? Don’t tell us you actually bought a bride.”“Let me see.” Winnie was overwhelmed by curiosity, for she had never seen her own