The Substitute Bride: Idiot Or Not?

Winnie started sobbing. "You're a bad guy, Handsome! You refused to hug me and even scolded me! I'm not retarded. People love me!" "Is that so?" Xavier lowered his head and glanced at her. "We'll find out if you're really retarded soon enough."-

"Handsome, you're a bad guy!" Winnie declared with her lips pursed. She raised her fists and punched Xavier's arm lightly.

Frowning in displeasure, Xavier bent down without warning and picked Winnie up. He then strode to the bathroom.

"So? Do you need me to take off your pants?" Xavier observed her carefully.

"Sure!" Winnie flashed a goofy grin. "Handsome, you're a good guy!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah!" Winnie gave a firm nod.

Despite the frown that marred his brows, Xavier reached out and helped her out of her pants.

However, he couldn't bring himself to remove her underwear.

"D*mn it!" he cursed under his breath. I can't believe I'm helping a woman to pee!

"Do it yourself. Don't tell me you don't know how to do this!"

"Handsome, stay." Winnie grabbed Xavier's arm. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she pleaded, "I'm afraid, so please stay with me." Xavier heard the sound of running water.

Did she just... Fine. She's mentally challenged, so I won't take it to heart. I heard what happened in the bathroom last night in bed, though. He parted his lips and spoke. "You're dumb-"

"Hey! I am not dumb!" Winnie huffed.

"Fine." Xavier corrected himself. "You're so cute. Was it because you hit your head in my bathroom last night? Or have you always been this cute?"

"I've always been like this, of course!" Winnie grinned from ear to ear. "I've always been this cute!"

"Oh?" Xavier narrowed his eyes. Is Winnie mentally challenged all the while? I didn't get to meet the eldest daughter of the Garland family before the accident, but I've never heard that she's mentally challenged. Is she a substitute?

"The woman who sent you here yesterday. Was she your mom?" he asked.

Winnie bit her finger and thought about it. "She is, but not really. She gave me candy, so I called her 'Mommy.' She's my dad's wife, and Dad told me she'll treat me well."

"Oh? How many wives does your dad have? What about your real mom?" Xavier prodded.

Winnie answered his questions obediently, and Xavier finally learned the entire story.

After getting to know the truth, Xavier snickered inwardly. Ha! I can't believe Hamish used a dumb woman to fool me! He's pretty bold, huh?

"Then you..." Xavier wanted to ask another question when he turned over his shoulder to see Winnie already sound asleep. She was drooling, making it obvious that she had put her guard down.

She's indeed dumb.

As she was asleep, Xavier went to the balcony. He made a call to ask his subordinate to investigate Winnie and find out who she was.

Before dawn, he received the results of the investigation.

It turned out that Winnie didn't lie. Hamish abandoned her in the village when she was still a little girl. Too poor to seek treatment, Winnie had a high fever that caused damage to her brain in her youth, so she had been mentally challenged for decades.

She was, in fact, a victim.

Xavier stared at her gorgeous looks as she was sleeping and suddenly felt bad for her.

The first thing Winnie saw when she opened her eyes was the handsome face inches away from hers.

She had to admit that Xavier was a hunk, befitting the nickname "Handsome" she gave him last night.

"Good morning, Handsome!" Winnie flashed a smile as she wiped her drool away.

Xavier sympathized with her. She's gorgeous. It's a pity that she's dumb.

"Let's play a game, Dumbo."

"Handsome, my name is Winnie," Winnie protested.

"Fine. Winnie." Xavier reached out and fished out the candy and toys she hid underneath her pillow.

He warned, "You can't tell anyone I'm awake or that you've talked to me, okay? Otherwise, I shall confiscate your stuff."

"No! Handsome, give them back to me!" Winnie reached out to get the candy, but Xavier merely lifted his hands, so they were out of her reach.

"Be a good girl, Winnie. If you agree to play a game by keeping everything a secret, I'll give them back to you."

"Okay." Winnie caved in for the sake of her candy and toys. "I won't tell anyone about you."

"If someone asks about me, tell them I'm sleeping."

"Okay! If someone asks about you, I'll tell them you're sleeping soundly."

"Good. Here you go." Pity flashed across Xavier's eyes as he returned the candy and toys to Winnie.

Delighted, Winnie flung her arms around Xavier's neck and gave him a kiss. "Thanks, Handsome! You're so kind to give me candy."

Xavier was taken aback.

Did she just kiss me? The audacity!

Nonetheless, he refused to lower himself to her level and decided to let the matter slip.

On the other hand, Winnie seemed really happy as she removed the candy wrapping and offered one to him.

Xavier didn't like candy, so he dodged away. The moment he did that, the candy fell into his pajamas.

"Oh! The candy dropped!" Winnie lowered her head and fumbled with Xavier's pajamas.

Xavier hated it when others touched his body. He was about to shove her away when it occurred to him that she was mentally challenged. Forget it. I don't want her to yell and attract unwanted attention. Fortunately, Winnie found the candy quickly and popped it into her mouth.

After breakfast, Xavier had something to attend to.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Winnie padded into the playroom.

She shut the door and called her maternal grandmother, Jacinta, in the village.

"Hey, Granny. I checked Xavier's body this morning, and he doesn't have a birthmark. Are you sure my cousin ended up in the Fairchild family?"

"I'm sure, Winnie. The Fairchild family took him in. I finally got this clue after searching my entire life!"

"I'll continue my search, then. There are many young people in the Fairchild family, so it might be someone else. Don't worry, Granny, I'll find my cousin." "Thank you, Winnie. I'm sorry you had to marry into the Fairchild family against your wishes and endured being bullied by the Garland family just for my sake." "Granny, stop it. I'm just doing my job. Besides, I have something else to accomplish this time. I won't show the scums in the Garland family any mercy!"