The Mute Wife's Rise: Capturing the Overbearing CEO

Hot.

Stiflingly hot.

In a daze, Bella Quinn felt as though she were burning in a raging fire. She lay in bed, unaware of the man approaching her in the darkness. Her senses were dulled by the night, and she clutched the bed sheets tightly.

"No!"

—The darkness was shattered by sunlight. Bella suddenly sat up in bed, gasping for air.

"That dream again," Bella muttered as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

It wasn't just a dream—it had actually happened. The woman in the dream was her, and the man was her fiancé, Stanford Jobs.

Bella had never imagined she would marry the man every girl in New Babel dreamed of, the head of the top financial conglomerate. If not for the agreement between her grandfather and Stanford's grandfather, she might still be the overlooked daughter of the Quinn family, instead of the enviable fiancée of the Jobs family.

Fortunately, today was the day of the wedding.

After today, she would have the means to get the best doctors for her mother, leave the Quinn family that had devoured her whole, and reclaim everything her stepmother and stepsisters had stolen from her!

And that man—he would be her husband for better or worse.

Bella sat before the vanity, dressed in the custom-made wedding gown prepared by the Jobs family, waiting for her fiancé to appear. Suddenly, a servant rushed in.

"Miss, something terrible has happened! The hospital called to say your mother's condition has suddenly worsened!"

Bella's face turned pale. How could this be? Her mother had been recovering well recently. She had no time to think and immediately grabbed her wedding gown, rushing to the hospital. But when she arrived, she found that someone had already beaten her there!

Her stepmother, Iris Quinn, the current Mrs. Quinn, and her stepsister, Rosie Quinn, stood by her mother's bedside, their faces full of disdain, as they were murmuring vile things.

"You old hag, your precious daughter is marrying Stanford today, but don't think it's a great match. That Jobs guy doesn't even care about Bella that little slut. He won't even show up for the wedding!"

"A husband who doesn't even show up for the wedding—how much could he possibly love her? After today, just wait for that little slut to become the laughingstock of the entire city!"

"From now on, don't ever think you and your daughter can have anything to do with the Quinn family!"

Iris and Rosie each took turns spewing their venom at the frail woman lying in bed. Already weak, Bella's mother seemed to suffer a heavy blow, thrashing wildly against the tubes and restraints as if trying to break free. Then, suddenly, she fell back, her face void of life.

Bella arrived just in time to see this scene. Her stepmother and stepsister, faces heavily made up, were still laughing when her mother lost consciousness.

"Ah!!" Bella screamed, on the verge of losing her mind.

But her appearance didn't faze the two women. Rosie even walked up to her with a sneer. "Oh, the little slut is here! So, has your husband come to fetch you?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, your world-renowned husband Stanford just left the country this morning. He won't be back for at least two years. Oh dear, what are you going to do?"

Her stepmother Iris, looking impatient, snapped, "Why are you wasting your breath on her? A mute little slut who dares dream of marrying into a wealthy family—she should know her place!"

With that, she pulled Rosie out of the room. As they passed Bella, Rosie spoke with a tone of absolute certainty, "Stanford is mine, you little slut. Mark my words!"

The room fell silent again, not even the usual hum of the machines could be heard. The doctors arrived late, and after checking the equipment and the patient's condition, they regretfully informed Bella, "I'm sorry, your mother is brain-dead. She's in a vegetative state."

It was like a bolt from the blue. Bella didn't even have time to grieve. The butler of the Jobs family hurried over, apologizing, "Miss Quinn, I'm terribly sorry, but the young master has left the country unexpectedly and will not be able to attend the wedding. You'll have to… complete the wedding on your own."

And just like that, her tears began to fall.

This day was supposed to be one of joy…

This day was when her mother was driven into a vegetative state by her stepmother and stepsister…

This day was when her fiancé heartlessly abandoned the wedding…

On this day, Bella held a wedding without a groom and became the laughingstock of the entire city.

She didn't know how much time had passed before the emptiness in her eyes slowly filled with overwhelming anger and a cold, icy resolve.

'Scums from the Quinn family, I will make you all pay!'

Two years later.

Night had just fallen.

The Jobs Group, the top financial group in capital city，New Babel, was throwing a lavish banquet that had the entire city's elite talking. The current leader of the family, Stanford, was known as a ruthless ruler, presiding over the expansive Jobs Group. At just under thirty years old, he was emotionless and uninterested in women.

Tonight was Stanford's first night back in the country, and everyone in the family was on high alert, careful not to make the slightest mistake.

Bella, carrying a sketchbook, cautiously navigated the crowd, only to be stopped by several servants.

"Madam, why are you still here? The tables in the front hall haven't been wiped down yet!"

"Madam, a guest's child accidentally soiled their clothes. Could you please clean them?"

"Madam, the kitchen says they're short-handed. Hurry up and help them out!"

…

The lead maid was young and strikingly beautiful among the Jobs maids. This wasn't the first time she treated Bella this way. Ever since Bella had married into the Jobs family, she had been subjected to constant mistreatment—from her mother-in-law's disdain to the servants' disrespect. And of course, there was another reason: this young maid wanted to marry into the Jobs family herself.

Bella had always known this.

Two years had taught her many things. She was no longer the naive girl she once was. Bella frowned but held back from lashing out. She silently took the rags handed to her by the maids and went to clean the side hall.

Just before she left, she shot a cold glance at the lead maid—a look as icy as snow from a millennia-old glacier, sending a chill down the maid's spine.

What was going on? How could this doormat have such a terrifying look in her eyes?

After a while, the maid forgot this detail and started gossiping with the other maids behind her: "Look at this, it's the young mistress of the Jobs family. I've never seen someone so spineless!"

"Of course, who else in the Jobs family besides the old lady and the master treats her well? A mute who can't even speak is just someone we can manipulate!"

"Hey, I don't know how she has such a thick skin. Even though the young master doesn't want her, she's still clinging on…"

Bella left with a blank expression. She was feeling a bit feverish today, dizzy while cleaning the table. After finishing, she saw there was no one around and went upstairs to rest in the master bedroom.

Although she was not well-regarded in the Jobs family, she still had some dignity. Bella lived in the master bedroom on the third floor, which was reportedly converted from Stanford's old room. However, for the past two years, she had been the only one sleeping there.

The courtyard was bustling, but it was very quiet upstairs. Bella slept soundly and, while in a daze, the bedroom door opened, and a tall, slender figure appeared.

Bella never imagined meeting Stanford would be like this.

The man wore a well-tailored black shirt and trousers that highlighted his tall frame. His suit jacket was draped over his wrist. His brows were sharp, and his thin lips were pressed together, giving him a striking beauty.

His deep-set eyes were fixed on the bed in the bedroom, and he seemed somewhat displeased.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

Bella was instantly wide awake. She paused for a moment, then quickly got out of bed and took out her sketchpad.

"Sorry, I'll leave right away." Bella scribbled a few words, avoiding looking at the man and walked straight out of the bedroom.

Stanford was rendered speechless.

'Are servants so bold now? Sleeping in the master's bedroom without even a glance.'

Stanford's mouth turned down, his displeasure deepening. The woman just now had a clear and calm gaze, devoid of any emotion. Even ordinary women would show some excitement at seeing him, but she seemed difficult to read. Yet, she appeared to be afraid of him and left in a hurry, as if she was avoiding him.

She also didn't seem to be able to speak?

Stanford loosened his tie, his expression dark as he was lost in thought.