Chapter 20

“You’re really useless.” Madam Shaw put her teacup down and her voice became colder. “I don’t expect you to get Julian to turn over a new leaf. I only needed you to continue the bloodline of the Shaw family. Now, you can’t even accomplish such a small task. What would I need you for!?”

Susan bit her lip and said softly, “Mom, I’m sorry.”

“What’s the use of saying sorry? Just think of a way to settle Julian.” Madam Shaw’s anger grew when she saw Susan’s attitude of submitting meekly.

“I...I’ll try my best.”

“Your best again! It’s already more than a year, but Julian still doesn’t want to touch you. How can I trust you?” Madam Shaw got more annoyed. “Susan Shelby, if you can’t bear a child for the Shaw family, there are plenty of others who wish to.”

She thought that Julian and Susan’s relationship had improved, but it looked like that was just a show!

“Mom, I will really try my best,” Susan said softly.

Madam Shaw replied impatiently, “Forget it. Look at yourself. Even I don’t find you attractive, what more Julian.”

If it was possible, she would have banished a daughter-in-law like Susan earlier on. She only tolerated her because of what the fortune teller had said and considered that it might affect Julian’s health.

She had forced Susan onto Julian who was dissatisfied with her too.

Julian was stubborn and erratic. If he did not like something, no one could force it on him.

‘If this continues, won’t the continuation of the lineage be postponed?’ Madam Shaw became nervous at the thought of that.

Her husband had died early and she had raised Julian single-handedly. Now, if Julian could continue the Shaw family lineage, then she would not be considered to have let her dead husband down.

‘They can’t get divorced, but Julian must quickly continue the lineage…’ Madam Shaw’s eyebrows slowly formed a frown.

Neither she nor Susan spoke and the room fell into utter silence.

Amidst the silence, Julian arrived after rushing back. Once he entered the living hall, he felt something was not right.

Julian looked at Susan. “What is it?”

Susan smiled bitterly and shook her head.

Madam Shaw’s cold eyes glared at him and she said blandly, “Don’t worry. I didn’t devour your wife. Since you’re back, take her away.”

“Okay, Mom, we’ll leave now,” Julian said with a smile.

“Go.” Madam Shaw waved her hand.

Although she did not know why Madam Shaw never mentioned them not consummating their marriage, Susan breathed a sigh of relief. She bade Madam Shaw farewell gently then walked out.

Susan was so scared that she was sweating. When a gust of cold wind blew, she felt shivers travel down her spine. Once she felt the chill, there was suddenly a coat draped around her.

Susan looked at Julian in surprise.

“What are you looking at? Those who don’t know will think that I’m stingy and refuse to buy an outer coat for my wife,” Julian said bluntly.

“It’s not about you. It’s me…” Susan said nervously.

Julian looked at her instantly. “It’s okay. Chill.”

“I…” Susan smiled bitterly and her tensed body started to relax.

When Julian saw that she was acting strangely, he asked, “What is it? What happened when I was gone?”

“Nothing, nothing happened.” Susan shook her head vigorously.

He looked at her suspiciously but could not tell the reason. He could only say plainly, “Good then if you’re fine.”

Because the problem at the office was not completely solved, he went home late the next few nights.

Today, Susan returned home after visiting her brother. Once she put on a face sheet mask, the doorbell rang.

‘Who could it be in the middle of the night?’ Susan nervously looked into the door peephole.

It was Madam Shaw and an unfamiliar pretty girl.

Susan was so shocked that she forgot to remove her mask and immediately opened the door.

“Mom!” she said anxiously.

Madam Shaw looked at her without expression and said directly, “Do you know how you look? Clean your face at once.”

“Y-yes, right away.” Susan immediately darted to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she sat obediently in front of Madam Shaw.

“Let me introduce you to Isla Brown. Ms. Brown,” Madam Shaw said.

“Hi, Ms. Shelby,” Isla greeted her with a smile.

“Hi,” Susan replied and felt slightly uneasy.

There was an obvious ambition in Isla’s eyes. ‘Why did Mom bring this woman here?’

Before Susan could ask any further, Madam Shaw said, “Since Julian doesn’t want to touch you, I don’t want to force him to. Isla will be staying here after this. I’ll pick her up when she gets pregnant.”

“Ms. Shelby, please give me your advice.” Isla’s eyes twinkled and there was a faint charm in them.

Susan was totally stunned. After a long while, she stuttered, “M-mom...what...what does this mean?”

“Can’t you understand my language?” Madam Shaw looked at her disgustedly. “You’re useless and can’t bear a child for the Shaw family, so I had to find a useful woman. I thought about it. Julian’s ex-girlfriends were all gorgeous. I’m afraid that you don’t match his criteria. Isla should be his type and he probably won’t reject her. Plus, Isla is different from the others. Those women are too filthy and I won’t let them bear a Shaw. I’ve checked Isla’s background. She’s from an ordinary family and has a good educational background. Her body is clean, so she’s suitable for bearing Julian’s child.”

When Madam Shaw said those words, Isla only bowed her head and looked shy.

Susan looked at Madam Shaw and then at Isla. Suddenly, she felt cold and an inexplicable sourness in her heart.

Madam Shaw wanted another woman to bear Julian’s child! She took the family’s lineage very seriously, and since Susan could not control Julian, she would definitely be replaced.

However, why was she feeling like that?

As long as she was still Mrs. Shaw, as long as her elder brother’s medical fees were still needed, Julian was free to be with and bear a child with whoever he wanted to. It had nothing to do with her.

She did not need to perform the duty of a wife and think of ways to please Julian, so she should be happy.

However, Susan could not even bring herself to smile.

“Okay, I’ll leave Isla here.” Madam Shaw did not discuss any more with Susan and she stood up. “I’m leaving. Remember to make the arrangements. I want to see her pregnant with Julian’s child as soon as possible.”

“Okay…” Under her suppressed emotions, Susan stood up to see Madam Shaw out.

She went back inside and saw Isla lazing on the couch.

Isla looked at her and revealed a treacherous smile. “Mrs. Shaw, so where do I sleep tonight?”