Flash Marriage: The Wife Who Shook High Society

Rain pattered against the windows, a rhythmic backdrop to the scene unfolding in the room.

On the bed, two bodies intertwined, their breaths and soft moans mingling in the hush and intimacy of the space. Each sound stirred desire from deep within.

Anna Rice gasped softly, her fingertips digging into the man's shoulders, her grip tightening with each of his movements.

Feeling her response, the man's body suddenly tensed. His movements became more intense and deeper, as if pouring all his longing into this moment. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, silently dripping onto her trembling skin, sending ripples of shivers through her body.

Time blurred, and finally, with a low growl, the room fell silent.

In her hazy state, Anna felt something cold slide across her finger. The man's steady yet seductive voice whispered in her ear. "Wait for me... I'll marry you."

Tonight's erotic dream was particularly irritating. Anna angrily raised her palm and swung it toward the man's face.

After a loud slap, Anna opened her eyes to find her hand had landed on Dr. Jenkins' bald head.

Dr. Jenkins rubbed his shiny scalp, clearly displeased but not daring to show it. "Ms. Rice, it's time for you to go home."

Anna froze, then remembered the Rice family had sent someone to pick her up today.

As she lazily got out of bed, she found her few belongings already neatly packed. Under Dr. Jenkins' loving gaze, Anna walked out the main entrance of Eden Valley Mental Rehabilitation Center.

God, she was finally leaving this place!

Behind her, Dr. Jenkins and numerous staff members hugged each other, weeping with joy.

Since Anna's arrival three years ago, their lives had descended into hell.

Anna was not only sharp-minded but also agile. Using a combination of persuasion and force, she quickly had the center's patients obediently following her every command.

Strangely, those patients, already mentally unstable, unanimously listened to Anna, even talking back and berating the medical staff.

If staff members didn't comply? No problem. A good beating would do.

Couldn't fight back? No issue. They'd organize ambushes.

After years of struggle, the medical staff completely surrendered.

Who would believe an entire medical team at a mental rehabilitation center could be controlled by a group of mental patients?

Yet, this nightmare had finally ended.

"Boss!" a voice called out.

Soon, the entire rehabilitation center echoed with unified shouts of "Boss!"

Following the calls, people peeked out from tree branches and windows, frantically waving at Anna.

"Boss, make sure to come back and see us!"

Echoes of "Come back, come back!" followed.

Dr. Jenkins and the observing staff's faces instantly darkened.

Anna casually waved behind her. "Everyone go back now!"

The silhouettes barely visible in the trees and windows silently vanished, as if they had never existed.

Dr. Jenkins' expression grew even darker. Through clenched teeth, he hissed, "Close the door! Lock it!"

With that, the door behind Anna slammed shut.

She frowned, about to turn, when she noticed a sports car parked by the roadside.

Lucy Fox, with her red hair, leaned casually against the car.

Seeing Anna appear, Lucy excitedly ran over. "Anna! You're finally out!"

A hint of a smile appeared on Anna's previously expressionless face as she watched her friend's exaggerated reaction. "What are you doing here?"

Lucy happily hugged her. "To pick you up, of course!"

"Let's go," Anna said, sliding into the passenger seat.

Lucy pulled out a brand-new dress from the car, proudly saying, "For you. AG's latest spring collection. Cost me quite a bit to get it."

Anna glanced at it. "Limited global edition, just two pieces. Good taste."

Lucy's eyes widened, her voice rising. "You know this brand?"

Anna didn't answer, signaling Lucy to drive. "The Rice family is surely waiting for me to return."

Upon hearing this, Lucy's face immediately displayed a mix of excitement and nervousness, her voice urgent.

"Alright! Fasten your seatbelt!"

The car's engine roared as they sped away.

While driving, Lucy chattered non-stop. "I collected all the intelligence on William Sterling that you asked for. Unfortunately, the man's too mysterious—not much useful information."

She handed Anna a tablet. "Everything's here, take a look."

The information was indeed sparse. The only useful detail was that William's legs were disabled; he could no longer walk.

Anna muttered, "No wonder such a good match fell on me. He's a cripple."

Lucy nodded vigorously. "Exactly. Do you still want to marry him?"

Anna remained silent, her hand unconsciously moving to her flat stomach.

Three years ago, shortly after her father brought her back from the countryside, she was drugged and had a one-night stand with a stranger, resulting in pregnancy.

After giving birth, under her stepmother's manipulation, her father sent her to a mental rehabilitation center owned by the Rice Group, where she stayed for three years.

During these years, she continuously investigated the truth about being drugged and her child's whereabouts. Each time, she was told the child was stillborn.

But she clearly remembered hearing the baby's cry before losing consciousness after delivery.

She firmly believed her child was still alive.

Just days ago, she received news that the doctor who delivered her baby had appeared at the Sterling household, so she agreed to marry into the Sterling family.

But before that, she needed to return to the Rice family to collect some "interest" for herself and her mother. She touched the only bracelet left by her mother on her wrist.

In the Rice family mansion, Megan Rice anxiously paced the room.

"Mom, do you think she'll agree to this marriage? If she doesn't, will Dad force me to marry that cripple?"

"Don't worry!" Penelope Howard softly reassured her. "I have many ways to make her obediently marry into the Sterling family."

Megan's eyes flashed with hope, timidly asking, "Really?"

Penelope nodded. "When have I ever lied to you? Don't forget how Anna was sent to that mental hospital in the first place."

Yes, thanks to Penelope's foresight and preparation, they had dealt with Anna before she could adjust after returning.

Otherwise, there would be one more person competing for family assets.

Thinking of this, Megan relaxed. "Thank you, Mom."

"What's making you so happy? Share with everyone."

A voice came from behind. Penelope turned to find Anna standing in the living room, her arrival unnoticed.

Penelope's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself, frowning. "How rude. Couldn't you have the servants announce you?"

Anna raised an eyebrow and smirked coldly. "A homewrecker like you, expecting me to send servants to announce my arrival? Do you think you deserve such courtesy?"