My Billionaire Husband Married a Fool—or So He Thought

The car headed toward the eastern suburbs. For the whole drive, Caroline stayed silent, her gaze flicking to the scenery racing past the window.

An hour and a half later, they pulled up to an estate that could've passed for a castle.

Mr. Wilson got out, rounded the car to Caroline's side, and opened her door.

"Ma'am, we've arrived."

"Okay." Caroline climbed out and studied the estate. It was unnaturally quiet—so silent it felt lifeless, not a single sign of celebration.

Mr. Wilson gestured politely.

"Ma'am, if you'll follow me."

Caroline didn't know what the future held, but for now, she had no choice but to take it one step at a time. She took a steadying breath and followed him into the castle.

They walked through a maze of corridors, took an elevator, and finally stopped at a room.

"Ma'am, please go in."

Without a word, Caroline stepped into the dimly lit room.

Make yourself at home, she thought wryly.

Once she was inside, Mr. Wilson told her someone would bring food soon, then left.

Caroline scanned the room. No cameras. She let out a breath of relief. Then she pulled out her suitcase, found an empty wardrobe, shoved it inside, and returned to the couch.

Before long, someone brought her a meal. Caroline wasn't overly worried. A family this rich wouldn't bother poisoning someone with no money and no status. So she dug in without a second thought.

But as she ate, something felt off. With every bite, her mood sank.

Smack. She slammed her fork onto the table and opened her palm. Sure enough...

Caroline stared at her palm, now darkened, and let out a cold laugh. Then, keeping her face blank, she quietly fished a pill from her pocket and swallowed it.

Determined, she finished every bite of the poisoned food on the table. Then she lay down on the bed.

Her plan to play oblivious turned into a deep sleep. She had no idea how long she'd been out. When she woke, the room was pitch black.

She cursed under her breath. Just you wait.

Just as she was about to sit up, she heard the lock click. Caroline bit back a laugh and went still, holding her breath.

The door opened. Two sets of footsteps approached. Someone stepped up to the bed, checking for her breath.

"How is she?" a voice asked from the doorway, cold and detached.

"Sir, she's not breathing," one of the men by the bed replied.

A cold voice cut in. "Throw her out. If the family keeps sending people here, this is what they'll get."

"Yes."

The two men by the bed answered and flipped on the light, ready to drag Caroline out.

Suddenly, Caroline's eyes flew open. She stared right at them.

"What are you doing?"

At her shout, the two seasoned bodyguards froze in fear, then bolted for the door.

"It's a ghost!"

"It's a ghost!"

The man in the wheelchair by the door didn't even flinch, as if nothing could surprise him.

His face was an impassive mask, his gaze cool as it landed on the woman sitting up in bed. "Interesting."

His words stopped the fleeing bodyguards cold. They turned back to stare at the woman they'd poisoned.

"Are you human or a ghost?"

Caroline worried she'd blown her cover. She quickly wiped the anger from her face and replaced it with wide-eyed innocence.

She rolled out of bed and stumbled toward the cold-faced man with a naïve little charm. As she moved, she pinched her thigh, hard, until tears welled up.

"Dereck, I'm scared..."

The cold-faced man watched her clumsy approach, his expression darkening.

The bodyguards formed a human shield, ready to protect their master from this freshly resurrected ghost.

When she couldn't get past them, Caroline rubbed her eyes and let the tears fall.

"Dereck, I'm so scared. I can’t stop crying…"

The cold-faced man grimaced, his brow furrowing, his face darkening further.

"Aren't you the woman who got someone killed?"

At his icy words, Caroline blinked, forcing more tears, and put on a look of pure confusion.

"What are you talking about, Dereck? I don't understand."

The man sneered. "The Hall family has some nerve, trying to fool the Palmer family. They must be tired of living."

Seeing she'd hit a nerve, but worried he might be bluffing, Caroline decided to play along.

She widened her innocent eyes and cautiously edged closer to him.

"Dereck, are you like my sister and mom said..." Caroline purposely trailed off, looking hesitant and afraid.

Sure enough, the man's veins bulged, his expression turned stormy, and his knuckles cracked with tension.

"Very well."

He gritted his teeth and turned his wheelchair to leave.

Caroline rubbed her chilled arms and smirked. The Halls were in for a very bad autumn.

She hoped he'd leave quickly. But unexpectedly, he turned his wheelchair and came back into the room.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as he approached.

"Dereck, you..."

He sneered again. "Trying to pull this act so I'll leave?"

Then he motioned to the bodyguards at the door. "Throw this troublesome woman out."

"No." Acting fast, Caroline grabbed his arm. She still needed this identity as cover. She couldn't be thrown out yet.

Realizing that, she clung tighter to him, her eyes wide with feigned innocence and desperation.

"Dereck, please don't throw me out. I'll behave. I won't cause any trouble. I promise I'll be good," she pleaded, looking pitiful as she begged Dereck for mercy.