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In this isolated and mysterious prison guarded by tens of thousands of soldiers, only one prisoner was kept. But today, this prisoner is released...
Chapter 1 Released From Prison
“I'm finally out,” Jared Chance exclaimed as he forcefully took a deep breath of fresh air.
Behind him was Horington Prison, where he had been locked up for the past three years. Today was the day he was released.
“Hmm, I wonder how my parents are doing.”
With a torn canvas bag on his back, Jared hurried home right away. Over the last three years, his parents never visited him. Hence, he was worried about them.
On the way home, Jared kept looking at the bronze-colored ring he was wearing.
There was a lifelike dragon carved on it. On top of the dragon's head was a special symbol.
The ring was given to him by Draco, a friend from prison.
Draco was a strange man. He would constantly ramble on about how he was the leader of the Dragon Sect and knew everything, including astrology, geography, medicine, and many more. Not only that, he even claimed that he could bring back someone from the dead.
Everyone treated Draco as a madman and ignored him accordingly. Only Jared would chat with him and share his food occasionally.
Draco would tell Jared all sorts of strange stories about the Dragon Sect and Dragon Island. These were names that Jared had never heard before.

Moreover, Draco would get Jared to accompany him in his meditation and martial arts training. Given how bored Jared was in prison, he gladly went along with it.

At the end of three years, Jared had learned a plethora of martial art techniques and medical skills from Draco.

On the fateful day of Jared's release, Draco gave the ring to Jared and told him to go to Nameless Island within the Eastern Sea on the fifteenth of July that year. There, he was supposed to flash his ring and someone would pick him up. When that happened, Jared would be bestowed with a wonderful opportunity.

Considering how much he had learned from Draco, Jared naturally took his words seriously and promised to do as he was told. Nevertheless, there were still a few more months to go before July.

Before he knew it, Jared had arrived at the entrance to his home. When he saw the dilapidated house in front of him, he felt a sense of bitterness, as he had no knowledge of how his parents held up during the three years. Due to my rash actions, my parents must have suffered a lot.

Thinking back to what had happened three years ago, Jared was filled with anger.

Back then, he and his girlfriend, Sandy Gibson, were at the stage where they were talking about marriage. They were classmates at university and had been in a relationship for two years.

One day, when he was walking Sandy back home, both of them ran into Leyton Scott, who was drunk.

Leyton was a rich kid in Horington, well-known for all his misdeeds.

When he saw how pretty Sandy was, he harbored lecherous intentions against her and began touching her physically.

As a famous rich kid, Leyton didn't even bother to look at Jared.

Consequently, Jared was incensed when he saw his girlfriend being taken advantage of.

Picking up a brick from the ground, he smashed it onto Leyton's head.

One didn't need to be a genius to guess the outcome.

Considering how powerful Leyton was, he called the police, who arrested Jared.

Because of that, Jared was sentenced to three years in prison for assault.

After hesitating for a long time, Jared knocked gently on the door.

“Who is it?”

When the door opened, a hunched-back old lady with a headful of white hair popped her head out. Reaching out one hand as if to feel something, she asked, “Who is it? Who's knocking on the door?”

The old lady's eyes were closed shut. It could not be more obvious that she was blind.

Jared was stunned the moment he saw her. His eyes widened in shock while his entire body trembled slightly.

He could not believe that the old, wrinkled lady was his mother, Hannah Thompson.

How did Mom end up in such a state in just three years' time?

“Mom, it's me. Jared!” Jared called out emotionally as he stepped forward to support her.

“Jared? Is it really you?”

As Hannah used her hands to feel Jared's face, tears could not help but roll down her cheeks.

“Mom, it's me. It's really me.”

Tears were also welling up in Jared's eyes. “Mom, what happened to you?”

Jared was baffled as to how his previously healthy mother turned out this way after just three short years.

“Um, it's a long story. Come in first before we talk.”

Hannah pulled Jared into the house.

Seeing how empty their decrepit house was, Jared was shocked beyond belief.

Although they were not rich, his father had a steady job. Therefore, they previously led a simple yet comfortable life.

“Mom, what happened to our house?” Jared questioned in horror.

Hannah let out a sigh. “After you left...”

His mother then related everything to him. After Jared was sent to prison, the Scott family didn't look past the matter. Instead, they demanded a million in compensation.

Left without a choice, Jared's parents sold the house they bought for his marriage and borrowed a lot of money. Even then, it was not enough. Finally, they had to pay the last three hundred thousand in installments.

Thus, Jared's father lost his job and could only find work as a street cleaner. As for his mother, she cried all day long until she went blind.

That was also the reason why his parents never visited him.

While listening to his mother, Jared gradually clenched his fist as his eyes glowed with murderous intent.

He had not expected the Scott family to show his family no mercy.

“Mom, did Sandy not help you at all?” Jared asked in a puzzled tone.

Sandy and I were about to be married. Furthermore, I was jailed defending her honor. Hence, there's no way she can sit idly by and watch my parents end up in this state, can she?

Letting out a sigh, Hannah replied, “Let's not bring that up. Not only did the Gibson family ignore us, but they also didn't even return the betrothal gift when I asked for it back. They claimed it wasn't their fault that the wedding fell through because you went to prison. That's why they refused to return it.”

“When your dad argued with them, he was even beaten for it.”

The more Hannah talked about it, the more depressed she became. In the end, her tears just would not stop.

Chapter 2 Being Cheated On

“Did the Gibsons really do that?” Jared furrowed his eyebrows, as he could not believe Sandy would do something like that.

Back when he was arrested, she even screamed in tears, saying that she would wait to marry him after he was released from prison.

Why did it turn out this way? As a result, Jared decided to see Sandy to ask her about it.

Suddenly, someone banged on their door heavily. The impact was so forceful that the door almost collapsed from it.

The moment Hannah heard the knock, her face turned pale in terror.

“Mom, who is it?” Jared asked curiously upon noticing his mother's reaction.

“Don't get involved. Go to your room quickly and don't come out, no matter what!”

After pushing him into his room, Hannah anxiously went to open the door.

Just as she did, a bald man entered with a group of fierce-looking men whose bodies were covered with tattoos.

“Have you prepared the money?” the bald man queried, glancing at Hannah.

“Baldy, I have. It's here.”

Hannah nodded repeatedly as she felt for a pouch in the corner.

At that moment, many of the neighbors had crowded around. However, they kept their distance at the sight of Baldy.

“These guys come asking for money every month. What a ruthless bunch!”

“Exactly. Where is the rule of law?”

“Shush, not so loud. They have been sent by the Scott family to collect money on schedule.”

The neighbors hid by the side and criticized the men's actions. Unfortunately, no one dared to interfere.

Meanwhile, Baldy snatched the pouch from Hannah's hands and opened it to check.

“What the f*ck is this?” Knitting his eyebrows, Baldy turned the pouch inside out, causing some torn notes and spare change to drop out. There were a hundred, a fifty, and a couple of ones. In fact, there was a load of coins inside.

“Does this even add up to ten thousand?” Baldy thundered at Hannah.

“Baldy, it's all there, and we counted it. If you don't believe me, you can count it yourself.”

Hannah nodded with an obsequious smile.

“Bullsh*t!” Baldy kicked Hannah in the abdomen and sent her crashing onto the ground. “How dare you ask me to count? I have no time for this. Change all of them to hundreds!”

“Mom!” Dashing out of his room, Jared quickly helped Hannah up.

Then, he swept an icy gaze across Baldy and his men, sending a chill down their spines.

“Jared, you shouldn't be out here. Go back into your room, and don't get involved!”

Hannah desperately tried to push him back.

“Mom, since I'm home, let me deal with this. You should just sit tight.”

After settling down Hannah on a chair, Jared turned to glare at Baldy.

Having scrutinized Jared, Baldy sneered, “Aren't you the guy who hit Mr. Scott with a brick and was imprisoned three years for it? I'm surprised that you're out! Your timing is impeccable. Today is the day your girlfriend and Mr. Scott are going to get married. As her ex-boyfriend, aren't you going to attend it?”

“Loser!”

Baldy and his men burst out laughing.

“What did you say?”

Furrowing his brows, Jared was filled with disbelief.

“I said the girl you went to prison for is marrying Mr. Scott today. The wedding is being held at Glamor Hotel, and it is certainly luxurious. Aren't you going to have a look?”

Baldy smirked at Jared.

As the frown on Jared's face intensified, he balled his hands into fists.

Behind him, Hannah was trembling all over as her expression drastically changed.

She could not believe Sandy married the enemy after Jared went to prison for her sake.

“Kneel and apologize to my mother. Do it, and I'll spare your lives.”

Jared's gaze turned frosty as a murderous aura emanated from his body.

Feeling the tension in the air, Baldy and his men stopped laughing.

After a while, comprehension dawned, and Baldy fumed, “What did you say? You want me to kneel and apologize?”

Just as he spoke, Baldy threw a punch in Jared's direction.

Given how scrawny Jared looked, he figured a single punch would take Jared out.

To everyone's surprise, Jared launched a kick in response to Baldy's attack.

Grabbing his crotch, Baldy collapsed to the ground. He was drenched in sweat as he cried out in agonizing pain.

“Jared, you can't afford to get into a fight again!” Hannah bellowed when she heard Baldy's repeated groans.

Jared was imprisoned because of assault. What if he gets arrested again for fighting?

“All of you, beat him to death!” Baldy roared with a vicious stare.

With that, Baldy's men charged at Jared.

After giving his mother a glance, Jared suddenly flicked both his hands, unleashing multiple flashes of light. The next moment, his attackers felt their legs go weak before dropping to their knees.

Shocked by the turn of events, Baldy stared at Jared in disbelief as fear began to creep into him.

Even the neighbors who were watching widened their eyes in amazement.

“Apologize to my mother!” Jared repeated in an icy tone.

After a brief hesitation, Baldy had no choice but to kneel when his eyes met Jared's piercing gaze.

“We're sorry,” Baldy and his men expressed their remorse.

“Get lost!” Jared snapped with a wave of his hand.

Even though he could kill the thugs with a flick of his finger, he didn't want to murder anyone in front of his mother and neighbors.

While Baldy was helped out of the house by his men, he shot an insidious glare at Jared before hobbling out. Evidently, he was feeling indignant about what had transpired. Nevertheless, Jared didn't fear Baldy's vengeance at all.

Chapter 3 Knocked Down

“Mom, are you all right?” Jared asked with concern after Baldy and the rest left. “Those men are gone.”

“Why did you have to come out and offend him!” she scolded.

“Pick up the money from the floor quickly. It's what we have painstakingly saved all this while.”

Stooping to the ground, Jared put the notes and loose change back into the pouch.

“Mom, I'll be the breadwinner going forward, while you and Dad can rest. As for your eyes, I'll think of a way to get them treated.”

When he was done picking the money up, he returned the pouch to Hannah.

“I'm glad to hear you say that,” Hannah replied, before bursting into tears again. “Now that you're back, my mind is finally put at ease. If it wasn't because I was worried about you, I would have been dead long ago.”

Jared's eyes could not help but water when he saw the look on his mother's face.

Bang!

Unable to hold back his emotions, he slammed his fist on the table.

Crack!

The table shattered into pieces instantly.

The Scotts, the Gibsons... I will definitely make all of you pay.

A burning rage began to grow from within him.

Sensing Jared's fury, Hannah quickly added, “Jared, please don't cause any more trouble. Now that you're back, you should get a proper job. Everything will work out after that.”

“Mom, don't worry. I know what to do. Anyway, I'm heading out.”

After comforting his mother, Jared planned to confront Sandy and demand to know what had truly happened.

While leaving his home, Jared was enveloped with anger.

Just when he was crossing the road, a red Porsche sped toward him and crashed into him, sending him flying.

Bam!

Jared landed heavily on the ground. He would likely have been killed if not for his training with Draco.

“Who's the crazy driver!”

Jared, who was already angry, was further infuriated after being run down the moment he left his house.

In the midst of Jared's curses, a female voice cried out, “Why don't you f*cking look where you're walking?”

The next moment, a beautiful woman alighted from the Porsche. She was wearing a white full-length dress and killer heels. Nevertheless, she was staring angrily at Jared.

Furrowing his eyebrows, Jared decided to lie back down instead of getting up.

“Which of us do you think is blind? Obviously, you were the one who knocked into me. In spite of the pretty face, why do you have such a foul mouth?” Jared retorted.

“How dare you scold me!”

While glaring at Jared, the woman suddenly raised her leg to stomp on him.

Considering she was wearing stilettos, her heels were the equivalent of sharp daggers. If she were to plunge one into him, it would definitely cause a stab wound.

“Josephine, stop.”

Just when the woman was about to strike Jared, a middle-aged man got out of the back seat of the car.

He was surrounded by an air of authority and was obviously someone important.

However, his face was pale, and his breathing was rapid. After shouting briefly, he held onto the car for support as he desperately tried to catch his breath.

“Dad, why did you come down?”

When the woman saw her father, she rushed over to support him.

“Let's hurry to the hospital and not waste any more time,” the middle-aged man remarked, to which the woman nodded.

Upon returning to Jared, she took out a stack of money and threw it in front of him. “Here's ten thousand. Take the money and leave. We have an urgent matter to attend to.”

Instead of taking the money, Jared stood up and took a glance at the middle-aged man. He then remarked, “There's no need to go to the hospital. It's already too late.”

When he finished speaking, he turned to leave. It was obvious to him that the middle-aged man's condition was severe that he would not make it in time.

“Stop!” The woman blocked Jared's way and glowered at him. “What do you mean by that? Speak clearly, or I'll not let you go!”

At this moment, the middle-aged man also approached Jared with a frown.

“Your father's condition is dire due to the injury in his left lung. In less than five minutes, he will suffer from breathing difficulty and suffocate to death. Can you make it to the hospital in five minutes?” Jared calmly asked the woman.

“You're bluffing! My dad only has the flu—”

“Josephine,” the middle-aged man snapped at his daughter before taking another two steps toward Jared. With an astonished look, he questioned, “Young man, how do you know my left lung has been injured before?”

“You wouldn't understand, even if I told you. Anyway, I'm busy right now and have no time to waste with the both of you.”

With that, Jared turned around and prepared to leave.

“Young man—” the middle-aged man called out again before breaking into an intense cough. After he managed to calm down, he grabbed Jared's arm at once. “Young man, since you can diagnose my sickness, I'm sure you can treat it. I hope you are willing to save my life, and I'm happy to pay any price for it. Here, this is my card!”

The middle-aged man handed Jared a card.

Nonetheless, Jared didn't want to accept it nor get involved. However, the moment he caught a glimpse of the name on the card, he took it at once. “You're the CEO of Sullivan Group, William Sullivan?”

“Yes, I am,” William confirmed with a nod.

All of a sudden, Jared extended his hand and stabbed his finger at William's major acupoints.

His actions were so swift that neither William nor Josephine had any time to react.

Chapter 1 Aren't You Afraid of Death?


"Uhm… should I undress and get on the bed first or… help you undress first?" Cherise Shaw asked cautiously, standing at the bathroom door with her body wrapped in a towel.

It was her wedding night.

The wheelchair-bound man, who was blindfolded with black silk, would be her husband from now on.

This was her first time seeing him in person, and he was more good-looking than in pictures. The man had distinct facial features, with a sharp nose and thick eyebrows. His tall and slender figure matched the image of Cherise's dream man. But alas, he couldn’t see or walk.

Some accused Damien Lenoir of bringing misfortune to people around him, causing his parents to pass away when he was nine and his elder sister's demise when he was thirteen. Not only that, his three fiancées passed away one after another.

When she first heard the rumors, Cherise was intimidated, but her uncle, Elvis Shaw, claimed the Lenoir family would fund her grandmother, Mary Dawson's treatment. For the sake of Mary, she was willing to take the risks.

Perceiving no response from Damien, Cherise thought he didn't hear her, so she repeated her question.

"Ha! Do you know who I am?" The aloof man slowly removed the black silk and glanced at Cherise coldly.

His gaze was so cold that Cherise instinctively shivered, but she soon comforted herself not to be afraid. He was a blind man, after all! Nonetheless, she was surprised to perceive such a profound gaze from a blind man.

Cherise had not seen a blind man, so she wasn't sure, but she answered him honestly. "I know."

Damien frowned. "Aren't you afraid of death?"

He looked more composed and intimidating after the blindfold was removed.

Cherise's heart was pounding. "No. We're indebted to you because you saved Grandma. I'll keep my promise to bear you children and care for you for a lifetime!" Staring at Damien, she declared firmly with a serious look on her delicate face.

Damien silently scrutinized her for a moment before letting out a sarcastic laugh. "Well, then. Help me take a bath."

Cherise hesitated briefly before saying, "Sure."

She had not regretted it after promising Peter Lenoir, Damien's grandfather, to marry Damien. It was natural for a wife to bathe her disabled husband.

"I'll get the bath ready." With that, Cherise went into the bathroom.

Damien knitted his brows as he watched Cherise disappear. In fact, he had sent his men to investigate her. The woman's background was as simple as it could be – she came from a poor family in a village and was willing to marry an infamous man like him for the sake of her grandmother's medical expenses.

Previously, he had three fiancées, all of which were socialites in Adania and came from wealthy families. However, they were brutally assassinated the night before the wedding. To his surprise, a silly and innocent girl like Cherise managed to be safe even until their wedding night.

Either she was too insignificant for others to bother about her, or she was playing dumb.

While Damien was lost in thought, the bathroom door was opened. He was momentarily stunned when he lifted his eyes to see the petite woman walk out of the steamy bathroom.

The water vapor dampened her lengthy, black hair, with a few strands hanging above her collarbones. The towel wrapping her body was wet and stuck to her skin, outlining her curvy figure.

"Please wait a moment." Cherise crouched down to pull out her suitcase from beneath the bed. Her clothes were neatly arranged in the suitcase. She took out a white lace sleepwear and tore off the price tag before putting it on.

Thinking Damien was blind, she changed before him, but the innocent act took on a different meaning in Damien's eyes. Is she testing if I'm actually blind?

"Huff!" After changing, Cherise walked up to Damien and wheeled him to the bathroom. She assisted him into the bathroom and started removing his shirt. Through the thick steam, Damien looked at Cherise with his eyes narrowed.

Cherise looked concentrated with her head lowered. Her clear eyes showed no trace of emotions. She was so focused, as if she was carrying out an assignment.

She removed his watch and blouse, then… When only the underwear was left, Cherise pulled back her hand hesitantly. "Can you… bathe with this on?"

Damien examined her with a tinge of mischief in his eyes. "You can't bathe thoroughly without removing it."

"Oh… You're right." Cherise turned away and reached out her hand.

Damien was startled. Staring coldly at her focused look, he furrowed his brows. Is this woman putting on an act? She doesn't seem to be embarrassed at all!

"This way to the bathtub." Cherise carefully helped Damien into the bathtub as if she didn’t seen his body. Yet, her cheeks flushed.

She patted her face to calm down before asking Damien, "You're tolerant of pain, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

Then, Cherise tucked her hair behind her ears and turned around to rummage through the cabinet. Moments later, she returned with a bath scrub.

Damein's temples involuntarily twitched, surprised that she actually planned to bathe him on their wedding night.

Without asking for his permission, Cherise directly scrubbed his back. "Let me know if it's painful. I'll be more gentle."

Damien remained silent as Cherise diligently bathed him.

Before marrying Damien, she had cared for her old, sick grandmother for many years. Mary loved Cherise's bathing service, saying she felt comfortable and could sleep better after a bath. So, Cherise assumed Damien would enjoy it too.

Crouching beside the bathtub, she carefully scrubbed every inch of his skin. Although she exerted all her strength, it felt like a tickle to Damien. Nonetheless, he perceived her effort and sincerity.

It didn't take long before a layer of perspiration covered Cherise's forehead.

Frowning, Damien suddenly began to doubt if he had mistaken her. What schemes could an innocent girl like her have?

"Uhm… Should I wash there too?" After cleaning other parts of his body, Cherise blushed and pointed at his private part.

Damien looked at her with his deep-set eyes. "What do you think?"

Cherise hesitated briefly and mumbled, "Okay… I'll do it."

Just as she reached out her hand, Damien swiftly seized her wrist.

At once, the atmosphere became tense.

Cherise didn't think that her action would make Damien uncomfortable. She lifted her head and looked at Damien naively, "I can't wash it with you holding my wrist."

Coldness flashed across Damien's eyes as he blurted, "Get out."


Chapter 2 A Bathing Video


Cherise was confused, thinking Damien couldn't see anything. "Can you bathe yourself if I leave?"

Damien didn't answer, but the atmosphere grew colder.

Realizing that Damien might be annoyed, Cherise timidly took the bath scrub and left. "Be careful, alright? Call me if you need anything!"

After leaving the bathroom, Cherise became restless and unconsciously glanced at the door. The floor is slippery. What if he accidentally falls? What if he falls and dies? I've just gotten married and don't wanna be a widow so soon…

Just as Cherise's mind was running wild, her phone rang. Lucy Staber, her best friend, sent her a video titled 'Revision Materials'.

Revision materials? Why did she send me this when the final exams are still far off? Cherise wondered as she clicked into the video.

To her shock, what came into sight was a woman being with a man! At once, Cherise blushed to the root of her hair. In a panic, she wanted to close the video, but her knock-off phone froze at that very moment, and she couldn't switch it off no matter how she tried!

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened. When Damien heard the sound, his face darkened. "What are you doing?"

Cherise, who was already sweating nervously, almost dropped her phone on the floor, frightened by Damien's sudden appearance. Flustered, she shoved her phone under the blanket.

"You…" Damien stared sternly at Cherise.

"I-I'm watching a bathing video!" Cherise pressed the blanket forcefully, hoping to cover the sound.

A shadow fell across Damien's countenance. "A bathing video?"

"Yeah." Cherise sat on the blanket, nervously wiping the sweat from her forehead. "It was a man giving a woman a rubdown."

Damien was rendered speechless.

There was a pin-drop silence in the room beside the voice that emerged from under the blanket. Dressed in her sleepwear, Cherise pressed onto the blanket in an awkward position.

The warm, yellow light shed on her fair skin, exuding an attractive aura. Damien's breath grew heavier, and his eyes darkened. Beads of perspiration covered Cherise's forehead. She never knew pressing on a soft blanket could get this tiring!

Fortunately, the video ended after a while. Cherise wiped away her sweat and took out the overheating phone from the blanket.

Damien sat down at the edge of the bed and gazed at her with a half-smile. "Has the video ended?"

Cherise wore an awkward smile. "Yeah… Indeed, it's not good to scrub too hard when bathing…"

Damien made no comments. Cherise immediately deleted the video and angrily messaged Lucy. 'You almost got me into trouble!'

Lucy replied instantly. 'Come on. I'm being helpful!'

'I especially found this video for you. Have you picked it up?'

Cherise's face reddened.

Since Damien was blind, Cherise didn't excuse herself when texting Lucy. As a result, Damien could clearly read their conversation.

'My phone froze just as I was about to close the video. And he heard it!'

'He asked me what I was doing. I barely managed to lie my way out!'

Damien continued remaining silent.

'Haha! Cherry, I'm laughing so hard right now! The first night is precious. I shall not disturb you and your handsome blind husband any longer!'

Damien frowned. Handsome blind husband? What an unflattering address.

Taking a deep breath, Cherise put down her phone and looked at Damien. "Let's begin."

Damien stared at her but said nothing.

Cherise clenched her fists. She had known this man for less than twenty-four hours and knew he didn't like her. But… Sarah Miles, her aunt, had said it was a must during their first night. Otherwise, they wouldn't be happy for the rest of their marriage!

Damien placed his hands on her waist. "Will you regret it?"

Blushing, Cherise shook her head. "I won't. You're my husband."

A tinge of tenderness appeared in Damien's eyes as he gazed at the girl. "Are you afraid of pain?" He asked in a deep voice, restraining his emotions.

"No." Cherise pursed her lips and wanted to press forward, but Damien grasped her wrist. "It's better for the man to take the lead."

…

The next morning, the two servants who were in charge of preparing breakfast arrived at the Lenoir Residence sleepily.

"The new Mrs. Lenoir looks ignorant, while Mr. Lenoir is wheel-confined. I wonder if last night was smooth for them."

"I guess so. The bodyguards on duty last night said they heard Mrs. Lenoir making some noises."

"At first, she was really loud. Later, it seemed like she hid under the blanket."

"Really? She seemed quite innocent. Who knows…"

The servants gossiped as they walked toward the kitchen.

"Good morning!" The spectacled young lady, who wore a pink apron, cheerfully put two cups of chocolate drinks on the dining table. "You came so early!"

The atmosphere turned awkward as the two servants exchanged glances. After confirming Cherise didn't hear their conversation, they quickly walked over to help Cherise. "Good morning, Mrs. Lenoir. You're up so early."

Grinning, Cherise glanced at the clock and said, "It's not that early. It's already past six!"

In fact, she got up slightly later than usual because she hadn't slept well last night.

The servants were flustered, thinking Cherise was complaining about them being late.

They hurried to prepare breakfast but found out that a variety of food was already served. There were hard-boiled eggs, oatmeals, and a few golden pancakes.

The servants were shocked. "Mrs. Lenoir, these…"

"I made them! I'm not sure what Damien likes, so I just prepared something similar to what I usually do for my grandmother."

Then, she pushed the pancakes to the servants. "I didn't know you guys would come so early, so I didn't prepare yours. You can have this first. I'll make more."


Chapter 3 Have You Guys Done It?


Cherise was about to enter the kitchen again, but the servants quickly stopped her. "It's okay, Mrs. Lenoir."

They were paid to prepare breakfast every day. They would lose their jobs if Damien discovered that Cherise had prepared the breakfast!

"Mrs. Lenoir, Frances and I are in charge of preparing breakfast in this household. You're new here and don't know Mr. Lenoir's preferences, so it's better for you to stay out of the kitchen."

The other servant chimed in, "Yeah, June is right. Mrs. Lenoir, please leave it to us."

"Mr. Lenoir won't eat this kind of breakfast." June glanced at the simple breakfast Cherise had prepared. "Someone as noble as Mr. Lenoir always has a full English breakfast in the morning. Don't you think the food you prepare is too simple?"

A startled look washed over Cherise's rosy face before a dejected look replaced it. She lowered her head and hummed, "You're right."

Indeed, the rich usually have fancy preferences. Back in school, my classmates who were from wealthy families wouldn't eat simple breakfasts from the cafeteria, let alone someone as esteemed as Damien. I must have lost my mind.

A few seconds later, Cherise regained her composure and smiled brightly at June. "I'll throw them away then!"

Frances, the other servant, was shocked. June's comment was harsh, yet Cherise wasn't upset and was even willing to dispose of her food. She looked at the freshly prepared breakfast on the table and felt sorry for Cherise, so she went forward to stop her. "Mrs. Lenoir, it's a waste to throw them away. If you don't mind, please let us eat it. But you should leave the task to us next time."

Cherise hesitated briefly. "Okay. I'm going upstairs."

When she turned around, a lump rose in her throat. It seems like I'm not welcome in this house…

…

The handsome man was sound asleep in the bedroom.

Kneeling beside the bed, Cherise observed his chiseled jawline and muttered, "You city people are so fussy! Who eats a full English breakfast every day? I've never had that before. How would I possibly know how to make them…"

She had just gotten married and didn't want a miserable marriage!

Last night, Damien stopped after kissing her for a while. She was worried that his condition might not allow it, so she didn't insist, thinking she had good cooking skills. But now, even her cooking was despised.

"Hey. I'm gonna kiss you if you don't wake up soon." Cherise pressed her lips while staring at Damien's sharp nose.

Damien's long eyelashes fluttered, but he didn't open his eyes. Cherise's heart pounded as she looked at the man's cold, attractive face.

She bent down and almost wanted to kiss him but ended up giving up. Finally, she left the room, deflated.

Just then, she received a call from Sarah. She trotted to the washroom before answering the call. "Hey Cherise, did everything go well last night?" Sarah went straight to the point as soon as the call was connected.

The washroom door was left ajar. Sarah and Cherise's voice came forth clear. "Not really."

"Not really? Have you guys done it?"

"No…"

"Cherise, you have to remember your current identity. You're the Lenoir family's daughter-in-law, and your primary task is to bear Damien's children. Don't forget you've promised them to bear Damien a child within two years!" Sarah urged earnestly.

Cherise gripped the phone firmly and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Sarah. I remember that."

She was merely inexperienced because it was her first marriage.

"I'll do my best to bear him children!"

Getting Cherise's firm reply, Sarah sighed in relief. "Also, since you guys have gotten married, you should call him 'Honey'."

Cherise's face turned red. "Okay…"

Just then, the bedroom door was opened. Cherise thought it was the servants. Worrying that they might wake Damien, she quickly hung up the call and went out. To her surprise, Damien was nowhere to be seen in the bedroom, and his wheelchair was gone too.

Cherise hurried downstairs and found the man in black elegantly having breakfast in the dining room. His eyes were blindfolded with the black silk, looking aloof and mysterious.

"Mrs. Lenoir, your breakfast is served. Please try it out. I hope it suits your taste!" June called out to Cherise passionately. Her warm attitude was a sharp contrast to her earlier scornful behavior.

Cherise went forward obediently. A full English breakfast, which Cherise had never had before, was served on the dining table.

After the incident earlier, Cherise couldn't bring herself to eat this breakfast that didn't suit her taste.

Suddenly, she remembered she kept a bowl of oatmeal in the fridge this morning. Damien doesn't like it, but I can have it.

So, she trotted to the kitchen to bring out the oatmeal. Then, she savored it happily in her seat.

Sitting at the other end of the wide table, Damien asked with a frown, "What are you eating?"

Cherise mumbled sulkily, "Something that you wouldn't like."

Damien wore a faint smile. "How do you know I won't like it?"

Cherise pouted and answered naively, "June told me so."

A shiver ran down June's spine.

Damien held the glass of milk and elegantly took a sip of it. "June said I wouldn't like it?"

"Yeah."

"Why would there be something I don't like in the fridge?" Damien asked with a wry smirk.

Cherise muttered apologetically, "It's me… I didn't realize your preference and prepared for you what I normally made for breakfast, not knowing that you wouldn't eat simple food like this."

"I see."

Damien slowly put down the glass. When the glass hit the table, the clink was so unnerving that June almost fell to her knees.

Damien's voice was as cold as ice. "Even I didn't know I would dislike the food you made."

Before Cherise could understand the meaning behind his words, he pulled the bowl of oatmeal toward himself. Then, he pretended to detect the position of the oatmeal with his spoon before precisely taking one scoop and tasting it.

It was a flavor he had never tasted before – a savory oatmeal.

"Not bad." Damien put down the spoon elegantly. "How did June know this is not to my liking?"

He figured out Cherise must have complained about him beside the bed this morning because June commented on her cooking.

Damien's aura was so intimidating that June trembled in fear and instinctively hid behind Frances.

Damien continued, "June, why are you remaining silent? Is it because you don't think there's a need to explain it to a master like me?"


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Only a fool looks Alpha Zavier in the eye when he speaks. You dare not interrupt him and if you’re an omega girl called Aysel, it’s best to hide. I learnt these tricks early in life. I knew not to look up, not to make a sound and to make myself invisible in the crowd of people that filled the banquet hall to celebrate the Feast of the Moon.

But I never did anything right. When asked to take a step to the left, I ended up at the right, whether I took a step to the left or not. Fate worked in reverse for me. If I sowed good, I reaped misfortune.

It was the reason why, while serving with my head down, trying to make myself smaller than my small frame, I tripped on a fair leg, my tray of wine flying from my hand and tumbling to the ground, crashing – loudly – to the floor and spilling its red content against the fair feet of the Alpha’s daughter, in the middle of the Alpha’s speech. I raised my head and caught the Alpha Zavier’s gaze and at that moment, I’d broken three of the most fundamental rules of avoiding a beating.

At that moment – when I made eye contact with the Alpha and sealed my fate – Skylar, the Alpha’s daughter, let out a blood-curdling scream, as if it took her that ten seconds of silence to process what I’d done. I’d spilt expensive wine on her equally expensive, white, floor length dress.

Her hand fell on my head to the right as an apology dropped from my lips. Then to the left, and right again. She kept that as everyone stared with their mouths open at what I had done until the Alpha cleared his throat and called for order.

“That’s enough, Sky.” Alpha Zavier looked at me as he addressed his daughter, his eyes filled with deep hatred and fiery anger. I gulped, cupping my hot cheeks.

“It’s not. she ruined my dress!” Skylar cried, her sweet soprano voice raising as she hit me for the last time. “Why are you so jealous of me?” She cried yet again, dragging everyone’s attention back to the scene despite the Alpha’s call for order.

“I’m not,” I answered in a whispery voice with my hands shaking.

My eyes stung with the tears I held at bay, blurring the faces around me. I didn’t want to cry now – not now. It would only make my humiliation worse if I broke down here. I told myself I had to wait – I had to wait for them to take me out for a beating when the enforcers would give me a good reason to cry but I wasn’t strong. My lips quivered as the tears slid down my face. I blinked rapidly to clear them but they fell faster the more I blinked.

Alpha Zavier signalled something at those behind me as his daughter stumped out, pushing people out of her way as she went. Two men grabbed me from behind, dragging me out of the hall. I looked at the few people who still watched the drama unfold as the Alpha went back to his speech, a muscle twitching at the side of his jaw. Only one person watching me looked at me with anything other than scorn in her eyes as the enforcers dragged me away.

They threw me into a dark room, locking the door behind them. This dark room belonged to me. I slept here, had all my possessions – a single bag – in this room, the days I had food, I ate here and every day, I cried in this same room.

Two months ago, I spent two weeks locked up in my room and sometime in the two weeks, my food supply was cut off. I’d starved for at least five days but down here, in the cold, damp basement of the pack house, time became relative. I could have starved for one week or to days, there was never a way to be sure. Everything was dark – every hour of the day, night.

The door handle jiggled as someone tried to get in. The door jammed a lot and needed brute force to open on most days. Skylar came in with her brother and her boyfriend all wearing nasty smirks on their lips.

My eyes lingered on Skylar’s boyfriend for a minute. A few years ago, Lucien had been my best friend. I told him everything. I loved him as a best friend and more.

‘Promise me we’ll never fall apart.’ I held his hand and stared up at him the night before we started high school.

‘You’ve started with your cute sentiments.’ He kissed my nose. I pretended to hate it but it warmed my heart. ‘It’s me and you for life, Ay-babe.’

‘Me and you and Celeste,’ I mentioned my other best friend which made him laugh.

‘Whatever you say, doll.’ The sound of his laughter made my knees weak.

A few years later I found out we were mates so I tried to do something sweet for him, knowing what it’d cost me.

‘Lucien –‘ I just wanted to see him smile.

‘It’s Beta Lucien to you,’ he snapped, his hand around Skylar’s shoulder. The alpha female stared at me with indifference on her face but a spark of glee in her eyes.

‘Beta Lucien, can we – can we talk?’ I watched as he twirled Skylar’s hair between his fingers.

‘We can talk here.’ Someone behind them chuckled at his mocking tone. ‘What do you want? You’re wasting my time.’He stared at the gold watch on his wrist to emphasize his point.

I stretched out flowers with shaky hands while the school watched with bathed breath. It was a secret he kept well but I’d been his best friend since we were in diapers and I knew he loved receiving flowers. He hid that part of himself because it wasn’t considered manly but he didn’t have to be manly with me.

‘I love you.’ Loud guffaws surrounded me. Tears stung my eyes when my best friend and mate joined in the derisive laughter.

“It’s time for you to pay.” Skylar smirked, pulling me back to the present. She’d taken off her ruined dress to come black combat shorts and a black long-sleeved keyhole shirt.

“On your knees,” Alpha Bethel, the future leader of our pack called, dragging me out of my flat bed. I got on my knees without protest, facing my back to him. “Come hold her, Lucien.”

“There’s no need to hold me,” I muttered. My head spun at the blow that landed on my head from behind when I dared to say anything.

“Keep quiet!” Beta Lucien hissed. He not only humiliated me in front of the entire school that day, he also rejected me that same night.

‘We can’t be mates. You’re a stain on my reputation. I’d be a madman to mate with you.’ Those were the words he said to me before he rejected me.

“I won’t – I won’t fight.” I took a step back when Lucien approached me. The worst part of taking a beating was being held down by Lucien. I’d learnt to take a beating without trying to run like the other omegas did because when Lucien was involved, it meant paramount pain. He was a choker and gasping for air with a belt lashing down wasn’t pretty.

“Oh, really?” A strong hand gripped my jaw with bruising force, forcing me to look up at cold black eyes. Everyone in the Redville pack hated me but Lucien had a special place in his heart for hating me, a part of his mind dedicated to formulating many ways to torture me and make me wish I’d never been born all because I’d loved him.

“Take off your clothes then.” I blinked. Tears spilt from my eyes when I blinked. I didn’t expect that but it made Bethel guffaw. He’d become especially cruel to me after we broke our mate bond.

“W – what?” I swiped at my cheeks as the next alpha continued to laugh. I wouldn’t fight didn’t mean I wanted to humiliate myself in that way.

“What is wrong with you, Lucien? Oh, so you want to see her without clothes?” Skylar boomed from behind us. I jerked away, Lucien’s hands falling from my face.

“Baby –“ Her yelling cut off his soft, simpering tone.

“Don’t baby me! Hold her, let’s get this over with!” Skylar’s jealousy saved me from humiliation but it made Lucien angry. He forced my head down by my neck, squeezing my neck with one hand while the other held my hands.

Bethel’s belt came down against my back forcing a gasp from me. The gasp caught in my throat as Lucien squeezed harder. He wanted me to die and it seemed he wanted it today. The belt came back again with Lucien continuing to squeeze the life out of me. But the third strike, I could not keep silent anymore. Choked words spilt from my mouth, falling with tears and a bit of saliva.
The belt came down faster and harder. My wolf whimpered, the physical pain getting to her as the men broke me.

“Enough,” Skylar commanded. Bethel didn’t stop at once. He brought the belt down three times more after that command. I’d become a mess by then. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t thrash, couldn’t beg or fight. They overpowered me as they liked and hurt me the way they liked.

Even after Lucien let go, I couldn’t raise myself from the table they bent me over. My body slid to the ground when my quivering legs couldn’t hold me up for much longer.

My back bled with my throat raw and my eyes were swollen. I gasped for air now that I could take as much as I needed while Bethel put on his belt and Lucien wiped his hands on my sheets.

“Next time, when you want to be unfortunate, make sure I’m nowhere near.” Skylar’s words came from a distance away, echoing faintly in my ringing ears. “Learn to stay in your lane.” She finished.

“To think they tried taking over.” Bethel laughed his loud obnoxious laughter. I curled into myself, tears sliding into my ears from the position I lay in.

“She has always wanted what I have.” Skylar clicked her tongue. “She deserves another beating just for bringing up bad memories.” I shut my eyes tight. I wouldn’t survive more. I wouldn’t.

“She wouldn’t make it through. Look at her,” Lucien sneered. “She doesn’t deserve an easy death.”

I didn’t deserve any of this. Why did they make me pay for the sins of my people? I had done nothing to warrant this!

This was for the disrespect I dealt Skylar. How would I cope with the Alpha’s wrath when it came? I interrupted his speech and dared look him in the eye.

“Stay wretched.” Skylar crooned. She jabbed her boot into the side of my head that stole the light from my eyes.

‘Maybe today is the day I die’ Were my last thoughts as my world went black.

Chapter 1 She Wants a Divorce

A quiet summer night in Chamont.

Enya McKee sat on the couch and scrolled through news articles on her cell phone.

'The president of Bowman Group, Zayne Bowman, attended an official event with popular female celebrity Flora Ace. They spent the night at a hotel, and reporters caught intimate scenes between them…'

The news instantly spread and trended all over the Internet.

Enya pushed the black-framed glasses on her face and looked at the pictures in the articles expressionlessly.

The photos were very blurred, but the scene of a man and woman kissing and hugging by the window was clearly seen.

The man in question was her husband, Zayne Bowman, who was also the heir of the wealthiest family in Chamont.

He was an essential and respectable person who controlled Chamont's economy.

It was ironic.

Zayne had never returned home in the two years they were married.

He didn't even show up when they had registered their marriage.

Instead, he sent his lawyer to collect the required documents and complete the marriage registration.

She knew that Zayne had always resisted the marriage.

He had married Enya because of Old Mrs. Bowman.

Because Enya's grandfather had saved Old Mrs. Bowman, Old Mrs. Bowman requested Zayne to marry Enya. Old Mrs. Bowman wanted Enya to be provided for.

Enya initially looked forward to their marriage.

It was a pity that rumors about Zayne and various celebrities kept spreading…

Enya pursed her lips. She took out her cell phone and found Zayne's number.

It was her first time calling him in two years.

The call quickly went through.

"Hello, this is Enya."

"Enya? Which Enya?"

The man's voice was deep and magnetic on the phone. Even if his tone was icy, it was pleasant.

Enya sneered and gripped her cell phone tightly.

As expected, he didn't even remember his wife's name.

"I'm the other person on your marriage certificate."

"It's you. What's up?"

The man's voice turned cold.

Enya pushed her glasses and said, "Let's get a divorce."

There was a brief silence on the call.

After that, Zayne asked, "You've thought it through?"

"Of course."

"You can request for whatever you want."

"No need! Mr. Bowman, I don't need your money. I'm unwilling to share my husband with other people. I've come up with the divorce agreement. I'll leave the marriage without acquiring anything."

Enya said it in one breath and hung up.

Other than their marriage certificate, they were like two strangers.

From today onwards, they would go their own ways and would no longer be involved with each other!

Enya went upstairs and took off her black-framed glasses. Her charming, exquisite, and gorgeous face was revealed.

She had long placed the prepared divorce agreement on the coffee table. She dragged her packed suitcases and left confidently and with ease.

At Bowman Group.

The warm, amber lights lit up the president's office.

The man sat in an executive's chair. He wore a simple white shirt and black slacks, but his innate noble temperament couldn't be hidden.

Zayne looked at his cell phone screen, and a soft sneer was revealed on his thin yet lovely lips.

His legal wife finally couldn't bear the loneliness and initiated a divorce!

A knock sounded at the door. His assistant, Rufus Keene, walked in.

"Mr. Bowman, it's almost time for the meeting with Mr. Halleck."

Zayne acknowledged it indifferently. He got up and picked up his coat draped on the back of the chair.

"Rufus, clear today's trends on the Internet. Also, tell the lawyer to prepare a divorce agreement for me."

Rufus was dumbstruck.

His boss kept out of trouble but was occasionally involved in scandalous news articles because he was waiting for this day!

Enya hailed a cab and went straight to the apartment she had purchased.

The apartment was located in the central district. It had three bedrooms, a living room, and a dining room.

It was in an expensive area, and the neighborhood had comprehensive facilities.

After setting her luggage aside, Enya stood before the enormous French windows and looked at the bright night landscape outside the window. She took out her cell phone and called her best friend.

"Mimi, I got a divorce."

"What? Enny, you're finally getting divorced! That's great! Come out and have fun to celebrate being single again!"

"Alright."

Chapter 2 Getting Involved with Her Ex-Husband After Getting Divorced

Half an hour later, at The Queen.

It was Chamont's most famous club.

The Queen was one of the places where rich and influential businessmen liked to come for leisure or entertainment.

The intense music on the first floor was deafening.

Everyone on the dance floor danced and sweated to their heart's content under the strange, multicolored lights.

Enya came to the second floor in her heels. She patted a woman sitting in a booth, drinking and watching the crowd.

"Mimi."

Mimi Durel was her good friend who had a charming and exquisite round face.

"Pfft. Pretty lady, let me smell you."

Mimi hugged Enya and kissed her cheek.

Enya was amused and pushed Mimi away with disdain. She poured herself a drink.

"Enny, don't you think your husband is a fool? He doesn't want such a beautiful and talented woman but would rather look for other women outside?"

Mimi clinked her glass with Enya's. She had a pitiful look.

Enya sipped her alcohol. She laughed brightly and charmingly. "He's indeed quite foolish."

To Zayne, she was a dirty and crude country girl.

He hardly realized…

"Hmph. If he doesn't want you, plenty of other men are pursuing our beautiful Ms. McKee."

Mimi put her hand around Enya's neck. "Enny, you're divorced but still haven't spent the night with a man. Others will laugh at you if they hear it. I know many excellent men. What type of men do you like? I'll introduce one to you today."

Enya was dumbfounded.

Is my best friend hoping for a man to sleep with me?

"Don't joke around. Drink with me. I'll only focus on my career in the future."

"Alright. Career-focused women are the most charming. Enny, we'll live on our own in the future."

"Save it. Your boyfriend is going to come after me."

Mimi was floored.

The two chatted as they unconsciously drank a lot.

Mimi pulled Enya to dance on the dance floor. Enya felt a little full, so she went to the washroom first.

A sign outside the second floor's washroom indicated it was under maintenance, so Enya went to the third floor.

The third floor was where the private rooms were located.

The carpeted wooden floor was soft.

Enya had drunk a lot, and her legs felt weak. Her body fell to the side.

A private room door at the side suddenly opened, and Enya staggered before falling to the floor.

The private room was dim.

Only the sound of water came from the direction of the bedroom.

Enya was feeling dizzy. She slowly crawled up from the floor and was about to leave.

At this time, the bedroom door opened. A man grabbed her from behind and pushed her to the wall.

"Who are you? How dare you scheme against me?"

The man's harsh voice was intertwined with slightly restrained desire.

Enya's groggy mind seemed to have brief clarity from being pushed.

This man was… Zayne Bowman!

"I didn't!"

"If it isn't you, how did you come in?"

In the dark, the man's breathing was hurried, as if he was making a supreme effort to endure something silently.

"I… I went to the wrong room. Let go… Mmph…"

Enya's eyes widened. She felt the man's sudden kisses and wanted to push him away.

"Help me. I'll repay you."

Enya was flabbergasted.

She had just signed the divorce agreement but was now getting involved with her ex-husband!

After a wild night, Enya's entire body ached when she awoke.

A cool breeze gently swept the corner of the curtain. The dim light that permeated the room reflected on the man's handsome face, who was sleeping peacefully. He looked gentle and calm.

Enya gazed at him fixedly for a moment before getting out of bed while enduring her body's discomfort.

She had just brought up getting a divorce yesterday but slept with him the same night.

The arrogant man would think Enya was doing such a thing to make him stay.

She felt that it was worthless to do something like that!

Enya gritted her teeth and hurriedly put on her clothes before leaving the room softly.

After a moment, the private room door diagonally opposite opened.

Chapter 3 A False Claim

Flora had a sullen expression. She looked around and straightened her coat before quickly walking away.

Her manager had taken her for a meal with a few big shots in the industry yesterday for a new show.

But little did she know she would start to feel lightheaded halfway through the meal.

When she awoke, she found herself in the director's bed.

Stupid old man. He had violated her!

But such a phenomenon could be found everywhere in the entertainment circle.

She could only suffer in silence to be the main female character in the new show!

Flora's mixed emotions fluctuated. She had been utterly deceived, and her legs felt weak. She fell to the side.

She fell on the private room door on the other side with a thump.

Flora took a deep breath and immediately stood up straight. She adjusted her clothes and was about to leave.

The door opened with a click.

Zayne stood at the door in a white bathrobe. His deep and sharp eyes were cold.

Flora's heart skipped a beat. She unexpectedly had a guilty conscience.

"Mr… Mr. Bowman."

Her news with Zayne kept trending for the past few days.

The outside world spread rumors that she was Zayne's current favorite.

But only she knew that her manager deliberately published false news to attract attention.

Zayne had always treated her coldly.

But she didn't know why he didn't clarify the fake rumors in the news.

"Were you the person in my room last night?"

Zayne looked at Flora determinedly. His cold and black eyes fell on the red marks on the woman's neck.

He was awake when the woman woke up.

But she had left too quickly. Zayne didn't manage to call out to her in time.

Now, the corridor was empty except for Flora.

She should have been the one who helped him last night.

Flora was startled. She looked at the man's handsome face, and her gaze flickered slightly.

Did Zayne sleep with a woman last night?

But he doesn't know who it is?

"Mr. Bowman, I…"

"Come in and talk."

Zayne's tone was gentler when he thought of the bloodstain on the bed.

Flora was thrilled and immediately followed him in.

"You said you went to the wrong room last night and ended up in my room?"

Zayne sat on the couch and looked up at Flora slightly.

His memories of last night were slightly muddled, but he clearly remembered the woman's beauty as she was under him.

If she didn't set him up, he would be in debt to her.

"Yes. I wanted to go to another room to audition for Director Coxe. Still, I never imagined I entered the wrong room."

Flora looked down slightly and concealed the gleam in her eyes.

Zayne was silent. "What kind of compensation do you want?"

Flora glanced at Zayne and said, "It's alright, Mr. Bowman. We're adults. I won't take to heart what happened last night."

Zayne was a powerful and influential person in Chamont.

A simple action from him would have a significant outcome on Chamont.

He came into contact with many women. So what if he had slept with her?

If she said she wanted compensation, he would look down on her.

"You're a popular artist from Starry Media. Don't worry. I'll arrange for the best resources to be given to you. You'll be made into an A-list artist within a year," Zayne said.

Flora was elated when she heard it.

She restrained her inner joy and said calmly, "Thank you, Mr. Bowman."

"You may leave."

Zayne had a better impression of her when he saw her serene expression.

"Alright."

Flora restrained her heartbeat and turned to leave.

"Hold on."

Zayne suddenly spoke. It made Flora's breathing freeze.

She turned and saw Zayne get up and pick up an exquisite emerald pendant from the floor by the bed.

"Is this yours?"

Lying on the bed weakly, I felt my face burning up, and the heat seemed to intensify with each passing moment. The sensation was so overwhelming that I began to pant heavily.
A sensation seemed to weigh on my body, and as I extended my hand, I came into contact with something smooth, while a delicate hint of perfume lingered in the air.
Is it a woman? Why does it feel like she's naked? Why am I lying in bed with a naked woman?
I wanted to move my arm to push that woman away but to no avail. Perplexed, I couldn't help but wonder why my body felt so devoid of energy.

While I was still feeling bewildered, the woman made a sudden move.

She twisted around my body with the grace of a snake. The sensation of her remarkably smooth skin nearly pushed me to the brink of losing my sanity.

A slippery sensation, which could have been her tongue, slithered across my chest.

Her tongue brushed across my nipples and went south until it reached my belly button. It then slithered into my belly button.

I couldn't help but shiver. After licking my belly button, she clearly wasn't satisfied as she continued heading south and bit at my boxers.

Wait! That is...

Before I could stop her, she was already busy removing my boxers with her mouth.

Right then, the door was forcefully kicked open with a loud bang.

Both the woman and I jolted in shock.

Someone rushed in and took pictures of us both.

After delivering a tight slap, the person pointed the camera at me and spoke in a smug manner. “Marcel Larson, I can't believe you did this! You claimed you needed to borrow money to help your younger sister, but instead, you used it to hire a prostitute!”

Finally regaining my senses, I broke into a cold sweat at the unexpected appearance of the newcomer.

As the shock subsided, I could finally move again. I glanced at the newcomer, who turned out to be my mother-in-law, Helen Fanning.

The memories of what had happened earlier flooded back to me. I remembered that my younger sister, Sabine Larson, desperately needed money for a crucial operation as she was gravely ill. In my desperation, I had tried to borrow money from Helen, my mother-in-law, but she had coldly rejected my plea.

Feeling disheartened, I was about to leave when Helen suddenly halted me, claiming she had changed her mind. She offered to lend me the money I needed, but with a condition—I had to drink alcohol.

For every glass I drank, she would lend me ten thousand. Determined to help my sister, I gritted my teeth and downed ten glasses of alcohol before eventually losing consciousness.

When I regained consciousness, this was the scene that greeted me.

It was a cunning scheme orchestrated by Helen to trap me. She had harbored resentment toward me as she desired her daughter, Bethany Xenos, to marry into a wealthy family and lead a lavish lifestyle. However, Bethany rejected such prospects, and I unknowingly became an obstacle to Helen's aspirations of joining the upper-class society.

Anger rose in me like a tide. I couldn't believe she would do this to me when I was in trouble.

When Helen wasn't paying attention, I grabbed her camera and pulled the film out.

However, her frantic response led to painful wounds as she scratched and clawed at my body in an attempt to retrieve the camera.

Without a word, I put on my clothes, ignoring Helen and the prostitute she hired. Once dressed, I pushed the door open and stumbled out.

That day was the day of Sabine's surgery, and time was running out. Unfortunately, I had yet to gather enough money for her surgery.

I had to rush to the hospital as soon as possible.

“Marcel, you can't escape from this! When you return, you better divorce Bethany!” Helen's enraged voice echoed after me as I hurriedly left the scene.

I was born into a prestigious family and was given the name Marcel Larson. However, when I was twelve years old, tragedy struck, and my family was wiped out overnight.

My father sacrificed himself while trying to protect the family, while my mother sustained severe injuries as she fled with Sabine and me.

Sadly, my mother's health deteriorated over the next five years, and she passed away. Left to fend for ourselves, I had no choice but to find a way to survive and support Sabine on my own.

The details of the tragedy that befell our family were blurry in my memory, and I could barely recall what had transpired back then.

However, before my mother's passing, she entrusted me with a cross-shaped amulet and told me to keep it safe.

The cross-shaped amulet, known as the Ankh, was believed to be the symbol of life and was often depicted in Ancient Eskaria wall drawings.

My mother didn't provide a thorough explanation, but I had a hunch that my family's tragic downfall was somehow connected to the mysterious amulet.

As a child, my father had told me that whoever possessed Ankh would receive the protection of the gods.

Looking back, I found it ironic and somewhat humorous.

If the gods truly protected my family as my father had believed, then I wouldn't have been left to fend for myself after our tragic loss.

After my mother's passing, at the tender age of seventeen, I was left with the responsibility of supporting both myself and Sabine. Life was tough, but I managed to endure it.

Three years ago, devastating news struck once again when Sabine was diagnosed with cancer. I made a difficult decision and essentially sold myself to the Xenos family. They offered me a substantial sum of one hundred grand as a betrothal gift, which I used to finance Sabine's medical care.

In name, I was the husband of the Xenos family's daughter, but in reality, they treated me as nothing more than a servant.

For the past three years, I had worked tirelessly to serve the Xenos family, enduring their constant insults without a single complaint.

Meanwhile, Sabine's condition worsened. She needed one final surgery, but the cost was a staggering three hundred thousand dollars.

My wife, Bethany, was on a business trip and didn't answer her phone.

Unable to afford the exorbitant surgery fee, I swallowed my pride and approached the Xenos family for help, only to be met with humiliation and false accusations in return.

Feeling dejected and disheartened, I eventually arrived at Sabine's ward, but to my surprise, the person occupying it was someone I didn't recognize at all.

In a state of shock, I demanded, “W-Who are you people? Where is my sister?”

The family members of the patient looked at me, and one of them spoke up. “Are you talking about the little girl? I believe she got discharged as she couldn't afford to pay the medical bills.”

“What?” I roared, my mind going blank with disbelief. Without a moment's hesitation, I spun around and ran out of the ward in a state of panic.

Just as I arrived at the staircase, I heard a chilling scream from outside. “Someone jumped off the building!”

I immediately ran over and saw a frail body lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard. It was Sabine!

“Sab!” I howled in distress, rushing over to gather her into my arms.

Sabine's breaths were shallow as she looked at me with a weak smile. She whispered, “Marcel, people say I'm a burden to you. I-I'm going now. I won't be a burden anymore. Please live well...”

“Sab, that's nonsense! Don't listen to them!” I cried out desperately, whipping my head around and yelling, “Help! Save her!”

A few doctors and nurses ran over to us, but someone stopped them. “They still owe the hospital over thirty thousand. If you save them, are you going to bear their medical bills?”

The doctors and nurses hesitated, afraid to proceed and save Sabine due to the outstanding medical bills.

“Marcel, don't waste your money.” Sabine held my arm tightly as blood trickled out of her mouth. Her smile remained as she said, “I consider myself blessed to be your sister in this lifetime. It's just a pity that my time is coming to an end. If there is another lifetime, I hope to be your sister once again.”

After Sabine said that, her arm slowly went limp.

My heart constricted in pain as I hugged her tightly and cried out in anguish, “Sab, don't leave me! Please, don't go!”

With the passing of my parents, Sabine was my only living relative, and now she was leaving me too.

I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, as if her departure was my fault.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as if I wanted to cry all the tears in my life until there were none left.

Amidst my sobs, I felt a sudden pain flare up in my eyes. As my tears fell onto Sabine's cheeks, I noticed they were tinged with red.

I didn't know what was happening until someone shrieked, “Why are his tears red?”

“He's crying tears of blood!”

As my tears rolled down my cheeks, mingling with Sabine's blood, they turned red.

Then, something truly incredible occurred.

The blood-tear mixture defied gravity and floated into the air. Like a tentacle, it reached toward the Ankh cross in front of my chest.

Suddenly, my head was filled with a resounding explosion. A holy and elegant voice, seemingly transcending time, spoke next to my ear. “I am Isis, the goddess of health and magic. Why are you crying, my child?”

I found myself seemingly pulled into a vast and spacious realm. Before me stood a radiant goddess, emanating a soft glow that illuminated her benevolent countenance. She looked at me with kindness and warmth, filling me with awe and wonder.

“A goddess?” I stared at her in disbelief, doubting my own eyes. I had no idea gods existed in this world!

A glimmer of hope ignited within me.

Chapter 2 Please Save My Sister

Filled with bittersweet emotions, I mustered all of my courage and pleaded, “Goddess, please save my sister!”

However, to my surprise, the goddess shook her head, seemingly stumped. “I'm sorry, my child. I'm afraid I cannot do that.”

“Why? Aren't you a goddess?”

A mix of disappointment and fury washed over me as a sense of hopelessness engulfed my emotions.

With sympathy in her voice, Isis explained, “I am merely a soul fragment of the goddess Isis. While I possess her memory, I do not possess her power. Hence, I cannot directly save your sister. However, I can bestow upon you her knowledge and divine power. With these, you can take it upon yourself to save your sister.”

After conveying her message, Isis transformed into little glowing spots and vanished.

Following that, a vast amount of information surged into my mind, causing me to feel like my brain was being torn apart.

It took a considerable amount of time for the influx of information to subside, and I finally returned to reality from the virtual dimension.

In my arms, I cradled Sabine, whose heart had stopped beating and breathing had ceased.

However, with the divine knowledge I had acquired, I could now perceive a faint glimmer of vitality lingering in her body.

Though weak, it was still there!

In an instant, I reached out and utilized the divine power bestowed upon me by Isis to protect Sabine's fading vitality before swiftly leaving the hospital with her in my arms.

I then rushed to the nearest pharmacy, which happened to be Spencer's Pharmacy.

Spencer's Pharmacy was the largest chain pharmacy in Glenport, owned by Spencer Clark, a prominent figure in the local medical industry. The Xenos family's businesses were closely tied to Spencer Group, and it could be said that Spencer Group held considerable control over the Xenos family's company.

Each pharmacy was staffed with a skilled doctor who excelled in their profession.

As I rushed into the pharmacy with a blood-stained young lady in my arms, everyone inside was taken aback by the unexpected sight.

“Hey, she's seriously injured. It's best to take her to the hospital immediately. We can't help you!” A young salesperson stopped me from entering the store. “We don't have the necessary equipment or resources here to provide the required medical assistance.”

“No!” I shook my head firmly and said in a low voice, “I'd like to buy a scalpel set.”

“A scalpel set?” The young salesperson seemed surprised by my request, as it was uncommon for customers to inquire about purchasing scalpels.

“Why do you want to buy scalpels?” an elderly man suddenly asked.

As soon as he caught sight of the person approaching, the young salesperson greeted him with the utmost respect, “Professor Harrison!”

The elderly man, Calvin Harrison, exuded an air of influence and respect. As he entered the pharmacy, everyone paused in their activities to greet him with utmost politeness.

I paid no attention to the commotion and firmly restated, “I really need to buy a scalpel set, please!”

Calvin glanced at Sabine in my arms and let out a soft sigh. “Young man, I'm afraid the little girl has passed away. Why don't you arrange for her burial first?”

“She isn't dead!” I roared at him.

“How dare you speak to Professor Harrison in such a manner?” the young salesperson chided; his temper on the verge of boiling over.

Calvin intervened, stopping the young salesperson from escalating the situation. He continued advising me with a calm tone, “Young man, I've been a doctor for forty years, so I have some experience. This little girl is indeed no longer with us—”

“I said, she isn't dead!” I barked out furiously. “I need scalpels. Do you sell those or not?”

Calvin furrowed his brows. “Why do you need scalpels?”

“I want to save her!” I responded loudly.

“Save her?” Calvin gave me a perplexed look, seemingly considering the possibility that I might have lost my sanity.

He continued softly, “We don't sell scalpels here...”

As I turned to leave, Calvin's unexpected words made me pause. He said, “But I do have a scalpel set. I can lend it to you.”

I looked back at him, nodded slowly, then said, “Thank you.”

“Fetch my scalpels, and prepare the room in the back,” Calvin instructed.

The young salesperson's face showed concern and worry. “Professor Harrison, she's already dead. If something happens—”

“If anything happens, I'll bear the responsibility!” Calvin interjected calmly.

The young salesperson dared not say anything and dashed off to do as told.

Under Calvin's guidance, I cradled Sabine in my arms and followed him to a room at the back of the pharmacy.

There was a bed in the middle of the room. As I placed Sabine on the bed, Calvin came to me with his scalpel set.

The young salesperson's tone turned vicious as he exclaimed, “Hey, do you realize that this scalpel set is used by Professor Harrison himself? He has saved countless lives with it over the years. You should feel honored that he's allowing you to use it today. I can't believe you're using it on a dead person. It's an insult to Professor Harrison!”

Chapter 3 Resurrect The Dead

As I touched the scalpel set, a strange sense of familiarity washed over me, and a newfound confidence spread across my face.

The young salesperson huffed, “Ha! You're wasting your time. I've never seen someone resurrect the dead!”

“That's enough. You may leave now!” Calvin dismissed him with a wave.

“I...” The young salesperson trailed off in surprise before leaving begrudgingly.

“Do you need my assistance?” Calvin asked gently. Despite my erratic behavior and unreasonable actions, he remained composed and acted like a true gentleman.

I glanced at him and responded, “Please help me wipe my sweat off later!”

Calvin hesitated briefly. He then grabbed a towel and nodded, agreeing to my somewhat rude request.

I grabbed a scalpel and took a deep breath before slowly cutting Sabine's chest open.

Underneath the cut was a tumor as big as a fist.

Beside me, Calvin exclaimed in astonishment, “How did you accurately locate the tumor without using any equipment?”

I shot him a look and said nothing.

Calvin belatedly realized that it was not the right time to disturb me. He immediately fell silent and observed my surgery attentively.

Despite the lack of a surgery table, professional equipment, or surgical light, my divine knowledge and the slight shred of divine power guided me with precision.

I wielded the scalpel with remarkable precision, performing the surgery with the accuracy and expertise of advanced medical equipment.

Using only the scalpel, I meticulously and skillfully excised the tumor cells that were intricately connected to the organ until every last trace was removed.

I then took the excised tumor and placed it in a nearby bowl.

By that time, I was drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted. I turned to glance at Calvin, who seemed to have forgotten his task.

He was watching me with wide eyes, clearly in awe of what I had accomplished.

Instead of reprimanding him, I took the towel from him and wiped the sweat on my brow away.

After that, I swiftly sewed up the wound on Sabine's chest.

I then bent down and channeled all the divine power from the Ankh amulet into Sabine's body to ignite her vitality.

Suddenly, Sabine, who was supposedly dead, let out a soft gasp as her fingers twitched.

Calvin finally regained his senses. He stared at me in shock and spoke in a trembling voice. “Young man, w-what kind of power did you just use?”

I shot him a surprised look. Clearly, Calvin wasn't an ordinary person who knew nothing.

I replied calmly, “The power of the goddess of health.”

“I can't believe it!” Calvin exclaimed with a gasp. “According to my ancestors, only the goddess of health and her envoy possess the ability to bring back the deceased. Yet, she has been absent for centuries. Witnessing the divine power in action today is truly a tremendous blessing!”

He gave me a respectful bow. “Sir, I deeply apologize for not acknowledging you earlier. If I have unintentionally offended you in any manner, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness!”

“It's fine,” I replied, pausing briefly before reiterating, “But you have to keep this a secret.”

Given the circumstances, it would be prudent not to disclose that I was an envoy of the goddess, considering the tragic fate that befell my family due to the Ankh amulet.

Despite his surprise, Calvin quickly understood the importance of keeping the matter secret. “You're absolutely right. The goddess' appearance on earth is a matter of great importance. If this information spreads, it could lead to serious consequences. Sir, rest assured, I will ensure that it remains a well-guarded secret!”

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door. “Mr. White, they've arrived. I can't believe someone actually convinced Professor Harrison to bring a deceased individual here. It's quite bothersome, isn't it?”

The door swung open, revealing the young salesperson accompanied by the manager, Aaron White.

As soon as Aaron spotted Calvin, he put on a flattering smile and politely proposed, “Professor Harrison, why don't you go and take a break? I'll handle this matter!”

Calvin paid no attention to Aaron's suggestion and maintained his respectful demeanor toward me.

Aaron wasn't bothered. After taking in the situation, he demanded icily, “Get rid of that body!”

“How dare you!” Calvin chided angrily.

With a look of astonishment on his face, Aaron quickly whispered, “Professor Harrison, that person is dead. Allowing her to stay would be—”

“Who told you she's dead?” Calvin scolded. “Didn't you see that this en... This man has already...”

Calvin intended to reveal that I saved Sabine but stopped short, remembering my earlier warning not to disclose my identity.

“This little girl is seriously injured!” He then declared coldly, “Leave now. I need to continue my treatment!”

“What?” Aaron could barely conceal his astonishment. “Professor Harrison, didn't you mention earlier that she's already dead?”

“I admit I was mistaken, all right? Are you going to ridicule me for my age and poor vision?”

Aaron's forehead broke into a cold sweat. It was evident that Calvin wielded considerable influence in the place, as even the manager didn't dare to risk offending him.

“Get out!” Calvin roared.

“R-Right away...” Aaron nodded vigorously as he hastily departed the scene with the salesperson.

Outside the room, Aaron's furious voice echoed. “How dare you tell me there's a dead person inside? You fool. Do you want me to lose my job?”

Chapter 1 The Blind Date Blunder
“I know, Mom. I'm in front of the café. Call you later!” Emmanuel Lowe hung up on his mother impatiently.
The twenty-eight-year-old man had never been in a relationship.

After spending seven years in the army, he retired from the military and worked at a hospital in Yeringham for three years.

He was a gynecologist at the hospital and made eighty thousand a year.

Worried he would end up old and alone, Emmanuel's mother urged him to settle down. Since he had no idea where to begin when it came to dating, his mother took matters into her own hands and set him up on multiple blind dates.

Thanks to her efforts, he had gone on seventeen blind dates so far.

Alas, wedding bells were clearly not on the horizon for Emmanuel. It was frustrating. He knew he was just going through the motions at that point.

“Help! Someone help me!”

Right before Emmanuel entered the café, he heard someone calling out weakly for help.

The cries came from an old man who had fallen on the roadside. Many pedestrians walked past him, but no one dared to stop and help him to his feet.

After all, helping the old man could be more trouble than it was worth if one ended up with an expensive lawsuit for injuring him further. No one would do something that risky and foolish.

It did not deter Emmanuel from stepping forward and helping the man to his feet. He asked, “Are you all right, sir?”

“I'm fine! Thank you so much, young man! It's so hard to find people as kind as you these days. I must repay you for your kindness!” replied the old man with a smile.

Emmanuel realized then that the old man's attire was at odds with his airs. Despite his tattered clothes, the old man's clean hands looked like those of a man accustomed to wealth.

Still, he had no time to satisfy his curiosity. After confirming that the old man was unharmed, Emmanuel rushed into the café for his blind date. He never once considered being repaid for his kind act earlier.

The café was massive and practically structured like a maze.

Emmanuel's mother mentioned that his blind date was seated at table number eight. He wandered through the confusing café, but before he could locate the correct table, he stumbled into a special area.

The lighting was softer there, and the floor was scattered with fresh petals.

The sweet scent of flowers wafted through the air. He wondered if he had set foot in heaven.

Emmanuel raised his eyes and immediately froze.

A beautiful, elegant woman sat before a table in the room.

It was no exaggeration to say she embodied perfection itself.

The heavens clearly decided to shower all their favors on her.

The woman quietly sipped her coffee with her legs crossed neatly to the side. On the table was a non-translated copy of The Power Broker.

When she noticed Emmanuel barging into the room, she looked up at him in confusion and displeasure.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

When Emmanuel recovered from the shock of stumbling upon the beautiful stranger, he realized his heart was about to beat its way out of his chest.

Never once had he ever felt so attracted to a woman in his twenty-eight years of life.

The countless female bodies he had seen in his work as a gynecologist hardly appealed to him. At some point, he even wondered if he was attracted to women at all.

Against all odds, it seemed, the young woman before him made his heart race like a runaway horse.

Am I simply nervous, or am I already attracted to her?

More surprisingly, Emmanuel noticed a large number eight sign on the woman's table.

She's my blind date?

He took a deep breath to calm himself before approaching her table and taking a seat opposite her.

The young woman's expression grew increasingly flabbergasted. There was even a hint of hostility in her pretty eyes.

The audacity of this man! Barging into my private room is bad enough, but he's going to sit opposite me like it's nobody's business?

Emmanuel ignored her expression. It was not the first time a woman had scoffed at him.

They were free to go their separate ways after getting the blind date done and over with.

He introduced himself, declaring, “Hi! My name is Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist. I make eighty thousand a year and don't own a car or a house.”

Any man would need an incredible amount of courage to say such things to a woman, but Emmanuel appeared unusually calm and unfazed.

The young woman stared at him in shock. A moment later, her lips curved into a smirk, and she replied with an introduction of her own.

“Nice to meet you. I'm Mackenzie Quillen. I'm twenty-seven years old with dual doctorates in finance and business administration from Harvard University. I made three billion last year, and I have a car and a house.”

Emmanuel was stunned.

What is happening?

He always thought women on blind dates came with red flags.

Mackenzie, however, was arguably flawless.

Where's the catch?

All sorts of fantastical theories filled Emmanuel's mind.

Mackenzie smirked at his perplexed expression. The pride in her cool gaze was evident.

She deliberately introduced herself to put the stranger in a difficult spot and intimidate him into retreating.

As expected, awkward silence lingered in the air after her words.

Urgh, forget it!

Whether Mackenzie was telling the truth was beside the point. Emmanuel decided to go through all the motions so he could at least mollify his mother, even if the date did not result in a trip to the altar.

He declared, “I don't make much, but if you decide to date me, I promise I'll always protect and cherish you. I'll take over all the household chores so you can be a queen at home. Of course, I hope you'll allow me to preserve my masculine pride in front of my family. If we do get married, I can give you about five to six thousand every month.”

It was a well-worn script that Emmanuel recited in a single breath.

Mackenzie was dumbfounded at his earnest expression and apparent lack of shame at his much lower salary.

A long while later, she burst into a chuckle.

She had never met a man who could humor her so.

“What are you laughing about?” Unimpressed by her reaction, Emmanuel continued, “I know I don't check all the boxes, but I promise I'll be a good and responsible husband if we're married!”

Pfft!

Mackenzie failed to keep in her snigger.

An annoyed Emmanuel demanded, “Why are you laughing, Ms. Quillen? Don't you think you're being rather rude?”

“Sir, you're a very good man!” Mackenzie stopped smiling and retorted coldly, “But I think you're the confused one here. I'm not here for a blind date!”

Huh? What is going on?

Emmanuel's eyes widened in horror as he sputtered, “Isn't this table number eight?”

“Yes, but this is the VIP area. You must be looking for table number eight in the common dining area. Please go out and turn right!” She pointed a slender finger at the exit.

“Oh... Sorry! I'm so sorry! I mixed things up!”

Emmanuel wished he could sink into the floor in embarrassment. He jumped to his feet, ready to make a hasty escape.

That was so embarrassing! How could I sit at the wrong table for a blind date? No wonder she was laughing so much. She must have thought I was shooting above my weight!

Shortly after Emmanuel's departure, an old man entered Mackenzie's private room, escorted by four black-clad bodyguards.

Emmanuel would have been astonished if he was still around. The old man was none other than the stranger he had helped earlier in front of the café!

He implored, “Perhaps this is fate, Mackenzie. You're twenty-seven, but you've never been in a relationship because of your misandry. No man would dare come near you! But that young man succeeded! He's also a kind and just person. A while ago, he helped me outside the café and didn't expect a reward for his actions!”

The old man's true identity was Terence Quillen, chairman of Yeringham's premier financial corporation.

While his wealth could trump that of entire nations, he had a major regret in life.

Terence had had three sons who tragically passed away before him. They either had no children of their own or only left daughters behind.

Mackenzie was Terence's favorite granddaughter and next-in-line to helm Terence Group.

Her intelligence and charisma did not change the fact that she was a woman.

Before Terence met his maker, he wished his favorite granddaughter could give him a great-grandchild.

That spurred him to fake his fall in front of the café and scout a decent man for his granddaughter. To his surprise, the young man who helped him earlier made a blunder of his own blind date and ended up meeting Mackenzie instead.

Isn't that fate?

Mackenzie remained stoically unmoved by her grandfather's words. “Grandpa, he may have passed your test, but he hasn't passed mine. I'll marry him if he aces my test.”

She wanted to fulfill her grandfather's wish, but she naturally wished to promise herself to a good man.

Marrying a man after one blind date was simply too hasty and careless.

Terence's gaze lit up expectantly, and he replied, “All right! I'm sure he will pass your test!”

Chapter 2 Failure

After turning right at the door, Emmanuel finally found table number eight in the common dining area.

Sure enough, a woman was seated at the table, looking like she was running out of patience.

Dressed in professional attire that accentuated her beautiful curves, she was, by all means, a sight to behold.

Even though she didn't exude the same air of elegance that Mackenzie had, there was no denying she had the power to make men fall at her feet.

Thankfully, Emmanuel wasn't disappointed in the slightest. After all, he was well aware of his own qualities.

Without further ado, he straightened himself up and approached the woman with a smile.

“Sorry I'm late! My name's Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist with an annual salary of eighty thousand—”

“Stop!” the woman coldly interrupted before he could finish his introduction. “What's the meaning of this? With what little you have to offer; do you seriously think women would want to marry you? I can't believe you even had the nerve to be late! What right do you have to keep a woman waiting? This has been an utter waste of my time. Hmph!”

After firing off a barrage of questions, the red-faced woman angrily splashed a glass of water on Emmanuel's face.

The latter, who was caught off guard, instantly became soaking wet.

Nevertheless, Emmanuel didn't lose his temper. After all, he was indeed late because he went to the wrong place, so he could understand why the woman was upset.

“Hmph. You're twenty-eight and still only earning eighty-thousand a year. No wonder you're doing so poorly! Not only do you lack punctuality, but you also don't seem to take life seriously. You're doomed to be at the bottom of the social hierarchy your entire life! I'm shocked you even have the guts to go on a blind date with me... Stop being delusional!” the woman scolded as she shot Emmanuel a look of contempt.

The next second, she grabbed her bag and stormed off, not once bothering to leave her name.

To add insult to injury, she even waved a wad of cash in front of Emmanuel's face, then slapped it hard on the table as payment for the bill.

The latter's gaze darkened instantly as rage began pulsing through his veins.

This woman is humiliating me! I may not have high expectations for marriage, but that doesn't mean I don't have a temper! Argh! As much as I want to make her regret her actions, I know I don't have that capability...

Since the woman was gone, Emmanuel, too, left the café glumly.

To his surprise, he had only just stepped out the door when he saw a long-haired man deliberately colliding into a BMW and screaming in pain.

Emmanuel couldn't help but furrow his brows. Oh, gosh. That man is clearly staging a car accident. Why is there so much trouble in this café today?

“Ah! Someone's been hit!”

“Argh! My leg's broken! Murderer!”

Four men immediately rushed out to join the commotion when the long-haired man fell on the ground.

Thankfully, Emmanuel saw right through their ploy. Ha! Those guys must be the co-conspirators!

Just then, a young lady hastily exited the BMW, clad in a maroon sleeveless dress that revealed a large expanse of tender, fair skin.

“What's the matter? How could I have injured your leg when I was driving so slowly?” she asked anxiously.

Seconds later, the long-haired man's buddies surrounded the woman, demanding compensation. “Cut the crap! Pay up! Pay up now!”

Several people in the café had witnessed the staged accident, but unfortunately, they were so afraid of the big, burly men that no one dared to confront them.

“How much do you guys want?” the woman muttered helplessly, having resigned herself to the fact that she'd have to settle the matter with money.

The group of thugs, however, began leering at and drooling over her.

“Haha. Hey, why don't you have some fun with us?” one of the men suggested.

Just like that, what had started as a staged accident quickly turned into public harassment.

The pretty woman was so scared out of her wits that she staggered backward until she bumped into Emmanuel.

Instead of taking advantage of her like the other thugs, Emmanuel stepped in front of her and glared at the long-haired man.

“Your leg's broken, and you're asking for compensation, huh?”

Upon seeing Emmanuel's menacing expression, the thugs felt chills down their spines.

At the same time, Mackenzie was sitting in the café and watching the entire scene unfold.

Well, well, well. Who knew that man would be so brave? I'm sure no one else would have the guts to go up against five thugs.

The next second, Emmanuel stunned everyone by viciously kicking the long-haired man's leg.

“Argh!” the latter shouted in pain as he began hopping on the leg that was supposedly broken.

The onlookers instantly let out a collective gasp.

Goodness gracious! That man is daring!

Mackenzie, too, had curled her lips into a smile.

The café was one of her properties, so naturally, she had also seen how Emmanuel's blind date went.

I thought he was a timid man when he didn't flare up despite being splashed with water. Who knew he was just a gentleman who doesn't lose his temper with women? I must admit, he looks rather charming when he shows his tough side!

“What's this? Didn't you say your leg's broken? I'm impressed you can still jump on it!” Emmanuel mocked.

When the onlookers realized that the long-haired man had lied about his injury, they wasted no time scolding and criticizing him.

By then, the other thugs had also lost their bravado and fell silent. After all, they knew the tables had turned on them.

“Hmph. I'll let you off this time. You'd better watch your back!” the long-haired man warned before running away with his tail between his legs.

With that, the pretty woman gave Emmanuel a warm smile and coyly gestured for him to get into her car. “Hey, handsome, thank you so much for your help. Would you like to go to my house for a drink?”

Emmanuel, however, brushed her off without a second thought. “No, thank you. I have other things to do!”

Seeing how unmoved he was by her advances, the woman couldn't help but stomp her feet in frustration.

Back in the café, Mackenzie heard her grandfather burst into loud guffaws.

“Haha! I told you so, Mackenzie! Didn't I say that man has an excellent character? Your assistant, Lexi, is such a beautiful woman, yet he refuses to give her the time of day! Once you guys are married, you won't have to worry about him betraying you!”

The more Mackenzie ruminated about Terence's words, the more her impression of Emmanuel improved.

“Don't be too happy yet, Grandpa! Men are either after looks or money,” Mackenzie uttered coldly before getting up.

Ha! I doubt Emmanuel can pass my second secret test of character!

Meanwhile, Emmanuel had gotten home after his matchmaking session failed spectacularly.

Needless to say, his sister, Roselynn Lowe, was frustrated beyond belief. “What? Another unsuccessful blind date?”

This is the eighteenth time, for goodness' sake! My brother's a six-foot tall, fit, and upstanding young man. Why won't any woman take a fancy to him? He may be thick-skulled at times, but surely, someone will still appreciate him for his good looks, won't they?

Emmanuel's mother, Alessandra Cadigan, seemed even more anxious as she hurriedly dragged him out of the house.

“Mom, what are you doing?” Emmanuel asked, startled by how panic-stricken Alessandra was.

“What am I doing? I'm worried sick about you!” the woman scolded without breaking her stride. “I don't understand it, either. Our neighbor's an unkempt twenty-eight-year-old novelist who's always cooped up at home, yet he's already planning for his second child! Why can't my son get a girlfriend? That woman didn't even stay for the blind date, did she? I paid good money to set this up for you! Let's go see her at her house right now!”

“What?” Emmanuel choked out.

Did I hear that right? I can't believe Mom has gotten this desperate! The matchmaking session was an utter failure, so why must she still insist on dragging me to the woman's place? Wouldn't I just be embarrassing myself again?

Chapter 3 Rags to Riches

In any relationship, the party taking the initiative was often seen as lowlier and more desperate.

Therefore, upon seeing Emmanuel and his family at her house, Milani Zimmerman wore an even haughtier expression than when she was at the café.

Ha! I knew he wouldn't be able to get over my looks, so he's come to badger me again!

Milani's mother, Melody Claus, was just as smug when she learned of the Lowe family's intention.

“If your son wishes to marry my daughter, you'll have to give us a betrothal gift of five hundred thousand,” she said as she raised her palm. “We won't accept anything less!”

Emmanuel's heart instantly sank.

Oh, my goodness! Five hundred thousand? Is she trying to sell her daughter?

Alessandra, however, gritted her teeth and nodded. “T-That's fine!”

As long as my son can get married, I'll do anything to make up for the betrothal gift, even if it means selling the house!

“Your family must also provide a car and matrimonial home!” Milani's father chimed in. “More importantly, you're not going to let my daughter pay for any installments or maintenance fees!”

By then, Emmanuel was on the verge of losing his patience.

Shouldn't marriages be consensual? I don't expect both parties to be forking out the wedding expenses equally, but why does it feel like my family's here to surrender and be fleeced?

Alessandra, too, found herself in a tight spot.

She could sell the house to afford the betrothal gift, but how would she pay for the couple's car and home?

“Sure. That's no problem!” Roselynn piped up, even going so far as to pull her brother back when she realized he wanted to object.

She was just as eager for Emmanuel to start a family, and at thirty years old, she had worked and saved up enough to make the necessary down payments for him.

Since Mom is settling the betrothal gift, I shall help Emmanuel with the car and home!

“Lastly, he will bear all household expenses after the wedding!” Milani suddenly said.

That, however, was the last straw for Emmanuel. “I don't mind paying this much if she's coming to work for us as a housekeeper, but if she expects to be treated like a princess or queen, you can forget it! I don't need that!”

“Look at your son! What's with that attitude?” Milani yelled. “We aren't even married yet, and he's already so domineering. Wouldn't it be worse down the road?”

“No, no, no... The marriage will work out. It'd work out just fine!” Alessandra pleaded, desperate to finalize the wedding.

I can't wait any longer... I must fulfill my husband's last wish by the end of the year!

Having seen how things were going, even Roselynn knew she had to step in to persuade her mother. “Mom! Stop forcing it!”

Manny's right. There's nothing wrong with giving a betrothal gift, car, and house. However, asking him to be the sole supporter of his family after the wedding is too much! What about his wife, then? Why can't she chip in? Will she be sending her own money back to her parents?

Just then, Milani's younger brother, Jacob Zimmerman, suddenly appeared with a cocky grin plastered on his face. “Haha! Don't forget about me, Milani! When it's my turn to get married, I'd be counting on you guys to buy me my car and house too!”

Upon hearing that, Emmanuel instantly exploded with rage.

“What? Am I marrying your sister or your entire family? I may as well support all of you!”

Even though Emmanuel had only meant that as an angry remark, Milani decided to hold him to his word. “Hah! You'd better remember what you just said! In that case, I'll leave you to plan and pay for the wedding banquet and honeymoon. Don't tell me you can't afford that...”

“Get lost! I'd rather marry anybody than you!” Emmanuel retorted as the rage and ferocity he used to experience on the battlefield came flooding back.

He didn't know what the Zimmermans were playing at, but there was no doubt they were monsters.

“Look at yourself! How dare you ask me for my hand in marriage! I'd rather marry anybody than you too!” Milani snapped back.

Given my qualities, I have no problem marrying a rich man, so why should I settle for a man like Emmanuel? I'm only too happy that he wants to fall out with me!

After giving an exasperated laugh, Emmanuel stood up and stormed off, leaving Alessandra and Roselynn with no choice but to follow suit.

To their surprise, they had only just stepped out of the Zimmerman residence when three luxury cars pulled up in front of them.

The Zimmermans quickly popped out to see the commotion and almost dropped their jaws when they saw the car lineup.

Oh! Those cars are worth tens of millions! What's going on? Since when were the Lowes that fancy?

Emmanuel, on the other contrary, seemed to recognize one of the cars. Hmm... Didn't I see that car outside the café?

The next second, Terence stepped out of the car, surrounded by his convoy of suited bodyguards.

He smiled as he approached Emmanuel and said politely, “I'm here to return the favor, Mr. Lowe, after you helped me outside the café!”

Needless to say, everyone was stunned.

Roselynn couldn't hide her excitement and gripped her brother's arm tightly.

Ah! Isn't this like those rags-to-riches stories?

The more Emmanuel thought about it, the more he frowned. Wow... Who knew this old man was a millionaire? Could he have intentionally fallen at the café?

Terence waved his hand, and within seconds, his subordinates had unloaded several boxes of gifts.

Not only were there precious stones and jewelry, but there were also famous paintings, antiques, and even a Porsche key.

The total value of the items had to be at least ten million.

For someone who earned a mere eighty thousand a year, ten million was an eye-watering amount of money that Emmanuel could only dream of!

Upon witnessing the scene, the Zimmerman family almost collapsed in shock.

Milani might be a well-dressed woman, but the truth was, her family was just like any other average family. To them, ten million was undoubtedly an astronomical sum!

If I had known Emmanuel would become a multi-millionaire, I'd have married him straightaway!

After snapping out of her daze, she smiled and hastily clutched Emmanuel's arm.

“What's the matter, darling? Oh, wow... You're so kind to help the elderly! I love that about you!”

“Who's your darling?” Emmanuel asked, embarrassing Milani so much that she wanted to crawl into a hole.

As though that wasn't enough, he brusquely pushed her away and added, “Didn't you just reject me? Why are you still calling me that?”

“Uh... I—” Milani muttered, clearly at a loss for words.

Her family, too, was incredibly frustrated.

After all, they had just missed out on getting a wealthy son-in-law!

Meanwhile, Alessandra was about to say something when Roselynn tugged at her.

As much as I want Manny to start a family, I can't let him settle for the horrible Zimmermans! Besides, he's rich now! I'm sure he can find a better woman!

“Mom, Roselynn, let's go!” Emmanuel said before ushering both women into the car.

He didn't want to accept the gifts, especially since he knew he hadn't done anything to deserve them. However, it wasn't the time and place to discuss the matter, so he decided to leave instead.

Once the Lowe family had left, a gust of cold wind swept over the Zimmermans as they seethed silently.

“How could you have made such remarks earlier, Milani? Do you think it's easy to find a millionaire these days?” Melody berated.

“W-What should I do now, then?”

In all honesty, Milani was at a complete loss. She had gone on several blind dates to find a rich husband who could give her a life of luxury.

Alas, who knew she'd let a multi-millionaire slip right through her fingers?

“What else can we do? They've already come to our place to ask for your hand in marriage. Can't we do the same?” Melody suggested.

Jacob, who was just as anxious, instantly exclaimed, “I don't care, Milani! You have to marry that multi-millionaire! When my girlfriend and I get married, you must give us a house and a luxury car! Otherwise, I'll disown you!”

“Okay, okay. I got it!” Milani replied with a long sigh.

Argh! Emmanuel and I left on such bad terms... Would he still care about me?

👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚"Love at the Wrong Table". Enjoy Romance Now🥰

“Baby, you like it? You are so nervous, already. ”

Aargh... my... She clenched the pillow tightly, trying to control herself but she was still shivering like a boat in the middle of the rough sea.

"Are you ready for tonight?" his voice, filled with anticipation, caressed her ears.

Her heart fluttered as she replied, "Yes, I am..."

Chapter 1 The Blind Date Blunder
“I know, Mom. I'm in front of the café. Call you later!” Emmanuel Lowe hung up on his mother impatiently.
The twenty-eight-year-old man had never been in a relationship.

After spending seven years in the army, he retired from the military and worked at a hospital in Yeringham for three years.

He was a gynecologist at the hospital and made eighty thousand a year.

Worried he would end up old and alone, Emmanuel's mother urged him to settle down. Since he had no idea where to begin when it came to dating, his mother took matters into her own hands and set him up on multiple blind dates.

Thanks to her efforts, he had gone on seventeen blind dates so far.

Alas, wedding bells were clearly not on the horizon for Emmanuel. It was frustrating. He knew he was just going through the motions at that point.

“Help! Someone help me!”

Right before Emmanuel entered the café, he heard someone calling out weakly for help.

The cries came from an old man who had fallen on the roadside. Many pedestrians walked past him, but no one dared to stop and help him to his feet.

After all, helping the old man could be more trouble than it was worth if one ended up with an expensive lawsuit for injuring him further. No one would do something that risky and foolish.

It did not deter Emmanuel from stepping forward and helping the man to his feet. He asked, “Are you all right, sir?”

“I'm fine! Thank you so much, young man! It's so hard to find people as kind as you these days. I must repay you for your kindness!” replied the old man with a smile.

Emmanuel realized then that the old man's attire was at odds with his airs. Despite his tattered clothes, the old man's clean hands looked like those of a man accustomed to wealth.

Still, he had no time to satisfy his curiosity. After confirming that the old man was unharmed, Emmanuel rushed into the café for his blind date. He never once considered being repaid for his kind act earlier.

The café was massive and practically structured like a maze.

Emmanuel's mother mentioned that his blind date was seated at table number eight. He wandered through the confusing café, but before he could locate the correct table, he stumbled into a special area.

The lighting was softer there, and the floor was scattered with fresh petals.

The sweet scent of flowers wafted through the air. He wondered if he had set foot in heaven.

Emmanuel raised his eyes and immediately froze.

A beautiful, elegant woman sat before a table in the room.

It was no exaggeration to say she embodied perfection itself.

The heavens clearly decided to shower all their favors on her.

The woman quietly sipped her coffee with her legs crossed neatly to the side. On the table was a non-translated copy of The Power Broker.

When she noticed Emmanuel barging into the room, she looked up at him in confusion and displeasure.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

When Emmanuel recovered from the shock of stumbling upon the beautiful stranger, he realized his heart was about to beat its way out of his chest.

Never once had he ever felt so attracted to a woman in his twenty-eight years of life.

The countless female bodies he had seen in his work as a gynecologist hardly appealed to him. At some point, he even wondered if he was attracted to women at all.

Against all odds, it seemed, the young woman before him made his heart race like a runaway horse.

Am I simply nervous, or am I already attracted to her?

More surprisingly, Emmanuel noticed a large number eight sign on the woman's table.

She's my blind date?

He took a deep breath to calm himself before approaching her table and taking a seat opposite her.

The young woman's expression grew increasingly flabbergasted. There was even a hint of hostility in her pretty eyes.

The audacity of this man! Barging into my private room is bad enough, but he's going to sit opposite me like it's nobody's business?

Emmanuel ignored her expression. It was not the first time a woman had scoffed at him.

They were free to go their separate ways after getting the blind date done and over with.

He introduced himself, declaring, “Hi! My name is Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist. I make eighty thousand a year and don't own a car or a house.”

Any man would need an incredible amount of courage to say such things to a woman, but Emmanuel appeared unusually calm and unfazed.

The young woman stared at him in shock. A moment later, her lips curved into a smirk, and she replied with an introduction of her own.

“Nice to meet you. I'm Mackenzie Quillen. I'm twenty-seven years old with dual doctorates in finance and business administration from Harvard University. I made three billion last year, and I have a car and a house.”

Emmanuel was stunned.

What is happening?

He always thought women on blind dates came with red flags.

Mackenzie, however, was arguably flawless.

Where's the catch?

All sorts of fantastical theories filled Emmanuel's mind.

Mackenzie smirked at his perplexed expression. The pride in her cool gaze was evident.

She deliberately introduced herself to put the stranger in a difficult spot and intimidate him into retreating.

As expected, awkward silence lingered in the air after her words.

Urgh, forget it!

Whether Mackenzie was telling the truth was beside the point. Emmanuel decided to go through all the motions so he could at least mollify his mother, even if the date did not result in a trip to the altar.

He declared, “I don't make much, but if you decide to date me, I promise I'll always protect and cherish you. I'll take over all the household chores so you can be a queen at home. Of course, I hope you'll allow me to preserve my masculine pride in front of my family. If we do get married, I can give you about five to six thousand every month.”

It was a well-worn script that Emmanuel recited in a single breath.

Mackenzie was dumbfounded at his earnest expression and apparent lack of shame at his much lower salary.

A long while later, she burst into a chuckle.

She had never met a man who could humor her so.

“What are you laughing about?” Unimpressed by her reaction, Emmanuel continued, “I know I don't check all the boxes, but I promise I'll be a good and responsible husband if we're married!”

Pfft!

Mackenzie failed to keep in her snigger.

An annoyed Emmanuel demanded, “Why are you laughing, Ms. Quillen? Don't you think you're being rather rude?”

“Sir, you're a very good man!” Mackenzie stopped smiling and retorted coldly, “But I think you're the confused one here. I'm not here for a blind date!”

Huh? What is going on?

Emmanuel's eyes widened in horror as he sputtered, “Isn't this table number eight?”

“Yes, but this is the VIP area. You must be looking for table number eight in the common dining area. Please go out and turn right!” She pointed a slender finger at the exit.

“Oh... Sorry! I'm so sorry! I mixed things up!”

Emmanuel wished he could sink into the floor in embarrassment. He jumped to his feet, ready to make a hasty escape.

That was so embarrassing! How could I sit at the wrong table for a blind date? No wonder she was laughing so much. She must have thought I was shooting above my weight!

Shortly after Emmanuel's departure, an old man entered Mackenzie's private room, escorted by four black-clad bodyguards.

Emmanuel would have been astonished if he was still around. The old man was none other than the stranger he had helped earlier in front of the café!

He implored, “Perhaps this is fate, Mackenzie. You're twenty-seven, but you've never been in a relationship because of your misandry. No man would dare come near you! But that young man succeeded! He's also a kind and just person. A while ago, he helped me outside the café and didn't expect a reward for his actions!”

The old man's true identity was Terence Quillen, chairman of Yeringham's premier financial corporation.

While his wealth could trump that of entire nations, he had a major regret in life.

Terence had had three sons who tragically passed away before him. They either had no children of their own or only left daughters behind.

Mackenzie was Terence's favorite granddaughter and next-in-line to helm Terence Group.

Her intelligence and charisma did not change the fact that she was a woman.

Before Terence met his maker, he wished his favorite granddaughter could give him a great-grandchild.

That spurred him to fake his fall in front of the café and scout a decent man for his granddaughter. To his surprise, the young man who helped him earlier made a blunder of his own blind date and ended up meeting Mackenzie instead.

Isn't that fate?

Mackenzie remained stoically unmoved by her grandfather's words. “Grandpa, he may have passed your test, but he hasn't passed mine. I'll marry him if he aces my test.”

She wanted to fulfill her grandfather's wish, but she naturally wished to promise herself to a good man.

Marrying a man after one blind date was simply too hasty and careless.

Terence's gaze lit up expectantly, and he replied, “All right! I'm sure he will pass your test!”

Chapter 2 Failure

After turning right at the door, Emmanuel finally found table number eight in the common dining area.

Sure enough, a woman was seated at the table, looking like she was running out of patience.

Dressed in professional attire that accentuated her beautiful curves, she was, by all means, a sight to behold.

Even though she didn't exude the same air of elegance that Mackenzie had, there was no denying she had the power to make men fall at her feet.

Thankfully, Emmanuel wasn't disappointed in the slightest. After all, he was well aware of his own qualities.

Without further ado, he straightened himself up and approached the woman with a smile.

“Sorry I'm late! My name's Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist with an annual salary of eighty thousand—”

“Stop!” the woman coldly interrupted before he could finish his introduction. “What's the meaning of this? With what little you have to offer; do you seriously think women would want to marry you? I can't believe you even had the nerve to be late! What right do you have to keep a woman waiting? This has been an utter waste of my time. Hmph!”

After firing off a barrage of questions, the red-faced woman angrily splashed a glass of water on Emmanuel's face.

The latter, who was caught off guard, instantly became soaking wet.

Nevertheless, Emmanuel didn't lose his temper. After all, he was indeed late because he went to the wrong place, so he could understand why the woman was upset.

“Hmph. You're twenty-eight and still only earning eighty-thousand a year. No wonder you're doing so poorly! Not only do you lack punctuality, but you also don't seem to take life seriously. You're doomed to be at the bottom of the social hierarchy your entire life! I'm shocked you even have the guts to go on a blind date with me... Stop being delusional!” the woman scolded as she shot Emmanuel a look of contempt.

The next second, she grabbed her bag and stormed off, not once bothering to leave her name.

To add insult to injury, she even waved a wad of cash in front of Emmanuel's face, then slapped it hard on the table as payment for the bill.

The latter's gaze darkened instantly as rage began pulsing through his veins.

This woman is humiliating me! I may not have high expectations for marriage, but that doesn't mean I don't have a temper! Argh! As much as I want to make her regret her actions, I know I don't have that capability...

Since the woman was gone, Emmanuel, too, left the café glumly.

To his surprise, he had only just stepped out the door when he saw a long-haired man deliberately colliding into a BMW and screaming in pain.

Emmanuel couldn't help but furrow his brows. Oh, gosh. That man is clearly staging a car accident. Why is there so much trouble in this café today?

“Ah! Someone's been hit!”

“Argh! My leg's broken! Murderer!”

Four men immediately rushed out to join the commotion when the long-haired man fell on the ground.

Thankfully, Emmanuel saw right through their ploy. Ha! Those guys must be the co-conspirators!

Just then, a young lady hastily exited the BMW, clad in a maroon sleeveless dress that revealed a large expanse of tender, fair skin.

“What's the matter? How could I have injured your leg when I was driving so slowly?” she asked anxiously.

Seconds later, the long-haired man's buddies surrounded the woman, demanding compensation. “Cut the crap! Pay up! Pay up now!”

Several people in the café had witnessed the staged accident, but unfortunately, they were so afraid of the big, burly men that no one dared to confront them.

“How much do you guys want?” the woman muttered helplessly, having resigned herself to the fact that she'd have to settle the matter with money.

The group of thugs, however, began leering at and drooling over her.

“Haha. Hey, why don't you have some fun with us?” one of the men suggested.

Just like that, what had started as a staged accident quickly turned into public harassment.

The pretty woman was so scared out of her wits that she staggered backward until she bumped into Emmanuel.

Instead of taking advantage of her like the other thugs, Emmanuel stepped in front of her and glared at the long-haired man.

“Your leg's broken, and you're asking for compensation, huh?”

Upon seeing Emmanuel's menacing expression, the thugs felt chills down their spines.

At the same time, Mackenzie was sitting in the café and watching the entire scene unfold.

Well, well, well. Who knew that man would be so brave? I'm sure no one else would have the guts to go up against five thugs.

The next second, Emmanuel stunned everyone by viciously kicking the long-haired man's leg.

“Argh!” the latter shouted in pain as he began hopping on the leg that was supposedly broken.

The onlookers instantly let out a collective gasp.

Goodness gracious! That man is daring!

Mackenzie, too, had curled her lips into a smile.

The café was one of her properties, so naturally, she had also seen how Emmanuel's blind date went.

I thought he was a timid man when he didn't flare up despite being splashed with water. Who knew he was just a gentleman who doesn't lose his temper with women? I must admit, he looks rather charming when he shows his tough side!

“What's this? Didn't you say your leg's broken? I'm impressed you can still jump on it!” Emmanuel mocked.

When the onlookers realized that the long-haired man had lied about his injury, they wasted no time scolding and criticizing him.

By then, the other thugs had also lost their bravado and fell silent. After all, they knew the tables had turned on them.

“Hmph. I'll let you off this time. You'd better watch your back!” the long-haired man warned before running away with his tail between his legs.

With that, the pretty woman gave Emmanuel a warm smile and coyly gestured for him to get into her car. “Hey, handsome, thank you so much for your help. Would you like to go to my house for a drink?”

Emmanuel, however, brushed her off without a second thought. “No, thank you. I have other things to do!”

Seeing how unmoved he was by her advances, the woman couldn't help but stomp her feet in frustration.

Back in the café, Mackenzie heard her grandfather burst into loud guffaws.

“Haha! I told you so, Mackenzie! Didn't I say that man has an excellent character? Your assistant, Lexi, is such a beautiful woman, yet he refuses to give her the time of day! Once you guys are married, you won't have to worry about him betraying you!”

The more Mackenzie ruminated about Terence's words, the more her impression of Emmanuel improved.

“Don't be too happy yet, Grandpa! Men are either after looks or money,” Mackenzie uttered coldly before getting up.

Ha! I doubt Emmanuel can pass my second secret test of character!

Meanwhile, Emmanuel had gotten home after his matchmaking session failed spectacularly.

Needless to say, his sister, Roselynn Lowe, was frustrated beyond belief. “What? Another unsuccessful blind date?”

This is the eighteenth time, for goodness' sake! My brother's a six-foot tall, fit, and upstanding young man. Why won't any woman take a fancy to him? He may be thick-skulled at times, but surely, someone will still appreciate him for his good looks, won't they?

Emmanuel's mother, Alessandra Cadigan, seemed even more anxious as she hurriedly dragged him out of the house.

“Mom, what are you doing?” Emmanuel asked, startled by how panic-stricken Alessandra was.

“What am I doing? I'm worried sick about you!” the woman scolded without breaking her stride. “I don't understand it, either. Our neighbor's an unkempt twenty-eight-year-old novelist who's always cooped up at home, yet he's already planning for his second child! Why can't my son get a girlfriend? That woman didn't even stay for the blind date, did she? I paid good money to set this up for you! Let's go see her at her house right now!”

“What?” Emmanuel choked out.

Did I hear that right? I can't believe Mom has gotten this desperate! The matchmaking session was an utter failure, so why must she still insist on dragging me to the woman's place? Wouldn't I just be embarrassing myself again?

Chapter 3 Rags to Riches

In any relationship, the party taking the initiative was often seen as lowlier and more desperate.

Therefore, upon seeing Emmanuel and his family at her house, Milani Zimmerman wore an even haughtier expression than when she was at the café.

Ha! I knew he wouldn't be able to get over my looks, so he's come to badger me again!

Milani's mother, Melody Claus, was just as smug when she learned of the Lowe family's intention.

“If your son wishes to marry my daughter, you'll have to give us a betrothal gift of five hundred thousand,” she said as she raised her palm. “We won't accept anything less!”

Emmanuel's heart instantly sank.

Oh, my goodness! Five hundred thousand? Is she trying to sell her daughter?

Alessandra, however, gritted her teeth and nodded. “T-That's fine!”

As long as my son can get married, I'll do anything to make up for the betrothal gift, even if it means selling the house!

“Your family must also provide a car and matrimonial home!” Milani's father chimed in. “More importantly, you're not going to let my daughter pay for any installments or maintenance fees!”

By then, Emmanuel was on the verge of losing his patience.

Shouldn't marriages be consensual? I don't expect both parties to be forking out the wedding expenses equally, but why does it feel like my family's here to surrender and be fleeced?

Alessandra, too, found herself in a tight spot.

She could sell the house to afford the betrothal gift, but how would she pay for the couple's car and home?

“Sure. That's no problem!” Roselynn piped up, even going so far as to pull her brother back when she realized he wanted to object.

She was just as eager for Emmanuel to start a family, and at thirty years old, she had worked and saved up enough to make the necessary down payments for him.

Since Mom is settling the betrothal gift, I shall help Emmanuel with the car and home!

“Lastly, he will bear all household expenses after the wedding!” Milani suddenly said.

That, however, was the last straw for Emmanuel. “I don't mind paying this much if she's coming to work for us as a housekeeper, but if she expects to be treated like a princess or queen, you can forget it! I don't need that!”

“Look at your son! What's with that attitude?” Milani yelled. “We aren't even married yet, and he's already so domineering. Wouldn't it be worse down the road?”

“No, no, no... The marriage will work out. It'd work out just fine!” Alessandra pleaded, desperate to finalize the wedding.

I can't wait any longer... I must fulfill my husband's last wish by the end of the year!

Having seen how things were going, even Roselynn knew she had to step in to persuade her mother. “Mom! Stop forcing it!”

Manny's right. There's nothing wrong with giving a betrothal gift, car, and house. However, asking him to be the sole supporter of his family after the wedding is too much! What about his wife, then? Why can't she chip in? Will she be sending her own money back to her parents?

Just then, Milani's younger brother, Jacob Zimmerman, suddenly appeared with a cocky grin plastered on his face. “Haha! Don't forget about me, Milani! When it's my turn to get married, I'd be counting on you guys to buy me my car and house too!”

Upon hearing that, Emmanuel instantly exploded with rage.

“What? Am I marrying your sister or your entire family? I may as well support all of you!”

Even though Emmanuel had only meant that as an angry remark, Milani decided to hold him to his word. “Hah! You'd better remember what you just said! In that case, I'll leave you to plan and pay for the wedding banquet and honeymoon. Don't tell me you can't afford that...”

“Get lost! I'd rather marry anybody than you!” Emmanuel retorted as the rage and ferocity he used to experience on the battlefield came flooding back.

He didn't know what the Zimmermans were playing at, but there was no doubt they were monsters.

“Look at yourself! How dare you ask me for my hand in marriage! I'd rather marry anybody than you too!” Milani snapped back.

Given my qualities, I have no problem marrying a rich man, so why should I settle for a man like Emmanuel? I'm only too happy that he wants to fall out with me!

After giving an exasperated laugh, Emmanuel stood up and stormed off, leaving Alessandra and Roselynn with no choice but to follow suit.

To their surprise, they had only just stepped out of the Zimmerman residence when three luxury cars pulled up in front of them.

The Zimmermans quickly popped out to see the commotion and almost dropped their jaws when they saw the car lineup.

Oh! Those cars are worth tens of millions! What's going on? Since when were the Lowes that fancy?

Emmanuel, on the other contrary, seemed to recognize one of the cars. Hmm... Didn't I see that car outside the café?

The next second, Terence stepped out of the car, surrounded by his convoy of suited bodyguards.

He smiled as he approached Emmanuel and said politely, “I'm here to return the favor, Mr. Lowe, after you helped me outside the café!”

Needless to say, everyone was stunned.

Roselynn couldn't hide her excitement and gripped her brother's arm tightly.

Ah! Isn't this like those rags-to-riches stories?

The more Emmanuel thought about it, the more he frowned. Wow... Who knew this old man was a millionaire? Could he have intentionally fallen at the café?

Terence waved his hand, and within seconds, his subordinates had unloaded several boxes of gifts.

Not only were there precious stones and jewelry, but there were also famous paintings, antiques, and even a Porsche key.

The total value of the items had to be at least ten million.

For someone who earned a mere eighty thousand a year, ten million was an eye-watering amount of money that Emmanuel could only dream of!

Upon witnessing the scene, the Zimmerman family almost collapsed in shock.

Milani might be a well-dressed woman, but the truth was, her family was just like any other average family. To them, ten million was undoubtedly an astronomical sum!

If I had known Emmanuel would become a multi-millionaire, I'd have married him straightaway!

After snapping out of her daze, she smiled and hastily clutched Emmanuel's arm.

“What's the matter, darling? Oh, wow... You're so kind to help the elderly! I love that about you!”

“Who's your darling?” Emmanuel asked, embarrassing Milani so much that she wanted to crawl into a hole.

As though that wasn't enough, he brusquely pushed her away and added, “Didn't you just reject me? Why are you still calling me that?”

“Uh... I—” Milani muttered, clearly at a loss for words.

Her family, too, was incredibly frustrated.

After all, they had just missed out on getting a wealthy son-in-law!

Meanwhile, Alessandra was about to say something when Roselynn tugged at her.

As much as I want Manny to start a family, I can't let him settle for the horrible Zimmermans! Besides, he's rich now! I'm sure he can find a better woman!

“Mom, Roselynn, let's go!” Emmanuel said before ushering both women into the car.

He didn't want to accept the gifts, especially since he knew he hadn't done anything to deserve them. However, it wasn't the time and place to discuss the matter, so he decided to leave instead.

Once the Lowe family had left, a gust of cold wind swept over the Zimmermans as they seethed silently.

“How could you have made such remarks earlier, Milani? Do you think it's easy to find a millionaire these days?” Melody berated.

“W-What should I do now, then?”

In all honesty, Milani was at a complete loss. She had gone on several blind dates to find a rich husband who could give her a life of luxury.

Alas, who knew she'd let a multi-millionaire slip right through her fingers?

“What else can we do? They've already come to our place to ask for your hand in marriage. Can't we do the same?” Melody suggested.

Jacob, who was just as anxious, instantly exclaimed, “I don't care, Milani! You have to marry that multi-millionaire! When my girlfriend and I get married, you must give us a house and a luxury car! Otherwise, I'll disown you!”

“Okay, okay. I got it!” Milani replied with a long sigh.

Argh! Emmanuel and I left on such bad terms... Would he still care about me?

👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚"Love at the Wrong Table". Enjoy Romance Now🥰

Chapter 1 A Night of Absurdities
"Anastasia, help!‘’The desperate and helpless sound of her best friend's voice was the only thing on Anastasia Tillman's mind as she rushed over to the clubhouse.

Room 808. Anastasia looked up at the number plaque on the door of the private room. It was the same room number that her best friend, Hayley Seymour, had texted her. Without another thought, she barged through the door to save her friend.

When the door swung open under her hand, she was greeted by the darkness within. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist and dragged her into the dark room, followed by a loud thud as the door slammed shut.

"Hey—who are you. What do you want?!" Anastasia shrieked, her eyes darting around wildly as she tried to make out her surroundings.

"Settle down, and I'll treat you well." A man's deep and husky voice was getting close to her ear.

An hour later, Anastasia staggered out of the room, looking disheveled. She had only just been through a nightmare, but that didn't distract her from worrying about her best friend's safety.

She was just about to call Hayley's number when she saw a group of men and women walking out the side door. Under the lights, she instantly recognized two of the women in the group.

One happened to be Hayley, her best friend who had cried for help on the phone earlier, and the other was Anastasia's stepsister, Erica Tillman. The two girls walked side by side with their arms linked, as if they were the closest of friends.

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"Is that stupid girl still kneeling in the yard? Get her out of here immediately!"
Lilly's step-father, Stephen harbored an intense hatred for the child as she took the life of his unborn son.
When members of the Crawford family visited his home, Stephen couldn't bear to have Lilly in their presence as she would ruin the atmosphere.
"You did it very well, Mr. Hatcher." This was what Crawford's eldest son said.
These simple words left the Hatcher family bewildered and anxious. Was this praise or something else? Judging by the eldest son's expression, it seemed more like a veiled threat.
Everyone in the Hatcher family saw someone in black carrying away Lilly, claiming to be Lilly's uncle...
This revelation meant that the homeless girl they rescued was the beloved daughter of the Crawford family!
Rumors had it that Jean battled leukemia from childhood, had fragile health, and was never seen in public.
The Hatcher family felt deep regret and fear as Lilly couldn't hide the injuries all over her body.
Their intention was merely to discipline Lilly, but they had been excessively harsh to her...
The Crawford family's hearts ached when they saw Lilly lying in the hospital bed with tubes all around her. How could the Hatcher family be this cruel to this child?
Lilly woke from her coma and gazed at the grown men standing before her hospital bed. When she heard the words "let's go home," he hesitated.
What did home mean? Would they abandon her again once they returned home? Would she be abused again?
"Uncle Gilbert, if I go home... Will I have food to eat?"
These words, spoken by a child who was not four years old yet, left everyone present in shock.
She was meant to be a cherished treasure, adored by all, but now she lay bedridden, battered by her heartless father.
The Crawford family would never easily forgive those who harmed Lilly!
The Hatcher family's days are coming to an end!

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Chapter 1 The Blind Date Blunder
“I know, Mom. I'm in front of the café. Call you later!” Emmanuel Lowe hung up on his mother impatiently.
The twenty-eight-year-old man had never been in a relationship.

After spending seven years in the army, he retired from the military and worked at a hospital in Yeringham for three years.

He was a gynecologist at the hospital and made eighty thousand a year.

Worried he would end up old and alone, Emmanuel's mother urged him to settle down. Since he had no idea where to begin when it came to dating, his mother took matters into her own hands and set him up on multiple blind dates.

Thanks to her efforts, he had gone on seventeen blind dates so far.

Alas, wedding bells were clearly not on the horizon for Emmanuel. It was frustrating. He knew he was just going through the motions at that point.

“Help! Someone help me!”

Right before Emmanuel entered the café, he heard someone calling out weakly for help.

The cries came from an old man who had fallen on the roadside. Many pedestrians walked past him, but no one dared to stop and help him to his feet.

After all, helping the old man could be more trouble than it was worth if one ended up with an expensive lawsuit for injuring him further. No one would do something that risky and foolish.

It did not deter Emmanuel from stepping forward and helping the man to his feet. He asked, “Are you all right, sir?”

“I'm fine! Thank you so much, young man! It's so hard to find people as kind as you these days. I must repay you for your kindness!” replied the old man with a smile.

Emmanuel realized then that the old man's attire was at odds with his airs. Despite his tattered clothes, the old man's clean hands looked like those of a man accustomed to wealth.

Still, he had no time to satisfy his curiosity. After confirming that the old man was unharmed, Emmanuel rushed into the café for his blind date. He never once considered being repaid for his kind act earlier.

The café was massive and practically structured like a maze.

Emmanuel's mother mentioned that his blind date was seated at table number eight. He wandered through the confusing café, but before he could locate the correct table, he stumbled into a special area.

The lighting was softer there, and the floor was scattered with fresh petals.

The sweet scent of flowers wafted through the air. He wondered if he had set foot in heaven.

Emmanuel raised his eyes and immediately froze.

A beautiful, elegant woman sat before a table in the room.

It was no exaggeration to say she embodied perfection itself.

The heavens clearly decided to shower all their favors on her.

The woman quietly sipped her coffee with her legs crossed neatly to the side. On the table was a non-translated copy of The Power Broker.

When she noticed Emmanuel barging into the room, she looked up at him in confusion and displeasure.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

When Emmanuel recovered from the shock of stumbling upon the beautiful stranger, he realized his heart was about to beat its way out of his chest.

Never once had he ever felt so attracted to a woman in his twenty-eight years of life.

The countless female bodies he had seen in his work as a gynecologist hardly appealed to him. At some point, he even wondered if he was attracted to women at all.

Against all odds, it seemed, the young woman before him made his heart race like a runaway horse.

Am I simply nervous, or am I already attracted to her?

More surprisingly, Emmanuel noticed a large number eight sign on the woman's table.

She's my blind date?

He took a deep breath to calm himself before approaching her table and taking a seat opposite her.

The young woman's expression grew increasingly flabbergasted. There was even a hint of hostility in her pretty eyes.

The audacity of this man! Barging into my private room is bad enough, but he's going to sit opposite me like it's nobody's business?

Emmanuel ignored her expression. It was not the first time a woman had scoffed at him.

They were free to go their separate ways after getting the blind date done and over with.

He introduced himself, declaring, “Hi! My name is Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist. I make eighty thousand a year and don't own a car or a house.”

Any man would need an incredible amount of courage to say such things to a woman, but Emmanuel appeared unusually calm and unfazed.

The young woman stared at him in shock. A moment later, her lips curved into a smirk, and she replied with an introduction of her own.

“Nice to meet you. I'm Mackenzie Quillen. I'm twenty-seven years old with dual doctorates in finance and business administration from Harvard University. I made three billion last year, and I have a car and a house.”

Emmanuel was stunned.

What is happening?

He always thought women on blind dates came with red flags.

Mackenzie, however, was arguably flawless.

Where's the catch?

All sorts of fantastical theories filled Emmanuel's mind.

Mackenzie smirked at his perplexed expression. The pride in her cool gaze was evident.

She deliberately introduced herself to put the stranger in a difficult spot and intimidate him into retreating.

As expected, awkward silence lingered in the air after her words.

Urgh, forget it!

Whether Mackenzie was telling the truth was beside the point. Emmanuel decided to go through all the motions so he could at least mollify his mother, even if the date did not result in a trip to the altar.

He declared, “I don't make much, but if you decide to date me, I promise I'll always protect and cherish you. I'll take over all the household chores so you can be a queen at home. Of course, I hope you'll allow me to preserve my masculine pride in front of my family. If we do get married, I can give you about five to six thousand every month.”

It was a well-worn script that Emmanuel recited in a single breath.

Mackenzie was dumbfounded at his earnest expression and apparent lack of shame at his much lower salary.

A long while later, she burst into a chuckle.

She had never met a man who could humor her so.

“What are you laughing about?” Unimpressed by her reaction, Emmanuel continued, “I know I don't check all the boxes, but I promise I'll be a good and responsible husband if we're married!”

Pfft!

Mackenzie failed to keep in her snigger.

An annoyed Emmanuel demanded, “Why are you laughing, Ms. Quillen? Don't you think you're being rather rude?”

“Sir, you're a very good man!” Mackenzie stopped smiling and retorted coldly, “But I think you're the confused one here. I'm not here for a blind date!”

Huh? What is going on?

Emmanuel's eyes widened in horror as he sputtered, “Isn't this table number eight?”

“Yes, but this is the VIP area. You must be looking for table number eight in the common dining area. Please go out and turn right!” She pointed a slender finger at the exit.

“Oh... Sorry! I'm so sorry! I mixed things up!”

Emmanuel wished he could sink into the floor in embarrassment. He jumped to his feet, ready to make a hasty escape.

That was so embarrassing! How could I sit at the wrong table for a blind date? No wonder she was laughing so much. She must have thought I was shooting above my weight!

Shortly after Emmanuel's departure, an old man entered Mackenzie's private room, escorted by four black-clad bodyguards.

Emmanuel would have been astonished if he was still around. The old man was none other than the stranger he had helped earlier in front of the café!

He implored, “Perhaps this is fate, Mackenzie. You're twenty-seven, but you've never been in a relationship because of your misandry. No man would dare come near you! But that young man succeeded! He's also a kind and just person. A while ago, he helped me outside the café and didn't expect a reward for his actions!”

The old man's true identity was Terence Quillen, chairman of Yeringham's premier financial corporation.

While his wealth could trump that of entire nations, he had a major regret in life.

Terence had had three sons who tragically passed away before him. They either had no children of their own or only left daughters behind.

Mackenzie was Terence's favorite granddaughter and next-in-line to helm Terence Group.

Her intelligence and charisma did not change the fact that she was a woman.

Before Terence met his maker, he wished his favorite granddaughter could give him a great-grandchild.

That spurred him to fake his fall in front of the café and scout a decent man for his granddaughter. To his surprise, the young man who helped him earlier made a blunder of his own blind date and ended up meeting Mackenzie instead.

Isn't that fate?

Mackenzie remained stoically unmoved by her grandfather's words. “Grandpa, he may have passed your test, but he hasn't passed mine. I'll marry him if he aces my test.”

She wanted to fulfill her grandfather's wish, but she naturally wished to promise herself to a good man.

Marrying a man after one blind date was simply too hasty and careless.

Terence's gaze lit up expectantly, and he replied, “All right! I'm sure he will pass your test!”

Chapter 2 Failure

After turning right at the door, Emmanuel finally found table number eight in the common dining area.

Sure enough, a woman was seated at the table, looking like she was running out of patience.

Dressed in professional attire that accentuated her beautiful curves, she was, by all means, a sight to behold.

Even though she didn't exude the same air of elegance that Mackenzie had, there was no denying she had the power to make men fall at her feet.

Thankfully, Emmanuel wasn't disappointed in the slightest. After all, he was well aware of his own qualities.

Without further ado, he straightened himself up and approached the woman with a smile.

“Sorry I'm late! My name's Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist with an annual salary of eighty thousand—”

“Stop!” the woman coldly interrupted before he could finish his introduction. “What's the meaning of this? With what little you have to offer; do you seriously think women would want to marry you? I can't believe you even had the nerve to be late! What right do you have to keep a woman waiting? This has been an utter waste of my time. Hmph!”

After firing off a barrage of questions, the red-faced woman angrily splashed a glass of water on Emmanuel's face.

The latter, who was caught off guard, instantly became soaking wet.

Nevertheless, Emmanuel didn't lose his temper. After all, he was indeed late because he went to the wrong place, so he could understand why the woman was upset.

“Hmph. You're twenty-eight and still only earning eighty-thousand a year. No wonder you're doing so poorly! Not only do you lack punctuality, but you also don't seem to take life seriously. You're doomed to be at the bottom of the social hierarchy your entire life! I'm shocked you even have the guts to go on a blind date with me... Stop being delusional!” the woman scolded as she shot Emmanuel a look of contempt.

The next second, she grabbed her bag and stormed off, not once bothering to leave her name.

To add insult to injury, she even waved a wad of cash in front of Emmanuel's face, then slapped it hard on the table as payment for the bill.

The latter's gaze darkened instantly as rage began pulsing through his veins.

This woman is humiliating me! I may not have high expectations for marriage, but that doesn't mean I don't have a temper! Argh! As much as I want to make her regret her actions, I know I don't have that capability...

Since the woman was gone, Emmanuel, too, left the café glumly.

To his surprise, he had only just stepped out the door when he saw a long-haired man deliberately colliding into a BMW and screaming in pain.

Emmanuel couldn't help but furrow his brows. Oh, gosh. That man is clearly staging a car accident. Why is there so much trouble in this café today?

“Ah! Someone's been hit!”

“Argh! My leg's broken! Murderer!”

Four men immediately rushed out to join the commotion when the long-haired man fell on the ground.

Thankfully, Emmanuel saw right through their ploy. Ha! Those guys must be the co-conspirators!

Just then, a young lady hastily exited the BMW, clad in a maroon sleeveless dress that revealed a large expanse of tender, fair skin.

“What's the matter? How could I have injured your leg when I was driving so slowly?” she asked anxiously.

Seconds later, the long-haired man's buddies surrounded the woman, demanding compensation. “Cut the crap! Pay up! Pay up now!”

Several people in the café had witnessed the staged accident, but unfortunately, they were so afraid of the big, burly men that no one dared to confront them.

“How much do you guys want?” the woman muttered helplessly, having resigned herself to the fact that she'd have to settle the matter with money.

The group of thugs, however, began leering at and drooling over her.

“Haha. Hey, why don't you have some fun with us?” one of the men suggested.

Just like that, what had started as a staged accident quickly turned into public harassment.

The pretty woman was so scared out of her wits that she staggered backward until she bumped into Emmanuel.

Instead of taking advantage of her like the other thugs, Emmanuel stepped in front of her and glared at the long-haired man.

“Your leg's broken, and you're asking for compensation, huh?”

Upon seeing Emmanuel's menacing expression, the thugs felt chills down their spines.

At the same time, Mackenzie was sitting in the café and watching the entire scene unfold.

Well, well, well. Who knew that man would be so brave? I'm sure no one else would have the guts to go up against five thugs.

The next second, Emmanuel stunned everyone by viciously kicking the long-haired man's leg.

“Argh!” the latter shouted in pain as he began hopping on the leg that was supposedly broken.

The onlookers instantly let out a collective gasp.

Goodness gracious! That man is daring!

Mackenzie, too, had curled her lips into a smile.

The café was one of her properties, so naturally, she had also seen how Emmanuel's blind date went.

I thought he was a timid man when he didn't flare up despite being splashed with water. Who knew he was just a gentleman who doesn't lose his temper with women? I must admit, he looks rather charming when he shows his tough side!

“What's this? Didn't you say your leg's broken? I'm impressed you can still jump on it!” Emmanuel mocked.

When the onlookers realized that the long-haired man had lied about his injury, they wasted no time scolding and criticizing him.

By then, the other thugs had also lost their bravado and fell silent. After all, they knew the tables had turned on them.

“Hmph. I'll let you off this time. You'd better watch your back!” the long-haired man warned before running away with his tail between his legs.

With that, the pretty woman gave Emmanuel a warm smile and coyly gestured for him to get into her car. “Hey, handsome, thank you so much for your help. Would you like to go to my house for a drink?”

Emmanuel, however, brushed her off without a second thought. “No, thank you. I have other things to do!”

Seeing how unmoved he was by her advances, the woman couldn't help but stomp her feet in frustration.

Back in the café, Mackenzie heard her grandfather burst into loud guffaws.

“Haha! I told you so, Mackenzie! Didn't I say that man has an excellent character? Your assistant, Lexi, is such a beautiful woman, yet he refuses to give her the time of day! Once you guys are married, you won't have to worry about him betraying you!”

The more Mackenzie ruminated about Terence's words, the more her impression of Emmanuel improved.

“Don't be too happy yet, Grandpa! Men are either after looks or money,” Mackenzie uttered coldly before getting up.

Ha! I doubt Emmanuel can pass my second secret test of character!

Meanwhile, Emmanuel had gotten home after his matchmaking session failed spectacularly.

Needless to say, his sister, Roselynn Lowe, was frustrated beyond belief. “What? Another unsuccessful blind date?”

This is the eighteenth time, for goodness' sake! My brother's a six-foot tall, fit, and upstanding young man. Why won't any woman take a fancy to him? He may be thick-skulled at times, but surely, someone will still appreciate him for his good looks, won't they?

Emmanuel's mother, Alessandra Cadigan, seemed even more anxious as she hurriedly dragged him out of the house.

“Mom, what are you doing?” Emmanuel asked, startled by how panic-stricken Alessandra was.

“What am I doing? I'm worried sick about you!” the woman scolded without breaking her stride. “I don't understand it, either. Our neighbor's an unkempt twenty-eight-year-old novelist who's always cooped up at home, yet he's already planning for his second child! Why can't my son get a girlfriend? That woman didn't even stay for the blind date, did she? I paid good money to set this up for you! Let's go see her at her house right now!”

“What?” Emmanuel choked out.

Did I hear that right? I can't believe Mom has gotten this desperate! The matchmaking session was an utter failure, so why must she still insist on dragging me to the woman's place? Wouldn't I just be embarrassing myself again?

Chapter 3 Rags to Riches

In any relationship, the party taking the initiative was often seen as lowlier and more desperate.

Therefore, upon seeing Emmanuel and his family at her house, Milani Zimmerman wore an even haughtier expression than when she was at the café.

Ha! I knew he wouldn't be able to get over my looks, so he's come to badger me again!

Milani's mother, Melody Claus, was just as smug when she learned of the Lowe family's intention.

“If your son wishes to marry my daughter, you'll have to give us a betrothal gift of five hundred thousand,” she said as she raised her palm. “We won't accept anything less!”

Emmanuel's heart instantly sank.

Oh, my goodness! Five hundred thousand? Is she trying to sell her daughter?

Alessandra, however, gritted her teeth and nodded. “T-That's fine!”

As long as my son can get married, I'll do anything to make up for the betrothal gift, even if it means selling the house!

“Your family must also provide a car and matrimonial home!” Milani's father chimed in. “More importantly, you're not going to let my daughter pay for any installments or maintenance fees!”

By then, Emmanuel was on the verge of losing his patience.

Shouldn't marriages be consensual? I don't expect both parties to be forking out the wedding expenses equally, but why does it feel like my family's here to surrender and be fleeced?

Alessandra, too, found herself in a tight spot.

She could sell the house to afford the betrothal gift, but how would she pay for the couple's car and home?

“Sure. That's no problem!” Roselynn piped up, even going so far as to pull her brother back when she realized he wanted to object.

She was just as eager for Emmanuel to start a family, and at thirty years old, she had worked and saved up enough to make the necessary down payments for him.

Since Mom is settling the betrothal gift, I shall help Emmanuel with the car and home!

“Lastly, he will bear all household expenses after the wedding!” Milani suddenly said.

That, however, was the last straw for Emmanuel. “I don't mind paying this much if she's coming to work for us as a housekeeper, but if she expects to be treated like a princess or queen, you can forget it! I don't need that!”

“Look at your son! What's with that attitude?” Milani yelled. “We aren't even married yet, and he's already so domineering. Wouldn't it be worse down the road?”

“No, no, no... The marriage will work out. It'd work out just fine!” Alessandra pleaded, desperate to finalize the wedding.

I can't wait any longer... I must fulfill my husband's last wish by the end of the year!

Having seen how things were going, even Roselynn knew she had to step in to persuade her mother. “Mom! Stop forcing it!”

Manny's right. There's nothing wrong with giving a betrothal gift, car, and house. However, asking him to be the sole supporter of his family after the wedding is too much! What about his wife, then? Why can't she chip in? Will she be sending her own money back to her parents?

Just then, Milani's younger brother, Jacob Zimmerman, suddenly appeared with a cocky grin plastered on his face. “Haha! Don't forget about me, Milani! When it's my turn to get married, I'd be counting on you guys to buy me my car and house too!”

Upon hearing that, Emmanuel instantly exploded with rage.

“What? Am I marrying your sister or your entire family? I may as well support all of you!”

Even though Emmanuel had only meant that as an angry remark, Milani decided to hold him to his word. “Hah! You'd better remember what you just said! In that case, I'll leave you to plan and pay for the wedding banquet and honeymoon. Don't tell me you can't afford that...”

“Get lost! I'd rather marry anybody than you!” Emmanuel retorted as the rage and ferocity he used to experience on the battlefield came flooding back.

He didn't know what the Zimmermans were playing at, but there was no doubt they were monsters.

“Look at yourself! How dare you ask me for my hand in marriage! I'd rather marry anybody than you too!” Milani snapped back.

Given my qualities, I have no problem marrying a rich man, so why should I settle for a man like Emmanuel? I'm only too happy that he wants to fall out with me!

After giving an exasperated laugh, Emmanuel stood up and stormed off, leaving Alessandra and Roselynn with no choice but to follow suit.

To their surprise, they had only just stepped out of the Zimmerman residence when three luxury cars pulled up in front of them.

The Zimmermans quickly popped out to see the commotion and almost dropped their jaws when they saw the car lineup.

Oh! Those cars are worth tens of millions! What's going on? Since when were the Lowes that fancy?

Emmanuel, on the other contrary, seemed to recognize one of the cars. Hmm... Didn't I see that car outside the café?

The next second, Terence stepped out of the car, surrounded by his convoy of suited bodyguards.

He smiled as he approached Emmanuel and said politely, “I'm here to return the favor, Mr. Lowe, after you helped me outside the café!”

Needless to say, everyone was stunned.

Roselynn couldn't hide her excitement and gripped her brother's arm tightly.

Ah! Isn't this like those rags-to-riches stories?

The more Emmanuel thought about it, the more he frowned. Wow... Who knew this old man was a millionaire? Could he have intentionally fallen at the café?

Terence waved his hand, and within seconds, his subordinates had unloaded several boxes of gifts.

Not only were there precious stones and jewelry, but there were also famous paintings, antiques, and even a Porsche key.

The total value of the items had to be at least ten million.

For someone who earned a mere eighty thousand a year, ten million was an eye-watering amount of money that Emmanuel could only dream of!

Upon witnessing the scene, the Zimmerman family almost collapsed in shock.

Milani might be a well-dressed woman, but the truth was, her family was just like any other average family. To them, ten million was undoubtedly an astronomical sum!

If I had known Emmanuel would become a multi-millionaire, I'd have married him straightaway!

After snapping out of her daze, she smiled and hastily clutched Emmanuel's arm.

“What's the matter, darling? Oh, wow... You're so kind to help the elderly! I love that about you!”

“Who's your darling?” Emmanuel asked, embarrassing Milani so much that she wanted to crawl into a hole.

As though that wasn't enough, he brusquely pushed her away and added, “Didn't you just reject me? Why are you still calling me that?”

“Uh... I—” Milani muttered, clearly at a loss for words.

Her family, too, was incredibly frustrated.

After all, they had just missed out on getting a wealthy son-in-law!

Meanwhile, Alessandra was about to say something when Roselynn tugged at her.

As much as I want Manny to start a family, I can't let him settle for the horrible Zimmermans! Besides, he's rich now! I'm sure he can find a better woman!

“Mom, Roselynn, let's go!” Emmanuel said before ushering both women into the car.

He didn't want to accept the gifts, especially since he knew he hadn't done anything to deserve them. However, it wasn't the time and place to discuss the matter, so he decided to leave instead.

Once the Lowe family had left, a gust of cold wind swept over the Zimmermans as they seethed silently.

“How could you have made such remarks earlier, Milani? Do you think it's easy to find a millionaire these days?” Melody berated.

“W-What should I do now, then?”

In all honesty, Milani was at a complete loss. She had gone on several blind dates to find a rich husband who could give her a life of luxury.

Alas, who knew she'd let a multi-millionaire slip right through her fingers?

“What else can we do? They've already come to our place to ask for your hand in marriage. Can't we do the same?” Melody suggested.

Jacob, who was just as anxious, instantly exclaimed, “I don't care, Milani! You have to marry that multi-millionaire! When my girlfriend and I get married, you must give us a house and a luxury car! Otherwise, I'll disown you!”

“Okay, okay. I got it!” Milani replied with a long sigh.

Argh! Emmanuel and I left on such bad terms... Would he still care about me?

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Only a fool looks Alpha Zavier in the eye when he speaks. You dare not interrupt him and if you’re an omega girl called Aysel, it’s best to hide. I learnt these tricks early in life. I knew not to look up, not to make a sound and to make myself invisible in the crowd of people that filled the banquet hall to celebrate the Feast of the Moon.

But I never did anything right. When asked to take a step to the left, I ended up at the right, whether I took a step to the left or not. Fate worked in reverse for me. If I sowed good, I reaped misfortune.

It was the reason why, while serving with my head down, trying to make myself smaller than my small frame, I tripped on a fair leg, my tray of wine flying from my hand and tumbling to the ground, crashing – loudly – to the floor and spilling its red content against the fair feet of the Alpha’s daughter, in the middle of the Alpha’s speech. I raised my head and caught the Alpha Zavier’s gaze and at that moment, I’d broken three of the most fundamental rules of avoiding a beating.

At that moment – when I made eye contact with the Alpha and sealed my fate – Skylar, the Alpha’s daughter, let out a blood-curdling scream, as if it took her that ten seconds of silence to process what I’d done. I’d spilt expensive wine on her equally expensive, white, floor length dress.

Her hand fell on my head to the right as an apology dropped from my lips. Then to the left, and right again. She kept that as everyone stared with their mouths open at what I had done until the Alpha cleared his throat and called for order.

“That’s enough, Sky.” Alpha Zavier looked at me as he addressed his daughter, his eyes filled with deep hatred and fiery anger. I gulped, cupping my hot cheeks.

“It’s not. she ruined my dress!” Skylar cried, her sweet soprano voice raising as she hit me for the last time. “Why are you so jealous of me?” She cried yet again, dragging everyone’s attention back to the scene despite the Alpha’s call for order.

“I’m not,” I answered in a whispery voice with my hands shaking.

My eyes stung with the tears I held at bay, blurring the faces around me. I didn’t want to cry now – not now. It would only make my humiliation worse if I broke down here. I told myself I had to wait – I had to wait for them to take me out for a beating when the enforcers would give me a good reason to cry but I wasn’t strong. My lips quivered as the tears slid down my face. I blinked rapidly to clear them but they fell faster the more I blinked.

Alpha Zavier signalled something at those behind me as his daughter stumped out, pushing people out of her way as she went. Two men grabbed me from behind, dragging me out of the hall. I looked at the few people who still watched the drama unfold as the Alpha went back to his speech, a muscle twitching at the side of his jaw. Only one person watching me looked at me with anything other than scorn in her eyes as the enforcers dragged me away.

They threw me into a dark room, locking the door behind them. This dark room belonged to me. I slept here, had all my possessions – a single bag – in this room, the days I had food, I ate here and every day, I cried in this same room.

Two months ago, I spent two weeks locked up in my room and sometime in the two weeks, my food supply was cut off. I’d starved for at least five days but down here, in the cold, damp basement of the pack house, time became relative. I could have starved for one week or to days, there was never a way to be sure. Everything was dark – every hour of the day, night.

The door handle jiggled as someone tried to get in. The door jammed a lot and needed brute force to open on most days. Skylar came in with her brother and her boyfriend all wearing nasty smirks on their lips.

My eyes lingered on Skylar’s boyfriend for a minute. A few years ago, Lucien had been my best friend. I told him everything. I loved him as a best friend and more.

‘Promise me we’ll never fall apart.’ I held his hand and stared up at him the night before we started high school.

‘You’ve started with your cute sentiments.’ He kissed my nose. I pretended to hate it but it warmed my heart. ‘It’s me and you for life, Ay-babe.’

‘Me and you and Celeste,’ I mentioned my other best friend which made him laugh.

‘Whatever you say, doll.’ The sound of his laughter made my knees weak.

A few years later I found out we were mates so I tried to do something sweet for him, knowing what it’d cost me.

‘Lucien –‘ I just wanted to see him smile.

‘It’s Beta Lucien to you,’ he snapped, his hand around Skylar’s shoulder. The alpha female stared at me with indifference on her face but a spark of glee in her eyes.

‘Beta Lucien, can we – can we talk?’ I watched as he twirled Skylar’s hair between his fingers.

‘We can talk here.’ Someone behind them chuckled at his mocking tone. ‘What do you want? You’re wasting my time.’He stared at the gold watch on his wrist to emphasize his point.

I stretched out flowers with shaky hands while the school watched with bathed breath. It was a secret he kept well but I’d been his best friend since we were in diapers and I knew he loved receiving flowers. He hid that part of himself because it wasn’t considered manly but he didn’t have to be manly with me.

‘I love you.’ Loud guffaws surrounded me. Tears stung my eyes when my best friend and mate joined in the derisive laughter.

“It’s time for you to pay.” Skylar smirked, pulling me back to the present. She’d taken off her ruined dress to come black combat shorts and a black long-sleeved keyhole shirt.

“On your knees,” Alpha Bethel, the future leader of our pack called, dragging me out of my flat bed. I got on my knees without protest, facing my back to him. “Come hold her, Lucien.”

“There’s no need to hold me,” I muttered. My head spun at the blow that landed on my head from behind when I dared to say anything.

“Keep quiet!” Beta Lucien hissed. He not only humiliated me in front of the entire school that day, he also rejected me that same night.

‘We can’t be mates. You’re a stain on my reputation. I’d be a madman to mate with you.’ Those were the words he said to me before he rejected me.

“I won’t – I won’t fight.” I took a step back when Lucien approached me. The worst part of taking a beating was being held down by Lucien. I’d learnt to take a beating without trying to run like the other omegas did because when Lucien was involved, it meant paramount pain. He was a choker and gasping for air with a belt lashing down wasn’t pretty.

“Oh, really?” A strong hand gripped my jaw with bruising force, forcing me to look up at cold black eyes. Everyone in the Redville pack hated me but Lucien had a special place in his heart for hating me, a part of his mind dedicated to formulating many ways to torture me and make me wish I’d never been born all because I’d loved him.

“Take off your clothes then.” I blinked. Tears spilt from my eyes when I blinked. I didn’t expect that but it made Bethel guffaw. He’d become especially cruel to me after we broke our mate bond.

“W – what?” I swiped at my cheeks as the next alpha continued to laugh. I wouldn’t fight didn’t mean I wanted to humiliate myself in that way.

“What is wrong with you, Lucien? Oh, so you want to see her without clothes?” Skylar boomed from behind us. I jerked away, Lucien’s hands falling from my face.

“Baby –“ Her yelling cut off his soft, simpering tone.

“Don’t baby me! Hold her, let’s get this over with!” Skylar’s jealousy saved me from humiliation but it made Lucien angry. He forced my head down by my neck, squeezing my neck with one hand while the other held my hands.

Bethel’s belt came down against my back forcing a gasp from me. The gasp caught in my throat as Lucien squeezed harder. He wanted me to die and it seemed he wanted it today. The belt came back again with Lucien continuing to squeeze the life out of me. But the third strike, I could not keep silent anymore. Choked words spilt from my mouth, falling with tears and a bit of saliva.
The belt came down faster and harder. My wolf whimpered, the physical pain getting to her as the men broke me.

“Enough,” Skylar commanded. Bethel didn’t stop at once. He brought the belt down three times more after that command. I’d become a mess by then. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t thrash, couldn’t beg or fight. They overpowered me as they liked and hurt me the way they liked.

Even after Lucien let go, I couldn’t raise myself from the table they bent me over. My body slid to the ground when my quivering legs couldn’t hold me up for much longer.

My back bled with my throat raw and my eyes were swollen. I gasped for air now that I could take as much as I needed while Bethel put on his belt and Lucien wiped his hands on my sheets.

“Next time, when you want to be unfortunate, make sure I’m nowhere near.” Skylar’s words came from a distance away, echoing faintly in my ringing ears. “Learn to stay in your lane.” She finished.

“To think they tried taking over.” Bethel laughed his loud obnoxious laughter. I curled into myself, tears sliding into my ears from the position I lay in.

“She has always wanted what I have.” Skylar clicked her tongue. “She deserves another beating just for bringing up bad memories.” I shut my eyes tight. I wouldn’t survive more. I wouldn’t.

“She wouldn’t make it through. Look at her,” Lucien sneered. “She doesn’t deserve an easy death.”

I didn’t deserve any of this. Why did they make me pay for the sins of my people? I had done nothing to warrant this!

This was for the disrespect I dealt Skylar. How would I cope with the Alpha’s wrath when it came? I interrupted his speech and dared look him in the eye.

“Stay wretched.” Skylar crooned. She jabbed her boot into the side of my head that stole the light from my eyes.

‘Maybe today is the day I die’ Were my last thoughts as my world went black.

Chapter 1 Aren't You Afraid of Death?


"Uhm… should I undress and get on the bed first or… help you undress first?" Cherise Shaw asked cautiously, standing at the bathroom door with her body wrapped in a towel.

It was her wedding night.

The wheelchair-bound man, who was blindfolded with black silk, would be her husband from now on.

This was her first time seeing him in person, and he was more good-looking than in pictures. The man had distinct facial features, with a sharp nose and thick eyebrows. His tall and slender figure matched the image of Cherise's dream man. But alas, he couldn’t see or walk.

Some accused Damien Lenoir of bringing misfortune to people around him, causing his parents to pass away when he was nine and his elder sister's demise when he was thirteen. Not only that, his three fiancées passed away one after another.

When she first heard the rumors, Cherise was intimidated, but her uncle, Elvis Shaw, claimed the Lenoir family would fund her grandmother, Mary Dawson's treatment. For the sake of Mary, she was willing to take the risks.

Perceiving no response from Damien, Cherise thought he didn't hear her, so she repeated her question.

"Ha! Do you know who I am?" The aloof man slowly removed the black silk and glanced at Cherise coldly.

His gaze was so cold that Cherise instinctively shivered, but she soon comforted herself not to be afraid. He was a blind man, after all! Nonetheless, she was surprised to perceive such a profound gaze from a blind man.

Cherise had not seen a blind man, so she wasn't sure, but she answered him honestly. "I know."

Damien frowned. "Aren't you afraid of death?"

He looked more composed and intimidating after the blindfold was removed.

Cherise's heart was pounding. "No. We're indebted to you because you saved Grandma. I'll keep my promise to bear you children and care for you for a lifetime!" Staring at Damien, she declared firmly with a serious look on her delicate face.

Damien silently scrutinized her for a moment before letting out a sarcastic laugh. "Well, then. Help me take a bath."

Cherise hesitated briefly before saying, "Sure."

She had not regretted it after promising Peter Lenoir, Damien's grandfather, to marry Damien. It was natural for a wife to bathe her disabled husband.

"I'll get the bath ready." With that, Cherise went into the bathroom.

Damien knitted his brows as he watched Cherise disappear. In fact, he had sent his men to investigate her. The woman's background was as simple as it could be – she came from a poor family in a village and was willing to marry an infamous man like him for the sake of her grandmother's medical expenses.

Previously, he had three fiancées, all of which were socialites in Adania and came from wealthy families. However, they were brutally assassinated the night before the wedding. To his surprise, a silly and innocent girl like Cherise managed to be safe even until their wedding night.

Either she was too insignificant for others to bother about her, or she was playing dumb.

While Damien was lost in thought, the bathroom door was opened. He was momentarily stunned when he lifted his eyes to see the petite woman walk out of the steamy bathroom.

The water vapor dampened her lengthy, black hair, with a few strands hanging above her collarbones. The towel wrapping her body was wet and stuck to her skin, outlining her curvy figure.

"Please wait a moment." Cherise crouched down to pull out her suitcase from beneath the bed. Her clothes were neatly arranged in the suitcase. She took out a white lace sleepwear and tore off the price tag before putting it on.

Thinking Damien was blind, she changed before him, but the innocent act took on a different meaning in Damien's eyes. Is she testing if I'm actually blind?

"Huff!" After changing, Cherise walked up to Damien and wheeled him to the bathroom. She assisted him into the bathroom and started removing his shirt. Through the thick steam, Damien looked at Cherise with his eyes narrowed.

Cherise looked concentrated with her head lowered. Her clear eyes showed no trace of emotions. She was so focused, as if she was carrying out an assignment.

She removed his watch and blouse, then… When only the underwear was left, Cherise pulled back her hand hesitantly. "Can you… bathe with this on?"

Damien examined her with a tinge of mischief in his eyes. "You can't bathe thoroughly without removing it."

"Oh… You're right." Cherise turned away and reached out her hand.

Damien was startled. Staring coldly at her focused look, he furrowed his brows. Is this woman putting on an act? She doesn't seem to be embarrassed at all!

"This way to the bathtub." Cherise carefully helped Damien into the bathtub as if she didn’t seen his body. Yet, her cheeks flushed.

She patted her face to calm down before asking Damien, "You're tolerant of pain, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

Then, Cherise tucked her hair behind her ears and turned around to rummage through the cabinet. Moments later, she returned with a bath scrub.

Damein's temples involuntarily twitched, surprised that she actually planned to bathe him on their wedding night.

Without asking for his permission, Cherise directly scrubbed his back. "Let me know if it's painful. I'll be more gentle."

Damien remained silent as Cherise diligently bathed him.

Before marrying Damien, she had cared for her old, sick grandmother for many years. Mary loved Cherise's bathing service, saying she felt comfortable and could sleep better after a bath. So, Cherise assumed Damien would enjoy it too.

Crouching beside the bathtub, she carefully scrubbed every inch of his skin. Although she exerted all her strength, it felt like a tickle to Damien. Nonetheless, he perceived her effort and sincerity.

It didn't take long before a layer of perspiration covered Cherise's forehead.

Frowning, Damien suddenly began to doubt if he had mistaken her. What schemes could an innocent girl like her have?

"Uhm… Should I wash there too?" After cleaning other parts of his body, Cherise blushed and pointed at his private part.

Damien looked at her with his deep-set eyes. "What do you think?"

Cherise hesitated briefly and mumbled, "Okay… I'll do it."

Just as she reached out her hand, Damien swiftly seized her wrist.

At once, the atmosphere became tense.

Cherise didn't think that her action would make Damien uncomfortable. She lifted her head and looked at Damien naively, "I can't wash it with you holding my wrist."

Coldness flashed across Damien's eyes as he blurted, "Get out."


Chapter 2 A Bathing Video


Cherise was confused, thinking Damien couldn't see anything. "Can you bathe yourself if I leave?"

Damien didn't answer, but the atmosphere grew colder.

Realizing that Damien might be annoyed, Cherise timidly took the bath scrub and left. "Be careful, alright? Call me if you need anything!"

After leaving the bathroom, Cherise became restless and unconsciously glanced at the door. The floor is slippery. What if he accidentally falls? What if he falls and dies? I've just gotten married and don't wanna be a widow so soon…

Just as Cherise's mind was running wild, her phone rang. Lucy Staber, her best friend, sent her a video titled 'Revision Materials'.

Revision materials? Why did she send me this when the final exams are still far off? Cherise wondered as she clicked into the video.

To her shock, what came into sight was a woman being with a man! At once, Cherise blushed to the root of her hair. In a panic, she wanted to close the video, but her knock-off phone froze at that very moment, and she couldn't switch it off no matter how she tried!

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened. When Damien heard the sound, his face darkened. "What are you doing?"

Cherise, who was already sweating nervously, almost dropped her phone on the floor, frightened by Damien's sudden appearance. Flustered, she shoved her phone under the blanket.

"You…" Damien stared sternly at Cherise.

"I-I'm watching a bathing video!" Cherise pressed the blanket forcefully, hoping to cover the sound.

A shadow fell across Damien's countenance. "A bathing video?"

"Yeah." Cherise sat on the blanket, nervously wiping the sweat from her forehead. "It was a man giving a woman a rubdown."

Damien was rendered speechless.

There was a pin-drop silence in the room beside the voice that emerged from under the blanket. Dressed in her sleepwear, Cherise pressed onto the blanket in an awkward position.

The warm, yellow light shed on her fair skin, exuding an attractive aura. Damien's breath grew heavier, and his eyes darkened. Beads of perspiration covered Cherise's forehead. She never knew pressing on a soft blanket could get this tiring!

Fortunately, the video ended after a while. Cherise wiped away her sweat and took out the overheating phone from the blanket.

Damien sat down at the edge of the bed and gazed at her with a half-smile. "Has the video ended?"

Cherise wore an awkward smile. "Yeah… Indeed, it's not good to scrub too hard when bathing…"

Damien made no comments. Cherise immediately deleted the video and angrily messaged Lucy. 'You almost got me into trouble!'

Lucy replied instantly. 'Come on. I'm being helpful!'

'I especially found this video for you. Have you picked it up?'

Cherise's face reddened.

Since Damien was blind, Cherise didn't excuse herself when texting Lucy. As a result, Damien could clearly read their conversation.

'My phone froze just as I was about to close the video. And he heard it!'

'He asked me what I was doing. I barely managed to lie my way out!'

Damien continued remaining silent.

'Haha! Cherry, I'm laughing so hard right now! The first night is precious. I shall not disturb you and your handsome blind husband any longer!'

Damien frowned. Handsome blind husband? What an unflattering address.

Taking a deep breath, Cherise put down her phone and looked at Damien. "Let's begin."

Damien stared at her but said nothing.

Cherise clenched her fists. She had known this man for less than twenty-four hours and knew he didn't like her. But… Sarah Miles, her aunt, had said it was a must during their first night. Otherwise, they wouldn't be happy for the rest of their marriage!

Damien placed his hands on her waist. "Will you regret it?"

Blushing, Cherise shook her head. "I won't. You're my husband."

A tinge of tenderness appeared in Damien's eyes as he gazed at the girl. "Are you afraid of pain?" He asked in a deep voice, restraining his emotions.

"No." Cherise pursed her lips and wanted to press forward, but Damien grasped her wrist. "It's better for the man to take the lead."

…

The next morning, the two servants who were in charge of preparing breakfast arrived at the Lenoir Residence sleepily.

"The new Mrs. Lenoir looks ignorant, while Mr. Lenoir is wheel-confined. I wonder if last night was smooth for them."

"I guess so. The bodyguards on duty last night said they heard Mrs. Lenoir making some noises."

"At first, she was really loud. Later, it seemed like she hid under the blanket."

"Really? She seemed quite innocent. Who knows…"

The servants gossiped as they walked toward the kitchen.

"Good morning!" The spectacled young lady, who wore a pink apron, cheerfully put two cups of chocolate drinks on the dining table. "You came so early!"

The atmosphere turned awkward as the two servants exchanged glances. After confirming Cherise didn't hear their conversation, they quickly walked over to help Cherise. "Good morning, Mrs. Lenoir. You're up so early."

Grinning, Cherise glanced at the clock and said, "It's not that early. It's already past six!"

In fact, she got up slightly later than usual because she hadn't slept well last night.

The servants were flustered, thinking Cherise was complaining about them being late.

They hurried to prepare breakfast but found out that a variety of food was already served. There were hard-boiled eggs, oatmeals, and a few golden pancakes.

The servants were shocked. "Mrs. Lenoir, these…"

"I made them! I'm not sure what Damien likes, so I just prepared something similar to what I usually do for my grandmother."

Then, she pushed the pancakes to the servants. "I didn't know you guys would come so early, so I didn't prepare yours. You can have this first. I'll make more."


Chapter 3 Have You Guys Done It?


Cherise was about to enter the kitchen again, but the servants quickly stopped her. "It's okay, Mrs. Lenoir."

They were paid to prepare breakfast every day. They would lose their jobs if Damien discovered that Cherise had prepared the breakfast!

"Mrs. Lenoir, Frances and I are in charge of preparing breakfast in this household. You're new here and don't know Mr. Lenoir's preferences, so it's better for you to stay out of the kitchen."

The other servant chimed in, "Yeah, June is right. Mrs. Lenoir, please leave it to us."

"Mr. Lenoir won't eat this kind of breakfast." June glanced at the simple breakfast Cherise had prepared. "Someone as noble as Mr. Lenoir always has a full English breakfast in the morning. Don't you think the food you prepare is too simple?"

A startled look washed over Cherise's rosy face before a dejected look replaced it. She lowered her head and hummed, "You're right."

Indeed, the rich usually have fancy preferences. Back in school, my classmates who were from wealthy families wouldn't eat simple breakfasts from the cafeteria, let alone someone as esteemed as Damien. I must have lost my mind.

A few seconds later, Cherise regained her composure and smiled brightly at June. "I'll throw them away then!"

Frances, the other servant, was shocked. June's comment was harsh, yet Cherise wasn't upset and was even willing to dispose of her food. She looked at the freshly prepared breakfast on the table and felt sorry for Cherise, so she went forward to stop her. "Mrs. Lenoir, it's a waste to throw them away. If you don't mind, please let us eat it. But you should leave the task to us next time."

Cherise hesitated briefly. "Okay. I'm going upstairs."

When she turned around, a lump rose in her throat. It seems like I'm not welcome in this house…

…

The handsome man was sound asleep in the bedroom.

Kneeling beside the bed, Cherise observed his chiseled jawline and muttered, "You city people are so fussy! Who eats a full English breakfast every day? I've never had that before. How would I possibly know how to make them…"

She had just gotten married and didn't want a miserable marriage!

Last night, Damien stopped after kissing her for a while. She was worried that his condition might not allow it, so she didn't insist, thinking she had good cooking skills. But now, even her cooking was despised.

"Hey. I'm gonna kiss you if you don't wake up soon." Cherise pressed her lips while staring at Damien's sharp nose.

Damien's long eyelashes fluttered, but he didn't open his eyes. Cherise's heart pounded as she looked at the man's cold, attractive face.

She bent down and almost wanted to kiss him but ended up giving up. Finally, she left the room, deflated.

Just then, she received a call from Sarah. She trotted to the washroom before answering the call. "Hey Cherise, did everything go well last night?" Sarah went straight to the point as soon as the call was connected.

The washroom door was left ajar. Sarah and Cherise's voice came forth clear. "Not really."

"Not really? Have you guys done it?"

"No…"

"Cherise, you have to remember your current identity. You're the Lenoir family's daughter-in-law, and your primary task is to bear Damien's children. Don't forget you've promised them to bear Damien a child within two years!" Sarah urged earnestly.

Cherise gripped the phone firmly and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Sarah. I remember that."

She was merely inexperienced because it was her first marriage.

"I'll do my best to bear him children!"

Getting Cherise's firm reply, Sarah sighed in relief. "Also, since you guys have gotten married, you should call him 'Honey'."

Cherise's face turned red. "Okay…"

Just then, the bedroom door was opened. Cherise thought it was the servants. Worrying that they might wake Damien, she quickly hung up the call and went out. To her surprise, Damien was nowhere to be seen in the bedroom, and his wheelchair was gone too.

Cherise hurried downstairs and found the man in black elegantly having breakfast in the dining room. His eyes were blindfolded with the black silk, looking aloof and mysterious.

"Mrs. Lenoir, your breakfast is served. Please try it out. I hope it suits your taste!" June called out to Cherise passionately. Her warm attitude was a sharp contrast to her earlier scornful behavior.

Cherise went forward obediently. A full English breakfast, which Cherise had never had before, was served on the dining table.

After the incident earlier, Cherise couldn't bring herself to eat this breakfast that didn't suit her taste.

Suddenly, she remembered she kept a bowl of oatmeal in the fridge this morning. Damien doesn't like it, but I can have it.

So, she trotted to the kitchen to bring out the oatmeal. Then, she savored it happily in her seat.

Sitting at the other end of the wide table, Damien asked with a frown, "What are you eating?"

Cherise mumbled sulkily, "Something that you wouldn't like."

Damien wore a faint smile. "How do you know I won't like it?"

Cherise pouted and answered naively, "June told me so."

A shiver ran down June's spine.

Damien held the glass of milk and elegantly took a sip of it. "June said I wouldn't like it?"

"Yeah."

"Why would there be something I don't like in the fridge?" Damien asked with a wry smirk.

Cherise muttered apologetically, "It's me… I didn't realize your preference and prepared for you what I normally made for breakfast, not knowing that you wouldn't eat simple food like this."

"I see."

Damien slowly put down the glass. When the glass hit the table, the clink was so unnerving that June almost fell to her knees.

Damien's voice was as cold as ice. "Even I didn't know I would dislike the food you made."

Before Cherise could understand the meaning behind his words, he pulled the bowl of oatmeal toward himself. Then, he pretended to detect the position of the oatmeal with his spoon before precisely taking one scoop and tasting it.

It was a flavor he had never tasted before – a savory oatmeal.

"Not bad." Damien put down the spoon elegantly. "How did June know this is not to my liking?"

He figured out Cherise must have complained about him beside the bed this morning because June commented on her cooking.

Damien's aura was so intimidating that June trembled in fear and instinctively hid behind Frances.

Damien continued, "June, why are you remaining silent? Is it because you don't think there's a need to explain it to a master like me?"


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Lying on the bed weakly, I felt my face burning up, and the heat seemed to intensify with each passing moment. The sensation was so overwhelming that I began to pant heavily.
A sensation seemed to weigh on my body, and as I extended my hand, I came into contact with something smooth, while a delicate hint of perfume lingered in the air.
Is it a woman? Why does it feel like she's naked? Why am I lying in bed with a naked woman?
I wanted to move my arm to push that woman away but to no avail. Perplexed, I couldn't help but wonder why my body felt so devoid of energy.

While I was still feeling bewildered, the woman made a sudden move.

She twisted around my body with the grace of a snake. The sensation of her remarkably smooth skin nearly pushed me to the brink of losing my sanity.

A slippery sensation, which could have been her tongue, slithered across my chest.

Her tongue brushed across my nipples and went south until it reached my belly button. It then slithered into my belly button.

I couldn't help but shiver. After licking my belly button, she clearly wasn't satisfied as she continued heading south and bit at my boxers.

Wait! That is...

Before I could stop her, she was already busy removing my boxers with her mouth.

Right then, the door was forcefully kicked open with a loud bang.

Both the woman and I jolted in shock.

Someone rushed in and took pictures of us both.

After delivering a tight slap, the person pointed the camera at me and spoke in a smug manner. “Marcel Larson, I can't believe you did this! You claimed you needed to borrow money to help your younger sister, but instead, you used it to hire a prostitute!”

Finally regaining my senses, I broke into a cold sweat at the unexpected appearance of the newcomer.

As the shock subsided, I could finally move again. I glanced at the newcomer, who turned out to be my mother-in-law, Helen Fanning.

The memories of what had happened earlier flooded back to me. I remembered that my younger sister, Sabine Larson, desperately needed money for a crucial operation as she was gravely ill. In my desperation, I had tried to borrow money from Helen, my mother-in-law, but she had coldly rejected my plea.

Feeling disheartened, I was about to leave when Helen suddenly halted me, claiming she had changed her mind. She offered to lend me the money I needed, but with a condition—I had to drink alcohol.

For every glass I drank, she would lend me ten thousand. Determined to help my sister, I gritted my teeth and downed ten glasses of alcohol before eventually losing consciousness.

When I regained consciousness, this was the scene that greeted me.

It was a cunning scheme orchestrated by Helen to trap me. She had harbored resentment toward me as she desired her daughter, Bethany Xenos, to marry into a wealthy family and lead a lavish lifestyle. However, Bethany rejected such prospects, and I unknowingly became an obstacle to Helen's aspirations of joining the upper-class society.

Anger rose in me like a tide. I couldn't believe she would do this to me when I was in trouble.

When Helen wasn't paying attention, I grabbed her camera and pulled the film out.

However, her frantic response led to painful wounds as she scratched and clawed at my body in an attempt to retrieve the camera.

Without a word, I put on my clothes, ignoring Helen and the prostitute she hired. Once dressed, I pushed the door open and stumbled out.

That day was the day of Sabine's surgery, and time was running out. Unfortunately, I had yet to gather enough money for her surgery.

I had to rush to the hospital as soon as possible.

“Marcel, you can't escape from this! When you return, you better divorce Bethany!” Helen's enraged voice echoed after me as I hurriedly left the scene.

I was born into a prestigious family and was given the name Marcel Larson. However, when I was twelve years old, tragedy struck, and my family was wiped out overnight.

My father sacrificed himself while trying to protect the family, while my mother sustained severe injuries as she fled with Sabine and me.

Sadly, my mother's health deteriorated over the next five years, and she passed away. Left to fend for ourselves, I had no choice but to find a way to survive and support Sabine on my own.

The details of the tragedy that befell our family were blurry in my memory, and I could barely recall what had transpired back then.

However, before my mother's passing, she entrusted me with a cross-shaped amulet and told me to keep it safe.

The cross-shaped amulet, known as the Ankh, was believed to be the symbol of life and was often depicted in Ancient Eskaria wall drawings.

My mother didn't provide a thorough explanation, but I had a hunch that my family's tragic downfall was somehow connected to the mysterious amulet.

As a child, my father had told me that whoever possessed Ankh would receive the protection of the gods.

Looking back, I found it ironic and somewhat humorous.

If the gods truly protected my family as my father had believed, then I wouldn't have been left to fend for myself after our tragic loss.

After my mother's passing, at the tender age of seventeen, I was left with the responsibility of supporting both myself and Sabine. Life was tough, but I managed to endure it.

Three years ago, devastating news struck once again when Sabine was diagnosed with cancer. I made a difficult decision and essentially sold myself to the Xenos family. They offered me a substantial sum of one hundred grand as a betrothal gift, which I used to finance Sabine's medical care.

In name, I was the husband of the Xenos family's daughter, but in reality, they treated me as nothing more than a servant.

For the past three years, I had worked tirelessly to serve the Xenos family, enduring their constant insults without a single complaint.

Meanwhile, Sabine's condition worsened. She needed one final surgery, but the cost was a staggering three hundred thousand dollars.

My wife, Bethany, was on a business trip and didn't answer her phone.

Unable to afford the exorbitant surgery fee, I swallowed my pride and approached the Xenos family for help, only to be met with humiliation and false accusations in return.

Feeling dejected and disheartened, I eventually arrived at Sabine's ward, but to my surprise, the person occupying it was someone I didn't recognize at all.

In a state of shock, I demanded, “W-Who are you people? Where is my sister?”

The family members of the patient looked at me, and one of them spoke up. “Are you talking about the little girl? I believe she got discharged as she couldn't afford to pay the medical bills.”

“What?” I roared, my mind going blank with disbelief. Without a moment's hesitation, I spun around and ran out of the ward in a state of panic.

Just as I arrived at the staircase, I heard a chilling scream from outside. “Someone jumped off the building!”

I immediately ran over and saw a frail body lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard. It was Sabine!

“Sab!” I howled in distress, rushing over to gather her into my arms.

Sabine's breaths were shallow as she looked at me with a weak smile. She whispered, “Marcel, people say I'm a burden to you. I-I'm going now. I won't be a burden anymore. Please live well...”

“Sab, that's nonsense! Don't listen to them!” I cried out desperately, whipping my head around and yelling, “Help! Save her!”

A few doctors and nurses ran over to us, but someone stopped them. “They still owe the hospital over thirty thousand. If you save them, are you going to bear their medical bills?”

The doctors and nurses hesitated, afraid to proceed and save Sabine due to the outstanding medical bills.

“Marcel, don't waste your money.” Sabine held my arm tightly as blood trickled out of her mouth. Her smile remained as she said, “I consider myself blessed to be your sister in this lifetime. It's just a pity that my time is coming to an end. If there is another lifetime, I hope to be your sister once again.”

After Sabine said that, her arm slowly went limp.

My heart constricted in pain as I hugged her tightly and cried out in anguish, “Sab, don't leave me! Please, don't go!”

With the passing of my parents, Sabine was my only living relative, and now she was leaving me too.

I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, as if her departure was my fault.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as if I wanted to cry all the tears in my life until there were none left.

Amidst my sobs, I felt a sudden pain flare up in my eyes. As my tears fell onto Sabine's cheeks, I noticed they were tinged with red.

I didn't know what was happening until someone shrieked, “Why are his tears red?”

“He's crying tears of blood!”

As my tears rolled down my cheeks, mingling with Sabine's blood, they turned red.

Then, something truly incredible occurred.

The blood-tear mixture defied gravity and floated into the air. Like a tentacle, it reached toward the Ankh cross in front of my chest.

Suddenly, my head was filled with a resounding explosion. A holy and elegant voice, seemingly transcending time, spoke next to my ear. “I am Isis, the goddess of health and magic. Why are you crying, my child?”

I found myself seemingly pulled into a vast and spacious realm. Before me stood a radiant goddess, emanating a soft glow that illuminated her benevolent countenance. She looked at me with kindness and warmth, filling me with awe and wonder.

“A goddess?” I stared at her in disbelief, doubting my own eyes. I had no idea gods existed in this world!

A glimmer of hope ignited within me.

Chapter 2 Please Save My Sister

Filled with bittersweet emotions, I mustered all of my courage and pleaded, “Goddess, please save my sister!”

However, to my surprise, the goddess shook her head, seemingly stumped. “I'm sorry, my child. I'm afraid I cannot do that.”

“Why? Aren't you a goddess?”

A mix of disappointment and fury washed over me as a sense of hopelessness engulfed my emotions.

With sympathy in her voice, Isis explained, “I am merely a soul fragment of the goddess Isis. While I possess her memory, I do not possess her power. Hence, I cannot directly save your sister. However, I can bestow upon you her knowledge and divine power. With these, you can take it upon yourself to save your sister.”

After conveying her message, Isis transformed into little glowing spots and vanished.

Following that, a vast amount of information surged into my mind, causing me to feel like my brain was being torn apart.

It took a considerable amount of time for the influx of information to subside, and I finally returned to reality from the virtual dimension.

In my arms, I cradled Sabine, whose heart had stopped beating and breathing had ceased.

However, with the divine knowledge I had acquired, I could now perceive a faint glimmer of vitality lingering in her body.

Though weak, it was still there!

In an instant, I reached out and utilized the divine power bestowed upon me by Isis to protect Sabine's fading vitality before swiftly leaving the hospital with her in my arms.

I then rushed to the nearest pharmacy, which happened to be Spencer's Pharmacy.

Spencer's Pharmacy was the largest chain pharmacy in Glenport, owned by Spencer Clark, a prominent figure in the local medical industry. The Xenos family's businesses were closely tied to Spencer Group, and it could be said that Spencer Group held considerable control over the Xenos family's company.

Each pharmacy was staffed with a skilled doctor who excelled in their profession.

As I rushed into the pharmacy with a blood-stained young lady in my arms, everyone inside was taken aback by the unexpected sight.

“Hey, she's seriously injured. It's best to take her to the hospital immediately. We can't help you!” A young salesperson stopped me from entering the store. “We don't have the necessary equipment or resources here to provide the required medical assistance.”

“No!” I shook my head firmly and said in a low voice, “I'd like to buy a scalpel set.”

“A scalpel set?” The young salesperson seemed surprised by my request, as it was uncommon for customers to inquire about purchasing scalpels.

“Why do you want to buy scalpels?” an elderly man suddenly asked.

As soon as he caught sight of the person approaching, the young salesperson greeted him with the utmost respect, “Professor Harrison!”

The elderly man, Calvin Harrison, exuded an air of influence and respect. As he entered the pharmacy, everyone paused in their activities to greet him with utmost politeness.

I paid no attention to the commotion and firmly restated, “I really need to buy a scalpel set, please!”

Calvin glanced at Sabine in my arms and let out a soft sigh. “Young man, I'm afraid the little girl has passed away. Why don't you arrange for her burial first?”

“She isn't dead!” I roared at him.

“How dare you speak to Professor Harrison in such a manner?” the young salesperson chided; his temper on the verge of boiling over.

Calvin intervened, stopping the young salesperson from escalating the situation. He continued advising me with a calm tone, “Young man, I've been a doctor for forty years, so I have some experience. This little girl is indeed no longer with us—”

“I said, she isn't dead!” I barked out furiously. “I need scalpels. Do you sell those or not?”

Calvin furrowed his brows. “Why do you need scalpels?”

“I want to save her!” I responded loudly.

“Save her?” Calvin gave me a perplexed look, seemingly considering the possibility that I might have lost my sanity.

He continued softly, “We don't sell scalpels here...”

As I turned to leave, Calvin's unexpected words made me pause. He said, “But I do have a scalpel set. I can lend it to you.”

I looked back at him, nodded slowly, then said, “Thank you.”

“Fetch my scalpels, and prepare the room in the back,” Calvin instructed.

The young salesperson's face showed concern and worry. “Professor Harrison, she's already dead. If something happens—”

“If anything happens, I'll bear the responsibility!” Calvin interjected calmly.

The young salesperson dared not say anything and dashed off to do as told.

Under Calvin's guidance, I cradled Sabine in my arms and followed him to a room at the back of the pharmacy.

There was a bed in the middle of the room. As I placed Sabine on the bed, Calvin came to me with his scalpel set.

The young salesperson's tone turned vicious as he exclaimed, “Hey, do you realize that this scalpel set is used by Professor Harrison himself? He has saved countless lives with it over the years. You should feel honored that he's allowing you to use it today. I can't believe you're using it on a dead person. It's an insult to Professor Harrison!”

Chapter 3 Resurrect The Dead

As I touched the scalpel set, a strange sense of familiarity washed over me, and a newfound confidence spread across my face.

The young salesperson huffed, “Ha! You're wasting your time. I've never seen someone resurrect the dead!”

“That's enough. You may leave now!” Calvin dismissed him with a wave.

“I...” The young salesperson trailed off in surprise before leaving begrudgingly.

“Do you need my assistance?” Calvin asked gently. Despite my erratic behavior and unreasonable actions, he remained composed and acted like a true gentleman.

I glanced at him and responded, “Please help me wipe my sweat off later!”

Calvin hesitated briefly. He then grabbed a towel and nodded, agreeing to my somewhat rude request.

I grabbed a scalpel and took a deep breath before slowly cutting Sabine's chest open.

Underneath the cut was a tumor as big as a fist.

Beside me, Calvin exclaimed in astonishment, “How did you accurately locate the tumor without using any equipment?”

I shot him a look and said nothing.

Calvin belatedly realized that it was not the right time to disturb me. He immediately fell silent and observed my surgery attentively.

Despite the lack of a surgery table, professional equipment, or surgical light, my divine knowledge and the slight shred of divine power guided me with precision.

I wielded the scalpel with remarkable precision, performing the surgery with the accuracy and expertise of advanced medical equipment.

Using only the scalpel, I meticulously and skillfully excised the tumor cells that were intricately connected to the organ until every last trace was removed.

I then took the excised tumor and placed it in a nearby bowl.

By that time, I was drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted. I turned to glance at Calvin, who seemed to have forgotten his task.

He was watching me with wide eyes, clearly in awe of what I had accomplished.

Instead of reprimanding him, I took the towel from him and wiped the sweat on my brow away.

After that, I swiftly sewed up the wound on Sabine's chest.

I then bent down and channeled all the divine power from the Ankh amulet into Sabine's body to ignite her vitality.

Suddenly, Sabine, who was supposedly dead, let out a soft gasp as her fingers twitched.

Calvin finally regained his senses. He stared at me in shock and spoke in a trembling voice. “Young man, w-what kind of power did you just use?”

I shot him a surprised look. Clearly, Calvin wasn't an ordinary person who knew nothing.

I replied calmly, “The power of the goddess of health.”

“I can't believe it!” Calvin exclaimed with a gasp. “According to my ancestors, only the goddess of health and her envoy possess the ability to bring back the deceased. Yet, she has been absent for centuries. Witnessing the divine power in action today is truly a tremendous blessing!”

He gave me a respectful bow. “Sir, I deeply apologize for not acknowledging you earlier. If I have unintentionally offended you in any manner, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness!”

“It's fine,” I replied, pausing briefly before reiterating, “But you have to keep this a secret.”

Given the circumstances, it would be prudent not to disclose that I was an envoy of the goddess, considering the tragic fate that befell my family due to the Ankh amulet.

Despite his surprise, Calvin quickly understood the importance of keeping the matter secret. “You're absolutely right. The goddess' appearance on earth is a matter of great importance. If this information spreads, it could lead to serious consequences. Sir, rest assured, I will ensure that it remains a well-guarded secret!”

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door. “Mr. White, they've arrived. I can't believe someone actually convinced Professor Harrison to bring a deceased individual here. It's quite bothersome, isn't it?”

The door swung open, revealing the young salesperson accompanied by the manager, Aaron White.

As soon as Aaron spotted Calvin, he put on a flattering smile and politely proposed, “Professor Harrison, why don't you go and take a break? I'll handle this matter!”

Calvin paid no attention to Aaron's suggestion and maintained his respectful demeanor toward me.

Aaron wasn't bothered. After taking in the situation, he demanded icily, “Get rid of that body!”

“How dare you!” Calvin chided angrily.

With a look of astonishment on his face, Aaron quickly whispered, “Professor Harrison, that person is dead. Allowing her to stay would be—”

“Who told you she's dead?” Calvin scolded. “Didn't you see that this en... This man has already...”

Calvin intended to reveal that I saved Sabine but stopped short, remembering my earlier warning not to disclose my identity.

“This little girl is seriously injured!” He then declared coldly, “Leave now. I need to continue my treatment!”

“What?” Aaron could barely conceal his astonishment. “Professor Harrison, didn't you mention earlier that she's already dead?”

“I admit I was mistaken, all right? Are you going to ridicule me for my age and poor vision?”

Aaron's forehead broke into a cold sweat. It was evident that Calvin wielded considerable influence in the place, as even the manager didn't dare to risk offending him.

“Get out!” Calvin roared.

“R-Right away...” Aaron nodded vigorously as he hastily departed the scene with the salesperson.

Outside the room, Aaron's furious voice echoed. “How dare you tell me there's a dead person inside? You fool. Do you want me to lose my job?”

I was born into a prestigious family and was given the name Marcel Larson. However, when I was twelve years old, tragedy struck, and my family was wiped out overnight.

My father sacrificed himself while trying to protect the family, while my mother sustained severe injuries as she fled with Sabine and me.

Sadly, my mother's health deteriorated over the next five years, and she passed away. Left to fend for ourselves, I had no choice but to find a way to survive and support Sabine on my own.

The details of the tragedy that befell our family were blurry in my memory, and I could barely recall what had transpired back then.

However, before my mother's passing, she entrusted me with a cross-shaped amulet and told me to keep it safe.

The cross-shaped amulet, known as the Ankh, was believed to be the symbol of life and was often depicted in Ancient Eskaria wall drawings.

My mother didn't provide a thorough explanation, but I had a hunch that my family's tragic downfall was somehow connected to the mysterious amulet.

As a child, my father had told me that whoever possessed Ankh would receive the protection of the gods.

Looking back, I found it ironic and somewhat humorous.

If the gods truly protected my family as my father had believed, then I wouldn't have been left to fend for myself after our tragic loss.

After my mother's passing, at the tender age of seventeen, I was left with the responsibility of supporting both myself and Sabine. Life was tough, but I managed to endure it.

Three years ago, devastating news struck once again when Sabine was diagnosed with cancer. I made a difficult decision and essentially sold myself to the Xenos family. They offered me a substantial sum of one hundred grand as a betrothal gift, which I used to finance Sabine's medical care.

In name, I was the husband of the Xenos family's daughter, but in reality, they treated me as nothing more than a servant.

For the past three years, I had worked tirelessly to serve the Xenos family, enduring their constant insults without a single complaint.

Meanwhile, Sabine's condition worsened. She needed one final surgery, but the cost was a staggering three hundred thousand dollars.

My wife, Bethany, was on a business trip and didn't answer her phone.

Unable to afford the exorbitant surgery fee, I swallowed my pride and approached the Xenos family for help, only to be met with humiliation and false accusations in return.

Feeling dejected and disheartened, I eventually arrived at Sabine's ward, but to my surprise, the person occupying it was someone I didn't recognize at all.

In a state of shock, I demanded, “W-Who are you people? Where is my sister?”

The family members of the patient looked at me, and one of them spoke up. “Are you talking about the little girl? I believe she got discharged as she couldn't afford to pay the medical bills.”

“What?” I roared, my mind going blank with disbelief. Without a moment's hesitation, I spun around and ran out of the ward in a state of panic.

Just as I arrived at the staircase, I heard a chilling scream from outside. “Someone jumped off the building!”

I immediately ran over and saw a frail body lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard. It was Sabine!

“Sab!” I howled in distress, rushing over to gather her into my arms.

Sabine's breaths were shallow as she looked at me with a weak smile. She whispered, “Marcel, people say I'm a burden to you. I-I'm going now. I won't be a burden anymore. Please live well...”

“Sab, that's nonsense! Don't listen to them!” I cried out desperately, whipping my head around and yelling, “Help! Save her!”

A few doctors and nurses ran over to us, but someone stopped them. “They still owe the hospital over thirty thousand. If you save them, are you going to bear their medical bills?”

The doctors and nurses hesitated, afraid to proceed and save Sabine due to the outstanding medical bills.

“Marcel, don't waste your money.” Sabine held my arm tightly as blood trickled out of her mouth. Her smile remained as she said, “I consider myself blessed to be your sister in this lifetime. It's just a pity that my time is coming to an end. If there is another lifetime, I hope to be your sister once again.”

After Sabine said that, her arm slowly went limp.

My heart constricted in pain as I hugged her tightly and cried out in anguish, “Sab, don't leave me! Please, don't go!”

With the passing of my parents, Sabine was my only living relative, and now she was leaving me too.

I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, as if her departure was my fault.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as if I wanted to cry all the tears in my life until there were none left.

Amidst my sobs, I felt a sudden pain flare up in my eyes. As my tears fell onto Sabine's cheeks, I noticed they were tinged with red.

I didn't know what was happening until someone shrieked, “Why are his tears red?”

“He's crying tears of blood!”

As my tears rolled down my cheeks, mingling with Sabine's blood, they turned red.

Then, something truly incredible occurred.

The blood-tear mixture defied gravity and floated into the air. Like a tentacle, it reached toward the Ankh cross in front of my chest.

Suddenly, my head was filled with a resounding explosion. A holy and elegant voice, seemingly transcending time, spoke next to my ear. “I am Isis, the goddess of health and magic. Why are you crying, my child?”

I found myself seemingly pulled into a vast and spacious realm. Before me stood a radiant goddess, emanating a soft glow that illuminated her benevolent countenance. She looked at me with kindness and warmth, filling me with awe and wonder.

“A goddess?” I stared at her in disbelief, doubting my own eyes. I had no idea gods existed in this world!

A glimmer of hope ignited within me.

Chapter 2 Please Save My Sister

Filled with bittersweet emotions, I mustered all of my courage and pleaded, “Goddess, please save my sister!”

However, to my surprise, the goddess shook her head, seemingly stumped. “I'm sorry, my child. I'm afraid I cannot do that.”

“Why? Aren't you a goddess?”

A mix of disappointment and fury washed over me as a sense of hopelessness engulfed my emotions.

With sympathy in her voice, Isis explained, “I am merely a soul fragment of the goddess Isis. While I possess her memory, I do not possess her power. Hence, I cannot save your sister myself. However, I can bestow upon you her knowledge and divine power. With these, you can take it upon yourself to save your sister.”

After conveying her message, Isis transformed into little glowing spots and vanished.

Following that, a vast amount of information surged into my mind, causing me to feel like my brain was being torn apart.

It took a considerable amount of time for the influx of information to subside, and I finally returned to reality from the virtual dimension.

In my arms, I cradled Sabine, whose heart had stopped beating and breathing had ceased.

However, with the divine knowledge I had acquired, I could now perceive a faint glimmer of vitality lingering in her body.

Though weak, it was still there!

In an instant, I reached out and utilized the divine power bestowed upon me by Isis to protect Sabine's fading vitality before swiftly leaving the hospital with her in my arms.

I then rushed to the nearest pharmacy, which happened to be Spencer's Pharmacy.

Spencer's Pharmacy was the largest chain pharmacy in Glenport, owned by Spencer Clark, a prominent figure in the local medical industry. The Xenos family's businesses were closely tied to Spencer Group, and it could be said that Spencer Group held considerable control over the Xenos family's company.

Each pharmacy was staffed with a skilled doctor who excelled in their profession.

As I rushed into the pharmacy with a blood-stained young lady in my arms, everyone inside was taken aback by the unexpected sight.

“Hey, she's seriously injured. It's best to take her to the hospital immediately. We can't help you!” A young salesperson stopped me from entering the store. “We don't have the necessary equipment or resources here to provide the required medical assistance.”

“No!” I shook my head firmly and said in a low voice, “I'd like to buy a scalpel set.”

“A scalpel set?” The young salesperson seemed surprised by my request, as it was uncommon for customers to inquire about purchasing scalpels.

“Why do you want to buy scalpels?” an elderly man suddenly asked.

As soon as he caught sight of the person approaching, the young salesperson greeted him with the utmost respect, “Professor Harrison!”

The elderly man, Calvin Harrison, exuded an air of influence and respect. As he entered the pharmacy, everyone paused in their activities to greet him with utmost politeness.

I paid no attention to the commotion and firmly restated, “I really need to buy a scalpel set, please!”

Calvin glanced at Sabine in my arms and let out a soft sigh. “Young man, I'm afraid the little girl has passed away. Why don't you arrange for her burial first?”

“She isn't dead!” I roared at him.

“How dare you speak to Professor Harrison in such a manner?” the young salesperson chided; his temper on the verge of boiling over.

Calvin intervened, stopping the young salesperson from escalating the situation. He continued advising me with a calm tone, “Young man, I've been a doctor for forty years, so I have some experience. This little girl is indeed no longer with us—”

“I said, she isn't dead!” I barked out furiously. “I need scalpels. Do you sell those or not?”

Calvin furrowed his brows. “Why do you need scalpels?”

“I want to save her!” I responded loudly.

“Save her?” Calvin gave me a perplexed look, seemingly considering the possibility that I might have lost my sanity.

He continued softly, “We don't sell scalpels here...”

As I turned to leave, Calvin's unexpected words made me pause. He said, “But I do have a scalpel set. I can lend it to you.”

I looked back at him, nodded slowly, then said, “Thank you.”

“Fetch my scalpels, and prepare the room in the back,” Calvin instructed.

The young salesperson's face showed concern and worry. “Professor Harrison, she's already dead. If something happens—”

“If anything happens, I'll bear the responsibility!” Calvin interjected calmly.

The young salesperson dared not say anything and dashed off to do as told.

Under Calvin's guidance, I cradled Sabine in my arms and followed him to a room at the back of the pharmacy.

There was a bed in the middle of the room. As I placed Sabine on the bed, Calvin came to me with his scalpel set.

The young salesperson's tone turned vicious as he exclaimed, “Hey, do you realize that this scalpel set is used by Professor Harrison himself? He has saved countless lives with it over the years. You should feel honored that he's allowing you to use it today. I can't believe you're using it on a dead person. It's an insult to Professor Harrison!”

Chapter 3 Resurrect The Dead

As I touched the scalpel set, a strange sense of familiarity washed over me, and a newfound confidence spread across my face.

The young salesperson huffed, “Ha! You're wasting your time. I've never seen someone resurrect the dead!”

“That's enough. You may leave now!” Calvin dismissed him with a wave.

“I...” The young salesperson trailed off in surprise before leaving begrudgingly.

“Do you need my assistance?” Calvin asked gently. Despite my erratic behavior and unreasonable actions, he remained composed and acted like a true gentleman.

I glanced at him and responded, “Please help me wipe my sweat off later!”

Calvin hesitated briefly. He then grabbed a towel and nodded, agreeing to my somewhat rude request.

I grabbed a scalpel and took a deep breath before slowly cutting Sabine's chest open.

Underneath the cut was a tumor as big as a fist.

Beside me, Calvin exclaimed in astonishment, “How did you accurately locate the tumor without using any equipment?”

I shot him a look and said nothing.

Calvin belatedly realized that it was not the right time to disturb me. He immediately fell silent and observed my surgery attentively.

Despite the lack of a surgery table, professional equipment, or surgical light, my divine knowledge and the slight shred of divine power guided me with precision.

I wielded the scalpel with remarkable precision, performing the surgery with the accuracy and expertise of advanced medical equipment.

Using only the scalpel, I meticulously and skillfully excised the tumor cells that were intricately connected to the organ until every last trace was removed.

I then took the excised tumor and placed it in a nearby bowl.

By that time, I was drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted. I turned to glance at Calvin, who seemed to have forgotten his task.

He was watching me with wide eyes, clearly in awe of what I had accomplished.

Instead of reprimanding him, I took the towel from him and wiped the sweat on my brow away.

After that, I swiftly sewed up the wound on Sabine's chest.

I then bent down and channeled all the divine power from the Ankh amulet into Sabine's body to ignite her vitality.

Suddenly, Sabine, who was supposedly dead, let out a soft gasp as her fingers twitched.

Calvin finally regained his senses. He stared at me in shock and spoke in a trembling voice. “Young man, w-what kind of power did you just use?”

I shot him a surprised look. Clearly, Calvin wasn't an ordinary person who knew nothing.

I replied calmly, “The power of the goddess of health.”

“I can't believe it!” Calvin exclaimed with a gasp. “According to my ancestors, only the goddess of health and her envoy possess the ability to bring back the deceased. Yet, she has been absent for centuries. Witnessing the divine power in action today is truly a tremendous blessing!”

He gave me a respectful bow. “Sir, I deeply apologize for not acknowledging you earlier. If I have unintentionally offended you in any manner, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness!”

“It's fine,” I replied, pausing briefly before reiterating, “But you have to keep this a secret.”

Given the circumstances, it would be prudent not to disclose that I was an envoy of the goddess, considering the tragic fate that befell my family due to the Ankh amulet.

Despite his surprise, Calvin quickly understood the importance of keeping the matter secret. “You're absolutely right. The goddess' appearance on earth is a matter of great importance. If this information spreads, it could lead to serious consequences. Sir, rest assured, I will ensure that it remains a well-guarded secret!”

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door. “Mr. White, they've arrived. I can't believe someone actually convinced Professor Harrison to bring a deceased individual here. It's quite bothersome, isn't it?”

The door swung open, revealing the young salesperson accompanied by the manager, Aaron White.

As soon as Aaron spotted Calvin, he put on a flattering smile and politely proposed, “Professor Harrison, why don't you go and take a break? I'll handle this matter!”

Calvin paid no attention to Aaron's suggestion and maintained his respectful demeanor toward me.

Aaron wasn't bothered. After taking in the situation, he demanded icily, “Get rid of that body!”

“How dare you!” Calvin chided angrily.

With a look of astonishment on his face, Aaron quickly whispered, “Professor Harrison, that person is dead. Allowing her to stay would be—”

“Who told you she's dead?” Calvin scolded. “Didn't you see that this en... This man has already...”

Calvin intended to reveal that I saved Sabine but stopped short, remembering my earlier warning not to disclose my identity.

“This little girl is seriously injured!” He then declared coldly, “Leave now. I need to continue my treatment!”

“What?” Aaron could barely conceal his astonishment. “Professor Harrison, didn't you mention earlier that she's already dead?”

“I admit I was mistaken, all right? Are you going to ridicule me for my age and poor vision?”

Aaron's forehead broke into a cold sweat. It was evident that Calvin wielded considerable influence in the place, as even the manager didn't dare to risk offending him.

“Get out!” Calvin roared.

“R-Right away...” Aaron nodded vigorously as he hastily departed the scene with the salesperson.

Outside the room, Aaron's furious voice echoed. “How dare you tell me there's a dead person inside? Do you want me to lose my job?”

Read Next Chapter Now👉"Divine Redemption"

Chapter 1 She Wants a Divorce

A quiet summer night in Chamont.

Enya McKee sat on the couch and scrolled through news articles on her cell phone.

'The president of Bowman Group, Zayne Bowman, attended an official event with popular female celebrity Flora Ace. They spent the night at a hotel, and reporters caught intimate scenes between them…'

The news instantly spread and trended all over the Internet.

Enya pushed the black-framed glasses on her face and looked at the pictures in the articles expressionlessly.

The photos were very blurred, but the scene of a man and woman kissing and hugging by the window was clearly seen.

The man in question was her husband, Zayne Bowman, who was also the heir of the wealthiest family in Chamont.

He was an essential and respectable person who controlled Chamont's economy.

It was ironic.

Zayne had never returned home in the two years they were married.

He didn't even show up when they had registered their marriage.

Instead, he sent his lawyer to collect the required documents and complete the marriage registration.

She knew that Zayne had always resisted the marriage.

He had married Enya because of Old Mrs. Bowman.

Because Enya's grandfather had saved Old Mrs. Bowman, Old Mrs. Bowman requested Zayne to marry Enya. Old Mrs. Bowman wanted Enya to be provided for.

Enya initially looked forward to their marriage.

It was a pity that rumors about Zayne and various celebrities kept spreading…

Enya pursed her lips. She took out her cell phone and found Zayne's number.

It was her first time calling him in two years.

The call quickly went through.

"Hello, this is Enya."

"Enya? Which Enya?"

The man's voice was deep and magnetic on the phone. Even if his tone was icy, it was pleasant.

Enya sneered and gripped her cell phone tightly.

As expected, he didn't even remember his wife's name.

"I'm the other person on your marriage certificate."

"It's you. What's up?"

The man's voice turned cold.

Enya pushed her glasses and said, "Let's get a divorce."

There was a brief silence on the call.

After that, Zayne asked, "You've thought it through?"

"Of course."

"You can request for whatever you want."

"No need! Mr. Bowman, I don't need your money. I'm unwilling to share my husband with other people. I've come up with the divorce agreement. I'll leave the marriage without acquiring anything."

Enya said it in one breath and hung up.

Other than their marriage certificate, they were like two strangers.

From today onwards, they would go their own ways and would no longer be involved with each other!

Enya went upstairs and took off her black-framed glasses. Her charming, exquisite, and gorgeous face was revealed.

She had long placed the prepared divorce agreement on the coffee table. She dragged her packed suitcases and left confidently and with ease.

At Bowman Group.

The warm, amber lights lit up the president's office.

The man sat in an executive's chair. He wore a simple white shirt and black slacks, but his innate noble temperament couldn't be hidden.

Zayne looked at his cell phone screen, and a soft sneer was revealed on his thin yet lovely lips.

His legal wife finally couldn't bear the loneliness and initiated a divorce!

A knock sounded at the door. His assistant, Rufus Keene, walked in.

"Mr. Bowman, it's almost time for the meeting with Mr. Halleck."

Zayne acknowledged it indifferently. He got up and picked up his coat draped on the back of the chair.

"Rufus, clear today's trends on the Internet. Also, tell the lawyer to prepare a divorce agreement for me."

Rufus was dumbstruck.

His boss kept out of trouble but was occasionally involved in scandalous news articles because he was waiting for this day!

Enya hailed a cab and went straight to the apartment she had purchased.

The apartment was located in the central district. It had three bedrooms, a living room, and a dining room.

It was in an expensive area, and the neighborhood had comprehensive facilities.

After setting her luggage aside, Enya stood before the enormous French windows and looked at the bright night landscape outside the window. She took out her cell phone and called her best friend.

"Mimi, I got a divorce."

"What? Enny, you're finally getting divorced! That's great! Come out and have fun to celebrate being single again!"

"Alright."

Chapter 2 Getting Involved with Her Ex-Husband After Getting Divorced

Half an hour later, at The Queen.

It was Chamont's most famous club.

The Queen was one of the places where rich and influential businessmen liked to come for leisure or entertainment.

The intense music on the first floor was deafening.

Everyone on the dance floor danced and sweated to their heart's content under the strange, multicolored lights.

Enya came to the second floor in her heels. She patted a woman sitting in a booth, drinking and watching the crowd.

"Mimi."

Mimi Durel was her good friend who had a charming and exquisite round face.

"Pfft. Pretty lady, let me smell you."

Mimi hugged Enya and kissed her cheek.

Enya was amused and pushed Mimi away with disdain. She poured herself a drink.

"Enny, don't you think your husband is a fool? He doesn't want such a beautiful and talented woman but would rather look for other women outside?"

Mimi clinked her glass with Enya's. She had a pitiful look.

Enya sipped her alcohol. She laughed brightly and charmingly. "He's indeed quite foolish."

To Zayne, she was a dirty and crude country girl.

He hardly realized…

"Hmph. If he doesn't want you, plenty of other men are pursuing our beautiful Ms. McKee."

Mimi put her hand around Enya's neck. "Enny, you're divorced but still haven't spent the night with a man. Others will laugh at you if they hear it. I know many excellent men. What type of men do you like? I'll introduce one to you today."

Enya was dumbfounded.

Is my best friend hoping for a man to sleep with me?

"Don't joke around. Drink with me. I'll only focus on my career in the future."

"Alright. Career-focused women are the most charming. Enny, we'll live on our own in the future."

"Save it. Your boyfriend is going to come after me."

Mimi was floored.

The two chatted as they unconsciously drank a lot.

Mimi pulled Enya to dance on the dance floor. Enya felt a little full, so she went to the washroom first.

A sign outside the second floor's washroom indicated it was under maintenance, so Enya went to the third floor.

The third floor was where the private rooms were located.

The carpeted wooden floor was soft.

Enya had drunk a lot, and her legs felt weak. Her body fell to the side.

A private room door at the side suddenly opened, and Enya staggered before falling to the floor.

The private room was dim.

Only the sound of water came from the direction of the bedroom.

Enya was feeling dizzy. She slowly crawled up from the floor and was about to leave.

At this time, the bedroom door opened. A man grabbed her from behind and pushed her to the wall.

"Who are you? How dare you scheme against me?"

The man's harsh voice was intertwined with slightly restrained desire.

Enya's groggy mind seemed to have brief clarity from being pushed.

This man was… Zayne Bowman!

"I didn't!"

"If it isn't you, how did you come in?"

In the dark, the man's breathing was hurried, as if he was making a supreme effort to endure something silently.

"I… I went to the wrong room. Let go… Mmph…"

Enya's eyes widened. She felt the man's sudden kisses and wanted to push him away.

"Help me. I'll repay you."

Enya was flabbergasted.

She had just signed the divorce agreement but was now getting involved with her ex-husband!

After a wild night, Enya's entire body ached when she awoke.

A cool breeze gently swept the corner of the curtain. The dim light that permeated the room reflected on the man's handsome face, who was sleeping peacefully. He looked gentle and calm.

Enya gazed at him fixedly for a moment before getting out of bed while enduring her body's discomfort.

She had just brought up getting a divorce yesterday but slept with him the same night.

The arrogant man would think Enya was doing such a thing to make him stay.

She felt that it was worthless to do something like that!

Enya gritted her teeth and hurriedly put on her clothes before leaving the room softly.

After a moment, the private room door diagonally opposite opened.

Chapter 3 A False Claim

Flora had a sullen expression. She looked around and straightened her coat before quickly walking away.

Her manager had taken her for a meal with a few big shots in the industry yesterday for a new show.

But little did she know she would start to feel lightheaded halfway through the meal.

When she awoke, she found herself in the director's bed.

Stupid old man. He had violated her!

But such a phenomenon could be found everywhere in the entertainment circle.

She could only suffer in silence to be the main female character in the new show!

Flora's mixed emotions fluctuated. She had been utterly deceived, and her legs felt weak. She fell to the side.

She fell on the private room door on the other side with a thump.

Flora took a deep breath and immediately stood up straight. She adjusted her clothes and was about to leave.

The door opened with a click.

Zayne stood at the door in a white bathrobe. His deep and sharp eyes were cold.

Flora's heart skipped a beat. She unexpectedly had a guilty conscience.

"Mr… Mr. Bowman."

Her news with Zayne kept trending for the past few days.

The outside world spread rumors that she was Zayne's current favorite.

But only she knew that her manager deliberately published false news to attract attention.

Zayne had always treated her coldly.

But she didn't know why he didn't clarify the fake rumors in the news.

"Were you the person in my room last night?"

Zayne looked at Flora determinedly. His cold and black eyes fell on the red marks on the woman's neck.

He was awake when the woman woke up.

But she had left too quickly. Zayne didn't manage to call out to her in time.

Now, the corridor was empty except for Flora.

She should have been the one who helped him last night.

Flora was startled. She looked at the man's handsome face, and her gaze flickered slightly.

Did Zayne sleep with a woman last night?

But he doesn't know who it is?

"Mr. Bowman, I…"

"Come in and talk."

Zayne's tone was gentler when he thought of the bloodstain on the bed.

Flora was thrilled and immediately followed him in.

"You said you went to the wrong room last night and ended up in my room?"

Zayne sat on the couch and looked up at Flora slightly.

His memories of last night were slightly muddled, but he clearly remembered the woman's beauty as she was under him.

If she didn't set him up, he would be in debt to her.

"Yes. I wanted to go to another room to audition for Director Coxe. Still, I never imagined I entered the wrong room."

Flora looked down slightly and concealed the gleam in her eyes.

Zayne was silent. "What kind of compensation do you want?"

Flora glanced at Zayne and said, "It's alright, Mr. Bowman. We're adults. I won't take to heart what happened last night."

Zayne was a powerful and influential person in Chamont.

A simple action from him would have a significant outcome on Chamont.

He came into contact with many women. So what if he had slept with her?

If she said she wanted compensation, he would look down on her.

"You're a popular artist from Starry Media. Don't worry. I'll arrange for the best resources to be given to you. You'll be made into an A-list artist within a year," Zayne said.

Flora was elated when she heard it.

She restrained her inner joy and said calmly, "Thank you, Mr. Bowman."

"You may leave."

Zayne had a better impression of her when he saw her serene expression.

"Alright."

Flora restrained her heartbeat and turned to leave.

"Hold on."

Zayne suddenly spoke. It made Flora's breathing freeze.

She turned and saw Zayne get up and pick up an exquisite emerald pendant from the floor by the bed.

"Is this yours?"

Chapter 1 Divorce Filing After Pregnancy

Nicholas Sallow was taking a shower inside the misty bathroom.

Wrapped in a blanket, Nancy Cohen got up from her bed. Her mind drifted to everything that had happened last night, causing her cheeks to blush.

Despite being married, she still felt incredibly shy whenever a romantic moment happened.

The sound of water stopped, and Nicholas walked out wrapped in a towel.

She handed him his clothes. "Breakfast is ready, I'll wait for you downstairs."

"Alright!"

As she came downstairs, Nancy carefully took a cake from the fridge and placed it in the center of the dining table.

While holding a pregnancy test report, her heart raced rapidly.

Today marked their second wedding anniversary. Nancy was both nervous and eager to tell Nicholas about her pregnancy.

Nicholas had already come down after changing into a custom-made black suit that emphasized his elegance and charm, looking exceptionally handsome.

After breakfast, Nancy tightened her grip on the test report. She took a deep breath and said nervously, "Nicholas, there's something I want to tell you."

"Great, I've got something on my mind too," he replied.

"You go first."

Nicholas retrieved a file from the drawer, handing it slowly to Nancy.

"Here is the divorce agreement. Take your time to review it."

Nancy was shocked, struggling to maintain her balance and prevent herself from falling.

She took a deep breath. The air she inhaled felt like a knife slicing through her.

‘Did he just say divorce agreement?’

Her mind went blank. It took a while for Nancy to regain her voice.

"You want to divorce me?"

"Yes."

His voice was incredibly soft and shallow.

Nancy held onto the pregnancy test report, wondering if there was no room for compromise.

What if they have a baby?

Would he reconsider?

The next moment, he continued, "Madelline is coming back, so I want to end our marriage earlier. We had agreed on a three-year period, but circumstances have changed. Let's end it now."

"I know this is all too sudden for you. Please take a look at this preliminary agreement. If you have any requests, feel free to mention them. As long as they're not too unreasonable, I'll try to fulfill them."

Nancy's mind went blank as she responded, "Okay, I'll take a look at it later."

She moved her hand to her back, gripping the pregnancy test report tightly. Her palm dampened with sweat.

She understood that there was no longer any need to reveal it.

"There's one more thing I need to ask," Nicholas said.

Nancy clenched her hands firmly, attempting to lift her head. She responded with a smile, "Sure, go ahead. As long as I can help, I'll do my best."

"I'd like you to bring up the divorce with Grandpa. He won't agree if I do it," Nicholas said.

"Okay, I understand."

Nancy was an average girl. Her family was exceptionally ordinary, with a mother working as a nurse and a father with a gambling habit.

With a background like this, there was no way she could ever reach the Sallows' level.

All the opportunities arose because Nicholas' grandfather and father were targeted by business rivals, leading to a car accident and subsequent heart disease.

Nancy's mother happened to pass by and kindly rescued the two men.

Years later, her mother was diagnosed with cancer, while her father continued his gambling habits. Concerned about her daughter's welfare, Nancy's mother reconnected with the Sallows after many years. She asked for their help to take care of her daughter before she passed away.

Jacob Sallow, Nicholas' grandfather, took the initiative and arranged her engagement immediately after graduation.

During that time, Nicholas had said, "I can marry you, but my heart belongs to someone else. Our marriage will last for three years. After three years, you can request a divorce from my grandfather, and we go our separate ways."

She suppressed the bitterness within and concealed all her feelings of love.

She replied with a light and casual tone, "I know, I have my heart elsewhere too. When the marriage ends, I'll keep my promise and leave."

After marriage, Nicholas fulfilled all the responsibilities of a husband. He treated her exceptionally well.

Among their friends, everyone knew she was the apple of Nicholas' eye. It felt like going from heaven to hell instantly if she ever became upset. Everyone envied her for marrying such a wonderful man.

However, only Nancy knew their marriage was not based on love. It was merely a contractual arrangement.

He provided her with all the kindness, yet love was not a part of it. It was solely a matter of fulfilling a duty. If there was any love, the only thing he truly loved was her body. Nicholas treats her with an intense and almost obsessive tenderness.

Initially, they had settled on a three-year arrangement. Now that the woman who held a special place in his heart had returned, it was time for Nancy to yield her place.

Nancy bent down and picked up the divorce agreement from the table.

She had already lost her appetite and was heading back to her room when Nicholas, looking somewhat annoyed, adjusted his tie and called her back.

"When you mention the divorce, Grandpa will surely ask why. Remember, when we married, you mentioned someone you had loved for years, right? Now, I'm setting you free, so you can go to him. With this explanation, even if Grandpa disagrees, he won't have a strong reason to refuse," Nicholas said.

Nancy nodded and replied, "Alright, I'll tell Grandpa so."

After that, she couldn't wait to go back. If she stayed any longer, Nancy thought she might regret it and reconsider her decision.

Nicholas suddenly extended his hand. Fearful that he might spot what she was holding, Nancy immediately stepped back.

Nicholas became increasingly concerned and insisted on holding her hand. "Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" he asked.

"No." Nancy quickly withdrew her hand from his.

"Being married for two years, do you think I can't tell when you're lying?" Nicholas' eyes bore into her with intensity.

Finally, Nancy admitted, "It's nothing serious. I'm just on my period."

"Take some rest, then."

After that, Nicholas suddenly noticed her tightly gripped right hand. So, he asked in a hushed tone, "What are you holding so tightly in your hand?"

Nancy immediately tossed it into the trash bin and forced a smile. "It's nothing. I've had it in my hand and forgot to throw it away."

He wouldn't know how much her heart was hurting.

It was as if someone had taken an axe and brutally split her heart, leaving it bleeding and mangled.

Each piece still bled, and she held that broken heart in excruciating pain.

"Nicholas, Nicholas ... " Nancy softly whispered, "We were a fine couple. How did it come to an end?"

At the beginning of their marriage, she took the plunge with almost a do-or-die determination.

But now, the act of leaving felt too hasty and desolate.

'Nancy, you were always gambling and you lost in the end. He never loved you, not even a bit.'

Seeing her body weaken and her unsteady steps, Nicholas didn't even think twice. He immediately lifted her in his arms.

Nancy was taken aback and quickly said, "Put me down. I can go back on my own."

"You're so weak right now. Don't be stubborn."

Nicholas' voice was gentle, captivating, and sensually deep as he spoke near her ear.

This voice had held her captive for a full two years. Now, suddenly, he was planning to depart from her life.

Nancy blinked her eyes and couldn't hold back her tears.

Nicholas teased her, "You're not a little girl anymore. Don't cry just because of your period. I'll have a doctor come and check on you in a while."

"I didn't cry," Nancy answered stubbornly.

He had no idea what she was crying about.

"Okay, okay, you didn't cry!" Nicholas compromised.

"Can you tell me who he is?" Suddenly, he asked without any clue.

Nancy was confused. "What do you mean by 'he'?"

"Didn't you say there is a man you have loved for many years? I'm curious. Who have you missed for so long?" Nicholas asked.

Chapter 2 I've Loved You for Ten Years

Nancy felt a subtle pain in her chest.

She gripped her fists tightly and spoke softly, "It doesn't matter. He has a crush, and he's about to get married again."

"Again? He has been married before?"

Nicholas didn't expect this answer.

Being her husband and lived with her for two years, how could he still be unable to compete with a man who had already been married?

Nancy nodded gently and answered, "Yes, he was pressured by his family into marrying someone he didn't love before. Now, the girl he loves has returned, and they are about to tie the knot."

Nicholas felt quite indignant at this response.

"He is messing things up for two girls at once. A guy like him isn't worth your feelings. If you have the chance, find someone else to love, and you'll be happier," said Nicholas.

Nancy nodded. "I think so, too."

But what can she do?

As of today, she has liked him for ten years.

A decade seemed so distant and lengthy, nearly as long as her entire youth.

She would have done it long ago if she could have chosen someone else, but she couldn't.

Nobody can pull out a love that has taken root in one’s heart.

‘Nicholas, I've loved you for a decade, do you know that? The person I love isn't someone else. It's you, only you.' Nancy clenched her fists, repeating it to herself silently, over and over again.

Nicholas frowned deeply.

He gazed at Nancy, appearing to be deep in thought.

"Nancy." He suddenly called out to her.

"Yes?"

"Nothing."

Nicholas shook his head.

He must have gone crazy!

For a moment, he felt that the person Nancy was talking about sounded like him.

But soon, he denied it.

He remembered that when they married, Nancy said she had liked that person for eight years.

But at that time, they had only known each other for four years. Hence, it definitely couldn't have been him.

It must be someone else.

After Nicholas left, Nancy quickly went to the trash bin to get back the pregnancy test report.

She then smoothed it out on the table and carefully put it away.

Her body became increasingly uncomfortable, and it felt like every breath was painful. She lay on the bed and fell asleep for a long time.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

"Hello?" Because she hadn't fully awakened, Nancy's voice, tinged with a hint of congestion, sounded gentle and endearing.

"Still sleeping?" Nicholas' voice came through, as gentle as ever.

"Yeah, I just woke up."

"It's almost noon. Remember to get up and have lunch. I've handed the gift to Lynn, and he'll bring it to you later," Nicholas said.

"Gift? What gift?" After her nap, Nancy had forgotten many things.

"It's the gift for our second wedding anniversary. Even though I mentioned divorce this morning, since it hasn't been finalized yet, I'll still remember my responsibilities and fulfill my duties," Nicholas clarified.

This is Nicholas.

He is always so gentle and considerate, seemingly flawless and perfect.

He is such a nice guy!

Incredibly nice.

His only flaw is that he doesn't love her.

As she drifted into thought, Nicholas continued, "I need to apologize. There was a little trouble with the gift, so I gave you another one."

"Okay!" Nancy nodded, unable to describe the feelings in her heart.

They were about to divorce, and this so-called anniversary gift felt somewhat ironic.

After hanging up the call, when Lynn arrived, Nancy had just gotten up and changed her clothes.

He respectfully handed the gift to Nancy and said, "Mrs. Sallow, here is the gift from Mr. Sallow."

"Thanks."

The gift box was exquisitely and uniquely packaged, indicating it was a high-end brand.

Although she knew it was no longer the gift she had initially expected, Nancy opened it herself.

She smiled when she saw the ruby necklace and earrings that caught her eye.

Nicholas must be trying to make it up to her.

Because he couldn't give her the gift she had in mind, he bought a valuable set of jewelry to make up for it.

Last month, they went to a jewelry auction together. There was a pair of jade earrings, which perfectly matched the jade bracelet his grandfather had given to her. They were emerald green and beautifully elegant. She fell in love with them at first sight.

Nicholas noticed the amazement in her eyes and took the initiative to say, "If you like them, I'll bid for them."

"No, it's too expensive."

After all, they were in a contractual marriage, and she felt embarrassed to spend so much of Nicholas' money.

"It's our second anniversary soon, so take it as an anniversary present. If you feel uneasy about it, give me a gift in return," Nicholas suggested.

That's why she had expectations.

Unexpectedly, when he mentioned the divorce, even the pre-prepared gifts were wasted.

There seems to be no fate between them, and it is time to separate.

A gift?

She had prepared a thoughtful gift for him, but he didn't want it.

Nancy immediately stopped Lynn. "I baked this cake, please give it to him!"

Lynn was stunned, and Nicholas' words went through his mind. "I don't like sweet things. If she asked you to bring me a cake, reject it."

Staring at Nancy, Lynn couldn't help but feel compassionate.

After hesitating, Lynn decided to tell the truth, "Mr. Sallow said he doesn't like sweet things. He knows you like them, so he suggested you have more."

Nancy clenched her palms tightly, almost unable to stand still.

After Lynn left, she carried the cake and returned to her room.

Her weak body slid down the door, gradually sinking to the floor. Her heart is in deep pain.

She had always known that Nicholas didn't like cream or overly sweet cakes.

So, she had made this low-fat and low-sugar cake with just a hint of milk flavor. It is not sweet at all.

And there is no cream, just a cake base.

But he didn't even want to try it.

Nancy opened the cake and smiled while looking at the carefully drawn family of three.

The next minute, she suddenly reached out to the cake. Nancy grabbed the cake and started to inhale it like she was out of her mind.

She lowered her head, completely disregarding her appearance, and ate desperately.

The cake was so big that she vomited halfway through it.

Tears streamed down her face as she continued.

She couldn't distinguish the taste from the salty tears mixed with the cake. All she knew was that she had to finish it.

She was satisfied when she ate the whole cake.

However, shortly afterward, she rushed to the bathroom, vomiting and experiencing diarrhea. Her stomach was in excruciating pain, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.

No one was aware of her egg allergy other than her mother.

That's why she usually only ate the cream and never touched the cake base on her birthday.

But this time, she finished the whole cake base.

She told herself this was the last time she would be so crazy and reckless for Nicholas.

After vomiting, she burst into tears.

'Dear, I'm sorry. I couldn't keep your dad.'

'Your dad doesn't love me. He loves another lady. Even though I wanted him to stay, I can't be so selfish'

'Dear, you must be strong. I can raise you well by myself.'

Suddenly, the phone rang.

It was Nicholas.

Nancy wiped her tears, regained her composure, and answered the call, "Hello."

"Have you received the gift? Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I do. Thank you!"

"You look good in red. It suits you." Nicholas continued, "Anyway, I won't be coming back tonight."

Suddenly, Madelline gently said, "Nicholas, have you told her? Come here, I've prepared the dinner ... "

Chapter 3 Sleep with Her in My Arms

"Take care of yourself."

After Nicholas finished speaking, he hung up the phone in a hurry.

"Okay, I will."

Although he hung up very quickly, Nancy still heard Madelline's voice.

She heard the words "dinner" clearly.

On their second wedding anniversary, her husband had a dinner with another woman. It was ironic.

Madelline was back!

Although Nancy didn't want to believe it, this was the fact.

This fact also made her instantly feel defeated.

Nancy was never a match for Madelline, even from two years ago.

How could she expect that Nicholas would choose her?

Just because she's pregnant?

At this moment, Nancy was glad that she didn't say anything. Otherwise, she would be humiliating herself.

Nancy cried for a long time.

Now that Nancy calmed herself down, she decided to accept her fate gracefully.

After taking a shower, she lay on the bed.

Just when she was about to fall asleep, she suddenly received a call from Luke, "Nicholas is drunk and rowdy. Come and take him home."

Nancy wonders, 'Didn't he spend a good night with Madelline? Why did he go to drink with Luke again?'

Nancy was about to say, "I'm a bit inconvenient. You can find someone to take him home!"

But Luke has already hung up the phone.

When she called again, Luke already turned off his phone.

Enduring the pain, Nancy got up from the bed and changed her clothes. Then she asked the driver to take her to the clubhouse Nicholas often visited.

When she arrived, the bar was hushed.

Nicholas was very drunk. He was sleeping on the sofa and crossed his legs. His tie was neat, and his appearance was as handsome as ever.

There is a saying that some people in this world are perfect. Even when they are drunk, they can maintain a good posture, just like Nicholas.

Nancy felt nauseated and vomited when she got closer.

She guessed that it might be because of her pregnancy.

After finally restraining herself, she looked at Luke and asked, "Why is he so drunk? Isn't he with Madelline?"

"So, you already knew?" Luke looked at her and quipped, "Your husband wants to spend the night with another woman, and you just let him do that?"

Nancy clenched her hands tightly, took a deep breath, and slowly relaxed.

She replied, "We have already agreed to get a divorce. We might not get it officially ended yet, but he's basically a free man. I have no right to say no."

"Huh!" Luke looked at her coldly, "You are so generous."

"Nancy, do you have a conscience? How did Nicholas treat you all these years? He always took care of you and cherished you. And you just agreed to divorce him? Didn't you at least try to keep him?" Luke was outraged.

Nancy looked at him in astonishment, "I remember that when I married him, you were very opposed to it. Now that I am divorcing him, shouldn't you be happy about it? Why are you even angrier than me?"

"I didn't like you then. But now that you are married, both of you should cherish it and not treat marriage as a joke. Another reason is ... "

Luke paused and said thoughtfully, "You are more suitable for Nicholas than Madelline."

Nancy remained silent for a long time and didn't say anything more. She called the driver and helped Nicholas get into the car.

However, as soon as she arrived home and got out of the car, Nancy ran into Albert Sallow.

"Dad, why are you here?"

Albert looked at Nicholas coldly and said, "You're a married man, yet you don't have any self-control. It's truly inappropriate of you to get drunk completely like this."

Nancy smiled immediately and said, "Dad, it's okay. It's our wedding anniversary today. Some of our friends were celebrating with us. Everyone took turns toasting to me. So, Nicholas helped me and drank double."

After hearing this, Albert's expression softened.

Then he handed the gift to Nancy and said, "This is a gift from Grandpa and me for your wedding anniversary. There were some last-minute matters to attend to, so I came late. I hope you like it. Hopefully, you both can live loving and helping each other in the future."

"Thank you, Dad. Please convey my thanks to Grandpa. I like it very much. Thank you for remembering our wedding anniversary."

Nancy thanked Albert sincerely and was also deeply moved.

"Aren't you going to open it?" Albert asked.

"As long as it's a gift from both of you, I'll love it no matter what."

"You're such a kind girl." His gaze landed on Nicholas. "If he ever mistreats you, don't hesitate to let me and Grandpa know. We'll have your back."

"Thank you, Dad. I'll remember that." Nancy smiled brightly.

"Then I won't bother you anymore. Have a good rest."

Nancy handed Nicholas to the butler and said, "Dad, I'll send you off."

"No, it will take time for you to take care of him. So, rest when you're done."

"Okay, Dad, take care."

Nancy finally got Nicholas upstairs and put the hot bath water in.

When she left the bathroom, she found that Nicholas had fallen asleep on the floor.

She squatted down and poked his hand, "Nicholas, get up and shower."

"Get up!"

No response.

Nancy sighed and helped Nicholas to take off his clothes.

Then, she helped him to the bathroom to bathe him.

The body wash has a robust milky smell. It’s Nancy's favorite.

But today, while bathing Nicholas, she choked so much that she vomited several times.

After she bathed Nicholas and put him on the bed, Nancy thought she could rest now.

But Nicholas turned around suddenly, hugged her waist with both hands and whispered, "Don't go. Stay here!"

Nancy felt warm for a while.

That feeling was very similar to the first time she saw him. Her heart was beating fast and filled with sweetness.

Nicholas usually looks elegant and calm, but he has never acted so affectionate.

Nancy's heart softened, and she couldn't bear to push him away.

Well, it's the last night.

They would get divorced tomorrow and wouldn't have a chance to share a bed anymore.

May tonight be the last memory for them.

"Okay."

She responded softly, lay down beside him, and then took a blanket to cover them both.

Before going to sleep, her fingers gently traced over his eyebrows, nose, and lips, like a brush painting delicate strokes.

Then, her fingers fell on his hand, intertwined with his fingers, and held tightly.

She only dared to do these things when Nicholas was asleep.

In the morning, Nancy wakes up by the vibration of her phone.

She was still drowsy, feeling like she hadn't slept well. She picked up her phone and placed it next to her ear. "Hello?"

"You are Nancy?" A woman's stunned voice came from the other side of the phone.

That was Madelline's voice.

Nancy took it by mistake. This is Nicholas' phone.

Nancy immediately sat up from the bed.

She opened her eyes and glanced at her phone quickly. Then, she handed the phone to Nicholas and said, "Ms. Madelline is looking for you."

Xander Youngblood had a secret no one knew about—all his dreams would come true. However, he had been having the same dream since stepping into adulthood. In his dimly lit dreamland, a woman's delicate body resembled a ball of fire, slowly setting him into flames.

"Let go of me…" The woman's voice sounded strained and desperate.

"You initiated this." His attractive voice lingered in the woman's ears.

A layer of mist covered the woman's face, so he could only make out her helpless eyes.

"It was you…" The woman managed to say a few words while placing her cold, weak hands against the man's toned waist, seemingly wanting to push him away but also playing hard to get. Then, a delicate mutter rang in his ear. "I… I'm scared…" The woman's cold fingers did not abate the warmth from the skin around them. Instead, they only made her seem more desirable to Xander.

Gradually, the two indulged in their desires. Although the woman did not get the response she hoped for, the man was much gentler than before. She felt like she was in an illusion and got drunk in it.

The darkness loomed over Xander's layback and cold side profile. The mole below the corner of his right eye stood out like a sore thumb, adding a touch of elegance and nobility to his somewhat rough-looking eyes.

After who knew how long, he slowly opened his eyes and frowned, feeling his head throbbing. It's that dream again!

He still could not make out the woman's face or remember her voice, but this time, an additional faint fragrance appeared in his dream. Then, he noticed a unique scent in the air, a blend of bitter medicinal herbs and a fresh fragrance. It was the same smell from his dreams.

Focusing on the messy bed, Xander saw a noticeable speck of red on the bed sheets. His pupils contracted as his mind instantly cleared. The things he saw last night were not a dream!

A while later, he found a ruby necklace inside the hotel room. It was a high-end custom luxury item from his company. With a puzzled expression, he grabbed his phone and parted his thin lips, ordering, "Jonathan, can you check…"

…

That night, Yolanda Rose dragged her exhausted body out of the hotel and escaped. When she arrived at the Xavier Residence and was about to push the door open, she heard a gloating voice.

Wendy Butler covered her lips while laughing. "That b*tch isn't home yet, which means Mr. Quinlan must be satisfied with our gift."

Meanwhile, Gordon Xavier poured himself a glass of red wine. His cheeks were flushed, putting on a smug look. "We'll have nothing to worry about ever again if we manage to get into the same boat as Mr. Quinlan!"

Hearing what was said, Yolanda shivered. She pushed the door open with a pale complexion and questioned, "Was the man at the hotel of your doing?"

Last night, Sofia Xavier called Yolanda, asking her to send a custom necklace to Eldonna Hotel because she needed it to attend a party. However, Yolanda did not expect to get forcefully pulled into a pitch-black room.

After what had happened, she escaped without knowing what the man looked like and lost the necklace.

When faced with her accusations, the unfazed Gordon taunted, "So what if it was me? You aren't even related to the Xavier Family. We've been providing for you for many years. It's about time you repay us." Moreover, you're a woman, so this situation is where you're worth the most.

Trembling slightly, Yolanda scoffed. "The Rose Family is my adopted family. What does that have to do with the Xavier Family?"

Born as an orphan, she was adopted by her infertile adoptive mother, Nina Rose, at age five. As for Gordon, he was the Roses' live-in son-in-law. Since Nina passed away from cancer, and Old Mr. Rose was bedridden due to illness, the modest Gordon instantly revealed his vicious nature!

He sent Old Mr. Rose, Philip Rose, to a nursing home and took over the Rose Family properties.

Wendy snorted. "The food you eat, the place you stay, and all the college fees. Aren't we the ones paying for those?" Does she think that money is spent for nothing?

Digging her nails into her palms, Yolanda stared angrily at her.

After marrying Nina for many years, Gordon found a mistress whom he immediately married and brought home after Nina's passing! Being the adopted child, Yolanda's days in the Xavier Residence had become more treacherous, especially with the presence of Wendy's daughter.

"Stop with the nonsense. Since the deed's been done, you should just admit it!" He put on a fake smile, confident that Yolanda could not escape his grasp, and poured her a cup of water. "As long as you continue to please Mr. Quinlan, you can get the best of both worlds."

Ungrateful b*stard! She pushed away the cup he offered to her.

Gordon came from a small town, and if Philip had not been so kind as to help him, he would not have reached his heights today. However, the ungrateful man had now exposed his ugly nature. "You don't know what's good for you, eh?"

Seeing her defying him, he became displeased. The atmosphere in the room became so tense that it felt like it would explode at any moment until someone's phone rang.

Yolanda looked at her device and saw it was a call from the nursing home's director. Then, she heard the director's anxious voice. "Yolanda, Old Mr. Rose fell and is now…"

Grandpa! She felt her heart almost stopped beating, quickly saying, "I'm coming!" Then, she ignored the Xaviers and ran out of the Xavier Residence.

…

On the villa's second floor, the heavily made-up Sofia leaned against the exquisitely designed stairs, watching everything. How dare that b*tch try to take Lucas from me!

Then, she tidied up her wavy waist-length hair and took out her phone to dial a number. A vicious smile appeared as she spoke, "Mr. Quinlan, when will you send me the pictures you promised?"

She was eager to see Lucas' reaction when he saw the photos of Yolanda sleeping with an old man! However, before she could celebrate, her smile instantly stiffened. "What? That b*tch was not at the hotel? But that's impossible!"

"Pfft. You tricked me into waiting at the hotel until now. Very well." The man scoffed and hung up. His words were a threat, and though he spoke slowly and attractively, there was a trace of warning amidst his cold voice.

She could not help but shiver as she frantically ran downstairs to tell her parents. "Mom, Dad, what are we going to do now?"

Although they did not know what happened in the middle, offending Mr. Quinlan meant they were doomed!

"That little b*tch…" Gordon reprimanded, frantically calling Mr. Quinlan with flushed cheeks but found the latter had blocked him.

The Xaviers were restless throughout the night, tense and nervous.

The following morning, they were almost in despair when a bunch of strangers showed up at the door. The six suit-clad bodyguards stood in two rows while a handsome man approached them, asking, "May I know who Miss Sofia Xavier is?"

"I am."

Jonathan Hex took out a ruby necklace. "This is a custom necklace you left in the hotel room. Our president got drunk last night and accidentally…"

He stopped after successfully conveying his message, but Gordon felt his eye twitching after hearing that. That little b*tch did do something wrong!

With a gentle smile, Jonathan continued, "Our president is deeply sorry for that, but don't worry, Miss Xavier, we will come out with a satisfactory answer for you on this matter."

"May I know who he is?"

"Mr. Xander Youngblood."

Hearing that, Sofia nearly dropped the necklace in her hand, after which he returned the jewelry and assured her, "Please wait patiently."

Once all the bodyguards left, she finally muttered in shock, "Xander Youngblood… It's Xander Youngblood!"

Confused by her daughter's behavior, Wendy asked, "Who's Xander Youngblood? Is he powerful?"

"Xander Youngblood is the only heir to Youngblood Group, owned by the Youngbloods, the wealthiest family in Eldoria. He established his own perfume brand, Cloudscent Enterprise, at the age of twenty. Then, he developed it into an internationally-known brand in just a few years!"

Sofia's eyes reddened; rumor had it that Xander never allowed women anywhere near him. How could Yolanda be so lucky?

"We mustn't let Xander find out about Yolanda. We have to cease her existence!"

A sly glint flashed across Gordon's eyes. "Mr. Quinlan is migrating abroad soon, so we must send Yolanda to him by any means necessary."

That way, they could calm Mr. Quinlan's anger and ensure that Yolanda could never return to Eldoria.

"I heard Mr. Quinlan has several fetishes. The women who fall in his hands would either turn up dead or crippled…"

A hint of excitement appeared in Sofia's eyes as she believed Yolanda was doomed and no longer a threat!

Chapter 2 She Is Back

Four years later, at Eldoria Kindergarten's entrance.

Donned in a snow-white dress, Yolanda had light makeup on and exuded a sensual and gentle aura, which attracted many people's attention. She held two children, about three or four years old, in both arms.

The little boy had distinct features, while the little girl was delicately cute.

Disregarding those gazes, Yolanda quickly registered her children before taking a cab to Cloudscent Tower.

The sky in Eldoria was as blue and clear as she remembered. It had been four years, and she finally returned. Back then, the Xaviers forcefully sent her to Mr. Quinlan. Though she managed to escape out of town, she found herself pregnant. Their father was that man.

At first, she decided not to keep the children, but the doctor said her health was not in optimal condition and that she was pregnant with twins, so aborting her children would cause serious damage to her health. In the end, she decided to take the doctor's advice and eventually gifted herself a pair of babies who had healed her pain in the past.

Now that she had returned to Eldoria, she would take back whatever was owned by the Rose Family!

…

Cloudscent Tower.

The interviewer casually glanced at the resume and smiled professionally but politely. "My apologies, Miss Rose, but your educational background does not fit our minimum requirement for the position of a perfumer."

Since she was in her second year of college when she ran away, she did not finish her studies.

Smiling faintly, she elaborated, "As an internationally well-known perfume brand, Cloudscent Enterprise has always prioritized talent over one's educational background. I wouldn't have come for an interview rashly if I wasn't confident in my capabilities."

Although that was how she put it, Cloudscent Enterprise was not an easy company to join. If it had been someone else, the manager would have said something and sent the interviewee away, but the young woman who came today was captivatingly beautiful. Her smooth hair flowed over her shoulders, and she had a perfectly delicate face and curved nose.

Her eyes were clear as water, accentuating her elegant and gentle nature.

"Tell me more."

Then, Yolanda took out an unlabeled perfume from her bag. It was a small glass bottle filled with pale emerald-green liquid.

Throughout these few years, Xavier Fragrances relied on the herbal perfume called 'Fantasy' to make a name for itself. However, that fragrance's original name was 'Refreshera,' a perfume Yolanda created.

The manager took a whiff, and his expression instantly became solemn. "Compared to 'Fantasy,' this one has a more subtle and fresh scent."

As a unique herbal perfume, 'Fantasy' was very popular, but its fragrance had a huge flaw—it was vigorous.

"Did you make this, Miss Rose?"

She nodded.

Although Sofia had stolen her work, the formula she took was an incomplete version. This bottle of perfume in her hand was the final product after refinement.

"Miss Rose, can you temporarily leave this with me? I'll call you in two days to tell you the result of this interview."

"Sure." Yolanda smiled, knowing the result was more or less finalized.

Once she left, the manager brought her resume and sample to the president's office but bumped into the delicately dressed-up Sofia on the way. The manager immediately bowed and smiled flatteringly. "Miss Xavier, it's been a few days since we last met, and you seem to have become prettier!"

The woman before him was no ordinary woman. Their company president was known for disliking women, but Sofia was the only one who could be near Xander. Not only that, but she had stayed by his side for four years.

Therefore, everyone thought Sofia would become Xander's wife sooner or later.

She smiled gently, but her expression suddenly changed when she spotted the resume in the manager's hand. "Where did you get that?" Then, she grabbed the document from the manager, and her pupils shook when she saw the beautiful woman inside the picture.

The manager was surprised and unknowingly told her everything that had just happened. Since Mr. Youngblood was absent, he could just report it to future Mrs. Youngblood.

Hearing about the interview, Sofia hurriedly opened the bottle to take a whiff and felt like her head had exploded. It smells familiar… She's back! That woman is back!

"Miss Xavier, are you alright?" The manager did not overthink it and merely thought she was shocked someone had replicated her most brilliant work.

"I-I'm fine… Are you going to send this to Xander? Why don't I help you?" She tried extremely hard to suppress her shock and smiled gently, but in reality, she wanted to destroy the two things in her hand immediately.

Chapter 3 They Are Xander's Children

"No, I shouldn't trouble you with such a trivial task!" The manager dared not let her run his errand. "Mr. Youngblood is on a business trip, so I'll just give it to Mr. Hex."

"Alright, then." Sofia forced a polite smile and watched the manager leave, allowing anxiety to swallow her whole. Following that, she quickly left Cloudscent Tower, feeling her heart about to jump out of her throat.

After looking into the information on the resume, she almost broke down. "Mom, what should we do… She's back! And she has two children with her! They're… They're…" They're Xander's children!

There was no need for proof because she immediately knew their identities after looking at the pictures. The little boy looked almost identical to Xander!

Wendy nervously remarked, "We can't let Yolanda join Cloudscent Enterprise, and we can't let them see each other either!"

If Xander discovered the truth, the Xavier Family would be doomed.

Sofia tried hard to calm down as a plan seeded in her mind. She could not let that woman join Cloudscent Enterprise, so she had to do something before Xander returned!

…

After school, Yolanda arrived to send her children home. The kids were each enjoying their lollipops while chattering about their day at the kindergarten.

When they passed by a park, she suddenly heard a depressed voice. "Young lady, I lost my purse while strolling around. I'm having a migraine. Can you help me call my family to get me?"

Yolanda looked in that direction and saw a forty to fifty-year-old woman sitting on the bench, looking pale while supporting her head. Noticing her situation, she quickly took out her phone and dialed the number the woman gave her.

Meanwhile, Ethan and Emma approached the woman, each giving her a lollipop while speaking in their cute voices.

"Have some sweets. Having something sweet when you're feeling sick always makes things better."

"I can give you a massage!"

Although Avelyn Laurent felt utterly uncomfortable, seeing two cute babies surrounding her brightened her mood, and her headache seemed to have subsided.

"You'll feel better after taking a whiff of this." Yolanda took out a small glass bottle she always had and offered, "I know a little about massages. Why don't I give you one?"

The Rose Family used to be a family of alternative medicine practitioners. Yolanda's adoptive mother, Nina, was a great masseuse, so she learned a few things from her mother. During these four years, she relied on her friends' help and her talent in massaging to provide for her two children.

A while later, Avelyn surprisingly noticed her migraine had subsided! "Young lady, what kind of medication is this?" The light purplish liquid's fragrance filled her nose with a pleasant smell.

"It's a type of herbal perfume that helps calm the nerves and improve sleep. It can also help with migraines."

Yolanda observed the woman before her and noticed she seemed to have taken good care of her skin because she did not look her age. When she spoke, her eyes filled with sophistication, which meant she must have been a resolute career woman when she was younger.

Meanwhile, Avelyn stared fixedly at the perfume. "Where did you buy this?" This is more useful than any medication the doctors have prescribed!

"I made it myself, and it's not for sale anywhere. Since you need it, I'll just give this to you." That perfume was a product of hers and Nina's joint efforts, so she never sold it to anyone for personal reasons.

At that moment, a luxury car stopped a distance away, and Joe, her butler, rushed over. "Mrs. Youngblood, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I was lucky that this young lady helped me." Avelyn smiled and put on the glasses the butler gave her, but just as she was about to speak, she noticed Ethan's appearance and became shocked.

Joe exclaimed in shock, "This child looks just like Mr. Xander when he was young!"

"Sir, your ex-wife whom you divorced 3 years ago showed up at the airport, with a pair of four-year-old twins." "Lock down the airport now."
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Chapter 1 Divorce

“Lucian, I've been married to you for three years, but you've never once touched me. I'll give my blessing to you and your first crush by giving up on our marriage. Tomorrow, you're free to go after her. But for now, just make it up to me for my feelings for you all these years, please?”
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