Chapter 1 My… Bride?

• In the autumn of 2015, Hazel Sullivan sat on the train as it traveled from the countryside to Maritown.
• She had been abandoned in the countryside at the age of nine and was only now being retrieved. The reason was singular: the Sullivan Family intended to marry off their daughter to Maplewood Manor for fortune. It was said that the groom at Maplewood Manor was at death's door. With two unwilling daughters, the Sullivan Family fetched her, who had been fostered in the countryside, to serve as the substitute bride.
• Hazel sat in the sleeper car, engrossed in a book, when suddenly the door was thrust open, bringing in a cold gust of wind accompanied by the sweet tang of blood. Hazel looked up to see a tall, handsome figure collapsing into the compartment from outside and losing consciousness.
• Soon after, several men in black rushed in. "Boss, there's nobody here now. Let's just kill him now."
• "Are you sure he's alone?" The scar-faced leader glanced at Hazel.
• Hazel didn't anticipate such a sudden turn of events. The man who had collapsed in her compartment posed a deadly threat. Scarface's eyes gleamed with murderous intent, clearly intending to silence her. Keeping her composure, Hazel glanced at the weapons they held and quickly begged for mercy, "Please don't hurt me. I haven't seen anything."
• Scarface stepped forward, gazing at Hazel's veiled face. Though her true features were hidden, her eyes were striking. He had never seen such mesmerizing eyes. In an instant, he was captivated, especially after days without a woman. Lust overtook him.
• "We won't harm you, sweetheart, but you must serve my boys well."
• Hazel's delicate frame trembled as she pleaded, "I don't want to die. I'm so scared. As long as you don't hurt me, I'll serve you well."
• The girl's tender plea proved too much for Scarface. He pounced on Hazel, pinning her down.
• "Boss, you go first. We'll take care of this one first, then have our turn."
• Amidst crude laughter and the soft murmurs of the girl, Scarface lowered his weapon and reached for Hazel's clothing. But the next moment, a slender, fair hand grabbed his.
• Scarface looked up, meeting the girl's piercing gaze. Gone was the fear and weakness; now, her eyes sparkled with cold, sharp glimmer.
• "You!" Scarface tried to speak, but Hazel raised her hand, deftly plunging a silver needle into his head.
• Scarface's eyes closed, and he collapsed unconscious to the ground.
• "Boss!"
• The black-clad men were taken aback, wanting to approach, but just then, the other man on the ground opened his eyes and swiftly grabbed the weapons from the hands of the black-clad men. One after another, the black-clad men fell to the ground in two shakes.
• Hazel sat up. She had known all along that the man feigned unconsciousness and the blood on his body wasn't his own.
• She raised her gaze to the man, who was also looking at her. He had extremely profound and sharp eyes, as fierce as an eagle's, with two small abysses lurking in their depths. Anyone who met his gaze would be drawn in.
• "Apologies for being late, Sir." The rescuers arrived, beginning to clean up in an orderly manner. One of them handed a clean cloth to the man, who elegantly wiped his hands and then approached Hazel with steady steps. His well-defined fingers pinched her delicate chin as he scrutinized her with playful interest, his voice deep and magnetic, "How do you think I will deal with you?"
• With her chin held by his calloused fingertips, Hazel was forced to look up at him. The man was tall and handsome, exuding a domineering and chilly aura. Although he had wiped his hands earlier, she could still smell the metallic tang and the cold hostility.
• Having seen what she shouldn't have, Hazel knew she could likely die. This man was quite dangerous.
• Snap! Hazel slapped away the man's hand and said sternly, "Insolence! I'm the bride-to-be of Maplewood Manor!"
• The bride-to-be of Maplewood Manor? The man quirked a brow with intrigue. My… bride?
• "You're from Maritown? Then, you should know that the daughter of the Sullivan Family is to be married to Maplewood Manor. This wedding is the talk of the town. I am that bride. If anything happens to me, you'll be in bigger trouble. Let me go. I haven't seen anything, and I won't say anything!"
• Hazel was truly grateful to her stepmother, Julia Litchfield, now. When Julia fetched her back to Maritown, she had made Hazel travel on a cheap train, and ironically, this wedding she had organized was extraordinarily luxurious and sensational, aiming to win her a good reputation. The Sullivans marrying their daughter into Maplewood Manor for fortune was the biggest gossip in Maritown. Hazel was betting that this man wouldn't want to stir up trouble.
• The man looked at her with interest. She was his chance encounter during an attempted assassination by his business rivals. Looking at this girl barely in her twenties, although her face was pale and her clothes disheveled, her bright and intelligent eyes shimmered with a dazzling light. Most importantly, she was his bride.
• The man withdrew his gaze and left with his men. Hazel relaxed her tightened fingertips and slowly released them. But just then, the man turned back softly. He looked at her and spoke inaudibly. Through lip-reading, Hazel managed to pick up what he said. "We'll meet again soon."
• …
• The Sullivans held the wedding at Castlewoods Estate, and in the bridal suite, Sage Sullivan faced off with her half-sister, Hazel. "Hazel, you lost your biological mother at the age of nine, and later, you personally pushed Grandpa down the stairs. Even the fortune teller says you're a disaster. That's why Dad sent you to the countryside. If not for this wedding, you can only spend your whole life there. So, you better know your place. You're not the precious daughter of the Sullivan Family; you're just a dog we raised!"
• Hazel sat at the dressing table, replying calmly, "Who are you barking at?"
• "I'm barking at you!" Sage snapped with her arms akimbo, and Hazel smirked in response. "Got it. You don't need to bark anymore."
• Finally, Sage realized Hazel had outsmarted her. She looked at Hazel's bright eyes. Hazel had been wearing a veil since her arrival, but even when she revealed her eyes, they gave the impression of a stunning beauty. Consumed by jealousy, Sage wished she could gouge out Hazel's eyes. That hick can't be a beauty. Yes, it's definitely a sham! She must just be a plain Jane!
• "Hazel, it's time. You can depart now!"
• Just then, Declan Sullivan and Julia entered with a group of guests.