Chapter 2 Wedding Night

• Julia was Hazel's stepmother. In her youth, she was a leading award-winning actress in the entertainment industry. Even now, after giving birth to two daughters, she still maintained her looks well, resembling a youthful and charming beauty.
• Julia was actually Declan's doxy before becoming his legally wedded wife. Using adroit schemes, she not only successfully swept her doxy history under the rug but even thrived in the circle of wealthy and prestigious wives, leveraging her adept tactics after becoming Declan's wife.
• She did this wedding splendidly. Even the wedding gown Hazel was wearing was custom-made from Milano, with lavish spending. Everyone praised Julia for her efforts.
• Feigning oblivion, Hazel revealed the modesty of a young girl and eagerly looked toward the door. "It's time, but why hasn't the groom come to fetch me?"
• Julia's expression changed at that, and everyone looked at each other in confusion. What's going on? Doesn't the bride know she's getting married to a sickly husband? She's married off for the fortune, so a groomless wedding was preordained.
• Declan stepped forward, looking guilty and evasive. "Hazel, the groom... the groom is feeling unwell today, so he won't be coming. You will go ahead."
• Hazel seemingly took a second to register her father's words, then quickly smiled obediently. "Okay, I'm off then." At that, she entered the luxurious car sent to pick her up alone.
• Meanwhile, the guests fixed their gazes on Hazel's graceful figure. Everyone called her a country bumpkin, yet in the stunning wedding gown, her figure was slender and elegant, and her demeanor was inexplicably pure and stunning.
• Her innocent and submissive appearance, not knowing anything, aroused sympathy in everyone. They began to whisper and gossip about Julia, saying she was only pretending to be nice but, in reality, was a wicked stepmother trying to marry off her daughter under the guise of another.
• Julia's face turned ugly. This wedding was all under her control until Hazel's unexpected actions completely turned the tables, embarrassing her. Looks like I've underestimated that b*tch. But no matter. There will be plenty of time ahead, and I have plenty of tricks up my sleeves!
• …
• Hazel arrived at Maplewood Manor and entered the marital bedroom. The room was dark, with a chilly atmosphere. Hazel's eyes emitted a cautious light in the darkness. She approached the bed and vaguely saw a man lying on the soft bed. So, this is my new husband.
• At that, she reached out to check his pulse. But the next moment, long fingers firmly grasped her slender wrist, and she found herself pinned down beneath him.
• The suddenness startled Hazel, for everyone said her husband was terminally ill, yet the fingers clasping her wrist were strong and vigorous, clearly belonging to a healthy man. Who is he?
• Hazel quickly bent her knee and aimed at his manhood, but the man was faster. He easily evaded her attack, pressing her down effortlessly. His movements were swift, precise, and ruthless.
• "Who are you? Let me go!" Hazel struggled forcefully, their bodies rubbing against each other through the thin fabric.
• Soon, a deep and magnetic voice sounded in her ear, "Are you so eager for our wedding night, my bride?"
• Perv! she thought, but it suddenly hit Hazel that only her newlywed husband could be present in this room. Contrary to what she had been told, her husband was perfectly healthy, a strong young man.
• By now, the man's slender fingers had already moved from her chin to the buttons of her dress, unfastening them one by one. Hazel quickly grabbed his hand. "I'm not moving anymore. What are you doing?"
• "Can you shout?"
• Shout?
• Just then, Hazel heard suspicious sounds outside the new room. It was the maid holding back Matilda. "Old Mrs. Luellen, this isn't right. Let's go back…"
• Shh! Matilda made a gesture to silence her in anger and leaned against the window to eavesdrop. "I'm just going to listen, not look!"
• Hazel thought of getting up to investigate, but Zachary Luellen pressed her shoulder and pushed her back down. "Shout, quickly."
• She quickly realized he wanted to put on a show for the elder outside and needed her cooperation. However…
• "I don't know how to do that."
• Zachary's profound eyes became sharp in the darkness. He looked at the girl beneath him, barely twenty years old, her eyebrows now knitted lightly and her gaze reserved yet embarrassed. At that, Zachary reached for her dress and yanked it forcefully.
• "Ah!" Hazel wrapped her arms around her chest as soon as she felt a chill on her skin. She was still a young girl, after all. She let out a low, startled cry.
• Zachary smirked. "Do you know how to shout now?"
• Shameless! Hazel looked upsettingly at him.
• Zachary braced himself on her side, towering over her and trapping her in his muscular embrace, then mimicking movements of sexual intercourse. In the darkness of the room, the large bed creaked under his actions, and Hazel, being a young girl, blushed profusely.
• "Keep shouting, or I'll get serious," he threatened in a low voice.
• Hazel trembled slightly, not doubting his words at all. So, she closed her eyes and complied, shouting at his movements.
• Outside, Matilda clasped her hands together, exclaiming, "Excellent! My grandson isn't gay or impotent; he's virile! Bless our ancestors; I'll have great-grandchildren soon!" She happily danced away to the ancestral hall to deliver the good news.
• Hazel quickly pushed the man off her, and this time, Zachary cooperatively released her. He turned on the bedside lamp, and with a click, the warm, dim light filled the room.
• Hazel sat up, quickly buttoning her dress to cover her delicate shoulders and fair skin. She looked at the man. He had already gotten off the bed, revealing a handsome face. His features were strikingly attractive, with a natural coldness and aloofness in his demeanor. But Hazel had no time to appreciate his looks. Her pupils slightly contracted, for the man…
• "It's you!"
• He was the man from the train and also her newlywed husband! Hazel knew she was supposed to marry a terminally ill man and had prepared herself for it, but who'd have thought it would turn out to be him? She had shouted at him on the train that day, declaring herself to be the bride of Maplewood Manor. At that time, he must have been laughing at her.
• A faint smile curved Zachary's thin lips. "You made out who I am, I see. I told you before; we would meet soon." There was a hint of amusement in his eyes. The butler had informed him that the Sullivan Family had sent a hick as a substitute bride.
• Substitute or not, it didn't matter to him. He just needed to appease his grandmother, not to mention that the hick was her. That said, is she really like a hick? He couldn't help wondering. After all, he had personally witnessed how she defeated Scarface.