Chapter 3 Falling Asleep in the Palm of His Hand

Just then, a knock came at the door, accompanied by Winston, the butler's voice, "Mr. Zachary." "Come in," Zachary said plainly, and Winston entered, "Mr. Zachary… how should we handle Ms. Hazel?" Zachary stood tall beside the bed, a towering figure at six feet tall, dressed in the simplest white shirt and black pants, yet the expensive fabric seemed tailor-made, accentuating his tall and elegant figure. Zachary lowered his gaze, skillfully flipping the shiny silver button on the cuff of his shirt, and casually glanced at Hazel. "You don't know yet, do you? There are two wolves kept in the backyard of Maplewood Manor. What do you think of becoming wolf food?" Hazel's heart skipped a beat. This marriage was arranged by the older generation. Among the four prominent families in Maritown—Luellen, Guerra, Hundall, and Sturridge—the Luellen family's young sir, Zachary, was rumored to be the most handsome and influential figure in the business world. However, he was a mystery to everyone, for no one had seen his true appearance before. Maplewood Manor, located in a remote area, didn't look like a prestigious family's residence at all. The Sullivan Family had investigated Maplewood Manor and found out that there were only two residents, rumored to be a grandmother and her grandson, the supposed sickly husband. Julia's greatest wish was to marry her two daughters into the four prominent families of Maritown, and Maplewood Manor was certainly not the outcome she desired. Julia wished she could dig up the Sullivan ancestors' graves and ask the older generation why they had agreed to this freaking marriage. Since she didn't want her daughters to marry, Julia thought of Hazel and brought her back to marry in her daughters' place. So, in Hazel's perception, the man in front of her was nothing more than an average Joe. However, that only made her even more bewildered, for this man exuded an aura of superiority in every move and gesture, emanating an innate sense of cold elegance, like a king giving orders, leaving people unwittingly in awe of him. Moreover, he even kept wolves in the backyard. Wolves. This was no ordinary form of entertainment. Just as Hazel was about to speak, the man propped his arms against the table with closed eyes, appearing to be in excruciating pain. Winston's face changed drastically, and he quickly said, "I'll fetch the doctor right away, Mr. Zachary!" Hazel's bright eyes shifted downward, and the man's hands on the table were already bulging with veins, like a sign of illness. He's sick, and it seemed to be a severe illness! Just then, she met the man's pair of crimson eyes. Zachary turned his head to look at her and said to Winston, "Get her out!" "Ms. Hazel, you should leave now," Winston urged immediately. Hazel knew she couldn't leave. She had returned to her family this time with a purpose, and she needed the identity of the Maplewood Manor bride. Hazel fixed her gaze on Zachary without any avoidance. "You're sick; what illness is it? I have some medical knowledge and am good at acupuncture. I can help you treat it." Zachary pressed his thin lips tightly together and growled, "Leave!" However, Hazel obstinately remained and even approached him. "I smell several precious medicinal herbs on you. They're used to treat insomnia. You're having trouble sleeping, aren't you?" Winston looked at Hazel in shock. "Ms. Hazel, you…" Hazel's eyes fell on Zachary's handsome face. "How severe is your insomnia? Once insomnia reaches a certain depth, it will seriously affect one's mental state. The body is exhausted to the extreme but cannot rest and relax, which will allow another self to reside in your body, a self that is melancholic, irritable, and terrifying, almost pathological." The corners of Zachary's narrow eyes became increasingly red, and a layer of gloom shrouded his face as he grabbed Hazel's neck, which was very tender, as if a slight squeeze could strangle her to death. "Ms. Hazel, stop provoking Mr. Zachary! Mr. Zachary, please release Ms. Hazel!" Winston was in such distress that he nearly rushed up himself. With fresh air becoming increasingly thinner, Hazel's face gradually flushed red. However, she quickly turned her hand and swiftly stabbed a silver needle into Zachary's acupoint. Instantly, his hand loosened, and he the couch. Hazel gasped heavily. She didn't want to die just yet, and she had to admit that she was scared just now. Zachary was too dangerous. His mysterious identity aside, his sleep disorder alone could turn him from an elegant and noble man into a monster at any time. However, she had no way out now and could only take a gamble. After adjusting her breathing, she approached him from behind and massaged his temples. Zachary closed his eyes, concealing the crimson hue within them. "Is your treatment just massaging me?" "You should celebrate. You're the first guy I've ever given a massage to." "As if you're not the first woman to give me a massage." Must you be such a conversation killer? "Let me stay. We can coexist peacefully. I can help you maintain a facade in front of your grandmother if you don't interfere with my private affairs. I can also help you with your insomnia. What do you say?" Zachary said nothing. As Hazel pushed a thin silver needle into Zachary's brain acupoint, Zachary closed his eyes and leaned back into the couch. Hazel quickly reached out and gently caught his face—he had fallen asleep. Meanwhile, Winston was sweating profusely. While others might be unaware of Zachary's identity, he knew full well that Zachary was the Luellen Family's young sir and the golden child who dominated the business world at a young age and created the Luellen legend. No one had ever dared to negotiate with Zachary like that, especially not a girl. Over the years, the girls who had the fortune of meeting him were all starry-eyed admirers wishing they could throw themselves into his arms. Certainly, Hazel was different. At least, Winston thought so, for she could remain calm, composed, and intelligent even in front of Zachary during his episodes. What was even more shocking was that Zachary had actually fallen asleep. It's been a long time since Mr. Zachary has fallen asleep. Despite having recruited some of the best insomnia experts, none succeeded. Yet, Mr. Zachary fell asleep in Ms. Hazel's hand! "Ms. Hazel…" Winston spoke up. Hazel placed a finger to her lips in a hushing gesture. "You may leave. I've got it covered." Winston couldn't explain why, but he felt a comforting strength coming from Hazel, and he obediently left. … Soon, the room fell into silence, and Hazel let him rest in the palm of her hand for a moment. When he entered deep sleep, she placed him on the couch and covered him with a blanket. After doing all this, Hazel got into bed and fell asleep. Just then, Zachary slowly lifted his eyelids, stirring. He got up and approached the bed, reaching his fingers toward the veil covering Hazel's face.