Chapter 5 Set Up

Zachary had encountered various perfume scents on women before, and the artificial fragrances disgusted him. However, he found Hazel's fragrance particularly pleasant. So, as he unfastened her seatbelt, he mumbled, "What perfume are you wearing?" Perfume? Hazel shook her head. "I'm not wearing any." "How do you smell so good—" Zachary lifted his head only to freeze, for his lips lightly brushed against Hazel's through the veil, kissing by accident. Hazel's delicate eyelashes fluttered in shock. M-My first kiss! Quickly, Zachary retreated. His eyes glanced at her lips covered by the veil, his Adam's apple bobbing. "My apologies. Should I let you kiss me back?" Hazel stared at him. "I think… I should slap you." Zachary smirked, and a burst of magnetic and amused laughter escaped him. "I'm off," Hazel said, opening the front passenger door. "I'm Zachary." Hazel didn't think much of it, just gave a perfunctory "Okay." She couldn't be bothered to know what his name was right then. She just wanted to see her grandfather. "I know, Mr. Luellen. See you." She waved her hand from outside the car. Hazel wore a red sweater that day. As she waved, the sweater rose up, revealing her slender waist. Zachary's fingers on the steering wheel gently rubbed, and he wondered if her waist would fit in his grip. "I have a meeting coming up; I'll pick you up later." "It's fine—" Hazel declined, but the luxury car had already sped away. … Meanwhile, Sage witnessed the entire event from upstairs. Well, well. You behaved so soberly yesterday, Hazel, but you're already hooking up with another man after marrying your terminally ill husband. At that, she gazed toward the luxury car. It's pretty decent, not the super luxury type, but decent. Then again, that license plate… Sage had never personally seen that license plate before, but her bestie had mentioned it before. That license plate was extraordinary, the kind that could turn heads in the whole city. I must be seeing things. Someone like Hazel couldn't possibly hook up with a guy driving that license plate! She rubbed her eyes to take another look. However, the car was long gone. Yes, I must be seeing things. Sage quickly ran downstairs and caught sight of Hazel. Immediately, she ridiculed, "Hazel, who was that man who just dropped you off? I can't believe you're so desperate for a man's attention that you're keeping a pretty boy!" Pretty boy? Zachary? Images of Zachary's exquisite and handsome face came to Hazel, along with his mature and domineering demeanor. She couldn't possibly link him with the term "pretty boy." Wonder how Zachary will thank Sage for calling him a pretty boy. "Where's Grandpa? I want to see him," Hazel said, bypassing Sage and heading upstairs. In the upstairs room, Henry Sullivan lay on the bed. He had been in a coma for a decade, declared a vegetable by doctors. Among all the Sullivans, besides her mother, Henry loved Hazel the most. Her mother passed away ten years ago when she was just nine. Then, one day, she woke up to find herself lying on the stairs, and Henry had rolled downstairs and collapsed in a pool of blood. Declan and the servants rushed over the next moment, and despite Hazel's explanations, everyone assumed she had pushed her grandfather. Later, Declan found a fortune teller who said she was a disaster but resilient; whoever was with her would suffer. So, Declan sent her to the countryside that night, and she was never heard from again. Hazel later learned that her father had long been having an affair within the marriage. He had slept with Julia, and they had two daughters together. The eldest daughter, Calla Sullivan, was actually older than Hazel. This time, Hazel returned to fulfill the marriage in her sister's place to uncover the truth from back then. Hazel took Henry's pulse, then took out several silver needles and inserted them into his acupoints… After putting away the needles, Hazel tucked Henry in and whispered, "Grandpa, don't worry. I'll cure you. Soon, you'll wake up." … In the kitchen, Sage found Julia. "Mom, let me tell you something. A man just brought Hazel back, and that man is Hazel's kept pretty boy!" Julia was making hot chocolate. Surprised by Sage's words, she exclaimed, "Hazel is keeping a pretty boy?! What shameless behavior!" "Mom, who are you making this hot chocolate for?" "For Hazel." "What? Mom, are you serious?" Julia took out a packet of powder and sprinkled it into the hot chocolate. "Relax. I'm spiking this hot chocolate. Mr. King took a liking to Hazel at the wedding yesterday. That girl has a good figure and can fetch a good price. Since she's married to a sickly husband, she can still be the plaything of these CEOs. When I take more scandalous photos of her, she won't dare defy me." Impressed, Sage gave her mother a thumbs up. "You're a genius, Mom. Let me buy a cake from the bakery and come back later to watch the show!" Just as Julia brought out the hot chocolate, Hazel came downstairs, and so she quickly beckoned to the young woman. "Hazel, I've personally made you some hot chocolate. Come and drink it." Hot chocolate? For me? Should I trust you? Still, Hazel generously smiled and walked into the dining room, chugging the cup of hot chocolate like an oblivious, naive girl. "It's really delicious, Ms. Julia. Thank you." "You're welcome. Finish it if you like it so much." Julia smiled while cursing inwardly at the foolish girl. Soon, Hazel felt her vision darkening. "Ms. Julia, what was in that drink…" She could barely finish her words before collapsing on the table. Julia sneered and ordered someone to take Hazel to the upstairs room. … In no time, a chubby middle-aged man rushed over excitedly. "Mrs. Sullivan, is she here? Did it work?" "Mr. King, Hazel is in the room. This drug will make her sleep for two hours. You can enjoy yourself." Julia smiled. "Wonderful, Mrs. Sullivan." Marcus King eagerly rushed to the room, but Julia stopped him. "Mr. King, you promised to invest in Sullivan Healthcare…" The day before, at the wedding banquet, Marcus was turned on upon seeing Hazel's graceful figure, so he made a deal with Julia. "Don't worry, Mrs. Sullivan. I'm a man of my word." Marcus quickly entered the room. … In the room, Marcus ogled at Hazel lying on the bed and hastily removed his clothes, pouncing on her. "Here I come, sweetheart!"