Chapter 5 Trapped In A Scheme

Zachary had experienced all sorts of perfumes on women, but no matter what the scent, he found it nauseating to the point of wanting to vomit. However, the scent wafting from this girl was incredibly pleasant. Zachary unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning in slightly as he asked in a hushed tone, “What perfume are you using?” Perfume? Shaking her head, Hazel said, “I'm not wearing any perfume.” “Why do you smell so good...” Zachary looked up, but the next moment, he froze. The moment he raised his gaze, he gently brushed against Hazel's crimson lips. The two unexpectedly found themselves sharing a kiss. Hazel's heart fluttered. This was... her first kiss. Quickly, Zachary pulled away. His deep, narrow eyes swept over her red lips, his throat bobbing. “I'm sorry... I... I didn't mean to. It was an accident...” Hazel shot him a glare. “I think... I ought to slap you. After all, that was my first kiss!” Zachary curled up his thin lips, a burst of magnetic and pleasant laughter emanating from his throat. Hazel pulled open the passenger-side door. “I'll make a move first.” “My name is Zachary.” Hazel didn't give it much thought, simply responding with a nonchalant hum. At that moment, she couldn't care less about his name. All she wanted was to see her grandfather. “I understand, Mr. Luellen. Goodbye.” Hazel stood outside the car, giving Zachary a small wave. Today, Hazel wore a red sweater. When she waved her hand, the sweater slid up, revealing her slender waist. Zachary's fingers, resting on the steering wheel, gently caressed it. He found himself reminiscing about the two times he had held her waist. “I have a meeting later. I'll come and pick you up afterward.” “No need...” By the time Hazel refused, the luxury car had already sped off. The scene unfolding was keenly observed by Sage Sullivan from the upper floor. Well, well, Hazel sure knows how to play her cards. Last night, she married a man who's at death's door, and today, she's already cozying up to another man. Sage glanced at the luxury vehicle. It was decent but not top-tier. However, the license plate of the car... Sage had never seen that license plate before, but she had heard her best friend mention it. Apparently, the car with that plate was so impressive that it could turn heads all over Maritown. How could the random man that Hazel got involved with possibly own such a license plate? Sage doubted what she had just seen, rubbing her eyes for a clearer view. But by the time she looked again, the luxury car had already departed. She must have seen it incorrectly. Sage hurriedly ran downstairs, just in time to spot Hazel. She immediately burst into laughter. “Hazel, who was that man who just dropped you off? I didn't expect you to be so impatient with loneliness, already keeping a pretty boy!” A pretty boy? Zachary? An image of Zachary's refined and handsome face surfaced in Hazel's mind, along with his strong, domineering style that was subtly revealed through his mature and reserved demeanor. It was impossible for her to associate him with being a pretty boy. It was quite amusing. The Sullivan family was clueless about who the young master of the Luellen family was, assuming she was keeping a pretty boy. “Where's Grandpa? I need to see him,” Hazel said, bypassing Sage and heading upstairs. In the room upstairs, Henry Sullivan lay in bed, having been in a coma for ten years. Doctors had long since declared him to be in a vegetative state. In the Sullivan family, aside from her mother, Henry cherished Hazel the most. A decade ago, when she was just nine, her mother had tragically passed away due to illness. One fateful day, she woke up to find herself lying at the top of the staircase, with her grandfather sprawled at the bottom in a pool of blood. At that moment, Declan and the housekeepers rushed in. Regardless of her explanations, everyone was convinced that she was the one who had pushed him. Thus, without investigating the true circumstances of her grandfather's fall, Declan hastily sent the nine-year-old girl to the countryside overnight. From then on, he turned a deaf ear to her. It was only later that Hazel discovered that her father had been unfaithful during his marriage. He had an affair with the former renowned actress, Julia, and even fathered two children with her. The eldest, Calla Sullivan, was even older than Hazel. This time, when Hazel returned home under the guise of a substitute bride, her goal was to uncover the truth of the past. After taking Henry's pulse, Hazel proceeded to extract a silver needle. With precision. She then inserted it into the old man's acupoint... Tucking away the silver needle, Hazel made sure Henry was properly covered with a blanket. In a soft voice, she assured him, “Grandpa, don't worry. I will definitely cure you. Soon, you will wake up.” Inside the kitchen. Sage found Julia. “Mom, I have something to tell you. Earlier, Hazel was brought back by a man. That man is the pretty boy Hazel is keeping!” As Julia was preparing some broth, she paused in surprise at the words she heard. “What? Are you sure? Keeping a pretty boy is an expensive affair. Does she have the money for that? Could it be that she's already found a lover right after getting married?” “She's now married to that sickly guy from Maplewood Manor, and I'm sure his family must be giving her an allowance every month. She's probably using that money to keep her pretty boy. What a shameless little tramp.” Looking at her bustling mother, Sage curiously asked, “Mom, who is this pot of broth for?” “Hazel.” “What, Mom? I didn't hear wrong, did I?” Julia took out a packet of powdered drug, sprinkling it into the thick broth. “What's the rush? I'll add a sedative to this broth. Yesterday at the wedding, Mr. King took a fancy to Hazel. I think Hazel has a pretty good figure, and she could fetch a good price. Besides, she married a man who's on his deathbed. We can still sell her off to other big shots as a plaything. Once I have some provocative photos of her, she won't dare to disobey.” Sage gave a thumbs up, expressing her admiration. “Mom, you're brilliant! I'm going to the cake shop to buy a cake, and I'll be back later to watch the show!” Julia brought out the broth she had prepared. Just then, Hazel descended the stairs. Swiftly, Julia called out, “Hazel, I personally made this broth for you. Come and have some quickly.” Julia had prepared soup for her, but could she really eat this bowl of soup? Hazel, with a charming smile, confidently strode into the dining hall. She even took a few spoonfuls of the broth, expressing her gratitude with a delighted smile. “This is delicious, Aunt Julia. Thank you.” “No need to thank me. Just finish it all if it's tasty.” Inwardly, Julia cursed her as a fool, but on the surface, she kept a polite smile. Soon, Hazel felt darkness creeping into her vision. “Aunt Julia,” she asked, “what... what did you give me to eat?” Hazel collapsed directly onto the table. With a smirk, Julia ordered her people to escort Hazel into the upstairs room. Soon, an overweight middle-aged man, slick with sweat, came running over excitedly. “Mrs. Sullivan,” he panted, “Where is she? Did you get her?” “Mr. King,” Julia said with a smile, “Hazel is in the room. This sedative should keep her asleep for a couple of hours. You can enjoy your time undisturbed.” “Mrs. Sullivan, you've handled this beautifully.” Marcus King, in a state of urgency, dashed toward the room. Julia abruptly grabbed hold of Marcus. “Mr. King, you had previously agreed to invest in Sullivan Healthcare...” At the wedding banquet yesterday, Marcus was captivated by the stunning elegance of Hazel, causing his heart to flutter. As a result, he struck a deal with Julia. “Mrs. Sullivan, rest assured. I'll keep my word,” said Marcus as he swiftly entered the room. Inside the room, Marcus was practically salivating as he stared at Hazel, who was lying on the bed. He quickly stripped off his clothes and pounced, declaring, “My little beauty, I'm here!”