Chapter 2
Amaris sank into the sofa, completely at ease, her fingers flying across her phone as she replied to Callan Ridge’s message
Callan: Amaris, can you make it to the Late Laughs timals tomorrow! Everyone’s calling you the best debater. If you don’t show up and take that trophy, it’d be such a waste!]
Amaris’s reply was simple: [Yes.]
Callan: At the train station today, my friends were practically begging for your autograph! And then you just left with some serious–looking older guy. Wait, are you really going to marry Osrie Do you even know what they say about him? The guy’s cursed! He’s bad luck for everyone–his parents, his wife, his kids. Don’t throw your life away for tu!]
“Many Ovric” Amaris let out a cold laugh, her lips curving into a mocking smile.
If it weren’t for her grandfather pulling every dramatic trick in the book–threatening to starve himself, sell everything, and leave her penniless- she wouldn’t have bothered coming.
Sure, she’d agreed to “try,” but it was all an act. She was confident that once Osric saw her frumpy clothes and awkward stutter, he’d be the one rushing to cancel the engagement
And when that happened, her grandfather wouldn’t have a leg to stand on
“Miss Wynn, can you please hurry up and get ready? Mr. Hale’s a clean freak, you know! Ava chimed in impatiently.
Amaris finally looked up, her icy gaze sweeping over Ava. She raised her hand lazily, motioning for Ryan, who had just entered, to come closer.
It was Ryan who had picked her up from the train station earlier. Amaris wasn’t stupid–she knew Oare had deliberately skipped the pick–up to show her where she stood.
Fine. Two could play that game, she thought.
Ryan hesitated, glancing at Amaris and then at the fancy dress laid out for her. Sensing has hesitation, Ava couldn’t help but run her mouth. “Miss Wynn, what’s the big deal? We’re trying to help you! Look at yourself your clothes are filthy. Do you really want to show up to Mrs. Fenella Hale’s binhday banquet looking like that? Do you want Mr. Hale to lose face?”
Amaris didn’t even look at her. Instead, she turned to Ryan and asked, her tone calm but cuning. “Is this.. how things are, in the Hale family? Maids walking all over their masters?”
Butler Li’s expression shifted instantly, his voice turning cold as he snapped at Ava. “How dare you? Do you have no sense of respect? Miss Wynn is a guest personally invited by Mrs. Fellena Hale and the future mistress of this house. Apologize to her. Now,”
Ava froze, her face full of disbelief. “Apologize! To her? For what?”
Before Ryan could respond, Amaris spoke again, her voice soft but unyielding: “Slap yourself. Ten times.”
The room went silent. Every maid stood frozen, eyes wide in shock. Someone seemed about to step forward to defend Ava, but Amaris cut her off sharply: “If you don’t, I leave
She rose to her feet, noving slowly, but her meaning was clear.
Panic Blickered across Ryan’s face. Fenella had been clear–Oric’s life was full of bad luck, and Amaris was the only person said to be able to counteract it. Letting her leave wasn’t an option.
Without hesitation, Ryan slapped Ava across the face. “If you don’t want me to finish the rest, start pow
Humiliated and seething, Ava had no choice. Ten loud, stinging slaps echoed through the room. By the time she was done, her face was red and tears were streaming down her checks. Without a word, she turned and bolted out of the room, too ashamed to stay.
Outside the Hale family’s grand villa, Ava’s sobs echoed faintly, like dry leaves fluttering in the wind–weak and pathetic, yet somehow grating Meanwhile, in the luxury car parked nearby, Osric rested his long, slender fingers casually on the edge of the half–open window. Every movement was effortlessly refined, as if sculpted by nature itsell
His face, sharp and impossibly handsome, was like a masterpiece touched by the divine, but his thin, tiglutly pressed lips betrayed his growing impatience as he listened to Ava’s exaggerated, tear–filled rant
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Chapter 2
He glanced briefly at her swollen, tear–streaked face and felt his annoyance with this entire ridiculous marriage deepen.
The butler hurried out upon hearing of his return, ready to welcome him. But before he could speak, Osric cut him off, his voice cold and clipped. “Tell her to come out. What’s she doing, waiting for me to personally invite her?”
across the sofa, sound
The butler quickly nodded and went inside. But as he stepped into the living room, he was stunned to find Amaris sprawled across asleep.
The long trip had clearly worn her out, and she was sleeping deeply, her breathing even and relaxed. There was even a small droplet of drool glistening at the corner of her mouth, giving her an almost childlike, carefree charm.
Ryan’s heart sank. This was going to piss Oric off even more. With a heavy sigh, he turned and went back out to report
“She’s asleep the butler said hesitantly.
Without another word, he stepped out of the car. His long legs carried him into the villa with sharp; determined strides.
He stopped by the sofa and, without a second’s hesitation, reached out and yanked Amaris awake.
Startled. Amaris jolied upright, disoriented and blinking in confusion.
She quickly wiped the drool from her mouth, grabbed her glasses, and shoved them on before looking up at the towering figure in front of her.
Her mind cleared just enough to put the pieces together. This arrogant, overbearing man had to be…Osric. Wait…
with that woman. And this
Her eyes widened as realization hit. This was the same guy she’d seen at the train station bathroom–the one tangled up wi is supposed to be my fiance?”
“This guy’s supposed to be my fiance? Seriously she thought, completely baffled
Whatever sliver of doubt she had about breaking off this engagement was gone. She was done.
Her quick nap had left her hair in complete disarray, and her already casual appearance now bordered on sloppy. Her messy hair and sleepy expression made her look completely out of place.
Ouric, on the other hand, looked as refined and untouchable as ever. But when his eyes swept over her, they darkened further, his disdain barely concealed.
Rustic. Messy, Completely out of place, he thought. If I actually marry her. I’ll be the laughingstock of the entire city!
“You..you’re…” Amaris finally stammered, nervously adjusting her glasses.
His face darkened even further, his voice cold enough to freeze the air. “Orise”
Amaris’s lips curved into a playful, mocking smile. “Oh so you’re my fiance. Gotta say, you’re pretty full of yourself, huh?” He’d left her hanging at the train station, refused to come inside, and now he was here, acting like he was doing her a favor.
Fine. I’ll play along–just to piss him off, she thought.
The more annoyed he got, the better. If making him hate her meant he’d call off the engagement, she’d gladly keep pushing his buttons.
Oric clearly wasn’t thrilled either. He turned to leave, his tone cold and commanding “Get ready. You’re coming withine to see my grandmother
His grandmother. That must be the “Mrs. Fellena Hale” her grandfather had gone on about.
Amaris lazily ruffled her hair, grabbed her plain camas bag, and followed after him,
The
e moment she got into the car, she caught him shooting a disgusted glance at her bag.
Other women would be carrying designer purses, but her! She showed up with a worn–out canvas bag like she was heading to a flea market.
His expression darkened. Without a word, he palled out a blank check and tossed it onto her lap.
‘Girls like her—isn’t it all ab
about money! Fine. She could name her price, he thought. Whatever it look to get rid of her, he’d gladly pay it. Amaris picked up the check, her eyes sp
eyes sparkling with sudden excitement. “Well, isn’t this convenient?
If she’d known all it took to end the engagement was cash, she wouldn’t have wasted her energy playing the clueless bumpkin.
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Chapter 2
“So, how much do you think I’m worth?” she asked, pushing up her glasses, her tone completely serious.
Osric turned to look at her, finally giving her a second glance. Despite her plain clothes and messy look, her features were surprisingly refined delicate, almost. There was something about her that felt oddly familiar, though he couldn’t quite place it.
Worried he might’ve misunderstood. Amaris adjusted her glasses again and added. “Go ahead, name your price. How much for you to leave me alone! Let’s not kid ourselves–there’s no point in this engagement. Even if we get married, it’ll be a disaster.
“Save us both the trouble. Take the money, tell your grandmother you’re calling it off, and we’ll go our separate ways. Don’t hold back–whatever number you’re thinking, I can handle it.”
The corner of Oric’s lips curved into a mocking smile, his expression dripping with amusement. Her, asking me to name a price? To leave her!”
“Rich, are you?” he asked sarcastically, his tone sharp. Then his smile faded, and his gaze sumed icy. “Or maybe you’ve heard the rumors and are scared I’ll bring you had luck
Amaris blinked. She’d heard about his supposed “cursed fate” from her grandfather–a man blessed with fortune but cursed with had energy, said to bring misfortune to everyone around him.
Her specific birth chart was supposed to counteract it, which was why Fellena was so insistent on this marrage.
She’d checked out his fortune herself and decided all that “cursed” talk was seriously overhyped. She wasn’t worried about him “killing her or anything dramatic like that
But then, it hit her. Money
Her playful expression froze. She’d forgotten–her grandfather had already sold off everything she had to force her into this marriage
She was broke, Completely broke. Not a penny to h
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