Chapter 1
Inside the grand Dining Hall, an extravagant crystal chandelier hung overhead, its many layers casting prisms of light across the room. Outside the tall windows, manicured lawns and a beautiful garden, dotted with a few lush French planes, filtered the sunlight into delicate patterns on the ornate white dining table. “Dad, are you kidding me?” After a brief moment of shock, Sir Alaric Blackwood tossed the photo in his hand aside, his appetite vanishing like the summer breeze. The standard passport-sized picture featured a girl with bright eyes and a dazzling smile. Across the table, Lord Reginald Blackwood accepted a napkin from the maid, his voice calm and authoritative. “The marketplace is like a battlefield; honor your commitments—this is the greatest weapon. Her parents are gone, and she has no reliable family. I will arrange for her to come here, and once she graduates, we can proceed with the wedding.” Always decisive and assertive, the chairman of the Blackwood Guild had a reputation for getting things done quickly. This was true in business, and it was true in his personal affairs. In just a few sentences, everything was already arranged. No one dared to speak against Lord Reginald. Sir Alaric’s expression darkened, refusing to hesitate. “Dad, I refuse.” What a joke! Marrying someone he hadn’t even met was absolutely ludicrous! Lord Reginald didn’t even raise his gaze. Standing up, the maid swiftly pulled back his chair, bowing respectfully as she stepped aside. “You don’t get a say in this,” Lord Reginald cut in sharply, “Don’t push me to take matters into my own hands with that girl, Lady Annabelle Grey.” Sir Alaric's expression shifted dramatically, springing to his feet as anger sparked in his eyes. “Lady Annabelle is innocent; you can’t touch her!” A cold smile creased Lord Reginald’s lips. Tension crackled in the air, a sense of impending confrontation looming over them. Just then, Lord Reginald’s assistant, Rowland, hurried over. Ignoring Sir Alaric’s furious, reddened eyes, he respectfully addressed him. “Young Master.” Then, leaning close to Lord Reginald, he whispered something that immediately changed the latter’s demeanor, prompting him to turn and leave. The moment Lord Reginald stepped out, Tobias the Sly, who had been holding his breath in fright, finally exhaled and moved closer, stealing a glance at the picture on the table. Well, she was rather charming—those sparkling eyes and playful dimples suggested she was quite the beauty. What a first impression Tobias had of his future Young Lady. “Young Master, once the chairman has made up his mind, no one can change it. What’s your plan?” On the dining table, the girl in the photograph beamed, her cheeks creating gentle dimples that made her look utterly adorable. Those bright, twinkling eyes seemed to convey a world of innocence. With gritted teeth, Sir Alaric picked up the photograph, fingers tightening around it as he glared at her image. “Lady Evelina Hart, you can forget about me marrying you!” At twenty-five years old, Sir Alaric Blackwood, the precious heir of the illustrious Blackwood Manor, found himself in shock upon discovering his betrothal to a girl who was three years younger than him. In an age that celebrated love and freedom, this was utterly absurd, laughable, and totally unbelievable. --- “Help! Robbery! Rape! Murder!!!” Lady Evelina never thought she would be the victim of a kidnapping. Two massive, burly men roughly dragged her, carrying her like a doll, and tossed her into the back of a vehicle.
Chapter 2
She was forcefully pushed into the spacious back seat of the car. The window locked shut, and with it, any cries for help were sealed away inside. In the blink of an eye, the imposing Bugatti Throne vanished from the entrance of the University of St. Bright. Everything happened too fast. Before anyone could react, Lady Evelina Hart had been seemingly "kidnapped." "Broad daylight, and they dare to abduct a college girl? This group has no fear, no respect for the law!" Someone tried to call the police, but before they could dial, they were stopped. "What are you thinking? Do you want to keep living like this?" The person who intervened was Sir Cedric Thornfield, a senior and former suitor of Lady Evelina. He was one of the witnesses to her abduction. "What’s wrong? You used to like her, right? And now you’re just going to stand by and watch her get taken?" a bystander exclaimed, bewildered. Sir Cedric’s expression darkened as he slowly released his grip, tightly pressing his lips together. After a moment, he asked, "Do you know who took Evelina?" The person trying to report it was shaking with anger. “No one is above the law, not even them! This is a society governed by law!” Sir Cedric let out a cold laugh, as if mocking the other’s naivety. "You really think you can interfere with someone from the Blackwood family?" The righteous young man's face turned pale with realization. "Wait—are they from the Blackwood Guild?" "Did you think nobody would dare to stop them?" If the captors were members of the Blackwood family, Sir Cedric wasn't particularly worried. The Blackwood Guild was all about reputation. Lord Reginald Blackwood had established several charitable foundations and was seen as a philanthropist. Members of the Blackwood family wouldn’t dare break the law in public. Lady Evelina’s safety was unlikely to be at risk. Yet, how could someone as innocent and alone as Lady Evelina get entangled with such an illustrious family?— "Let me go! You thieves, you scoundrels! You can’t just abduct a girl like this in broad daylight! I will report you all and have you arrested! Let me go! Let me go! Help! Help!!!" The high-pitched, sharp curses and screams hadn’t ceased since Lady Evelina was shoved into the car. In the passenger seat, Tobias the Sly winced, his hand scratching at his ears as he suppressed a smirk. The girl was surprisingly small, but her power and endurance were relentless! She had been screaming for half an hour still had the energy to shout. "Who are you people? Where are you taking me?" Lady Evelina was squeezed between two towering bodyguards. Dressed all in black and with their sunglasses covering most of their faces, they hadn't moved or spoken since entering the car—like two living statues. Frustrated, Lady Evelina swung a punch at one of the bodyguards' chests. "I'm asking you a question! Are you made of wood? Show some response!" Damn it! How could she be so unlucky! She, an innocent girl who never sought trouble and was solely focused on her studies, had somehow ended up being kidnapped—by a rich guy who could afford a Bugatti at that. She strongly suspected they had the wrong person. Her small fist felt like hitting a solid rock; instead of hurting him, the compression of his stone-like muscles shot her hand back, hurting her enough that she recoiled in pain. From the rearview mirror, Tobias observed her plight and almost burst out laughing. In truth, this girl engaged to Young Master Alaric was rather charming.
Chapter 3
At Noble Hill Estate, a lavish neighborhood owned by the Blackwood Guild, the atmosphere felt almost regal, hidden away in the hills yet complete with all the modern amenities. It was like stepping into a secret, beautiful world. The villa district's grandeur was reminiscent of a royal garden, with every corner adorned by intricately designed rockeries, ponds, and pavilions. Tobias the Sly effortlessly waved his hand, causing the bodyguards assisting Lady Evelina Hart to step aside as she was helped out of the car. With a warm smile, Tobias approached her. “Miss Hart, you have nothing to fear. We’re not some ruthless thugs; we're just here to escort you to our Young Master.” He had no doubt that Lady Evelina wouldn’t try to make a run for it. After all, if she wasn’t completely foolish, she wouldn’t even consider such an absurd act. As expected, Lady Evelina didn’t attempt to escape. Biting her lip, she glanced around, her face flushed with anger. “Who exactly is this Young Master? Are you sure you haven’t got the wrong person?” It wasn’t that she didn’t want to flee, but the complex web of security codes spun around her seemed more than mere decorations. At that moment, four words echoed in her mind: “No way out!” The thought of escaping felt utterly hopeless. “Tobias the Sly, 22 years old, height 5'5", measurements 34-23-35, a sophomore in Nursing at the University of St. Bright, an only child, previously resided at 33 Huaiyang Road. Miss Hart, I can assure you that you are indeed the person our Young Master has been looking for,” Tobias stated with a smile, listing an array of personal details that left her momentarily stunned. After a moment of disbelief, all she could manage was a question. “Who is your Young Master, anyway?” This was the answer she desperately needed. Being taken against her will and experiencing such fright without understanding who was pulling the strings was infuriating. With a slight grin, Tobias replied politely, “You’ll find out soon enough. I assure you, my Young Master means no harm.” Ugh! Lady Evelina rolled her eyes at him in disbelief. There was no such thing as taking someone away without ill intent. The fear and anxiety she felt during the drive were too overwhelming to suggest otherwise. Tobias gestured for her to follow, leading the way. “Miss Hart, please come with me.” With no other option, Lady Evelina followed Tobias into a stunning, opulent villa. They passed through a garden, walked down a long hallway, and meandered through several smaller paths before stopping outside an indoor swimming pool. Tobias turned to her, his expression a bit odd. “The Young Master is inside.” She couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something was off about his demeanor. But all she cared about was confronting the person responsible for her abduction. As she mentally waged war on whether to unleash a barrage of insults or to slap him across the face upon meeting him, it was clear she had a strong aversion toward the unseen puppet master behind all this chaos. “Tobias doesn’t have a very good temper. Just a heads up, Miss Hart, don’t provoke him, or…” He made a slicing motion across his throat, his expression teasing as he observed her wide, curious eyes. Lady Evelina felt her stomach twist at his lighthearted warning, but whatever awaited her behind that door wouldn’t be fun at all.
Chapter 4
Lady Evelina Hart stood frozen, her complexion paling in an instant. The resentment she’d felt moments before crumbled under the weight of sheer panic... Someone capable of kidnapping her in broad daylight could just as easily commit a heinous act. Just as she was about to enter, a woman’s sultry laughter floated out, sweet and rich like gooey white chocolate, sending shivers down Evelina's spine. “Hey, Young Master, Miss Hart has arrived,” the voice of the woman chimed, and the laughter abruptly ceased. Bright sunlight poured into the room, yet the lights were turned on. European-style chandeliers hung elegantly from the ceiling like opulent fixtures in an ancient royal palace. The indoor swimming pool, enormous and expansive, was lined with bronze sculptures, while priceless paintings adorned the walls. What stunned Evelina the most was the large transparent fish tank embedded in the ceiling, with various fish swimming gracefully above her head. Her mind couldn’t quite grasp the surreal nature of the scene. No, not even in her wildest dreams would she envision something like this. She soon spotted a man lounging by the edge of the pool on a sofa, exuding an overwhelming aura of laziness. His black robe hugged a physique so perfectly sculpted it was almost alarming. He had deep-set brows framing those enticing eyes that shimmered with a cold detachment, and they roamed over her with an unsettling intensity that held an unmistakable hint of hostility. The man’s stunning looks were so overwhelming that Evelina found herself unable to hold his gaze. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she recognized him. She had known him long before this day. In the bustling City of Alford, Sir Alaric Blackwood was the talk of the town, a member of the elite ‘Four Young Masters.’ However, Evelina recognized him for a different reason — he was her fiancé, the one she’d never met. On her eighteenth birthday, her parents, Lord Hart and Lady Hart, revealed the engagement to the Blackwood family. A token had been exchanged at the time of their betrothal: a pair of twin fish medallions. The piece Evelina wore had been around her neck since the day she was born, while the other piece was said to be with Sir Alaric Blackwood. The stare he fixed upon her, one that mirrored a predator sizing up its prey, was unsettlingly intense. She could feel the sharp glances from the women surrounding him, all poised and sharp-eyed, like cats watching a mouse; it was clear they weren’t pleased with her presence. Tobias the Sly guided her closer, and as Evelina neared, she noticed a stylishly dressed woman standing beside Sir Alaric. “Lady Evelina, surely your parents have mentioned the union between the Hart and Blackwood families,” the woman said. She had a stunning figure and a face that could grace any magazine cover, at least 5'9", reminiscent of the glamorous models she often saw on television. There was a vague familiarity about her, though Evelina couldn’t quite place it. Evelina found herself momentarily lost in the woman’s beauty, her indifference to Sir Alaric’s greeting clear. "Lady Hart, Lady Hart..." It wasn’t until Tobias gave her a gentle nudge that she snapped back to reality, casting a few lingering glances at the alluring woman. Beautiful, stunningly beautiful! “Lady Hart, the Young Master is speaking to you,” Tobias remarked, his intuition kicking in. He sensed that something interesting might unfold between this innocent young girl and the aloof Young Master—a man who had never been so thoroughly ignored, especially not by a woman.
Chapter 5
In contrast to the swarm of women who flock to the Young Master, Lady Evelina Hart felt like an oddity in the room. As she met the icy glare directed at her, a shiver ran down her spine. Looking up, she found Sir Alaric Blackwood's thin lips pressed into a tight line, his sharp eyes narrowed dangerously as they swept over her. A smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth, dripping with disdain. "Elyse, give her the release document." Just a naïve girl—hardly anyone worth a second glance. According to his research, she was twenty years old, but to him, she seemed more like a child yet to reach adulthood. Alaric had never been interested in girls like her; he wouldn’t even waste a glance. With a polished smile that spoke of corporate niceties, Elyse gracefully stepped aside and handed the document bag to Lady Evelina. "Miss Hart, please take a look. If you have any requirements, we can negotiate." Lady Evelina furrowed her brow, confused. "What is this?" Pushing her glasses up, Elyse explained in detail, "It's a declaration. Many years ago, the Blackwood family entered into a betrothal agreement with the Hart family. According to that arrangement, the Young Master is supposed to marry you once you reach marrying age. But Lady Hart must understand that we’re in an era that celebrates love freely. There isn't a shred of emotional foundation between you and the Young Master, and he doesn’t want to marry a stranger." "However," Elyse continued with a slight smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "the Blackwood family doesn’t want to break their word lightly. This document serves to allow Lady Hart to voluntarily abandon the arrangement, ensuring that there will be no ties between her and the Blackwood family in the future. And of course… the relinquishment is compensated. Inside the bag is a bank card with a sum that won’t disappoint you." Compensation? Lady Evelina stood frozen, slowly beginning to grasp the real purpose of her abduction. She felt a mix of surprise followed by laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Sir Alaric had made a point of preparing a release document. Did he really think a mere verbal agreement lacking any legal standing would entangle the Blackwood family? Or him? What an arrogant man, too full of himself to see clearly. Disdain bubbled beneath her surface, but she took the document bag without opening it, gazing at Sir Alaric's annoyingly handsome yet contemptible face. "Young Master, can you tell me how much is on that card?" With a lazy smirk, Alaric raised his hand, summoning a woman who appeared with a glass of red wine, presented like a prized possession. Her hands were delicate as if holding something precious, her demeanor almost subservient, yet her face wore an eager smile. Lady Evelina scrunched her brow in discomfort—the scene before her was downright painful to witness! "The amount on the card should ensure you never have to worry about money again," he scoffed, and the hint of disdain in his eyes was unmistakable. Another woman who saw cash and thought only of gold. He expected a child raised by a calculating family to have better values, yet here he was, witnessing a bargain he considered beneath him. Yet, if money could settle this, it would save him a heap of trouble. Elyse urged once more, "Miss Hart, you should really look at the document's details." "No thanks," Lady Evelina replied, her gaze firmly fixed on Sir Alaric, her eyes reflecting an unclouded resolve. Typically bubbly and hyperactive, she barely ever showed seriousness, but now her tone shifted. "Young Master, while it's true there was a commitment between the Hart family and the Blackwood family, my parents never intended to enforce it with any meaning. Neither did I. If I had thought about marrying you, we wouldn’t be meeting for the first time now."
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