Bethany was completely confused as she was guided into the car, having no clue what was going on.
A low, firm voice sounded from beside her. "So, you're Bethany Nelson?"
A shiver ran through her entire body.
There was something strangely familiar about that voice.
She lifted her gaze and saw a man with sharply defined features, his eyes beneath thick brows cold, intense, and intimidating.
He was strikingly handsome, carrying a powerful and commanding presence.
A man like him was not someone one could easily forget after seeing once.
Bethany was certain she had never crossed paths with him before, and the familiarity she felt must have been nothing more than her imagination.
Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she lowered her gaze slightly and answered, "Yes, and who might you be?"
The man observed her closely, his gaze searching. "I'm Connor Roberts. There was once a marriage arrangement between our families, and I've come to fulfill it."
What?
Bethany faltered, her voice unsteady. "You mean... you intend to marry me?"
"You could say that," Connor answered calmly.
Bethany was completely stunned, unable to process it. Was this some kind of absurd joke?
Connor simply watched her in silence, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
His eyes were piercing and intense, as though they could see straight through her.
Her instincts immediately warned her that this man was dangerous.
Unease filled her to the point she could barely remain still. "Um—"
"When was the last time you showered?" Connor interrupted suddenly, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. "Excuse me?"
"You don't smell very good," he stated flatly, as if unaware of how harsh it sounded.
Bethany's face instantly turned bright red.
A surge of embarrassment and humiliation washed over her.
She awkwardly adjusted the hem of her clothing, which was wrinkled, damp from the rain, and stained with dust from the hospital walls. She truly looked disheveled.
The redness spread down her neck as she dropped her gaze to her shoes, too ashamed to move.
Connor looked away and instructed the driver in a cold tone, "Take us to Iridale."
Without giving Bethany any chance to object, the car quickly drove off.
Iridale was a high-end neighborhood.
After arriving, Bethany got out and saw a two-story house standing prominently under the sunlight. Connor directed a maid to escort her to a bathroom.
Still affected by Connor's earlier remark, Bethany thought she noticed the maid subtly wrinkle her nose as she approached.
Feeling embarrassed, she quickly said, "I can take care of it myself."
The maid passed her a set of fresh clothes before stepping back a few paces. "Each room on the second floor comes with its own bathroom. You may use any, except for the third room from the east."
Bethany only wanted to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere. She nodded quickly, grabbed the clothes, and rushed upstairs without delay.
The second floor was lined with numerous rooms. She opened the room nearest to the staircase and headed straight into the bathroom.
As she removed her clothes, her body came into view, marked with patches of red. Overlapping hickeys and bite marks stood out clearly against her delicate skin.
She had expected some marks, but not to such an extent.
A sudden wave of sadness hit her, tears gathering in her eyes as she avoided looking at her reflection. She turned on the shower and let the hot water flow, blending with the tears running down her face.
It had been her first time having sex. She had intended to give it to the man she loved, only for it to be taken in such an unexpected and absurd way by someone else.
Worse, she didn't even know what that man looked like.
She scrubbed at her skin frantically, overwhelmed by sorrow, completely missing the faint sound of the bathroom door opening beneath the noise of the running water.
It was only when a chuckle cut through the sound that she realized someone else was in the room.
"Are you trying to seduce me?" Connor asked.