Chapter 1

"You're 28 and still not thinking about marriage?" "It's boring. Not my thing." "Then what interests you?" Leonardo Garrett lounged on the leather couch, idly twisting his black rosary beads. "If I have to get married, I'd rather take a vow of celibacy." "Are you trying to piss me off?" "If you have nothing else to say, I'm leaving," Leonardo said as he stood. "Try talking less and sleeping more. And don't get too emotional as you age. It might help you live longer." With that, he walked out without a second thought. Adrian Garrett trembled with rage. Frustrated, he declared, "I need to find him a partner today!" ... "Send a bottle of Remy Martin XO to Room 21." The noise in the bar was so loud that Samantha Newton couldn't hear clearly. Was that one or 21? She raised her voice to ask, "What's the room number?" Too preoccupied to respond properly, the woman shot her an irritated look and snapped, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up! The customer needs it urgently. If you're late, it'll be docked from your pay!" "On it!" Samantha quickly grabbed the bottle and rushed off. A year ago, the Newton family reunited with their biological daughter, uncovering the truth that Samantha was not their own by blood. After a series of unfortunate events, they kicked her out, leaving her broke and alone. All the money she earned went toward her living expenses and tuition. Without this job, she would struggle to afford food and continue her education. The choice was simply between two private rooms. Worst-case scenario, she'd have to make an extra trip. Ultimately, she decided to check Room One first. Two vigilant bodyguards in black suits stood guard at the entrance. Trying her best not to mind them, she knocked on the door softly. "Excuse me, did you order—" Samantha barely had time to finish her sentence when the door swung open, and she was yanked inside. "Hurry up! He'll be here any minute." "I'm just here to deliver the bottle of—" The man paid no attention to her protests, pulling her further into the room. He instructed, "The lingerie is on the bed in the next room. Get changed now. No matter what, you need to get this done. Don't worry about the money. I'll compensate you well." "What?" "Enough! Just hurry up and get ready!" Without another word, the man quickly left the private room, leaving Samantha confused and alone. She couldn't understand what was going on. She had only come to deliver a bottle of alcohol. Thinking it might belong to them, she quietly set the bottle on the table. The private room was a spacious suite, complete with an outdoor karaoke area and a lavish bedroom inside. After setting down the bottle, she turned to leave, only to realize that the door had been locked from the outside. Panic set in as she quickly knocked on the door, her nerves growing. "Hey! Why is the door locked? Open it! Help! How could you shut me in like this? Samantha pounded on the door desperately, but there was no response. "Let me out! Is anyone there?" In that instant, the gravity of the situation sank in. Shouting was pointless. No one would hear her. Instead, she decided to conserve her energy and focus on finding a way to escape. Had she been kidnapped? The thought sent a chill down her spine. She needed help, but there was a problem. Employees were required to surrender their phones at the start of their shifts. With no way to contact anyone, she was completely cut off. A peculiar fragrance lingered in the room, making her lightheaded. She wasn't sure if it was the cold air from the air conditioner or something else, but she found it a bit difficult to breathe. Just then, the private room door swung open. Samantha sprang to her feet, desperate to leave. "I'm a server here. You can't lock me in—" Before she could finish, a tall figure stumbled into the room. As she rushed forward, the man collapsed into her arms. She estimated that he was nearly six feet five inches tall. His solid, muscular build pressed against her shoulders, sending a dull ache through them. But with his body slumped against her, she couldn't get a clear look at his face. Samantha eagerly looked at the door. "Hey! I'm still in here! Wait a minute! Let me out first!" However, the door slammed shut without hesitation, leaving her trapped inside. She struggled desperately to push the man away, but he was too heavy. She couldn't move at all. Despite his lean appearance, it felt as though he weighed at least 300 to 400 pounds, nearly crushing her under his weight. "Sir, can you stand on your own?" she asked. "So hot…" he muttered. "Perhaps the air conditioning is turned up too high. Please hold on while I contact my colleagues to adjust the temperature." "You smell amazing…" The man suddenly leaned in, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. Through her clothes, she could feel his intense warmth and the strong rhythm of his heartbeat. It was perfectly in sync with her own racing pulse. She had never been this close to a man before, and the unfamiliarity made her uneasy. Instinctively, she tried to pull away. "Let go of me!" With his weight pressing against her, she struggled, throwing them both off balance. They tumbled onto the soft cashmere carpet. It was only then that Samantha finally got a clear look at his face. Flawless skin. Sharp, refined features. Deep-set eyes framed by strikingly thick eyebrows. He looked as if he had been meticulously sculpted to perfection. A small mole at the corner of his eye added a touch of mystery. His beauty was unparalleled, unlike anyone Samantha had ever seen. She couldn't help but be mesmerized. He narrowed his eyes at her and sneered, his awareness seemingly returning. "Are you the woman they hired for me?" "What are you talking about?" "How cheap. Selling yourself for money." Samantha's head throbbed, and she angrily slapped the man, exclaiming, "What nonsense are you talking about?" His head jerked to the side. When he looked back at her, his eyes were bloodshot. "You dare slap me?" Samantha felt a flicker of fear at the intensity in his eyes. Pressing her lips together, she stayed silent and prepared to leave. But just as she turned, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and yanked her back. "Ah!" She lost her balance and stumbled into his arms, his mocking laughter ringing in her ears. "You're quite good at playing hard to get." "Leave me alone!" She struggled to get up, but he only pressed her down more firmly. Her hair brushed against his nose, carrying a subtle, intoxicating scent that only intensified his desire. "What's that smell?" Samantha continued to struggle, trying to break free, but he held her tightly, inhaling the fragrance at her neck. "Love potion?" "Let me go!" she shouted. "I don't know what you're talking about." His eyes narrowed as his grip tightened, his rationality slipping away. "Double insurance, huh? Looks like my grandpa really went all out. Well done. You've truly played your part perfectly." She couldn't help but feel scared. "What are you planning to do?" He didn't answer. Instead, he gently lowered the mask from her face and pressed his lips against hers. That soft, delicate kiss felt like a slow-acting poison, stealing her senses and drawing her deeper into an intoxicating abyss.