Chapter 4 This woman was indeed a handful!

Hanna moved to the dressing mirror and quickly began to change.

As she dressed, she couldn't help but steal glances at Kayce.

Despite his aloofness, there was an undeniable magnetism about him.

With his long legs and a muscular build, he stood around 6 feet tall.

Last night, he had used something to pull her onto the bed, and she hadn't seen him stand. Now, he was in a wheelchair. Perhaps he really was paralyzed.

Everyone in Zreles knew Kayce was a prodigy, conquering the business world by thirteen and becoming a mogul by twenty. Cold and ruthless, he was known as the "Shadow Master."

And Hanna had glimpsed his stunningly handsome face...

Such a remarkable man, now half-paralyzed...

What a tragedy!

But this could also explain his warped psyche, hiding his beauty and reveling in others' fear.

Hanna finished changing in a daze. Then, a middle-aged woman in luxurious attire entered the room with a smile.

Hanna recognized her from the previous night.

It was Kayce's mother, Margot Collins.

Kayce greeted her with a rare gentleness,

"Mom."

Hanna was surprised to find that Kayce wasn't always as cold as an iceberg. His voice, though still imbued with an innate nobility and aloofness when he spoke to Margot, was strikingly gentle.

"Mm,"

Margot answered, casting a glance at Kayce before approaching Hanna.

"Hanna, newlyweds should be sleeping in. Why are you up so early?"

Margot's gaze fell on Hanna's collarbone, and when she noticed the suggestive red mark, her eyes sparkled with interest.

"Oh my, what's this on your neck...

Is this a hickey from my son?"

Hanna blushed and hastily pulled up her collar.

She wanted to explain that Kayce had bitten her, but he interrupted, "My bed sheets are dirty. Take them to be washed."

"Yes, Mr. Collins,"

a servant responded, quietly taking Kayce's bed sheets.

Moments later, she returned with a sheet dotted with crimson stains and presented it to Margot.

"Oh my goodness, why show me something so private?"

Margot pretended to glance away but couldn't hide her delight.

"This is a precious symbol of my daughter-in-law blossoming into womanhood. Don't wash it-put it back on their bed."

Hanna stared at the sheet in disbelief.

Most girls bleed the first time,

but she hadn't been with Kayce. Besides, seven days ago, she had already...

How could there be any bloodstains?

Glancing at Kayce, she caught his warning look.

She recalled his earlier order to keep her mouth shut.

Seeing Margot's reaction to the bite mark and the bloody sheet, Hanna realized Kayce had done this to please his mother.

"Thank goodness! My son isn't a failure. He can still have children. Our family lineage can be carried on!"

Margot exclaimed, squeezing Hanna's hand, tears falling on her palm.

"Did you know? Kayce used to be such a looker. That illness ruined his body and face. He'll never stand again and has become like this...

It's so unfair!"

So, even Margot didn't know the truth about Kayce's face!

What kind of crucial secret would make him hide it even from his own mother?

Hanna's curiosity only deepened.

She stole another glance at Kayce,

but he caught her eye this time, his gaze sharp and penetrating. Startled, Hanna quickly looked away,

but Kayce continued to watch her.

Her delicate features and captivating eyes were especially striking. At 5.4 feet, she had a graceful, curvaceous figure.

Many women had thrown themselves at Kayce, some more beautiful and shapely than Hanna, but he had always turned them down with disdain.

Yet now, whether due to her scent or some other reason, as Kayce observed Hanna, his long-dormant heart stirred again, much as it had the previous night...

Kayce narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening slightly.

This woman was truly dangerous!

"Alright, since you're up, let's go downstairs for breakfast.

Later, you'll have to return to your parents' house,"

Margot said, patting Hanna's hand gently.

In Zreles, newlyweds visited the bride's family the day after the wedding.

Hanna brightened with eagerness at the mention of going home.

She was eager to go home so she could learn about her mother's location.

After breakfast, as Kayce couldn't leave the house, the Collins family prepared gifts and arranged a car to take Hanna home alone.

Margot wheeled Kayce to bid Hanna farewell.

Before Hanna got into the car, Kayce patted her hand.

"Take care, honey."

Hanna knew Kayce was putting on a show for Margot, so she played along, smiling warmly.

"Thank you, honey. You're so caring!"

Margot wept tears of joy.

Kayce's true face remained hidden behind his mask, his emotions inscrutable.

After talking to the mother and son, Hanna quickly entered the car.

In the car, Hanna looked at Kayce through the window, her emotions inexplicable.

It was odd-whenever she was near Kayce, she felt transported back to that night seven days ago, when she had been violated by a stranger.

She had questioned Brynn, who had informed her that the man from that night was an escaped convict, who had been caught and executed the next day.

Hanna had even checked the hotel surveillance, confirming an escaped convict had indeed spent the night there.

Recalling this, Hanna felt a surge of anger.

But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. She had urgent matters to attend to at home.