Chapter 4 Similar Scent

This man stood with impressive height, his crisp white shirt accentuating a refined and sophisticated presence. His skin was unusually pale, almost like someone who'd just risen from a long, difficult illness.

But instead of diminishing his appeal, this paleness gave him an edgy allure, hinting at an untamed nature lurking beneath the surface. One look at him, and those sharp, chiseled features were burned into memory-impossible to forget.

Nicole wondered if the man was that "legendary" Aidan Moore. For a brief moment, Nicole gave him a thorough once-over.

Seriously, this man was not ugly at all. He had broad shoulders and stood tall, without any visible sign of disability.

With a decisive movement, Nicole finally released her hold on the wolf.

Even though it was no longer restrained, the wolf continued to stare fiercely at Nicole, its aggression clearly undiminished.

In a commanding tone, Aidan called out to the beast sharply, "Come."

Instantly, the wolf's hostility vanished, and it padded submissively to Aidan, settling obediently at his feet. The wolf even nudged at the hem of his pants, putting on an act of innocence as if afraid of reprimand.

Nicole could hardly believe what she was seeing. The wolf, vicious just moments ago, now behaved like a tame pet obeying its master. Never before had she witnessed such absolute obedience from a creature so clearly wild.

With a mere sideways glance from Aidan, the wolf lowered its head submissively, slowly slinking towards the exit. As it reached the door, it cast one final, resentful glance at Nicole, clearly promising future retribution.

A faint smirk crossed Nicole's lips; she understood perfectly-this wolf wouldn't soon forget her.

Aidan's intense gaze returned to Nicole, assessing her with quiet dominance. His lips moved slowly, forming a statement rather than a question. "You're not Marissa Wilson."

His very presence seemed dangerous, powerful enough to suffocate the air from the room.

Nicole's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to figure her out this fast.

Pressing her lips together firmly, Nicole answered without hesitation, "I'm Nicole Wilson, her older sister."

He took a moment to study her closely. She appeared delicate, petite, almost fragile; her thin figure hardly reached his shoulder.

Had he not witnessed the earlier struggle himself, he would've doubted someone so small could subdue an animal like the wolf bare-handed. Not only had she fought, she'd convincingly won.

The fierce woman who had just battled the wolf-Fang-seemed entirely disconnected from the delicate girl now standing before him. He raised an eyebrow slightly. "A substitute bride? You've got nerve."

Nicole swallowed, her throat tight as the pressure in the room thickened. The moment Aidan had stepped inside, he'd taken absolute control over everything within it.

Though she couldn't read his exact thoughts, Nicole realized something undeniable-the wolf's attack had clearly been orchestrated by him.

She was uncertain what exactly he intended. But the cold look in his eyes conveyed one clear message-her arrival was unwelcome.

Without warning, Aidan closed the distance between them in a single stride.

The subtle scent of sandalwood surrounded Nicole, slipping gently past her defenses and setting off a frantic rhythm inside her chest. A buried memory surfaced abruptly. It reminded her of the mysterious man she'd met five years earlier. The fragrance was hauntingly similar.

Distracted by memory, Nicole didn't notice when Aidan's arm circled her waist, drawing her swiftly and securely into his hold. Before she realized it, he'd lifted her effortlessly and pressed her onto the bed. Within seconds, he pinned her beneath him, leaving no space between them.

Nicole's breathing hitched sharply as she instinctively struggled against his hold. She'd believed years spent isolated in the mental hospital had hardened her heart entirely, yet meeting his gaze now shattered that illusion instantly.

Accepting the role of substitute bride had never included surrendering her body. Moreover, she'd lost her virginity five years ago; if a man as proud as a Moore discovered that his bride had been with another man, he might be furious.

Aidan gently tilted her chin upward with a single finger, forcing eye contact. His voice dropped, carrying an arrogant amusement edged with cold disdain. "Your family is really willing to do anything for that ten million dollar. Even marrying a dying man and risking widowhood-is that truly worth the price?"

Nicole steadied her breathing, boldly meeting his gaze head-on. "Don't talk like that, Mr. Moore. You're not going to die anytime soon, and I'm not here to be a widow. Perhaps I can even help you overcome whatever ails you."

Aidan absently twirled a strand of her hair around his finger, expression cool and unreadable, but undeniably alluring.

"Oh? Are you suggesting you're capable of curing me?" His words slid out smoothly, a dangerous promise behind their seductive tone.