"Please... Let me go," Corinne Gibson pleaded, her voice quivering with fear.
She felt engulfed by the man's searing body warmth, reminiscent of a furnace's heat.
Fear gripped her, tears brimming in her eyes. The man's imposing figure blurred before her, his grip tight on her wrist. His voice, deep and raspy, offered reassurance. "Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for this."
A sharp pang shot through Corinne, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Ah!"
"Wait for me. I'll make you my wife," the man said in a hoarse voice.
The scene shifted, leaving only Corinne amidst the disarray of her strewn garments.
She struggled to sit up, pain coursing through her body.
Suddenly, her foot stepped on a solid object.
Retrieving it, she discovered a necklace engraved with "JS."
It belonged to him...
Tears streamed down her reddened cheeks. Consumed by anger, she contemplated hurling the necklace out the window, but ultimately, she clenched it tightly, wearing it around her neck.
"Miss Gibson, please review this agreement. The total bride price is $300 million, payable in installments. The initial $50 million has been transferred to your uncle's account. The remainder will be transferred upon your marriage to my son and the birth of a child," a soothing voice explained.
Corinne, who had been dozing on the sofa, suddenly startled awake, her gaze fixating on the elegant and graceful woman before her, momentarily stunned.
Recently, her father's company had fallen into turmoil, with him gravely ill in the ICU. The company teetered on the edge of collapse.
A month ago, upon her return to the country, she had frequented numerous parties, borrowing money from influential individuals. This ultimately culminated in the fateful night when, inebriated and disoriented, she stumbled into a stranger's room.
Lately, she found herself frequently dreaming about that particular night.
Today, her uncle provided her with an address and requested her presence to borrow money, yet...
Marriage?
Having a child?
Fifty million?
What was happening?
After a while, she pieced it together.
Clearly, she had been sold by her uncle. For a hefty sum of three hundred million!
A chilling realization struck her, causing her lips to quiver. "May I inquire about your family?"
Zoey Scott, the elderly woman, narrowed her eyes slightly before answering, "The Scott family."
In that instant, Corinne felt dizzy, her breath quickening.
Not long ago, the heir of the top rich family, Julian Scott, suffered a car accident that left him in a vegetative state, dominating the headlines.
Presently, the Scott family was seeking a suitable woman of childbearing age for marriage. However, with Julian's slim chances of recovery, what family would willingly wed their daughter to a dying man?
Corinne hastily rose, bowing respectfully. "My apologies, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I came solely to seek financial assistance and have no intentions of marriage."
Zoey's expression softened with a touch of regret. Then, she offered a faint smile and said, "That's quite alright. The Scott family never coerces. However, should you choose to marry my son, rest assured, we'll ensure your well-being for life."
Corinne offered a grateful glance to Zoey.
Zoey instructed the butler, "Please escort Miss Gibson out."
"Yes."
Thanking them, Corinne was escorted out by a middle-aged man.
Midway through, Corinne spotted a familiar figure in the garden's corner and eagerly approached.
Meanwhile, Mathew Scott smirked as he conversed on the phone. "Mr. Gibson, Zoey is highly pleased with Corinne. The funds should reach you shortly. Congratulations."
After the man on the other end of the line said something, Mathew chuckled. "Of course. We're all family here. I'll make sure to treat Rosalie well."
Later, he issued a solemn directive. "Keep a close watch on Corinne's father. Ensure he remains unconscious. Otherwise, all our efforts will be for naught. The forthcoming shareholders' meeting must proceed without any hitches."
It had been days since Corinne last saw her boyfriend, Mathew. Upon hearing him speak on the phone, she hesitated to interrupt, inching closer instead, only to overhear the most venomous words she'd ever heard in her life.
Suppressing her tears, Corinne bit her lip fiercely, a whirlwind of emotions churning inside her. With a steady hand, she pressed the record button on her phone.
Thus, everything had been orchestrated by her uncle and Mathew. The company's debts, even her father's illness, were all part of their scheme.
Hearing it all firsthand, Corinne felt her throat constrict and her vision blur.
Staring at the blazing sun, she felt nothing but icy disdain.
Corinne clenched her fists in anger, her nails digging fiercely into her flesh. She longed to confront Mathew and tear him apart, but she knew that premature exposure would not benefit her.
Suddenly, a thought struck Corinne, sharpening her focus.
Silently, she made her way back to the main house of the Scott family.
At that moment, Zoey remained inside, savoring her coffee.
Corinne burst into the house, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Zoey looked on, surprised by her abrupt return.
Gathering her resolve, Corinne said, "Mrs. Scott, I've had a change of heart. I will marry your son. However, could you cancel the transfer of the fifty million?"
"Sure," Zoey replied with a smile.
In just three hours, the Scott family efficiently handed her the marriage certificate.
Corinne gazed at the marriage certificate, her mind flooded with thoughts, when her phone suddenly rang.
A cold expression washed over Corinne's face as she glanced at the caller ID.
As soon as the call connected, the voice on the other end shouted, "Corinne, what's happening? Why did the Scott family retract the fifty million?"
"Huh!" Corinne smirked. "Uncle Robert, I've been meaning to ask, what were you thinking when you sold me off for three hundred million?"
Robert Gibson paused briefly before replying, "Corinne, everything I did was for you, for the company. I had no selfish intentions. It was my mistake not to inform you earlier. I've been racked with guilt ever since. I'd trade my life for your father's if I could."
Corinne fought back a laugh at Robert's audacity, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
She sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "My father's illness is because of you, isn't it? I have proof now, and I'll be presenting it for scrutiny."
Robert's breath caught at her words. How could she know? Yet he attempted to deny it. "Corinne, what nonsense is this? You've misunderstood me."
Corinne's smile turned icy as she ground her teeth. "I see through your scheme. You're aiming to snatch power at the shareholders' meeting and hog the proceeds from selling me off. But mark my words, your plot will crumble. Neither the money nor Gibson Group will be yours. I'll stop you at any cost."
"Bitch, you're slandering me! You'll regret this." Robert's voice, laced with frustration, came through the receiver.
Recognizing his refusal to even feign innocence, Corinne let out a cold chuckle before ending the call.
She promptly tasked her father's confidant with submitting the audio recording. However, the evidence only hinted at Robert and Mathew's schemes to seize control of Gibson Group and betray her.
Their involvement in her father's illness lacked direct evidence, necessitating a more elaborate strategy than initially anticipated.
Distressed, she rubbed her forehead and hugged herself tightly.
Later that evening, a servant brought a bowl of fertility-boosting soup and asked her to drink it.
"Go inside," the servant urged, pushing her into the room. "Mrs. Scott, please attend to Mr. Scott. We've administered a special drug to him, so please consummate the marriage as soon as possible."
Under the servant's watchful eye, Corinne reluctantly drank the soup before being ushered into the room.
She glanced towards the bed where a man lay, dressed in white attire with black trousers. Under the soft glow, his features were finely chiseled, his jawline sharp and defined, as he lay in silence.
Corinne hadn't anticipated that the renowned heir of the wealthy family not only hailed from privilege but also possessed striking good looks. Sadly, he had fallen into a vegetative state.
Yet had he not been in such a state, she likely wouldn't have had an opportunity to come near him.
She was adorned in a delicate gauze nightgown. Upon consuming the bowl of fertility-enhancing soup, she sensed a powerful warmth engulfing her entire being.
Clearly, the fertility-boosting soup was no ordinary concoction.
She recalled the servant's instructions.
Then she contemplated the $300 million reward.
She approached the man sleeping in the bed. His pale face bore a flush, suggesting he had ingested the special medication.
Corinne's heart raced, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her. Taking a deep breath, she cast a nervous glance at the man. "I apologize. It's just protocol. Besides, you won't feel anything. I'm sorry!"
With that, Corinne cautiously straddled the man's body, their temperatures mingling.
She fumbled with unbuttoning his clothes, her fingers betraying a flustered demeanor, unmistakably revealing her lack of experience.
After more than ten minutes, she finally succeeded in unbuttoning the man's shirt.
His sculpted physique, broad shoulders, trim waist, and defined six-pack abs captivated Corinne, fueling the fire within her.
Her throat tightened as she uttered, "I'm starting, Mr. Scott. Please prepare yourself."
From that moment on, Corinne was no longer preoccupied with admiration. The internal fire threatened to engulf her at any instant.
As she sat down, sudden pain ripped through her, causing her to scream uncontrollably, sweat pouring down her face.
Corinne trembled violently.
As she prepared to push herself up and proceed, she locked eyes with a pair of cold, dark orbs.
Corinne's heart raced, her voice catching. "You..."
The man swallowed, his dark eyes fixed on the disheveled woman before him.
His expression was as cold as ice, his lips moving to command, "Get off."
Julian's voice resonated with depth and roughness.
Corinne was taken aback by Julian's sudden awakening.
Yet she didn't have time to dwell on it. The fire raging within her felt like an untamed beast, engulfing her entirely.
In that instant, her rationality faded, succumbing wholly to primal instinct.
Her fingers moved of their own accord, pinching his chest.
Julian's countenance darkened instantly, a mixture of shock and embarrassment washing over him. How dare she intrude upon his space in such a manner?
Not only did she trespass onto his bed, but she also defied his commands!
"I told you to leave!" His voice dripped with anger.
Corinne trembled with fear at his anger, her eyes instantly reddening with emotion. Despite her fear, she couldn't resist pressing her mouth against his neck, her voice quivering with a hint of tearfulness as she whispered, "I'm sorry. I...I can't control myself."
Despite her apology, she kissed his face again. Julian heard her words but remained offended by her actions, his anger escalating uncontrollably.
After being bedridden for such a long time, his mobility was restricted. He could only grasp her shoulder, attempting to push her aside.
Before he could react, the woman's slender form pressed against him. A dark intensity flashed in his eyes as his throat constricted.
"Fuck off!" Julian gritted his teeth.
Tears streaming down her face, Corinne insisted, "I can't help it. I can't."
As their bodies intertwined, the sensation between their lower halves intensified. The medication coursing through Julian's veins provided one final surge. He emitted a stifled groan, his face contorting with rage a moment later.
Corinne's face flushed.
Enraged, Julian shoved her aside before slamming his hand down on the security alarm beside him with force. In an instant, the entire villa reverberated with the alarm.
Amidst the blaring bell, the door behind her swung open abruptly.
A horde of bodyguards dressed in black surged in.
Corinne hastily snatched some nearby garments to cover herself.
The bodyguards were visibly taken aback by Julian's awakening. His gaze was icy as he commanded, "Grab this intruder... this woman who dared to invade my bed!"
Corinne was startled.
Witnessing her reaction, one of the bodyguards interjected, "Mr. Scott, this is your wife. We cannot apprehend her."
Julian's eyebrows twitched momentarily, and his voice was chillingly cold. "What did you say?"
"Ms. Corinne Gibson is your recently wedded spouse, chosen by your mother while you were unconscious, to continue the family legacy."
Julian's stern countenance grew even more frigid. His gaze shifted to Corinne instantly.
Corinne experienced, for the first time, the terror of a person's gaze, as if it sought to consume her entirely.
"Wife? To uphold the family legacy?" Julian spat the words through clenched teeth, his expression frigid. "Absurd!"
Corinne felt absurd as well. Her husband, who she thought would never awaken again, now not only woke but also reprimanded her vehemently. In every aspect, he didn't resemble someone on the verge of death.
"Join me tomorrow to finalize our divorce," Julian stated coldly.
Corinne's fingers tightened as Zoey's words echoed in her mind. "Mr. Scott, you should discuss this with your mother. I do not possess the authority to make decisions."
"No authority? Weren't you quite adept at your forceful advances just moments ago?" Julian's tone dripped with sarcasm.
Corinne found herself speechless, unable to formulate a response.
Observing her speechless demeanor, Julian's fury intensified, his voice cold as ice. "Leave. Be ready at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. We'll proceed with the divorce."
Corinne had no desire to linger. Without a second thought, she turned and left.
Little did she know, his icy stare was fixed on her from behind.
"Mr. Scott." The bodyguard spoke up. "I'll summon the family doctor immediately."
Julian's gaze turned icy, then he inquired, "Has that woman been located?"