"It's unbearably hot..."
A sudden warmth enveloped Norah Bector, igniting an inexplicable sensation that made her unconsciously rip the neckline of her pajamas.
She struggled to suppress her desires, yet the potent fragrance at her nostrils continued to awaken her most primal urges repeatedly.
Suddenly, it dawned on her that someone had lit aphrodisiac incense in her room.
Struggling to leave her bed, she attempted to extinguish the incense. However, the effects of the drug left her feeble. In her weakened state, she accidentally turned off the light beside the incense and tumbled onto the knitted carpet beside her bed.
The room plunged into darkness. In the silence, the sound of the doorknob turning broke the stillness.
"Who is there?" Norah asked warily. But in the next moment, she was overwhelmed by the weight of a man.
She instinctively tried to push the man away, but the drug had weakened her. Her awareness slowly slipped away. Before slipping into unconsciousness, she yearned to glimpse the man's visage, but the dim moonlight merely revealed a blurry silhouette.
"Who... are you?" Norah struggled but was swiftly engulfed by the man's passionate kiss, and in no time, she surrendered her senses entirely. Under the influence of the aphrodisiac aroma, she clutched the man's neck and soon found herself adrift in a sea of desire.
The following morning, as Norah awoke, she was alone in the room.
Sitting up, she caught her reflection in the floor mirror. Bruises marked her body, a stark reminder of the previous night's events. It hadn't been a dream.
Firmly, she vowed to uncover who had orchestrated this. Norah's resentment was palpable.
At that moment, she heard sounds outside her door. People seemed to be approaching her room.
Norah's expression hardened. She sensed trouble brewing.
Outside Norah's room, Debby Chase, the fourth child of the Chase family, stood with a crowd of individuals.
Gripping Kristine Chase's arm, she declared earnestly, "Mom, I witnessed that brazen country girl luring a man back to her room. Believe me!"
Kristine said hesitantly, "Remember, she was invited by your grandfather. If you're wrong about this..."
"There's no way this is a mistake!" Impatiently, Debby cut off Kristine. "Furthermore, she's just a country girl who happened to save Grandpa's life. That's why he invited her to stay here. She doesn't deserve the title of a guest. How dare she brazenly seduce a man on her very first day at the Chase family home? Today, I'm leading everyone in exposing her shameful act and booting that audacious woman out of our house!"
Debby commanded the servants behind her, "Break down the door!"
At that moment, the door was swiftly opened.
Norah, dressed in her pajamas, stood before them. Her relaxed demeanor and striking beauty left the servants in awe.
Despite Norah's lack of sophistication, her beauty was undeniable. It was no surprise Debby felt threatened.
"Why is a big crowd gathering so early in the morning?" Norah asked, seeming a bit sleepy as she looked at Debby.
Debby sneered in response, "Stop pretending! We've come to catch you in the act! I'm going to have you removed from the Chase family today, you disgraceful woman!"
With those words, she shoved Norah aside and hurried into the room. In the next instant, her brows furrowed.
There was no one else in the room?
Debby flung open the wardrobe, pulled back the curtains, and found no one. She even lifted the quilt to discover the bedsheet was spotlessly clean and neat.
How could it be possible? Debby had set the aphrodisiac incense in Norah's room and arranged for a man to meet her at midnight. Why was there no one there?
Observing Debby's actions, Norah grasped the situation immediately.
Norah, leaning casually against the doorframe, watched Debby's frantic search. With a mix of laziness and disdain, Norah asked mockingly, "Looking for something, Miss Chase? You seem disappointed."
Debby spun around, scrutinizing Norah. Reluctantly, she had to admit that Norah showed no signs of any recent intimate encounter.
But that aphrodisiac was potent. How could Norah be so composed if she hadn't been with someone?
Unwilling to accept this, Debby ordered the servants, "She must be hiding someone! You all search the room carefully!"
The servants immediately began rummaging through Norah's room, leaving it in disarray.
"Enough!" Suddenly, a furious voice rang out as loud as a bell.
Esther Chase had arrived at the doorway, surveying the chaos with visible anger.
The servants froze in fear and retreated to a corner, dreading the possibility of punishment.
Debby, previously bold and assertive, fell silent. She nervously positioned herself next to Kristine, whispering, "Grandpa..."
Norah, with a slight smirk, addressed Esther with a pointed question. "Mr. Chase, is this customary Chase family hospitality for a guest?"
Esther shot a hostile glare at Debby before turning his gaze to Norah. He said apologetically, "Don't fret, Norah. I'll provide you with an explanation."
Then, in a chilly tone, he shifted his attention to the servants and said, "Inform the entire Chase family to assemble in the living room. Fetch my three grandsons while you're at it."
In the living room of the Chase family mansion, everyone had assembled, including two of Esther's grandsons.
Norah surveyed them, her gaze lingering on each brother.
Jansen Chase, the eldest, bore a striking resemblance to Esther. His appearance was distinguished, with a presence that spoke of ambition and leadership, leaving an impression of an accomplished individual on Norah.
Simon Chase, the youngest grandson, had a more youthful, less imposing demeanor. His striking eyes, however, betrayed a sense of untamed rebellion, hinting at a challenging character.
And then there was Darren Chase, the middle one...
"Where is Darren? Why isn't he here this early?" Seated on the sofa, Kristine inquired of the servant standing behind her.
The servant's voice wasn't loud, but it happened to reach the ears of those present. "He didn't return last night."
Esther's expression soured at this news.
Once everyone had settled into their seats, Darren entered the room slowly. His attire was disheveled, with several lipstick stains adorning his shirt collar. He must have just fooled around overnight.
Norah couldn't resist stealing a glance at him. He had the air of a playboy, but his handsome visage outshone even his two brothers. One could say he was the Creator's favorite creation.
Upon spotting Darren, Kristine couldn't contain her anger and scolded him sharply, saying, "You've crossed the line! Where were you last night..."
"Enough." Esther cut off Kristine impatiently and motioned for Darren to take a seat.
Esther then addressed the matter at hand, fixing his gaze on Debby. "Debby, you owe Norah an apology."
Debby's face flushed with embarrassment. Apologizing publicly was not something she could bring herself to do.
"No, I won't apologize. Why should I? She's the one who's been fooling around!" Debby stubbornly refused, her teeth clenched in defiance.
Upon hearing this, Norah sneered, "You're so sure without any evidence. Did you witness it firsthand? Or did you orchestrate this yourself?"
"Nonsense!" Norah candidly spoke the truth, causing Debby to feel flustered. Nonetheless, she clung to her stance and refused to back down. "What if I did make a mistake? You're nothing more than a country bumpkin. Consider yourself lucky that the Chase family accommodates you. You're not worthy of my apology."
As Debby finished her defiant words, Esther's expression darkened. He slammed his hand on the table, reprimanding sharply, "That's enough! Norah is not only my lifesaver but is also destined to become a part of this family. I won't tolerate any disrespect toward her!"
He then fixed a stern gaze on his grandsons, declaring authoritatively, "I brought Norah here for a reason. After three months, she'll marry any of you if she wishes. Anyone who opposes this can leave the Chase family immediately!"
Norah shifted her gaze and carefully observed the responses of each of the three young men from the Chase family.
Even though Jansen wore a stoic expression, the faint creases in his forehead hinted at his underlying displeasure.
Darren dropped his playful smile. He cast his gaze downward, lost in thought. His thoughts remained a mystery to everyone.
In contrast, Simon was the most restless. His face showed clear signs of disgust. If it weren't for Kristine keeping him in check at his side, he might have leaped forward to voice his objections right then and there.
But regardless of their thoughts, none of them dared to challenge Esther.
On the other hand, Debby had the strongest reaction. "Is she going to marry any of them? She's just a girl from the countryside..."
"Enough!" Esther raised his voice in frustration. "If you're still unwilling to apologize, simply remain at home and take some time to self-reflect. You don't have to return to the company in the future!"
Debby gritted her teeth and wrestled with her emotions for an extended period. Ultimately, she reluctantly apologized to Norah.
"I apologize. I misjudged you." She wore a grim expression, and her voice was as low as a mosquito.
Norah smiled but didn't offer a reply. Her apathetic demeanor felt like a deliberate taunt to Debby, fueling her disdain for Norah even further.
Esther's demeanor softened somewhat, and he spoke more gently. "Norah will rest today and join Chase Group tomorrow. Well, everyone can leave now."
Debby, filled with envy, reflected on the recent events.
She had been aware of Esther's plans to integrate Norah into the family, but hearing it confirmed was still a shock. She couldn't fathom how Norah, a mere country girl, could be considered worthy of becoming a Chase family member.
Refusing to accept it, Debby had attempted to sabotage Norah, hoping to compromise her virtue.
But instead of successfully ousting Norah, Debby found herself reprimanded and forced to apologize.
Would a country girl like her find employment at Chase Group? What made Norah deserve a position at the company?
Debby felt suffocated at the prospect of spending her days in close quarters with someone she deemed inferior.
Her frustration grew as she mulled over this. Soon, the living room was empty, leaving just Debby and Norah.
Debby rose from her seat and intercepted Norah, who was returning to her room. She lowered her voice and said firmly, "That aphrodisiac is potent. You'll lose your mind if you don't find someone for intimacy. You must have been drugged, haven't you?"
Norah's expression turned stern, her gaze on Debby icy and unyielding, as if Debby were insignificant.
This cold look from Norah sent a shiver down Debby's spine, but then she reminded herself she shouldn't fear a mere country girl.
"I guess I'm right." Debby's smile grew even more self-satisfied. "Norah, wouldn't you like to know who the man I've set up for you is? He is the lowest servant, Lake Powell, at the Chase family's racetrack. Does that meet your expectations? A country girl and a servant, a perfect match. Ha-ha..."
Norah walked back into her room, still mulling over Debby's words.
"A servant... Lake Powell?" she whispered, scanning her room and eventually settling her gaze on the window.
She strode to the window, opened it, and peered out. True to her suspicions, she spotted a torn piece of clothing snagged on the iron fence.
Her theory was confirmed. The man had escaped through the window last night, not the door. He wanted to avoid detection.
If the man was the one arranged by Debby, he would have stayed in the room, waiting to be caught. There was no way he could have slipped out before Debby came in.
Furthermore... As Norah examined the fabric in her hand, she noted its silky, high-quality texture. It wasn't something a servant would wear.
The man who had access to the Chase family residence and held a high status could only be...
Lost in thought, Norah gripped the fabric tighter, pulled out her phone, and dialed the number of her best friend, Charlotte Smith.
"Assist me in gathering detailed information about the three young men of the Chase family." Once the call connected, Norah immediately conveyed her intent straightforwardly.
Charlotte's calm voice emanated from the other end of the line, tinged with curiosity. "You never paid them any mind before joining the Chase family. What's made you suddenly interested in them? Have you fallen for one of them after just one night at the Chase family's place? Which one are you leaning toward?"
"I've been set up." Not in the mood to joke with Charlotte, Norah stated concisely, "I might have been intimate with one of them. I want to locate that man."
Charlotte was left in shock. Once she regained her composure, she angrily said, "What?! How dare they! I will kill the person who set you up!"
Then, Norah heard the unmistakable sound of a gun being loaded from Charlotte's end.
"Stay calm," Norah said gently, trying to soothe Charlotte. "I'll handle this myself."
Charlotte seethed with anger and frustration. She remarked, "A young woman with a prominent background like you has never experienced such treatment! Plus, you own plenty of properties nearby. Move out. You don't need to put up with the Chase family's arrogance."
Norah's daily encounters with the snobbish members of the Chase family would undoubtedly sour her mood.
"Have you forgotten why I came to the Chase family?" Norah said with a smile. "Don't worry, the real excitement has just begun. But first, you need to locate someone for me."
"Who are you looking for?"
"A servant named Lake Powell."
Meanwhile, in another room, Debby was fuming with anger.
She grabbed her loyal maid's collar, demanding, "Have you found Lake yet? He's been missing for a whole day! Where could that worthless man be?"
She was desperate to find out what had happened the previous night. The lowly servant hadn't stayed in Norah's room as she had commanded, ruining her plans and embarrassing her publicly.
Once she found Lake, she was determined to punish him for her frustration.
"Miss Chase, we still haven't received any updates on his whereabouts..." The maid appeared awkward.
Immediately after her statement, the telephone in the room started ringing.
Debby gestured impatiently. "Answer it!"
"Yes, Miss Chase." The maid, cautious not to provoke Debby further, carefully approached and answered the phone.
As she listened to the shaky, anxious voice on the other end, the maid's face drained of color and she started to tremble.
"What's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost," Debby said, growing even more irritated.
"It's our men. They've come to provide an update about Lake..." The maid placed the phone back on its receiver, her hand trembling, and locked eyes with Debby. "They've located Lake..."
"Tell him to come see me immediately!" Debby commanded, rolling her eyes. "If he can't explain last night, I won't let him off easily!"
"I'm afraid he won't be able to make it, Miss Chase." The maid appeared utterly frightened as she stammered, "He's been... severely injured by some gangsters, and he's currently in the ICU..."