Irresistible To His Ugly Wife

The room was completely dark.

On the hotel bed, the man thrust himself into the woman, not bothering to think if it was her first experience with him or if she could handle his rough advances.

Overwhelmed, Verena Fowler passed out.

When she regained consciousness, her phone was ringing, but she ignored it. It was already ten in the morning.

Today was the day of her engagement party.

Her fiance had been sleeping with her best friend and had even called her the previous night to gloat about their escapades.

In her anger, she went to a club, got drunk, and spent the night with a strikingly handsome stranger.

As she tried to get out of bed, she winced in pain and took a deep breath.

She was so worn out from the night's events that she felt as if her bones were shattered.

Yet, she couldn't rest; she needed to rush to her engagement party, or the Fowler family would be unforgiving.

As Verena dressed and was about to leave, the man on the bed caught her wrist and opened his eyes.

"Leaving so soon?" His voice was deep and raspy.

His gaze was piercing like an eagle's, and his facial features were stunningly perfect. On closer inspection, his features looked similar to those of Verena's fiance. It was because of this resemblance that she had slept with him.

With a smile, Verena pulled out her wallet, took out all the cash, and laid it in front of the man.

"You were wonderful last night. Unfortunately, I have an engagement to rush to. I'll call you another time!"

Ignoring his look, Verena quickly left in her high heels.

She hailed a car on the street and gave the driver the name of the hotel.

When Verena reached the engagement venue, it was nearly eleven o'clock, and the banquet hall was already filled with guests.

As she entered the dressing room, she narrowly avoided a slap, catching her father's wrist just in time.

"I'm about to get engaged. Do you think I can apply makeup on a swollen face?" Verena regarded the man who had attempted to hit her with a cold gaze.

That man was her father, Richard Fowler.

Frustrated by his failed attempt to hit her, Richard cursed, "Why didn't you pick up my calls? How dare you! Today, Eric's uncle will be here. If today's engagement is ruined, you'll regret it!"

The Briggs family was the most powerful and affluent in Fledo, boasting vast wealth. Darren Briggs, living in Tacland, was a well-known figure in the world.

This was the reason Richard was so adamant about Verena's engagement to the Briggs family!

Verena faced Richard with an impassive expression and inquired, "Is Eric here?"

Taken aback, Richard realized that Verena's fiance, Eric Briggs, had yet to arrive.

Verena mocked, "Eric isn't here. Am I expected to enter into this engagement alone?"

Richard's expression darkened. "The Briggs family is looking for Eric. Now, go get dressed and do your makeup!"

The makeup artist tried to take Verena to get her ready. Aware she couldn't defy Richard's directive, Verena informed the artist, "I'll handle my own makeup."

Since her childhood, Verena's mother had cautioned her that being too attractive could be dangerous, so she had mastered the art of using makeup to change her appearance.

If the makeup artist did her makeup, her carefully hidden secrets might be exposed.

Suddenly, a commotion stirred at the door. "Quick, Darren has arrived!"

Hearing the name, Richard quickly pushed Verena forward, warning her, "Darren is here. Make sure you behave appropriately."

At the mention of Darren, a gleam of interest flashed in Verena's eyes.

Darren was the illegitimate child once cast out by the Briggs family.

Now, he had surpassed the Briggs family in Fledo in stature, becoming more powerful and influential.

As Verena followed Richard outside, she noticed a man commanding attention in the middle of a crowd.

Towering at 6.2 feet, he stood out in the crowd, his handsome face carrying a hint of coldness and impatience.

From a distance, Verena recognized his familiar features.

After all, they had shared the previous night together. How could she possibly forget him so quickly?

Last night, his body had glistened with sweat, highlighting his face, collarbone, chest, and abs. Today, he was impeccably dressed in a suit, radiating an icy, distant demeanor, like a king beyond reach, his aura intensified by the dark beaded bracelet on his wrist, adding to his indifference.

When Verena saw him again, there was no surprise in her eyes.

What occurred last night was no accident; it had been her deliberate move.

Feeling Verena's stare, the man raised his eyebrows and cast a glance her way.

His piercing gaze seemed to see right through her, meeting her eyes only momentarily.

Overwhelmed by his intense look, Verena disappeared into the crowd.

"Darren, it's been some time. You should consider extending your visit in Fledo," William Briggs, the current head of the Briggs family, suggested respectfully.

"Okay," Darren responded in a detached tone before he was led to the table.

Richard eagerly sought Darren's acquaintance and followed suit.

"When does the engagement start?" Darren asked casually, checking his luxurious watch.

With Eric still missing, William felt embarrassed and said, "I'm afraid we'll have to delay a bit."

"Delay for what?" Darren's question was brief but carried an undertone of demand.

Despite his efforts, William had failed to locate Eric. It was almost noon, and Eric still hadn't appeared.

"We're waiting for Eric," a calm female voice said. "He didn't want to be engaged to me, so he escaped our engagement party."

As Darren surveyed the crowd, he spotted Verena, not particularly stunning but rather plain.

Yet, her voice carried a compelling presence that enveloped her.

This was the girl who had left two hundred dollars beside him after their night together.

He ran his slender fingers over the beaded bracelet on his wrist, his deep eyes shimmering with unspoken intensity.

Verena's words had stirred up tension in the room.

The engagement had been arranged since Verena was a child, a decision made by Darren himself.

Darren would face embarrassment if Eric failed to show up for the wedding.

William hurried to reassure, "Please don't get the wrong idea. Eric will be here any moment."

Verena's tone turned cold as she said, "You haven't found him yet, have you? Shall I give you an address?"

She then revealed the location of an apartment, which was actually her best friend's place.

William's complexion drained of color. He promptly dispatched someone to fetch Eric. Shortly thereafter, Eric appeared before everyone, looking worn out.

"Bastard! Go get dressed, the engagement ceremony is starting!" William snapped.

"Dad, I've told you, I won't marry Verena. She's so ugly, it disgusts me. My friends would laugh at me if I married someone so plain."

Eric scowled at Verena, holding her responsible for his predicament.

"Take Eric to get changed. The engagement with Verena is going ahead today!" William ordered.

Regardless of Eric's protests, William was adamant.

Verena was also instructed to get ready. In the dressing room, she wrestled with a stuck zipper, but her attempts were futile.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Without checking who it was, Verena brushed her hair aside, revealing her delicate neck. "Could you help with the zipper?"

A large hand gently touched her back and quickly pulled the zipper up.

"Thank you," Verena said gratefully, turning around. When she saw the man's attractive face, she was surprised and flustered.

Wasn't he supposed to be among the guests in the banquet hall, encircled by people? How did he manage to slip in unnoticed?

"How did you get in here?" she asked.

"Why wouldn't I be able to come in?"

The man moved closer, his presence so commanding it took Verena's breath away.

He extended his hand and firmly grasped Verena's neck. "How dare you set me up?"

With his grip tightening, Verena felt like she could be choked at any moment.

The night before, Darren had been unrestrained, leaving multiple kiss marks on Verena's neck, now hidden beneath layers of makeup.

"Darren, there must be some misunderstanding. I only found out recently that you're Eric's uncle," Verena responded calmly, locking eyes with Darren.

Her face was plain, but her eyes were mesmerizing.

"Anyone who tricks me will pay the price," Darren warned, his hold growing firmer.

Verena gasped for air. This man was merciless.

Although she had orchestrated the previous night's events, she couldn't admit to it now.

"I owe no loyalty to Eric. He's been with other women; why should I be the only faithful one? He was with someone else just this morning, and he's betrayed me countless times," Verena said, her voice tinged with pain.

Darren loosened his grip slightly, moved by her words.

It was well known that Eric slept around. Such behavior was typical among the affluent young men. Darren was aware that last night had been Verena's first time.

"I don't care what you're up to. You can't call off your engagement with Eric."

A fleeting look of defiance crossed Verena's eyes. She blinked and retorted with a mocking smile, "You acknowledge our engagement is unbreakable, yet you meet me here in secret. Aren't you worried about getting caught?"

Without looking at her, Darren issued a stern warning. "I trust you understand what should and shouldn't be said, or else..."

He left his threat hanging in the air, yet it was clearly felt.

"I've never seen you before today. What are you implying?" Verena tilted her head, pretending to be clueless but subtly signaling that she wouldn't reveal their prior encounter.

Darren snorted. "I'm glad you understand."

He then let go of her neck and moved toward the dressing room door, preparing to leave.

Just as he was about to open it, a woman's voice from the other side called out, "Verena, are you there? I need to speak with you. I'm coming in." The insistence in the voice meant the woman wasn't going anywhere soon.

If the door opened now, the woman outside would see them together.

Verena noticed Darren was annoyed. But he had walked in on his own. It wasn't Verena who forced him to be there. Who could he blame?

Aware that Darren was keen to avoid trouble, Verena suggested, "Maybe you should find a place to hide?"

Darren asked in disbelief, "You want me to hide? Really?"

It felt demeaning.

"If hiding doesn't suit you, feel free to leave. It wouldn't get me into trouble. I might even call off the engagement because of this."

"Verena, who are you talking to?" The woman was just about to open the door from outside.

Darren, feeling hesitant, hid himself behind the curtain.

Verena approached the door to open it, yet she had no plans to allow the woman to enter.

It turned out to be Shirley Larson, Verena's longtime best friend and now Eric's lover.

Shirley's beauty and gentleness were the sort that naturally stirred compassion.

She must have been crying; her eyes were still red. She was dressed in just a camisole, which showed the bruises left by Eric.

"Verena, you look stunning today," Shirley said, admiring Verena's dress.

Verena, disgusted, questioned, "What do you want?"

"Verena, my life's been tough. I was abandoned by my mother as a kid and my father was a gambler. Eric's all I've got. Please, don't take him from me. Could you let him go back to me? I truly love him."

Verena's gaze on Shirley was cold. "I've never seen a mistress quite as bold as you."

"Verena, you've always had everything. You can't possibly understand how I feel. Why must you do this? Why are you taking Eric away?"

At that, Shirley dropped to her knees before Verena.

"Please, I'm begging you..." she pleaded.

Within moments, Shirley was lifted to her feet.

"Shirley, what's going on?" The scene pained Eric deeply.

"Verena, how can you treat Shirley this way? She's in poor health, and you have her kneeling? How can you be so heartless?" Eric scolded Verena without holding back.

"Eric, you need to understand that Shirley knelt down by herself. I hardly said a word!"

In response, Shirley quickly took Eric by the arm and urged, "Eric, please don't be mad at Verena. It's my fault. I love you so much and I can't bear to see you engaged to Verena."

Verena was disgusted by Shirley's hypocrisy. Before she could close the door, she heard Eric's harsh words. "Verena, even if I marry you, I would never love, let alone sleep with you. Just let it go!"

The very sight of Verena disgusted him!

Verena retorted with a laugh, "What a waste you both aren't actors. Just so we're clear, it's the Briggs family that keeps you apart, not me. You're both disgusting!"

With that, she shut the door to the dressing room.

At that moment, Darren stepped out from his hiding spot behind the curtain.

He had overheard everything.

With a calm demeanor, Verena said, "See? Your nephew is such a shameless man. Even if I were with a hundred men, I wouldn't feel a bit guilty."

Darren found himself at a loss for words.