Now You End Up Chasing Me, Mr. Playboy

Juliana Watson lay on the bed in a pure white wedding dress, staring blankly at the ceiling with empty eyes.

She spent her wedding night all by herself.

Her father had held her mother's whereabouts over her head, forcing her to marry the Harvey family's illegitimate son.

Anger surged through her. She clenched the fabric of her wedding dress so tightly that her knuckles began to ache.

"Be a little gentler, okay?" a woman said with a playful laugh from outside the door.

A man's deep voice answered, "Just hold on a little. You'll feel good in a moment. Trust me."

Juliana immediately sat upright and fixed her eyes on the bedroom door.

The master bedroom was right next to hers, and her new husband was inside with another woman.

She climbed out of bed, picked up a glass of water, and headed straight for the master bedroom.

This marriage had been forced on her, but she refused to quietly accept such an obvious insult.

When she reached the room, she pushed the door open without knocking and walked inside.

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed. He had sharp features, a defined jaw, and slightly messy hair. His white shirt was left open, revealing a lean, muscular chest. He sat there with a careless look in his eyes and a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, giving off the air of someone who lived without restraint.

The beautiful woman beside him wrapped herself around his arm and looked Juliana up and down with open mockery.

Sebastian Harvey slowly lifted his eyes to meet hers. A cold smile spread across his lips. "Do you need something? Or are you here to join us?"

Before he could say another word, Juliana threw the entire glass of water into his face. "You bastard!"

Water ran down his face and soaked the front of his open shirt. Sebastian's face darkened, and his jaw tightened. He turned to the woman beside him and said in a cold voice, "Leave."

She said with a pout, "But I still..."

"I said, get out."

Startled by his tone, the woman hurried out of the room.

At that moment, Juliana finally understood why her father, Jared Watson, had refused to marry her half sister into the Harvey family. Sebastian was nothing more than a womanizer.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. Jared had abandoned her mother years ago, then sent Juliana overseas to survive on her own. She had been left alone to face everything by herself.

But she wasn't someone others could bully. During those lonely years, she had learned many things and quietly developed abilities that she had never revealed to anyone.

The Watson Group had been losing money for years. Jared couldn't save the company himself, so he dragged her back only to sacrifice her and protect the comfortable life he wanted to keep.

Juliana only agreed to marry Sebastian because Jared had information about her missing mother. Otherwise, she would've destroyed the Watson Group long ago.

She turned to leave, but Sebastian grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

"Let me go. What the hell are you doing?" She struggled to break free, but she couldn't escape his grip.

"I didn't expect my new bride to have such a fiery temper. You ruined my fun, and now you think you can just walk away?" His warm breath brushed against her ear.

The mattress sank slightly as he moved nearer, and his hand slowly wandered over her.

The strong smell of alcohol made Juliana's stomach tighten. "Don't touch me!"

Sebastian looked straight into her eyes. There wasn't any anger in his expression. Instead, he seemed interested. "Why are you fighting me? Isn't this what you came here for?"

Juliana raised her chin and looked back without flinching. "You've got the wrong idea. I just don't like being disturbed while I'm resting."

Her answer seemed to make him even more interested. He lifted her chin, and a smug smile returned to his face. "Didn't your father tell you? He sold you to me. If I decide I want you in my bed, then that's exactly where you'll be."

Without waiting for an answer, he started pressing her down. His eyes drifted toward her neck, making his intentions perfectly clear.

A chill spread through Juliana's body. He really was exactly the kind of man everyone described.

He wasn't only a notorious womanizer. He was completely shameless.

"Wait!" Juliana quickly turned her face away. Her voice remained calm. "Sebastian, before this goes any further... I want to make a deal with you."

A faint smile appeared on Sebastian's lips. "A deal? What kind of deal are you talking about?"

"I know this marriage wasn't your choice, and you don't have feelings for me." Juliana looked him straight in the eye. "If you promise not to touch me, I'll find a way to leave in a year and end this marriage. Besides, I will help you take control of the Harvey family."

When Sebastian didn't respond, Juliana continued without wasting another second, "If there's someone you care about, go after her. I won't stand in your way."

Everyone knew Sebastian was a notorious playboy. These terms should've been enough to satisfy him.

Juliana wasn't sure he would agree, but protecting herself mattered more than anything else.

Sebastian stayed quiet for a moment before looking at her with obvious contempt. "This marriage was arranged. What makes you think you can get a divorce?"

"I'll find a way." Juliana's voice remained steady as she looked back at him. "But you have to promise that you won't touch me. I'll end this marriage. I give you my word."

A quiet laugh escaped Sebastian. "What if a year passes and we still can't get divorced?"

Juliana answered without any hesitation, "If that happens, then I'll do whatever you want."

One year would be enough for her to find her mother.

Sebastian lowered his eyes to study her. "Looks like I'm not losing anything by agreeing."

"I won't go back on my promise," Juliana said as she held his gaze. "I expect you to keep yours too."

"Fine. It's a deal." Sebastian stood up and walked toward the bathroom. "Don't disappoint me."

Only after the sound of running water came from the bathroom did Juliana finally breathe easier.

She quickly changed her clothes and got into bed before he came back.

She had barely settled under the covers when the bathroom door opened. Sebastian walked over with a robe loosely tied around his waist.

"You're still awake? Were you waiting for me?"

Before he reached the bed, Juliana quickly pulled the quilt tightly around herself.

A moment later, the mattress sank beside her, and his face suddenly appeared close to hers.

She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.

Juliana stiffened and was about to remind him about their agreement, but he simply lay down beside her.

He made no attempt to touch her.

Even so, he kept watching her with an amused and unreadable look in his eyes.

"Relax," Sebastian said with a teasing smile. "I won't do anything to you."

A wave of irritation rose inside Juliana. Was he trying to tell her he'd already enjoyed himself with the woman who left?

Even so, the fear deep inside her hadn't disappeared.

No matter how carefree Sebastian acted, there was still something about him that made her uneasy.

Juliana didn't dare lower her guard. It was already early morning by the time exhaustion finally dragged her into sleep.

After that wedding night, Sebastian stayed away for a long while, and Juliana enjoyed the rare peace.

Still, she hadn't forgotten the deal between them.

Most of her days were spent collecting information and learning how power moved inside the Harvey Group.

The person who still held the real authority was Sebastian's grandfather, Arthur Harvey.

After asking one of the maids, Juliana found out that Arthur came to the house once every week.

The next day, he showed up at their door.

Juliana knew she was only a new bride with no solid position in the family, so she had to be very careful around someone as powerful as Arthur. She brought him a cup of coffee and asked politely, "Arthur, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Sebastian hasn't been coming home much lately, has he?"

Arthur didn't take the coffee. He didn't even glance at her.

Juliana had been ready to make an excuse, but his sharp tone made it clear that he already knew the truth.

"Call him. Tell him to come home," Arthur instructed.

Left with no other choice, Juliana dialed Sebastian's number. As soon as she did, Arthur added, "Put it on speaker."

Before Juliana could speak, Sebastian's careless voice came through the phone. "I'm busy. What do you want?"

Juliana lowered her voice and said, "Where are you? You need to come home."

Sebastian answered in a lazy and dismissive tone, "Are you trying to boss me around now?"

"Mr. Harvey, come on. Just hang up the phone. Let me pour you another drink..." A woman's sweet voice sounded in the background.

Arthur's face darkened with anger.

Before Juliana could say anything to ease the situation, Sebastian ended the call.

She could only look at Arthur with a troubled expression. "Sebastian might be busy."

"Busy with those women, you mean?" Arthur snapped as he glared at Juliana.

He looked as though he was about to say more, but her distressed expression made him stop. In the end, he only gave a cold snort.

"Sebastian is reckless, so you need to find a way to keep him in line. A child will tie him down. That's how you make sure he comes home"

"I understand," Juliana replied, lowering her eyes even though she scoffed inwardly.

She had no intention of having Sebastian's child.

"If he keeps behaving like this, come to me!" Arthur added.

Seeing how obedient she appeared, he offered a few more reassuring words before leaving.

Not long after Juliana escorted Arthur out, Sebastian stumbled back into the house, unsteady on his feet and smelling strongly of alcohol.

The moment she saw him, Juliana couldn't stop herself from smiling mockingly. It was obvious that Sebastian still feared his grandfather.

"Help him get cleaned up and change his clothes," she said to the nearby servant.

Before the servant could lay a hand on him, Sebastian suddenly opened his eyes. "Get lost!"

Startled, the servant hurried away.

Not wanting to become his next target, Juliana also turned to leave.

"Don't move." Sebastian reached out and grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing?" Juliana asked as she looked at him, confusion and caution filling her eyes.

"You're my wife. I came home drunk, and you don't think you should be taking care of me?"

Seeing how calm she remained, Sebastian suddenly wanted to provoke her.

Juliana frowned. "You expect me to wait on you?"

"Yeah. You're my wife. That's your responsibility."

Juliana rolled her eyes, but she didn't leave.

This man was asking far too much. They were only married because she hadn't been given a choice.

If she'd ever had a choice...

Another man's face suddenly appeared in her mind. She immediately shut her eyes and forced the thought away.

There had never been a future for her and that man.

Juliana's silence only made Sebastian's mood worse.

His face darkened. He stood up and pulled her toward him by the wrist.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"If you don't know how to take care of your husband, then I'll teach you myself."

Unable to break free, Juliana looked into his eyes in shock.

His gaze held her in place like a hunter watching its prey.

The next instant, he pushed her onto the bed and held her there so she couldn't get away.

The distance between them disappeared, and the air suddenly grew tense.

Sebastian had only wanted to tease Juliana at first, but the alcohol clouded his judgment and changed his thoughts.

Juliana was caught completely off guard by the force of his actions.

"Don't! Stop!" She struggled against his wandering hand and glared at him in panic. "Sebastian! Don't forget our agreement! Are you really going back on your word?"

"An agreement only matters when both people still accept it," he said in a low voice.

Sebastian paid no attention to her resistance. He held both of her wrists above her head with one hand while the other reached for the buttons of her dress.

"And I've already changed my mind."

Juliana's body shook slightly. The plain white dress she wore somehow made her even more captivating, and the glimpse of her smooth skin stirred an unfamiliar heat inside Sebastian.

At first, he had only wanted to tease her. Before he realized it, however, he had already closed the distance between them, his warm breath falling against her.

"Don't... Please don't touch me..." Juliana tilted her head away and bit her lip until she tasted blood. Then she shut her eyes in despair.

Was there really no way for her to escape this?

Just then, the sharp ringing of a phone broke the tense silence.

The intensity in Sebastian's eyes disappeared as he reached for his phone and answered it.

"Sebastian, where are you? Something happened." A woman spoke through the phone, her voice shaking with tears.

Sebastian frowned and sat up. "What happened?"

"I'm pregnant," she shouted, her voice cracking. "What am I supposed to do now?"

"Stay where you are. I'm coming over right away."

After offering a few brief words of comfort, Sebastian ended the call and got to his feet.

Juliana held the blanket tightly against her chest. "You..."

She wanted to ask whether he would be coming back tonight, but the words never left her mouth. Sebastian only looked back at her with a cold and distant expression.

"Juliana, this is the only warning you'll get. Stay out of my affairs. You have no right to stick your nose in," Sebastian said in a flat voice.

He picked up his jacket and walked out without another word, his expression as cold as ice.

Everything that had happened just moments earlier suddenly felt unreal to Juliana.

She slowly let out a breath of relief and pulled the quilt closer around herself as the fear inside her finally began to ease.

From now on, she decided to keep as much distance from Sebastian as she could.

She was afraid he might return. She was even more afraid that the violence he had shown would happen again. Because of that, she remained awake until dawn finally arrived.

...

The next morning, Juliana got up to wash herself. Once her mind felt a little clearer, she drove to the Watson mansion.

Jared had promised to tell her where her mother was, and she was finished waiting. This time, she would make him give her an answer.

However, Jared wasn't there when she arrived.

Only Vanessa Watson, her half sister, was in the garden, calmly tending to the flowers.

"What are you doing here?" Vanessa put down her gardening shears, sounding clearly displeased.

"Where's Dad? I need to speak with him," Juliana demanded.

A knowing smile slowly crossed Vanessa's face. "Let me give you some advice. Go back to the Harvey family and try to make your husband happy. If you ruin Dad's plans, you can forget about seeing your useless mother again."

Anger rose in Juliana because of Vanessa's words. "You have no right to talk about my mother like that."

Vanessa's smile grew wider. "I'm the only daughter Dad's actually proud of. You and your mother are nothing here, so I'll say whatever I want."

Juliana rushed forward and grabbed Vanessa by the collar. "Say that again. I dare you."

Vanessa sneered, "You think you'll hurt me? You don't have the nerve."

Then she took a bracelet from her pocket and held it up in front of Juliana. "Let go of me. Now look carefully at this."

Juliana recognized it right away. It was her mother's bracelet.

"That's my mother's! Give it back!" she said as she reached for it.

Vanessa pulled it away with a smug smile. "Go ahead. Touch me, and your mother will end up just like this bracelet..."

She made a quick motion, as if she was about to smash it against the stone path. Her threat was clear.

Panic gripped Juliana. She reached for the bracelet, but two servants suddenly appeared and grabbed her arms before forcing her onto her knees. With shame burning through her, she could only glare up at Vanessa.

Vanessa casually played with the bracelet in her hand.

"You really want this worthless little thing? You've got no taste at all."

She looked at Juliana, gave a cold laugh, dropped the bracelet onto the ground, and deliberately crushed it beneath her foot.

"Stop!" Juliana let out a desperate cry as she watched the thing her mother treasured most being ruined.

She struggled with all her strength to stand, but the servants held her down so tightly that she couldn't move.

Tilting her head back, Juliana shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice filled with hatred, "You bitch! I'll make you pay for this!"

"You're still talking back, huh?" Vanessa snapped in anger as she raised her hand to slap her.

Just before her hand came down, a cold, sharp voice rang out and stopped her.

"What an interesting sight. Why is my wife being pinned to the ground? What exactly are you trying to do?"