The Runaway Bride of the Tyrant CEO

At midnight, a flash of lightning tore through the sky, yet the rain hadn't started, leaving a bitter, ominous taste in the air.

When Nora came to, she found herself crashing hard to the ground.

The boy beside her, his voice slightly hoarse, rushed over to help her up. "Nora, are you okay?"

Pain. It hurt so much.

With his support, Nora managed to stand, but her knee had been cut by something. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she almost cried out.

The boy, clearly anxious, lowered his voice. "Shh! Nora, don't make a sound. Let's move farther away. Don't be scared, I'll get you out of here."

Nora was drenched in cold sweat from the pain, her hair sticking to her face. But her eyes still sparkled, her lips were a soft shade of red, and her figure was graceful. Though only seventeen, she had already blossomed into a stunning beauty - a perfect blend of innocence and allure.

The boy couldn't see her face clearly in the dark but continued to lead her forward, urgency in every step. The noise from Nora's earlier fall had been loud, and if they didn't hurry, they wouldn't stand a chance of getting away.

But the pain was unbearable. Nora could barely keep herself upright and let out a small whimper.

A second later, the sound of security guards echoed around them, piercing through the night. Lights from the villa began flicking on one by one.

The boy froze, his body trembling. "He... he found us," he whispered, grabbing Nora's hand, trying to drag her along again.

Nora blinked. "Wait... who found us?"

What the hell was going on? She was sure she'd just been in her dorm room, fast asleep. Before bed, her roommate had been making them all laugh, narrating a ridiculous plot from a cheesy novel. But now, here she was, caught in the middle of the night, being pulled along by some boy she didn't even know, running for her life.

Nora didn't want to run anymore. She didn't know this boy, and on top of that, her knee felt like it was about to shatter.

She wrenched her hand from his grip. The boy stopped in his tracks, looking back at her, bewildered. "What's wrong?"

Tears fell from her eyes. Even though she could tell the boy wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, she was too pained to care. Before she could say anything, the security guards had already closed in, their flashlights cutting through the darkness.

All Nora could think of was the fear bubbling up inside her. This felt too familiar, eerily so. She had lived through a similar kind of chase once before when she was younger, and that paralyzing fear was something she could never forget. With her injury, there was no way she could run. Despair took over.

The boy, though obviously terrified himself, stood in front of Nora protectively, his body tense.

The guards moved quickly, their uniforms sharp and their gear top-notch. These weren't just any run-of-the-mill security guards; they were trained professionals.

Nora's tears fell freely now, her small hands gripping the boy's shirt tightly. Yet despite her fear, something clicked.

This scene... it was too familiar.

She remembered her roommate's laughter before bed. "I've got to tell you guys about this ridiculous novel I found on that overseas website. It's called The Tyrant CEO's Teenage Runaway Bride. The beginning is so over the top! The runaway bride tries to escape with the help of a boy, and the CEO's guards catch them and almost beat the poor guy to death..."

Nora's body trembled.

The guards didn't hold back. They had already begun attacking the boy.

One of them passed right by Nora, his tailcoat sweeping past as if she didn't exist. His focus was entirely on beating down the boy in front of her.

The boy gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out in pain, but it was clear he wouldn't last much longer.

He might actually die...

Shaking violently, Nora's gaze fell on the blood pooling beneath the boy. She clenched her jaw and grabbed the arm of one of the guards, yelling, "Stop!"

The guard paused for a moment, turning his cold, threatening eyes on her. Nora's legs nearly gave out beneath her, but she forced herself to stand her ground, reaching out again to try and stop the others.

By the time she was done, she was too frightened to think. She collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

Suddenly, a group of men dressed in sleek black suits rushed over. At the center of them stood a man holding an umbrella. His polished shoes came into Nora's view first, moving at a slow, deliberate pace.

The man's steps were graceful, and his eyes lazily dropped to her. His voice was low, carrying a hint of amusement. "Are you having fun yet, hmm?"

Nora looked up, her eyes misty with tears. She couldn't make out his face clearly.

But the man radiated a cold, aristocratic air, the kind of power that sent a chill down your spine. He held a black umbrella above his head, even though the rain had yet to fall. The only shadow in the entire scene was the one he cast.

Nora's voice trembled as she spoke. "Liam Creighton?"

The man didn't answer, only let out a low chuckle, as if surprised she dared to call him by name.

Nora's heart sank. She really had fallen into the novel.

Which meant... right now, she was caught in the middle of a failed escape attempt, and the man standing before her was none other than Liam Creighton. The boy beside her had called her Nora, which meant her name in this world must be Nora, too.

Her roommate had mocked this name earlier, but Nora knew better...

Nora wasn't the protagonist of this story. That role belonged to her younger sister, Lena Harding.

This was one of those classic, old-fashioned CEO novels from that foreign website. At the start, Nora was given to Liam Creighton, and she begged her classmate, a boy who had feelings for her, to help her escape. Naturally, the boy agreed.

But the boy was beaten to a pulp, left gravely injured, and Liam Creighton had coolly said, "If you run, don't come back."

Nora was sent home, but her family was on the verge of bankruptcy. Desperate, they practically begged on their knees before they decided to send her younger sister, Lena, in her place.

Unlike Nora, Lena Harding was the classic righteous, strong-willed heroine. Despite the bad blood between the sisters, Lena despised Liam's domineering, heartless ways. And she... ran away, too.

Both girls were seventeen and in their final year of high school.

But a heroine is a heroine. Lena managed to run on her own. And even though she didn't escape, Liam found her charming anyway.

And so, after a long struggle of love and hate, the two of them ended up together.

But what about Nora? Her runaway attempt became a joke, while the boy who helped her was beaten so badly that his life was ruined. Once a top student, his future was shattered, and his family forced Nora to take care of him.

Nora, the illegitimate daughter despised by her own family, had started out full of pride and grit. She actually stayed with the boy, tending to him. But over time, the hardship became too much for the young girl. Both of them missed their chance to take the SATs, and with no higher education, their lives turned bleak. Later, as Nora watched her sister marry into a wealthy family, she saw Liam Creighton-the man she had once feared-standing tall, impossibly handsome.

Resentment festered in Nora's heart. She couldn't bear to see her sister's glamorous life while she suffered in misery. So she abandoned the boy and tried to win Liam Creighton back, only to be crushed. The story ended in tragedy for her.

The runaway bride the story focused on should have been Lena Harding.

But right now, Nora was the one playing that role.

As the memories of the plot came flooding back, Nora wanted to cry.

She had transmigrated into the body of an illegitimate daughter who'd made the terrible mistake of running away, only to meet a tragic end. And the worst part? She was now seventeen years old, which meant if she wanted to avoid this awful fate, she had to take the SAT all over again!

Nora, in her real life, was already a college freshman, eighteen years old, and had finally finished the SAT. But now? Now she was back at square one.

The thick Kaplan SAT Prep guide she had used felt like a distant memory. Right now, her first priority was to save that boy. She had to live as Nora, and she couldn't afford to be seen as some kind of freak.

Her hands were filthy, and she didn't dare touch Liam Creighton.

She knew her role in this story-she was a supporting character. If she laid a finger on the male lead, all she would earn was a one-way ticket to disaster.

Wiping away her tears, Nora realized that dignity and pride weren't worth a boy's ruined future. Swallowing her fear, she crawled in front of Liam Creighton, her voice soft and trembling as she whimpered, "Mr. Liam, it's all my fault. I was foolish. I'm sorry."

She was pitiful, sniffling and sobbing like a frightened kitten.

Liam raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

Three of his security guards stood ready at his side, waiting for his command to beat the boy to a pulp.

The boy-Ryan Harding-wasn't one to back down easily. Seeing Nora bow her head in submission to this "devil," he gritted his teeth, pushing himself up to help her. "We don't need to beg this monster."

The "monster" glanced their way with icy eyes, the cold in his gaze sharp enough to freeze them in place.

Nora avoided Ryan's hand. She knew exactly what kind of man Liam Creighton was-a true devil. His possessions were untouchable, and anyone who dared would be destroyed. If she wasn't careful, he would crush both her and Ryan Harding without a second thought.

After all, it was her fault Ryan was even in this mess. If it weren't for her, Ryan would have gone to an Ivy League university. Now his future was in ruins because of her.

She couldn't let things play out the way they did in the story.

Wiping her tears, Nora lifted her gaze to meet Liam's.

Lightning tore through the sky, and the villa's lights flickered on, flooding the scene with brightness. For the first time, Liam could clearly see the disheveled face in front of him.

Even in her current miserable state, she was as beautiful as a peach blossom in March-delicate and pure. Her clear, pleading eyes stared up at him.

Liam's gaze was cold as it swept over her.

After what felt like an eternity, he reached out, his hand suddenly wrapping around Nora's neck.

Her slender throat was fragile, like a delicate flower, and with just a little pressure, he could stop her from running ever again.

The girl beneath his hand trembled slightly.

Tears streamed down her face as she desperately tried to pry his hand away.

Liam's eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the beauty mark by her tear-stained cheek. He prided himself on his exceptional memory-he remembered every face, every feature, down to the smallest detail.

Nora had never had a tear mole before.

His grip tightened.

Those beautiful, tear-filled eyes stared up at him, pleading silently. Something electric and unexplainable surged through Liam's heart, a kind of thrill he couldn't name.

His dark eyes narrowed as he stared at her. Not just the tear mole-her entire demeanor had changed. Her face had shifted, too-this wasn't the Nora he remembered. The original Nora had never had this kind of allure.

So beautiful. Even the way she struggled for breath was mesmerizing.

Oddly enough, Liam felt a rush of pleasure.

The delicate girl in front of him gasped for air, her eyes turning red, her cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue, while her lips grew pale. Seventeen years old, just like a flower bud on the verge of wilting.

Damn, she was beautiful.

Nora?

No, not her. Liam stared into her eyes. In his thirty years of life, he had never felt his heart race like this-wild and out of control, as if it would break free from his chest.

Nora was choking, her sobs stifled as she looked in despair at his merciless face.

She didn't want to die...

In the book, the male lead only tortured the boy for a bit before sending the supporting female character, Nora, back home. Then the heroine would take center stage, and Nora's story would come to a close.

But now, the boy was fine, and it was her who was about to be strangled to death by the male lead.

"Please... please..." Her tears fell onto his hand.

Liam's pupils constricted, a flash of rage flickering in his eyes.

His grip tightened further.

The last thing Nora saw was the red tint in Liam's eyes, along with an expression she couldn't comprehend.

His voice was rough as he leaned in, whispering in her ear, low enough that only she could hear, "You're not Nora... You're exquisite."

Nora could betray him, could run from him, but you cannot.

He let out a cold chuckle. "Die before I fall in love with you."

Fear flooded Nora's heart as death closed in. In all her years, she had never felt so close to cursing out loud.

Damn this psychopathic CEO!

And then, a sharp pain shot through her neck, and her world faded into nothingness.

Her breath stopped, and her long lashes fluttered gently as her eyes closed. Nora died on her very first day in this world.

She hadn't even survived an hour.

Thunder rumbled, and the skies finally opened, rain pouring down in torrents.

The only sound left was the boy's heart-wrenching cry, "Nora!"

Morning came, with the scent of blooming jasmine in the air, as a thin layer of mist hung over the old Spencer estate. Nora jolted awake, her heart racing as she stumbled toward the mirror.

The reflection staring back at her was a familiar face. It was her face-Nora's face.

Yet, in the framed photo beside her, there was another version of Nora. The girl in the picture wore a radiant smile, her features slightly different, though there was enough resemblance to confirm this was indeed Nora's room.

Nora slumped onto the floor, defeated.

It was over...

Last night, she had become Nora. And now she understood why Liam Creighton had killed her. The supernatural events must have triggered his instincts, making him see her as an intruder-someone he had to eliminate.

But the strangest part? Even after her death, she hadn't returned to her original world. She was still here, still Nora.

What the hell was going on?

A glance at the calendar showed that a page had been ripped off, leaving a bold, cartoonish font spelling out today's date: Wednesday, September 18th.

Suddenly, someone pounded on her door. A sharp, mocking voice called out from the other side. "Nora, don't think hiding in your room is going to save you. Whether you like it or not, you have to go to Liam. He's expecting you. Now get out here, now!"

At the mention of "Liam," a cold shiver ran down Nora's spine. The memory of those cold, merciless eyes haunted her.

No... she couldn't face him again. He was terrifying. He could kill her.

But she knew exactly where she stood now. She had already been strangled by the male lead once. Time had reset, taking her back to when Nora hadn't yet been sent to Liam.

Her face drained of color.

If she couldn't return to her original life, then her only option was to keep living as Nora.

This had originally been just another cliché CEO novel. But being trapped inside it, Nora realized how terrifyingly deranged the male lead truly was. She shuddered, recalling how the novel had never made sense to begin with. And Liam... could he actually be involved with the mafia? She vividly remembered how casually he killed a man while smiling, his cruelty sending chills down her spine.

There was no way she would survive that again.

In the book, Liam had said two things to her before killing her:

"You're not Nora."

"You're beautiful. Too beautiful. Before I fall in love with you... die."

Nora wanted to cry. Was this story always this extreme? Do other people who get thrown into books have to deal with this kind of nonsense? He wanted her dead just because he thought she was beautiful?

Getting off the floor, she trembled as she thought to herself: Stay alive. I have to stay alive.

There were two ways to survive.

First, no one could find out that she wasn't the real Nora.

Second, she had to make sure Liam never fell for her. She couldn't let herself fit his aesthetic at all.

The original Nora might have had a tragic ending, but at least she lived. Meanwhile, she hadn't even lasted a few hours before dying!

Outside, the woman's voice grew more impatient. "Nora, if you don't come out, I'll have you dragged out to him!"

Nora bit her lip, her gaze landing on a pile of makeup on the dresser. Strangely, a sense of calm washed over her.

If she hadn't ended up in this novel, she'd probably have become a makeup artist after graduating.

Nora had a knack for makeup, taking on private gigs since high school.

She picked up some foundation and began carefully applying it, using the photo beside her as a guide.

The tear mole on her cheek disappeared under the concealer. She lifted the corners of her eyes slightly, adding a bit of boldness to her expression. The transformation was almost miraculous-the delicate beauty she once had was now completely gone.

In the mirror, the girl staring back looked exactly like the Nora in the photo.

Nora took a deep breath, pushing down her fear. You can do this, Nora.

She opened the door. The woman waiting outside hadn't left. She was in her forties, heavily made up with a sharp look in her eyes.

Nora's heart raced, but the woman only frowned. "Nora, go change into the dress from yesterday."

Nora quickly nodded. "Okay."

I can do this. This woman was likely Lena Harding's mother, Zoe Spencer. If even she couldn't tell the difference, then it meant Nora's disguise was working.

If, one day, she were ever found out, she could just claim that the Nora everyone had seen before was always the result of makeup. Now, this was her real face.

It was her safety net.

Returning to the room, Nora spotted a velvet-wrapped box sitting on the bed. Inside was a white silk dress.

It was a dress perfect for a girl her age, radiating innocence and purity.

But wearing it would turn Nora into a neatly packaged gift for the male lead.

She shuddered, remembering the stormy night before, and her fear of Liam Creighton tightened its grip around her.

One meeting with him had been enough to ingrain that fear deep in her bones.

If she wanted to survive, she had to steer the plot back on track.

She had to become Nora, the girl who was sent to Liam as a trophy, the girl who tried to run away with Ryan Harding. Once the female lead took over Liam's life, Nora would be irrelevant. She guessed that completing the story might be her only ticket back to the real world.

But just the thought of the escape scene made her shiver.

Don't be scared, Nora, she reassured herself. You are Nora. As long as the male lead doesn't like you, he won't kill you.

As she descended the stairs, she caught sight of the book's female lead-Lena Harding.

Lena Harding was pretty, but in a simple way, nothing like Nora's striking beauty. Still, in these CEO novels, it was always the quirky, plain-looking heroine that caught the CEO's eye.

Lena was eating breakfast, chatting excitedly with Zoe Spencer, who looked absolutely radiant with warmth and pride.

Zoe's demeanor was completely different from the harsh tone she used with Nora earlier. "Good luck, sweetheart," she said sweetly to Lena.

A middle-aged man standing nearby glanced at Nora as she entered. The easygoing expression on his face immediately stiffened, and he sighed. "Nora, sit down and have breakfast."

This man was Edward Spencer, the one who had fathered Nora with a mistress. Lena and Nora were not only the same age, born in the same month but even on the same day. Edward, feeling guilty over his infidelity, had been tolerating Zoe's bitterness for the past seventeen years, allowing her to lash out at Nora whenever she pleased.

Nora had always been rebellious, and her grades weren't great, so her relationship with her father was far from close. As she sat down, Lena's expression froze for a moment.

Lena Harding had always been lively and cheerful, often at odds with Liam Creighton, their bickering making them the classic "enemies to lovers" duo.

Lena put down her chopsticks. "Dad, I've heard Liam Creighton's not exactly a good guy. Can't we just get a loan from the bank? Sending Nora to him isn't the answer. That whole 'childhood engagement' was just a joke. If Liam doesn't recognize it, we'll be the ones embarrassed."

If this had been the old Nora, she would have likely sneered and said, "If it's such a bad idea, why don't you go instead?"

But the current Nora, full of hope, looked at Edward Spencer.

If they could somehow avoid the plot altogether, that would be perfect. The very thought of Liam Creighton terrified her.

Edward didn't even get a chance to speak before Zoe Spencer glared at Lena. "What do you know? Finish your breakfast and go to school. And don't forget to help Nora with her leave of absence."

The Spencers had already exhausted every bank and relative they could borrow from, but the company's losses were too massive. If Liam Creighton didn't step in, the family's small business would be ruined.

Nora lowered her head.

She glanced at the calendar in her room earlier-today was Wednesday. Normally, she would be in school.

Lena, clearly upset, fell silent. "I'm done," she muttered, pushing her plate away.

Edward Spencer walked the sisters to the car. He dropped Lena off at school first, watching as she walked through the gate in her blue-and-white uniform.

Then, as he glanced at Nora in the back seat, wearing her white dress, something tugged at him. She was staring out the window at the bustling school entrance, looking quiet and demure-a stark contrast to her usual rebellious self.

For the first time, a sense of guilt and pity stirred in Edward's heart. He tried to reassure her, though his words felt hollow. "Don't be scared, Nora. Master Liam is just... cold. He won't hurt you."

Nora paused before nodding slightly. "I understand, Dad."

They both knew it was a lie.

Liam Creighton's name was synonymous with cruelty throughout the city. He was not only immensely wealthy but infamous for his ruthless tactics.

As the car approached Liam's mansion, Nora realized today was his birthday-his thirtieth birthday party.

The thought hit her hard. In the book, her character was just seventeen. In real life, she had only just turned eighteen. Suddenly, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her.

In these CEO novels, the thirty-year-old billionaire always ends up with an eighteen-year-old girl. They say he'll "treasure" her.

Well, he certainly "treasured" her-by strangling her to death.

Edward handed Nora a gift box, his voice heavy with concern. He seemed afraid that his rebellious daughter might try to run, making their already dire situation even worse. "Nora, you need to understand-the company owes ten million. If Master Liam doesn't help, we'll be out on the streets. I'll have no choice but to send you to your aunt's."

The underlying threat was clear. Everyone knew how horrible life with Nora's aunt was.

The original Nora had been terrified of that fate; that was why she had obediently gone to Liam Creighton in the first place.

Nora wasn't much of an actress, but she tried her best to look a little panicked. "I understand, Dad."

This mansion... It was the place where she had died last night.

But unlike the stormy night before, today it was a lavish, sunlit scene filled with high society guests. Luxury cars were parked outside, and the garden was in full bloom. The people mingling here were all elite.

Edward Spencer didn't pay her any more attention, immediately diving into conversations with a group of businessmen. His small, failing company desperately needed a lifeline, and this was the perfect opportunity to network. Every moment was precious.

Nora stood by the entrance, clutching the gift box, feeling utterly lost.

Reality was so different from fiction.

In her real life, Nora's family wasn't wealthy. Her dad was a factory worker, and her mom had been in a car accident, leaving her with severe hand injuries. They had pinned all their hopes on Nora, and she had lived up to their expectations, excelling in school.

Her world was simple. Despite her beauty, she had never entertained the thought of dating. Her only goal was to study hard and pull her family out of their struggles.

She had just been accepted into college, her dreams finally within reach-and now, she was trapped in this story, living as Nora, the tragic supporting character.

The opulence surrounding her now was something she'd only ever seen on TV. Here she was, wearing a white dress, standing off to the side, looking like she didn't belong.

Her long, slightly curled hair fell over her shoulders, and she stood quietly, completely out of place in this world.

It was already ten in the morning. Everyone was waiting for Liam Creighton-rumor had it he and a group of wealthy heirs were out racing along the mountain roads.

Of course he'd be doing something reckless, Nora thought.

And, as expected, he was running late. The party had started, but he hadn't shown up yet.

Nora stared down at the gift box in her hands. Apparently, this was the key to making Liam accept her.

What could be inside? Curiosity gnawed at her.

Suddenly, the sound of the door lock turning made her jump. She quickly stepped aside as the door creaked open.

And then she saw him again-Liam Creighton.

The moment she laid eyes on him, her fear threatened to consume her. She wanted to run, to flee from the mansion.

Liam entered, accompanied by a group of friends.

It was still sweltering in September, and his hair was damp with sweat. His dark eyes were as deep as ink.

The group of rich young men around him were all breathless, their voices full of excitement. "Master Liam, that was insane! The speed... I thought my heart was going to stop!"

Liam's lips curved slightly, but his eyes remained emotionless.

Exciting?

He hadn't felt a thing.

His heart was as steady as ever, matching the cold indifference on his face. It seemed he had lost the ability to feel any thrill at all.

As Liam walked further inside, his gaze landed on Nora.

The soft sunlight filtered through the open door, casting a glow on the girl standing by the entrance, clutching the gift box tightly in her hands.

Her fingers were pale as porcelain, her knuckles stiff. She held onto the box so tightly, her body trembled slightly as if she were trying to make herself invisible.

Was she scared of him?

Scared to this extent?

For some reason, the thought amused him. He turned to one of the men beside him and said, "Light me a cigarette."

Once lit, Liam flicked the ash and slowly made his way over to Nora, deliberately stopping in front of her. He could feel her trembling intensify.

Liam glanced down at her. He towered over her, standing nearly six foot three, while she barely reached his shoulder. Her timid posture made it seem like he was some kind of monstrous villain.

He gave a soft command. "Look at me."

Nora froze, her body going rigid as she heard the classic CEO novel line.

That tone, it brought back the chilling memory of the man from last night-the ruthless, heartless man who had killed her.

She truly hated and feared this male lead with every fiber of her being.

Facing the man who had "killed" her just last night, Nora realized she wasn't nearly as brave as she had tried to convince herself.

A few words exchanged the night before were enough for Nora to understand Liam Creighton's volatile nature. One moment, he praised her beauty, and the next, he was telling her to die. This entire novel world was rigged in his favor. Even the female lead, Lena Harding, had to endure endless torment from him before finally getting a hard-won happy ending.

The air around him was thick with pressure, his faint scent of tobacco unsettling her.

She reminded herself: You are Nora. You are Nora!

Nora wouldn't act like this. She was rebellious and bold. When facing a man like him, she should appear indifferent and unafraid. Besides, with all these people around, there was no way he'd try to kill her again.

Nora steadied herself, the trembling stopped.

She lifted her head, locking eyes with him.

Liam Creighton's face remained expressionless, his eyes narrowing slightly, a glimmer of disappointment crossing his features.

To be fair, her face wasn't bad-looking, but something about it just felt off. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what, but it seemed like it could've been more enticing, yet somehow fell flat.

Nora's heart was pounding in her chest like a drum.

Liam let out a soft, mocking laugh. He found her eyes amusing-wet, shimmering with a faint glow. She was trying so hard to look unafraid, like she wanted to say, "I'm not easy to mess with, okay?"

Still, he didn't have any reason to pick on her.

How old was she, anyway?

She wasn't even an adult yet-twelve years younger than him, way too young and innocent.

Suddenly, he lost interest, walking past her without another glance, his entourage of wealthy heirs trailing behind him.

The scent of perfume lingered in the air as Nora turned her head to see a group of women following behind the rich boys.

One of them, wearing deep red heels, exuded elegance and allure. She noticed Liam's brief interest in Nora, and her gaze followed, laced with judgment.

Nora instantly recognized her-Charlotte, one of the most tragic supporting characters in the novel.

Charlotte came from a well-to-do family, skilled in manipulation. If Nora was mere cannon fodder, then Charlotte was the second female lead. She schemed against the female lead, Lena Harding, multiple times, creating misunderstandings and even setting Lena up with other men. In the end, Charlotte's fate was even more tragic.

Thinking of this, Nora's gaze flicked back to Liam.

This man... she wanted nothing to do with him.

Before she could finish her thought, Edward Spencer gave her a push, whispering, "Hurry up, give the gift to Master Liam."

Nora wanted to cry.

Liam had gone upstairs to change earlier. Now, he was back in a black shirt, the top two buttons casually undone. His gaze was cold, exuding an aura that was impossible to describe.

Plenty of people wanted to approach him, but his temper was too unpredictable, and no one dared.

Liam sat on the sofa, legs crossed, surrounded by a few friends who were close to him.

Nora bit her lip nervously. "Dad, no one else is going up to him. What if he gets mad?"

Edward shot her a frustrated look. "Don't worry. Once he sees what's inside, he'll understand."

With no other choice, Nora braced herself and walked over.

On the coffee table, an empty wine bottle was spinning.

It stopped just as Nora reached Liam.

The neck of the bottle pointed directly at him.

The group laughed, "Looks like Liam's luck is a bit off-first one up!"

Liam lazily lifted his eyes, noticing Nora standing in front of him.

She clearly had no idea what game they were playing. Her expression was confused, not sure whether to advance or retreat, so she awkwardly stood there, frozen.

A seventeen-year-old girl in a pristine white dress, so pure it made one want to ruin her.

Liam rested his hand against his lips. "What do you want?"

The room fell silent as everyone's attention turned to Nora.

Under his gaze, Nora's nerves tightened. In a soft voice, she said, "Happy birthday."

Her small, pale hands offered the gift box to him.

One of the guys nearby teased, "Liam, a token of love-go on, take it!"

Nora's face stiffened, turning white, then red. She quickly corrected, "It's a birthday gift." Her voice was soft, and her eyes were moist and sincere.

Liam gave her a casual glance and opened the box.

Then, he let out a low chuckle.

Nora peeked into the box, her knees going weak.

Inside was a gun. An old, vintage-looking gun.

Without a second thought, Liam picked it up, squinting slightly, then pointed it directly at Nora's head. "Spencer?"

Nora nearly burst into tears.

No one could be more unlucky than her. No one!

She swallowed her fear, nodding stiffly.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Nora," she replied, her voice soft, carrying a hint of vulnerability, almost like a gentle plea.

A bit sultry.

Liam smiled, repeating after her, "Nora."

Nora stared at him, on the verge of collapsing. She wanted to run, to never come back. Was he going to say, "Nora, nice name. Now go die"?

The others around them seemed to ignore the fact that Liam was pointing a gun at her. One guy shouted, "Whoa, a gun!"

And not just any gun-it looked like something out of the 1920s.

Liam cast another glance at Nora, then slowly put the gun back into the box.

Nora was completely paralyzed with fear.

"Come here," he commanded.

Against her will, Nora stepped forward.

One of the rich heirs raised an eyebrow. "Liam, are you picking her?"

Charlotte's face darkened.

Liam didn't answer.

The game they were playing was cruel-whoever the bottle landed on had to kiss someone for a full minute.

Nora had no idea. Liam pulled her down, seating her on his lap.

Up close, she could see the cold darkness in his eyes, mixed with an icy detachment.

She trembled uncontrollably in his arms.

Liam's expression didn't change as he leaned in to kiss her.

Nora reacted quickly-by covering his mouth with her hand.

Liam's lips landed on her palm.