Elena's POV:

At the Nightfall Bar.

"Elena, how dare you run away from the engagement party? Ten minutes, get back here!"

"If not, I swear I'll cut ties and disown you!"

I stared down at the message on my phone, my frustration mounting as I quickly typed back, "Dave, if you truly regarded me as your daughter, you wouldn't force me to marry a brutal, ugly stranger!"

"You only see me as a tool for bartering interests. I will never yield!"

After firing off the message, I stowed my phone back into my purse.

My emotions were on the verge of erupting.

I needed more alcohol.

Downing half a bottle of whiskey in a single swig, my head started to spin like crazy.

As I was trying to stand and make my way to the restroom, I ended up bumping into someone.

"Oh, buddy, I'm so sorry." My body swayed.

"Are you okay?" The man's voice was gentle and magnetic, like the melodious strains of a cello.

I looked up at a handsome face, finely chiseled features like a work of the ancient Greek sculpture. My gaze slowly trailed downwards, alighting on his chest, where I could faintly make out the outline of his pectoral muscles. My mind filled with tantalizing images of what lay beneath his clothing. Instantly, hot shivers run through me.

Under the influence of alcohol, I became bolder than usual.

"I'm Elena Piers," I said, moving closer to him. "What's your name, handsome? Do you have a girlfriend?" My fingers slowly traced over his chest, feeling the strength pulsating from his well-toned muscles.

Suddenly, he grabbed my wandering hand and leaned closer to me.

"You're drunk." The man's warm breath brushed against my ear, a sensation akin to a soft feather grazing the tip of my heart, inducing an irresistible flutter.

"I bet you're single?" I asked, trying to probe him and eagerly anticipating his response.

But he just gazed at me, silent.

Running out of patience, I wheeled around to leave. Before I managed to take two steps, he abruptly grabbed my arm. I lost my balance and tumbled into his embrace.

"Single!" He suddenly said.

Then, his lips sealed mine, his tongue exploring my mouth. The moist, warm sensation excited me.

Above the bar, there were hotel rooms.

He carried me upstairs and laid me on a soft bed.

I rolled over, pinning him underneath me, planting kisses on his lips, his throat, his firm muscles... My hands wandered all over him. When I touched his burning lower body, he caught my hand, panting, "Are you sure you want to continue?"

I rubbed against him, feeling his manhood harden even more.

"I want you," I said, licking his nipple and trying to arouse him.

"Fuck!" he groaned, flipping me underneath him. He left a hot, wet kiss on my breast and then gently took my nipple into his mouth. His other hand roughly kneaded my other breast.

The double stimulation made me moan.

His hand traced down my stomach to the secret part of my lower body. His fingers moved in and out, taking out the sticky fluid. He licked my earlobe and whispered, "You're already wet."

"Mmm... I want..." I felt the burning thing between my legs. I squirmed, craving...

He deliberately rubbed it against my entrance, refusing to enter. I couldn't stand it and begged, "Ah... please... I beg you..."

"Herbert Wagner."

He continued, "My name is Herbert."

"Herbert! Ah!!" I called out his name, and at that moment he suddenly entered me, causing me to scream out.

It was bigger than I imagined, think and hard, more satisfying.

"I like it when you call my name." He thrust into me hard, the immense pleasure making me scream louder.

"Ah! Herbert!!"

The overwhelming wave of pleasure hit me in an instant.

A flash of light crossed my mind, and it felt like my consciousness was thrown into the air and landed on a soft cloud.

My entire body was trembling, and I clung to him tightly.

Just when I thought we were done, he thrust into me once more, rushing towards the next climax.

...

About two hours later, Herbert finally stopped.

The air was still thick with the remnants of our desires.

I leaned into his embrace, catching my breath, the sound of his strong heartbeat in my ears providing an inexplicable sense of comfort.

His hands continued to caress me. I felt wrapped in comfort and satisfaction. Like I was not alone anymore.

I savored his tenderness.

Just then, the ringing of the cell phone filled the room.

I reached out to grab it, seeing several messages, all from Dave's.

"Mr. Brian may have a temper and not the best looks, but he is the head of the Watson family. Marrying him would mean a leap in social status for you. You, with your average looks and education, not to mention not being a blood of Piers, should be grateful for the chance to marry into the Watson family."

"You wretch, how dare you run away from the engagement?"

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused with your willfulness? You must marry Mr. Brian, like it or not!"

**

Looking at the text thread, I found it ridiculous. Although Dave Piers was my adoptive father, I didn't think he had the right to control me.

I had expressed my refusal to the marriage long ago, but he still tricked me into going to the engagement banquet.

So, the resulting mess wasn't my fault.

I tossed my phone aside, but it rang again. It was Dave calling.

I could choose to hang up, but I knew he would keep pestering me.

So I picked up the phone and went to the bathroom to answer the call, deciding to put an end to his hopes once and for all.

"Stop pressuring me. " I retorted, and right then, two bold words slipped out of my mouth: "I'm married."

"You WHAT? Married? Impossible! You haven't even been dating. Don't think you can fool me."

"Anyway, I'm married now. But you tell everyone I'm single. Can you imagine the consequences if the prestigious Watson family found out you lied to them?"

"You ungrateful little bitch! YOU—" Dave roared in fury.

I hung up the phone, walked out of the bathroom, and returned to bed.

Herbert was already asleep. I lost myself in thought as I watched his peaceful face.

Initially, Dave had adopted me for my blood.

His son who suffered from Mediterranean anemia needed regular blood transfusions.

Just like that boy, I had the rare blood type. So, I was chosen to be the boy's blood donor.

Every so often, I was compelled to donate my blood to him.

Later, the boy was taken away by his mother, supposedly for treatment in Germany. I heard it was because blood diseases could be inherited and Dave wanted a healthy child, which led to their divorce.

I thought my life would get a little easier after the boy left.

But soon, Dave remarried and brought home a biological daughter who was about my age. I became the servant of the family.

Later on, Dave took a fancy to my appearance and planned to use me as a tool for a marital alliance. He spent a pretty penny refining my manners, talents, and way of speaking, all with the plan of selling me off for a high price. Any of my other interests or dreams got the cold shoulder. My personal life barely existed.

Why should I sacrifice my lifetime of happiness for his company and marry that ugly, ill-tempered stranger? At this moment, it's like decades of resentment hit me all at once. As I stared at Herbert, a powerful urge surged within me.

"Herbert, let's get married!"