"Brooklyn Alston! What in the world made you think it was okay to drug me?"

An infuriated voice roared across the room waking Brooklyn. She discovered herself staring into a man's bloodshot eyes, his face fierce and menacing.

Her cheeks flushed as she struggled to breathe.

"I... I didn't," she stuttered, but Mateo Bagetto wasn't buying it.

"Who else but you would have the guts?"

His derision was plain as day, every word heavy with biting sarcasm.

Brooklyn paled but quickly regained her composure. "Drugging you? Tons of people could have done that, not just me."

His grip tightened on hearing her words, his face turning even eerier.

Just as she felt herself losing consciousness, a well-timed knock on the door provided a distraction.

"Sir, Ms. Bella Alston is here," announced the butler, Wylder Acorn.

Mateo's expression danced at the name.

He let go of Brooklyn swiftly, his face twisted in disgust. "Stay away from me. You make me sick."

Now free from his hold, Brooklyn gasped for much-needed air.

She threw him a triumphant smile. "You may find me revolting, but you still have no choice but to marry me, right?"

Her quip was met with the rude sound of the door slamming shut.

With Mateo no longer in sight, Brooklyn's smile vanished.

It was only their second day as man and wife, and already she was dealing with his volatile temper.

She knew this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Glancing at her reflection in the mirror, she scoffed at her own fate.

Next, she covered the red mark on her neck with a silk scarf and headed downstairs, geared up for whatever lie in wait in the living room.

......

Bella Alston was standing in front of Mateo, a box clutching onto her trembling arms, and tears welling up in her eyes.

"Mateo, these are all the things you gave me in the past. I've been cherishing them."

"Now that you're taken, it feels wrong for me to hold onto these. But I can't bear to toss them, so the least I can do is return them to you."

At this point, Mateo stood gazing at her. Seeing her offer him the box, he couldn't help but frown.

"Bella..."

Bella brought her head low and wiped off her tear-streaked face.

"Mateo, you don't have to say anything. Maybe we weren't meant to be."

"Let's just be friends from now on."

"Huh? What kind of friend? Boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Brooklyn's voice echoed from upstairs, interrupting their conversation.

On looking up, Bella found Brooklyn leaning against the railing upstairs, watching the scene unfold with great interest.

Brooklyn was nothing short of exquisite, her radiant smile complimenting her delicate features. Her vibrant red top made her look incredibly attractive.

Bella remembered how Brooklyn left Meridiania with a pixie cut, dressed androgynously.

She couldn't fathom that Brooklyn could look so stunning in a dress.

Fast forward three years, Brooklyn has made a complete u-turn with her style.

"Brooklyn, there's no beef between us. I'll keep distance from Mateo."

"This...this is my last visit."

Bella's words were cautious, her eyes timidly glancing at Mateo, only to discover that he was still fixated on Brooklyn, oblivious to their conversation.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn, armed with a smug smile, threw Bella a sidelong glance.

"Well, if you really want to keep distance from him, why would you return these things? Are you just trying to rekindle that old flame, right?"

Bella was dumbstruck for a moment upon hearing Brooklyn's sly comment. Panic flashed across her eyes.

She anxiously turned to Mateo, but he was still transfixed on Brooklyn, tuning out their conversation.

"Brooklyn, you knew that's not what I meant, but you said it anyway. If that's the case, I'll be blunt, too."

"Since you single-handedly tore Mateo and me apart, I hope you treat him well in the future. Not like how it was before."

In fact, Brooklyn had a dubious reputation back in Meridiania before she left. Rumors were rife about her scandalous personal life. She was shipped off overseas by her grandfather, Logan Alston, in a fit of rage after she ended up pregnant with who-knows-who's baby.

Back then, her medical reports which leaked and went viral only added fuel to the fire.

No one could miss the irony of her not knowing who the father of her unborn child was.

Bella's retort visibly changed Mateo's expression.

No man likes his woman being called a tramp.

Thus, Mateo's eyes instantly turned cold.

"Where's the baby?" His voice echoed around the room.

Brooklyn was taken aback for a moment. She froze but quickly regained her composure. A faint smile danced on her lips.

"Why? You're ready to play daddy already?"

On hearing this, Bella, standing next to Mateo, had an evident expression of panic on her face, seeming to shield Mateo.

"Brooklyn... how can you... how can you still be so smug?"Brooklyn remained stoic throughout the ordeal. She cast a cool glance at Bella, her soft, quiet voice tinged with certainty:

"Of course I'd be confident around you."

Bella instantly caught the implication in Brooklyn's words, her expression shifting subtly. She turned to Mateo, her eyes pleading.

"Mateo, I just want to get outta here. Can you take me home?"

Mateo shot Brooklyn a desperate glance but stayed silent. He reached for Bella's hand, getting ready to make an exit.

But before they made it out, security guards blocked their path.

Mateo's demeanor turned icy, his voice harsh and resentful as he threatened,

"Back off."

The guards were from the Alston family and despite Mateo's aggressiveness, knew not to back down unless Brooklyn told them so.

Brooklyn sauntered over, casting a grin in Bella's direction. Once she noticed Bella clinging to Mateo, she shot her a sly, knowing smile:

"Bella, would you mind sharing what you are up to?"

"Are you trying to snag your cousin's man?"

"If you're into Mateo, you don't need my approval."

Bella, always being a more sensitive soul, immediately let go of Mateo's hand when she sensed Brooklyn's mocking and condescension. Mateo's face fell into a deeper frown.

After a beat, Brooklyn grinned teasingly. "Just remember we've got the tea ceremony at Grandma's and Grandpa's this afternoon. You better head back early."

Her words seemed to signal the guards, who instantly stepped aside.

Not so far away, another set of guards rushed towards Mateo. They were Mateo's own men.

Catching sight of their boss being held back, they hastened their pace.

The drive back was a quiet one for Bella and Mateo.

Seated next to Mateo, Bella found herself stealing glances at him, before finally confessing,

"Mateo, did I... mess up somehow?"

At her question, Mateo took a moment before responding. His tone kind yet firm.

"Bella, I've warned you to stay away from her. I don't want to see you get hurt."

He added after a pause,"My marriage to her is merely a formality. As soon as I've gotten to the bottom of this, we'll cut ties and you and I can finally be together."

Bella soaked up his words, tears rolling down her face as she nodded in acknowledgment of his promise.

As soon as he'd dropped Bella home, Mateo dialed a number.

"I'll be at my grandparents' tonight. Find a way to distract the basement guards. I need to get in there."

His voice remained cold, his eyes resolved.

As soon as he hung up, he started the car towards Elmwood Chateau...