"Good Lord! Ms. Yael has jumped overboard!"
A cry of alarm, followed by a loud splash, pierced the night sky. The imperial cruise ship sped forward, creating great rolling waves in the sea. In an instant, the petite figure of a girl was completely submerged.
In the pitch-black depths of the sea, countless ravaging waves surged and stormed, crushing the viscera.
Breathing became increasingly difficult. The despair of impending death awoken Yael Brooks in an instant, but her body continued plummeting rapidly.
She couldn't open her eyes as the bone-chilling seawater overwhelmed her senses, pouring into her nose and flooding her lungs. The infinite darkness made it impossible to distinguish between illusion and reality.
Where was she?
In the sea?!
Yael, the daughter of the Brooks Family, a top financial corporation in the State of Hunea, caused a major scandal years ago and was sent away to a private psychiatric institution in a remote city.
For the past ten years, Yael had endured inhumane torment every day, suffering a fate worse than death. Yet, not a single member of the Brooks inquired nor checked on her.
Until half a month ago, the Brooks suddenly experienced ‘a fit of kindness' and arranged for her return to Hunea.
Sadly, it wasn't out of familial affection but a measured move to have her replace the Brooks' adopted daughter, Willa Brooks, in marriage to Jordan York, the illegitimate scion of the wealthiest family in Hunea.
Rumor had it that Jordan was as capricious and ruthless as Hades, the Lord of Hell, and widely feared by all in Hunea.
It was prophesied that he wouldn't live past the age of 26, so the York Family’s old patriarch sought to ward off misfortune with matrimony, relying on the superstitious belief that weddings bring good luck.
Only, Jordan rejected everyone but Willa, the adopted daughter of the Brooks.
It was common knowledge that Willa, known as the 'Top Socialite of Hunea', was a prodigy beloved by all.
She and Joshua York, the legitimate heir of the York Family, were deeply in love, envied and adored by many as the golden couple.
Jordan however, insisted on coveting his brother's girl.
Naturally, Willa refused the marriage proposal, but the Brooks Family daren't provoke the living Hades, hence Yael, the biological daughter came to mind.
After ten years in living hell, Yael had long been mentally deranged. Upon learning the truth, she instantly despaired and plunged herself into the sea...
When Yael reopened her eyes, she was reborn a different soul; a different person transmigrated from another world!
In her past life, she had braved fires and blades, faced killings and bloodshed. Now, in this ghostly water abyss, the fear of death and despair meant nothing!
A strong will to survive caused her pupils to constrict, emitting a cold glint. As if her entire being had suddenly awoken, she began to traverse nimbly through the waves.
Half a minute later.
Like a mermaid, she leapt swiftly and broke out of the surface of the sea.
The silvery moonlight shrouded her under the night sky as she gasped for breaths of fresh air.
She flung back her wet hair, her sharp gaze swept toward the opulent yacht sounding its foghorn in the distance.
That was the nearest place of refuge. This body had endured years of torment and illness. It was now fragile and exhausted. She had to get ashore as soon as possible.
Her speed was fast, in no time she had climbed onto the yacht where bodyguards in black suits were patrolling.
But her body had reached its limit. She struggled to breathe and finally could not hold out. With a thud, she collapsed heavily onto the deck, losing consciousness.
A patrolling bodyguard spotted her and raised the alarm, "Sir! Someone snuck onto the ship, and it's a woman!"
Sir was a severe germaphobe. He was sexually abstinent and despised women. In a general sense, not even a female mosquito could be found on the yacht.
Amidst a crowd not far from the deck, a young man swiveled his wheelchair. The man was draped in a luxurious black fur coat, his skin pale as if ill. His dark hair was messily drawn back, revealing a flawless forehead and chiseled features.
The man's thin, charming lips tightened. Even in a wheelchair, he exuded an overpowering and intimidating presence, as if the whole universe was at his feet. He appeared aristocratic, decadent and yet, morbidly melancholic.
At that moment, he lazily narrowed his eyes and commanded lightly, "Throw her overboard." His voice was cold as ice, inducing fear and dread.
"Yes, Sir!"
Before the bodyguard could act, a weak groan sounded from the dying girl on the deck floor.
"Don't..."
Yael opened her eyes dazedly, her pale face covered in cold sweat. She had bit her tongue hard, pulling herself back to reality just a second before passing out.
She could not be thrown overboard, without a doubt she'd perish. Her body was too weak and couldn’t withstand any more turmoil.
She breathed with difficulty, her fingernails scraping into the polished wooden deck. Dragging her heavy body forward, she crawled towards the pair of well-muscled legs in her blurry vision. Until her bloodied fingers clutched the man’s bespoke pants, "Please... don't throw me overboard..."
Her misty eyes were akin to a helpless kitten’s. Her white dress was torn and drenched to the skin, unable to conceal her emaciated, yet delicate figure.
Her alluring clavicle, her fair skin scattered with injuries, her dark hair that fell in waves to her waist... like a beautiful and tormented mermaid, defenseless and vulnerable with nowhere to go.
Seduction was lethal. Anyone who saw her would feel a surge of pity.
The man gazed down at her. With dispassionate eyes he allowed her to crawl up his lap. His cool fingers gently caressed her slender jaw, murmuring hoarsely, "You're the first woman to dare climb on me."
Watching this scene, his assistant, Xander Gray, almost jumped out of his skin.
The girl's sopping dress and bloodied fingers had soiled Sir's pants. Normally, Sir would have immediately taken her life.
At this moment, everyone present heightened their vigilance as if facing a formidable foe, while Xander hurried aside to investigate the girl's identity.
Yael however, seemed oblivious to the impending danger. She was dazed, desperately clutching the man's collar.
"Please... don't throw me overboard... I'll do whatever you want..."
