Chapter 2 Mr. Ethan? That can’t be!

“Why are you just standing there? Where is your cruel master?” Emily continued.

“Cruel?” the guard repeated, clearly offended.

“Yes. Where is he? Is he afraid, or nervous about meeting me that he has to send his guard instead?” Emily shot back sharply.

“Afraid of you?” the guard said, unable to hold back a cold laugh.

“Yes. Or don’t tell me your master is just a house mouse who always hides behind his mother?” Emily sneered, then laughed in satisfaction.

The man in front of her clenched his fists tightly. As he was about to step closer, the servant behind him tried to stop him.

“Miss Emily,” the servant said nervously.

One of the servants slowly stepped forward, about to explain who the man standing before Emily really was. But the man Emily thought was a guard gave a subtle signal again, making the servant retreat and leave.

After the servant left, the man stepped closer. Emily instinctively stepped back, her body pressing against the wall.

“What do you want? Don’t you dare hurt me. I am Mr. Ethan’s future wife,” she said nervously.

The guard looked at her and smiled coldly. “Hurt you? You’re right, I’m free to do whatever I want to you. So, you’re Mr. Ethan’s wife?”

“Yes! I am Mr. Ethan’s future wife, your master!” Emily replied quickly.

The man almost laughed again, but he didn’t want to reveal who he really was too soon.

With Emily cornered against the wall, he stepped closer, trapping her with his sharp gaze.

“What do you want?” Emily asked again.

“To see the face of Mr. Ethan’s wife,” he replied.

Emily smiled bitterly. “Aren’t you afraid if Mr. Ethan comes here? He’s a cruel man. He’ll kill you.”

“Oh really? Is he that cruel?” he asked casually, as if challenging her.

“Of course. He’s very cruel.”

The man stared at her longer. “Do you know what Mr. Ethan looks like?”

Emily sighed and looked straight at him. “Yes, of course I know. My future husband is very ugly, fat no, that’s all wrong! He’s very handsome. Isn’t that what he looks like?”

She said the last words with a trembling voice, but her eyes remained defiant, trying to suppress her fear.

“Fool. Are you sure those are your future husband’s traits?” the guard asked again.

“I’m sure! Call your master now. I’ve been waiting!” Emily ordered.

The man raised an eyebrow, almost smiling again. “Mr. Ethan is away. He only entrusted your marriage contract to me.”

“Huh … thank goodness!” Emily muttered reflexively, as if a heavy burden had slightly lifted from her shoulders.

Her eyes returned to the man before her. Red lips, a sharp nose, thick brows, a firm jaw nothing like an ordinary guard. Emily held her breath, unable to suppress the sudden curiosity rising within her.

The man stared back at her, his eyes sharp. “Aren’t you afraid if Mr. Ethan finds out you’re flirting with me like this?”

“Afraid of him?” Emily laughed softly. “I’m not afraid. After all, we have no relationship whatsoever,” she replied casually.

Emily pushed the man back slightly, creating distance, then slowly sat on the edge of the bed. Her breathing was still fast, but her eyes never left him filled with curiosity and a hint of caution.

“What’s your name?” Emily asked.

The man stepped closer, calm, yet his cold aura made Emily feel cornered.

“Arthur,” he answered briefly.

Emily smiled faintly, trying to steady herself. “That’s a nice name. How long have you worked here?”

The guard sat across from her, silent. His gaze was cold, no words leaving his lips, making Emily realize he wasn’t much of a talker.

“Why do I suddenly feel afraid of this man? Remember, Emily, he’s just a guard!” she thought, trying to calm herself.

The tension broke when the man picked up a paper from the table and handed it to Emily. “Sign the contract. Now,” he ordered firmly.

“Alright,” Emily replied shortly. Without reading it first, she moved closer, took the pen, and signed the document that would bind her life to Mr. Ethan.

Her heart surrendered to this rushed marriage, even though she knew this was only the beginning of her suffering and perhaps this marriage would finally keep her away from her cruel stepmother and stepsister.

After she signed the contract, Arthur handed her a small box. Emily opened it slowly, revealing a ring that gleamed coldly under the bedroom light.

“Put on the ring. Everyone will know that now, you are Mr. Ethan’s wife,” he said firmly.

Emily stared at him in disbelief. “Mr. Ethan’s wife? So I’m officially married to Mr. Ethan? When?”

Arthur smiled faintly, coldly. “Yes. Didn’t your mother tell you? Your marriage certificate is with Mr. Ethan.”

Emily swallowed hard, her chest tightening. Bitterness, anger, and fear mixed into one.

“Tch … so they really sold me to that cruel man,” she muttered bitterly, staring at Arthur, who now seemed far more than just a guard.

Arthur took the signed contract, glanced at it coldly.

“For now, you’ll stay in this pavilion. Remember, this marriage is only a contract marriage. Once Mr. Ethan’s affairs are settled, you’re free to leave. Don’t expect anything from Mr. Ethan.”

Emily took a breath, then replied sarcastically, trying to mask her fear. “Yes, yes, I understand. Relax. Who would want to live with a cruel and dangerous man like your master anyway?”

Arthur stared at Emily, his sharp eyes sweeping over her every movement with an intensity that made the air between them feel heated.

“Aren’t you afraid if I am Mr. Ethan?” he asked.

Emily looked at him, startled for a moment, then burst out laughing, as if mocking his ridiculous statement.

“You … you’re Mr. Ethan? Impossible.”

Arthur slowly shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Emily. This was the first time he had met a girl who showed absolutely no fear of him.

“Huh,” Emily exhaled roughly, her tone bold and teasing. “Arthur, if you really are Mr. Ethan, I’ll satisfy you in bed.”

She leaned closer, draped her arms over his shoulders, slowly breathing against his neck. The movement alone was enough to make Arthur stare at her sharply, tense.

“How many men have you seduced like this?” he asked forcefully, unable to hide the faint anger on his face.

“How many? I’ve lost count,” Emily replied.

Emily smiled faintly, meeting Arthur’s eyes a mix of fear and curiosity.

“Do you want to try it too?” she teased, each word sounding like a challenge to the man before her.

Suddenly, Arthur grabbed Emily’s neck with a strong hand. His eyes were sharp, as if disgusted by the woman before him, treating her like used goods.

Emily gasped in shock, reflexively hitting his arm repeatedly. “Arthur, let go! You’re hurting me!” she screamed, struggling to break free.

“Let you go? No!”

Arthur’s hand continued to choke Emily tightly, his aura of dominance so intense it was clear he had no intention of releasing her easily.

“Say it again! How many men have slept with you?!” Arthur roared.

“Let go, Arthur!”

Emily’s scream finally reached the ears of one of Ethan’s loyal guards, Rudolf, who immediately rushed in and threw the door open.

“Sir, release Miss Emily!” Rudolf ordered firmly.

Arthur slowly loosened his grip. Emily coughed violently, gasping for air. Reflexively, she stumbled back several steps, her body trembling, her heart filled with fear. The man before her felt like a monster powerful, terrifying, radiating an aura that stripped her of courage.

Emily lowered her head briefly, trying to calm herself, then looked back at Arthur.

“Who are you really?” Emily asked, her voice trembling with fear.

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