Breakup to Bliss

The summer after high school graduation, Hazel Astor got her acceptance letter from a top-tier university.

She was over the moon about getting into her dream school.

When she got home and walked into the living room, she saw her dad, Aiden Astor, her stepmom, Cleo Smith, and her stepsister, Bianca Astor, all sitting on the couch.

Bianca looked like she’d been crying; her eyes were all red.

Cleo was trying to comfort her, "Bianca, you worked so hard. You just weren't feeling well during the exam, that's why you didn't do great. You'll do better next time, for sure."

Aiden chimed in gently, "Bianca, even if this school isn't the best, you can always go abroad for grad school after you graduate. It'll be just as good when you come back."

Hazel walked in on this cozy family scene.

She tucked her acceptance letter away, said nothing, and headed upstairs to her room.

The ups and downs of this family had nothing to do with her.

Once she went to college, she planned to stay far away from them.

But Bianca wasn’t about to let her off that easy. She lifted her tear-streaked face and asked, "Hazel, did you get your acceptance letter?"

Hazel had been wearing a cold expression since she walked in, making it seem like she didn’t get into the university she wanted.

Bianca thought, even if she was going to a second-rate school, it was still better than Hazel not having a school to go to. She was waiting for Hazel to embarrass herself in front of Aiden.

Seeing Bianca’s expression, Hazel could easily guess what she was thinking.

Hazel let out a cold laugh and slowly unfolded her acceptance letter in front of them.

The fancy letter stung Bianca’s eyes. She suppressed the intense jealousy and hatred in her heart, still smiling gently on the surface. "A prestigious university! Hazel, you're really amazing! Congrats!"

Aiden glanced at the university name and smiled slightly. "Hazel has always been very smart."

Hearing Aiden’s words, Cleo immediately pretended to ask with concern, "Hazel, are you hungry? Should I ask the maid to cook something for you?"

Hazel coldly replied, "No need." She then turned and went upstairs.

She didn’t want to deal with these people who had taken over her home and caused her mother’s death.

With a few days left before school started, Hazel was packing her luggage in her room.

Bianca called her, "Hazel, we're both going to college soon. Dad and Mom said we could go to a bar to celebrate."

Hazel wasn’t interested and just wanted to hang up. "No, I'm busy."

Bianca said, "Hazel, I know you don’t like Mom and me. But we’re about to leave home and won’t see each other for months. Besides, we’re both 18 now and allowed to drink. Just this once, okay?"

Hazel thought about it and then agreed. She was about to leave this home without any attachment. And she was okay with going to a bar and didn’t have to refuse it.

She zipped up her suitcase and replied to Bianca, "Got it, I’ll change my clothes."

On the other end, Bianca excitedly shouted, "Great, Hazel! I’ll wait for you and send you the address."

To others, it seemed like she was genuinely happy to see Hazel. But out of sight, her lips curled into an evil smile.

Looking at her chat with Hazel, she thought viciously, 'Hazel, if I can’t get into a good university, neither can you.'

She put away her phone and continued to chat with the people around her, looking sweet and harmless.

Hazel changed her clothes and looked in the mirror. At eighteen, she had become bright and beautiful.

This was her first time at a bar.

Even though she had seen many occasions before, she still felt a bit uneasy navigating this loud and flashy environment alone.

She called Bianca, "Which room?... Got it."

Holding her phone, she walked along the wall, constantly avoiding drunk people.

Turning a corner, she accidentally bumped into someone and quickly apologized, "Sorry."

Then she immediately took a step back.

The person she bumped into had a pleasant cedarwood scent mixed with a faint tobacco smell.

Hazel kept her head down. From her perspective, she saw a pair of shiny black leather shoes and straight black suit pants, indicating the person was tall with long legs and a slim waist.

The man turned slightly and gestured for her to pass.

Hazel noticed his well-defined hand, suggesting he was still young, and he wore a gold Patek Philippe watch on his wrist.

She nodded slightly to thank him, lifted her long white dress, and hurried away. But she didn't see the gaze that followed her from behind.

She then entered the private room, and Bianca handed her a drink.

Bianca watched intently as Hazel took a sip, her lips curling into a smile, her eyes filled with an ambiguous sense of triumph. She hid her sinister smile behind her glass.

The thought of Hazel's imminent disgrace made her tremble with excitement.

Hazel didn't think much of it and drank the alcohol, not noticing the hatred and glee in Bianca's eyes.

The bar was noisy and brightly lit. A few minutes later, Hazel began to feel dizzy, inexplicably irritable, and thirsty.

Through her blurred vision, she looked up at Bianca, who seemed concerned.

Bianca asked, "Hazel, are you feeling a bit unwell? I booked a room upstairs. Let me get someone to help you rest."

Hazel's cheeks were already flushed, her breathing rapid, and her forehead covered in sweat. She suspected that the drink had been spiked with something.

She thought, 'One sip couldn't have caused such a strong reaction. Who else could it be but Bianca?'

Her vision was already blurry. She grabbed Bianca's collar and growled, "Bianca! You drugged me!"

Bianca put down her glass, coldly brushed off Hazel's hand, and said, "Hazel, what are you talking about? We drank the same drink. If you can't handle your alcohol, you can't blame me."

Hazel, now weak, collapsed onto the booth, gasping for air.

Even though she was usually calm, she had never experienced anything like this.

Her mind had stopped working, and she didn't know what to do.

At Bianca's signal, Maddox Hernandez emerged from the corner of the bar.

He leered at Hazel, his smile disgusting.

He walked over and helped the now-weak Hazel, almost carrying her out.

Hazel tried to push Maddox away.

But at this point, her supposed strength was nothing more than a tickle to an adult man.

Maddox held her and walked towards the upstairs room.

Pretending to know her, he said, "Baby, don't worry, we're almost there."

Despair welled up in Hazel's heart.

She knew she was powerless to save herself. And she didn't know who would come to her rescue.

Since Bianca had drugged her, Bianca must have made thorough preparations.

Maybe someone would burst into the room later and take compromising photos of her, making her disgrace known to everyone. And her reputation would be ruined.

She struggled with all her might, but the strength difference between her and the man was too great.

Maddox held her as they went upstairs and into the hallway.

Hazel dug her nails into her palm, trying to use the pain to stay awake.

She desperately thought of ways to save herself.

She felt a heat spreading from her lower abdomen, continuously invading her sensitive body, which spread to her limbs, engulfing her.

The drug had taken effect, and Hazel's head was heavy.

The disgusting man was practically dragging her.

Hazel kept resisting, using all her strength to struggle. But she couldn't make it.

She continued to push Maddox away, shouting, "Get off me! Help! Someone help me!" Her voice was clearly tinged with sobs.

Maddox sneered as he watched her stumble, lifting her up and whispering in her ear, "Bitch, your sister said you're still a virgin. I'm going to enjoy this. Don't worry, once we're on the bed, you'll be begging me to ravage your body. As long as you behave, I'll make sure you feel good..." He clung to her like a venomous snake.

Before he could finish his disgusting words, he suddenly screamed and fell to his knees.

He then got up, and cursed, "Damn it! Who dares to hit me?"

He seemed to be punched again, covering his face and unable to speak.

Hazel heard another young man's voice, angrily growling, "Get lost!"

Then Maddox scrambled away.

Hazel was too weak to walk. In her final moment of despair, she was sliding down the wall when she suddenly fell into a warm embrace.

Then, she was carried into a room.

The scent of perfume in the room and the man's alcohol-laden scent enveloped her.

Using her last bit of rationality, Hazel opened her eyes and vaguely saw a tall, strong man. She then clung to his neck and bit him.

She heard the man grunt. And she whispered in his ear, "Please help me."

Hazel kept nibbling on the guy, making him let out these muffled groans.

Her soft hand had already slipped under his shirt, wandering over his sensitive waist and abs.

She stood on her tiptoes, her mouth constantly reaching for his Adam's apple, licking it awkwardly.

The guy reeked of alcohol, so he’d clearly been drinking too.

Hazel could hear his heavy breathing, and her warm breath sprayed on his neck.

She whimpered, "Please, help me," while her hands kept exploring his body.