Chapter 2 I'll Marry You

"Crack—" The sound was sharp and resonant. Evelyn Conrad was stunned, her eyes fixed on Violet Leach. But— It wasn't over. Violet raised her hand again, delivering a backhanded slap to the other side of Evelyn's face. "Ahh—" This blow was even harder than the last. Unable to withstand the pain, Evelyn clutched her swollen cheek and cried out. "Evelyn!" Brian Mosley, watching from outside, was consumed with anguish. His glare at Violet was filled with murderous intent. "Violet, stop this at once!" Violet arched an eyebrow at Brian in the doorway, then continued slapping Evelyn's face. She wanted to see how long Evelyn could endure. "Ahh—ahhh—stop, please! Ahhh—" Violet ignored Evelyn's screams, increasing the force of her blows, striking left and right without mercy. Even with her face grotesquely swollen, Evelyn still endured, lying on the bed and submitting to the assault. This Evelyn was no ordinary woman. No wonder the original soul had been destroyed by her. "Evelyn," Violet said, retrieving a fruit knife from the fruit basket and hovering it over Evelyn's face, "if your face is scarred, do you think your Brian will still love you?" Evelyn's eyes widened in terror. "Mad! You're insane!" Violet smiled sweetly. "Yes, I am mad. So I might just carve a flower into your face." Terrified, Evelyn rolled off the hospital bed, tumbling to the floor and grimacing as she rubbed her sore backside. "Don't run. Come here. Didn't you beg me to save you? How can I save you if you run?" Violet advanced with the knife in hand. "No! Stay back!" Evelyn scrambled across the floor, crawling and rolling toward the door in utter panic. Trying to escape? Not a chance. Violet lunged. Evelyn, unable to open the door in time, veered off in another direction. Evelyn ran, Violet chased. "Ahh! No! Help! Brian, save me! Save me!" "Evelyn!" Brian's eyes turned bloodshot, his hatred for Violet seething. At that moment, medical staff arrived with the key and unlocked the door. Seeing this, Evelyn staggered toward Brian, who caught her in his arms, heartbroken. "Evelyn, are you okay?" Evelyn sobbed uncontrollably. "Brian, I—" "She's fine," Violet interrupted. "Brian, didn't you see how lively she was just now? Heavy bleeding? Pfft—" Violet sneered. "Have you ever seen a pregnant woman with heavy bleeding act so energetic? If you still can't see through this, it's not blindness—it's complicity. You know she's faking, and you're choosing to play along." Brian froze. He had been so consumed with worry that he hadn't considered this. He recalled Evelyn moments ago—on the brink of death, too weak to speak. Now, remembering how she had sprinted around the room—fast enough to give him a chase—doubt crept in. Seeing the shift in Brian's expression, Evelyn inwardly cursed. Then, like a falling leaf, she collapsed into his arms. Despite his doubts, Brian instinctively caught her. Evelyn resumed her weak, dying act. "Brian… I might… lose our baby. I'm… I'm sorry—" "This smell—" Violet sniffed, walked to the bed, lifted the pillow, and revealed two blood packs. She picked them up, turning to Evelyn, whose face had gone ashen. "So this is the truth behind the heavy bleeding!" Brian stared at the blood packs in Violet's hand, then clenched his jaw and looked down at Evelyn. Evelyn swallowed hard, then burst into tears, appearing utterly pitiful. "Brian, I'm sorry… I was wrong. But I had no choice. I love you so much—I couldn't bear to see you marry her. Whether you believe me or not, I can't live without you. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Outwardly sobbing, Evelyn inwardly seethed, Damn Violet! How could she have such a sharp nose? She had left the unused blood packs under the pillow—now exposed before Brian. Seeing Evelyn weep bitterly, hearing her declare her love, Brian couldn't bring himself to blame her. "It's me who should be sorry. I should've ended my engagement sooner. I made you suffer." "I don't blame you. I never have…" Violet watched silently: Violet, this is the man you once loved—a man engaged to one woman, yet yearning for another. Dying for someone like this? Not worth it. "Fine. I'll let you be together." Violet removed her ring and waved it before Evelyn. "Isn't this what you've always wanted? Take it." With a flick, she sent the ring flying—straight into the trash can. "The trash I discard—you can pick it up." With that, Violet turned and walked out without looking back. Brian watched her retreating figure—slim, defiant, and coldly aloof—so unlike the Violet he once knew. As long as she gave up, that was all that mattered. He never wanted to see her again—she disgusted him. After leaving the hospital, Violet drew stares from passersby. Passing a reflective skyscraper, she saw her reflection. She wore a torn wedding dress, her makeup smeared and ruined by struggle and tears. No wonder she was drawing attention. At that moment, a man at the Civil Affairs Bureau entrance caught her eye. He was breathtakingly handsome—exactly as in the photos. It was him—Wesley Merritt, Global CEO of the Merritt Group! Her final mission in her past life had involved the Merritt family. She had been betrayed and killed before completing it. Lone Wolf never failed a mission. If fate had brought her to him now, not completing this mission would betray her 100% success rate! With that thought, Violet quietly approached. Beside Wesley stood a young man in a wheelchair, resembling him slightly. Compared to Wesley's sharply chiseled features, this man had a more refined, delicate look. She recalled the intelligence: Wesley had a younger brother, Oscar Merritt. It must be him. What were they doing at the Civil Affairs Bureau? Before she could wonder, she overheard their conversation. "Brother, it's this late, and Miss Cooper still hasn't come," Oscar said, annoyed. "Grandma really went overboard—making you marry before she dies, saying she won't rest in peace otherwise." Wesley furrowed his deep brows. His dark, inscrutable eyes shimmered with unfathomable intelligence. "It's normal she wouldn't come. I never appear publicly. Rumors say I'm a monster—hideous, violent, bloodthirsty, some balding fifty-year-old. Who would marry me?" "I will," Violet stepped out from the shadows, meeting Wesley's gaze. "I will marry you."