Chapter 1 The Arrogant Man

• “Get the fuck out of here!”
• Edeline’s steps came to an abrupt halt at the shrill shout that drew everyone’s attention. She had only acted out of concern for a woman who had just been shoved to the floor by the cruel man standing at the doorway.
• Edeline Johnson—a beautiful 22-year-old woman—had just arrived in Manchester for work. On her first day, she was provided with a room at a luxury hotel, where she accidentally became an unwilling spectator to an act of violence.
• Initially, Edeline had only wanted to go to her room. But she was stopped by a woman who was roughly pushed and fell to the ground. The pretty young woman’s gaze was fixed on the scene, her anger rising.
• “Why are you being so rough? I’m not a stranger to you!”
• “Don’t play dumb! You know exactly what you mean to me!” the handsome man retorted coldly, his eyes devoid of warmth.
• Meanwhile, the beautiful woman still sitting painfully on the floor was already in tears, bombarded by sarcastic words that made her feel even more unwanted. Her gaze was sorrowful as she looked up at the man who had treated her so harshly.
• Edeline clicked her tongue at the unpleasant sight before her. She couldn’t just turn a blind eye and walk away. The cruel situation in front of her felt like a painful déjà vu that wounded her soul.
• Her lovely eyes scanned the woman. Edeline’s emotions peaked as she heard the woman’s whimpers of pain and saw the wounds on her palms.
• “You’re way too good for a trashy guy like him,” Edeline’s small lips spat out the insult in defense of the woman.
• Dressed casually, Edeline approached the woman, who turned to look at her. She knelt down and helped the woman to her feet—completely ignoring the sharp glare from the man at the door.
• “You don’t deserve to cry or demean yourself for a stupid, worthless man like him,” Edeline said, flashing a sweet smile at the confused woman.
• “Stay away!”
• Edeline turned to the man who had snapped at her. Her gaze sharpened as she looked him over. “Your filthy mouth ruins your handsome face,” she shot back, boldly insulting him.
• She immediately averted her gaze, not caring about his reaction. For Edeline, comforting the woman beside her was the right thing to do.
• For a moment, Edeline was distracted as she reached into her bag slung over her left shoulder. Her attention returned to the woman as she pulled out an alcohol swab and began cleaning the wounds on her palm.
• “If a man can’t control his emotions, speaks and acts harshly, and tramples on your dignity…” Edeline paused, taking a deep breath as she covered the wound with a plaster. “Please… stop! Stop letting yourself be treated like that by a stupid, immoral man. Your feelings and your self-worth are more important than anything,” Edeline continued, her words laced with biting sarcasm.
• There was no need to explain who her sarcastic remarks were aimed at. Edeline didn’t care how the man felt. The corners of her lips curled into a sweet smile, her beautiful face glowing with sincerity for the woman who still looked insecure and unsure.
• “You fell pretty hard just now. You should get yourself checked out. Or…” Edeline turned her face, her friendly smile turning icy as she looked at the man in the doorway. “Get a medical exam and report this man. I’m willing to be a witness if you need one.”
• The handsome man scoffed, barely containing the anger boiling inside him. His eyes were fixed sharply on Edeline—the strange girl who dared to interfere in his business. “You’re just a kid, but you’re brave enough to meddle in other people’s affairs. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?”
• Edeline’s eyes widened at the man’s sharp words. “I know how to be polite and respectful, unlike adults who have no sense!” Edeline shot back, unwilling to back down.
• What the fuck? A kid? Was she really that petite that he’d call her a child? Edeline wanted to curse at the handsome man in front of her. She had to admit, he looked mature—probably over thirty. Compared to him, she probably did look like a child.
• The man’s lips curled into a thin, mocking smile. “Take a look in the mirror before you judge others. And why don’t you ask the woman you’re defending what she did to make me throw her out like that?!”
• Instead of finding out, Edeline just smirked mockingly. “What I see with my own eyes is more real than—”
• “The woman you’re defending forced her way into a man’s room. In my room, she started taking off her clothes. Whether she was trying to seduce me or whatever, I hate cheap women like that!” the man cut her off, his tone blunt and unyielding.
• Edeline fell silent, her feelings a mix of embarrassment and disbelief. Still, her logic told her to comfort the woman, but her mind urged her to seek the truth.
• Edeline looked at the woman and… oh, damn! The woman was hanging her head, trying to hide her pale, frightened face. That was a clear sign that the person she’d defended was actually in the wrong.
• God! How embarrassing! Edeline had just defended someone who was guilty. She’d meant to stand up for the weak, but what was this? She felt mortified! At this point, she just wanted to crawl into a hole.
• “Are you working with her?”
• The man’s calm voice broke Edeline’s thoughts, making her look at him again.
• “I don’t know her.”
• He chuckled mockingly at Edeline’s denial. “Really? Knowing how sly the woman you defended is, I don’t buy it. How much did she pay you to put on that perfect act?”
• Edeline’s teeth clenched in anger. The handsome man in front of her was a master at playing with her emotions. She could have exploded in rage and defended herself, but she realized she couldn’t win against him. Besides, the fearful, insecure woman beside her made Edeline realize it was time to wave the white flag.
• “Get out of my sight! I don’t want to drag this out. I came here to get a good night’s sleep! Don’t bother me!”
• As if she understood the man’s clear message, the woman beside Edeline quickly left without a word. Not a single explanation or even a goodbye to Edeline.
• In an instant, silence fell around Edeline. She was left with an uncomfortable awkwardness she didn’t want to linger in. But soon, that feeling was replaced by the man’s calm, condescending voice.
• “Aren’t you going with her? Or do you want to keep up your little act?” The man wore a mocking, irritating smile.
• Edeline’s hands clenched tightly as she glared at the handsome man. She turned away in annoyance, choosing to retreat and clear her mind of this infuriating man.
• Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on Edeline’s side. As she hurried to leave, the wheels of her suitcase got caught on the thick carpet covering the hallway floor. At the same time, Edeline lost her balance and fell right in front of the man.
• She cursed inwardly. The contents of her bag spilled everywhere. Quickly, Edeline gathered her things, but she froze when the man brazenly picked up her ID card.
• “Edeline Johnson?” he said, his tone calm but tinged with curiosity.
• “Give that back!” Edeline snapped, standing up straight.
• “Ah, so you’re a doctor? An intern at Omega Hospital, huh?” After reading the card, his expression sharpened, as if warning Edeline not to argue. “You just arrived in Manchester?”
• The man’s lips curled into a thin, mocking smile as he looked at Edeline’s ID. His gaze was full of ridicule and scorn. He never would have guessed that the girl who tried to play hero was actually a medical intern at Omega Hospital.
• “None of your business!” Edeline snapped, snatching her precious card back from the annoying man.
• “Watch your behavior. Don’t act like a wild girl with no sense of rules,” the man said sarcastically. “You really don’t know the meaning of manners.”
• Edeline shot him a hostile glare. Not even a bit of her courage faltered under his piercing gaze. “And what about you? Do you have any manners, snatching and reading someone’s ID without permission?”
• His lips twisted into a cruel smile. “Apologize to me!” he demanded.
• “I should be the one saying that! You’re the one who should apologize to me!” Edeline insisted, refusing to be blamed.
• “Apologize to me now, or you’ll regret it, Dr. Edeline Johnson!” the man’s tone sharpened, his threat unmistakable.
• Edeline froze. A sudden shock crept over her, destroying her composure and sending a wave of fear through her mind.
• Her emotional shift wasn’t due to the man’s harsh words, but because her slender wrist was suddenly gripped tightly. Her slim body was pinned against the wall by the man’s strong frame.
• “Quick! Apologize to me,” he hissed, his face close to Edeline’s pale one.
• “Le-let go… let me go.” Edeline’s small lips trembled as she spoke.
• Her body shook with fear, caught in a déjà vu that brought back terrifying, disgusting memories. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead, hidden by her hair.
• “L-let me go. I said… let me go!”
• Edeline fought back with all her might, finally summoning the courage to strike. Her hand hit his, and she didn’t even realize her nails had scratched his perfect face.
• She grabbed her suitcase and ran, glancing anxiously at the doors along the hallway. When she found her room, she slipped inside and shut herself away, not wanting to come out for even a second.
• Meanwhile, the cruel man she’d left behind was still standing, his sharp gaze fixed on Edeline’s door. He grunted in frustration, his right hand touching the scratch on his face.
• “Damn it!” he muttered, his expression full of resentment.