A Crown of Suitors: The Muse They Can't Have

Chapter 4 Let's Make a Deal

When Zane woke, the sky was still dim.

Instinctively, he sat up, only to see a woman in a wedding dress asleep on the edge of the bed.

Images of last night's stunningly beautiful face flashed through his mind.

His large hand shot out, grabbing Deborah by the collar and yanking her upright.

"Who are you..."

But the moment her face came into view, Zane's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What the hell?!"

The woman he saw last night had been breathtaking, a vision of ethereal beauty. But now... this?

Deborah, now back to her deliberately unattractive appearance, rubbed her eyes groggily.

She tilted her head up at him and grinned. "Mr. Runcorn, last night was our wedding night. I'm your new bride."

"What?!" Zane's voice nearly shook the room.

Deborah pointed to his formal attire. "It's simple, really. You were poisoned, and the Runcorn family, worried you wouldn't survive, decided to marry you off to ensure an heir. You see? We're both still wearing our wedding clothes."

Zane glanced down at the wedding attire he still wore, and it felt like the sky had fallen on him.

He, Zane Runcorn, the proud heir of the Runcorn Group, a man destined for greatness, was married to this plain, unremarkable woman?

"No, it's not right. Last night, I saw... someone else, but..."

That beauty couldn't possibly be this woman!

Deborah's brow furrowed slightly, her gaze pitying.

"Mr. Runcorn, I stayed by your side the entire night. Perhaps you were dreaming? It's common for people to confuse dreams with reality, especially when unconscious due to poison. Hallucinations are not unusual."

Hallucinations?

Zane clenched his jaw. Could his mind have conjured up a vision of a woman in black as some kind of fever dream?

But looking at the unattractive woman in front of him, he wondered if perhaps last night had, in fact, been nothing more than a cruel trick of the mind.

"You were here all night? No one else came in?" His eyes were full of suspicion.

Deborah nodded earnestly. "Of course! If you don't believe me, ask the others."

Zane narrowed his eyes and called out, "Get in here!"

The door opened, and a servant entered. The moment he saw Zane sitting up, his eyes went wide with shock.

"Mr. Runcorn! You're awake?!"

His gaze darted to Deborah, and his thoughts swirled. 'Mrs. Runcorn is truly incredible!'

The poison had stumped every doctor in the city, but somehow, this woman had managed to revive Zane. Surely, last night's passionate display had done the trick!

"Mr. Runcorn, I'll inform Madam Runcorn immediately. She'll be overjoyed to hear this!" The servant turned to leave, excitement written all over his face.

"Stop." Zane's sharp voice halted him. "I have a question. Did you see anything unusual last night?"

The servant froze, recalling the scene he'd witnessed after opening the door the previous night. His face reddened as he swallowed nervously.

"Last night... I-I only saw Mrs. Runcorn with you, sir..."

Zane's patience was wearing thin. "And? Did anyone else come into my room?"

The servant shook his head frantically. "No, sir! I was outside the door the whole time. Mrs. Runcorn was the only one who entered."

Zane's brows furrowed into a deep scowl. His mind reeled with frustration and confusion.

The servant, standing awkwardly, began to panic.

Was Zane angry because he had interrupted their private moment last night?

Had he already waken up back then?

Was he going to blame him for interrupting their "business?"

While the servant was expecting the worst, Zane finally spoke, his voice low and commanding.

"My recovery is not to be made public for now. Relay this to Madam Runcorn as well. If this gets out... you know the consequences."

The servant shivered and nodded hurriedly before retreating.

Once the room was quiet again, Deborah tilted her head at Zane, her lips curling into a subtle smile.

"Mr. Runcorn, do you believe me now?"

Zane's face remained as dark as a storm cloud.

Deborah knew it was time to move forward with her plan.

She sighed softly, her voice tinged with just the right mix of sincerity and resignation. "I understand you're not thrilled about marrying me. I'm just a stranger fresh from the countryside, unrefined and plain, hardly a match for someone like you or your family's prestigious name."

She paused, letting her words settle before continuing, "But the truth is, the poison in your system is extremely rare. While I've managed to stabilize your condition for now, without consistent treatment, it could flare up again at any time. I have the means to cure you, Mr. Runcorn. What do you say we make a deal?"

Zane's gaze sharpened.

That was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.

"A deal?" He let out a short, humorless laugh. "You think you, a nobody, can save me?"

She was barely in her twenties, her face still carrying traces of youthful inexperience. The idea that this unassuming woman could offer him a cure seemed absurd.

Did she think he was a fool?