The Healer General in Shadows

"My name is Aurora Hartwell, female, 26 years old, CEO of Hartwell Global Enterprises." "I am currently seeking a son-in-law to join our family, offering a reward of one hundred thousand dollars, with a marriage contract of three years." "After three years, we shall divorce, and you are free to marry as you wish. If interested, you may contact..." As night fell, Aurora Hartwell's figure appeared next to propaganda, posting a small advertisement. Her figure was enchanting and seductive, yet her face was covered with a black veil. The wind blew, fluttering the veil. Beneath it was a face marred by scars. ... The next day. In front of Bella Paradiso Shopping Centre. A crowd gathered around the propaganda, buzzing with gossip. "So, it's Aurora Hartwell. Well, even if she offered a million dollars, I wouldn't marry her." "Exactly, who would dare to marry this jinx? A few years ago, she lost her innocence to criminals and was disfigured. Now, I heard even her grandfather is about to be cursed by her presence!" "Yeah, a real harbinger of doom! They say Aurora Hartwell is unspeakably ugly, her face covered in scars. Which man could possibly bear to kiss her?" ... "Aurora Hartwell?" Hearing the name being discussed, a man in camouflage stepped forward and tore the advertisement from the propaganda. This man was Darius Blackwood. Darius looked at the phone number on the advertisement and dialed it without hesitation. "Aurora Hartwell?" "I am willing to marry you, to bring joy to your grandfather." ... Half an hour later. At the entrance of the Silverpine City Civil Registry Office. Even though she had just registered her marriage with the man beside her, Aurora Hartwell's expression was complex. "Darius, why are you willing to marry me?" "I am considered a jinx, and I'm disfigured. Don't you find me repulsive?" Hearing Aurora's cautious tone, Darius felt a pang of pain in his heart. He was once Dravonia's supreme war god! Leading 3,000 IronVeil soldiers, he guarded the southern border, keeping all of Dravonia's enemies at bay, ensuring none dared approach! Yet, for Aurora Hartwell, Darius was willing to give up everything to stay by her side! All because Aurora had shown him kindness. ... Three years ago. Darius was on a mission abroad. Due to his father's gambling debts, his mother was kidnapped by criminals planning to sell her overseas into prostitution! These heartless thugs even boasted that once his mother aged, they would harvest her organs for sale, extracting every last bit of value from her. Fortunately, Aurora Hartwell happened to pass by and intervened, holding off the criminals until Darius could arrive. Though Aurora saved his mother, she was disfigured by the criminals, leading to her current state. Darius exterminated all the thugs on the boat in vengeance, but this act landed him in prison for three years. Even now, recalling this event stirred a torrent of grief and rage in his heart. Raised single-handedly by his mother, who scrimped and saved to afford his enlistment and even fell ill because of it, the word "mother" was everything to Darius's early life. He defended his country at the border, yet his family suffered such humiliation! Without Aurora Hartwell, Darius's entire life would have been consumed by pain and regret. Therefore, Darius resolved to spend the rest of his life repaying Aurora Hartwell for her kindness. Thinking this, Darius Blackwood looked towards Aurora Hartwell, his gaze tender. "What right do I have to be disdainful?" "I've just been released from prison myself. I'm more worried you'd disdain me!" Hearing Darius's response, a light, reassured laugh came from beneath Aurora's black veil. Indeed, they were just two pitiful souls seeking warmth in each other. But Darius's next words made Aurora tense up suddenly. "Aurora, could you remove your veil so I can see your face?" Aurora panicked, instinctively wanting to refuse. For three years, she had hidden behind a black veil, fearing her scarred face would frighten others. Yet, for some reason, at Darius's request, she finally lifted the veil with trembling hands. Beneath the veil was a face covered in scars! Seeing these shocking scars, Darius fell silent. His heart felt as if it were being sliced by a knife, the pain sharp and relentless. Because he knew all these scars were his burden to bear! If it hadn't been for Aurora's kind intervention on behalf of Darius's mother, she would never have ended up like this. A rare look of compassion appeared on Darius's stern face, with a thousand words stuck in his throat, not knowing where to begin. After nearly half a minute of silence, a hint of despair flashed in Aurora's eyes. She thought Darius was frightened by her scarred face. Indeed, with her horrifying appearance, how could any man accept her? Suppressing the humiliation in her heart, Aurora tried to sound calm. "If you're having regrets now, it might not be too late." Unexpectedly, before she could finish, Darius grasped her tightly held hand. Darius shook his head, his face full of gentleness. "In my life, the only thing I've never regretted is meeting you!" Hearing this firm and powerful voice, Aurora's mind buzzed, and for a moment, the world seemed to revolve solely around this tall man before her. "Moreover, I will heal your face!" Aurora smiled, thinking he was joking. After all, over the years, even the most skilled plastic surgeons had been unable to help her, and Aurora had given up hope. As long as Darius did not disdain her, that was the best consolation. She gently withdrew her hand, her tone no longer as tense as before. "I only have two requests for you." "First, you must remain faithful during these three years. Do not engage in frivolous pursuits, lest it tarnish the Hartwell family's reputation." "Second, without my permission, you absolutely must not lay a hand on me!" With that, Aurora also showed a bitter smile. "But facing someone as ugly as me, you probably won't have any desires." Darius frowned, about to say something. At that moment, Aurora's phone rang. She answered, her brows furrowed, and after a long sigh, she said, "My grandfather's condition has worsened, I need to go to him now. Let's meet at the hospital tomorrow." "Okay." Darius agreed.