Married to Kill You

In the heart of New York City, a beautiful young woman sits elegantly at a table in a restaurant, facing a large window that frames a stunning view of the city. The Grill, a fine dining restaurant favored by the upper echelon, is housed in the historic Seagram Building on famed Park Avenue, known for its luxury, fine cuisine, and upscale atmosphere. Undisturbed by the admiring glances of the men around her, the elegant woman enjoyed her delicious Foie gras mousse, with slices of soft truffle. Being born beautiful was something she cherished, as she had no intention of wasting her beauty. She skillfully utilized her appearance to earn money, and her current presence in this place was solely to accumulate wealth. Money, money, and more money—this is what she loves. For four years, she worked as a contract girlfriend or wife, amassing quite a fortune. However, six months ago, when her father was cheated by his friend and ended up in debt, she had to give up most of her wealth to pay off her father's dues. Now, she barely has a penny while her father, bankrupt, lives in Mongolia to raise livestock. "Miss Vely?" Vely immediately looked up. "That's right." She smiled at the man in the expensive suit sitting in front of her. "I'm the one who called you. Call me Harry. Did you wait long?" he asked while adjusting his glasses. "No, I just arrived." Vely observed the man who contacted her, asking for her help as a contract wife. He looked about 25 years old, his age, and very handsome. Perhaps, he would be the most handsome client she had ever worked with. Without delay, Harry immediately continued, taking out a black folder and handing it to Vely. “This is a condition of the marriage contract. You can read it.” Vely opened the folder and carefully read every word. When she saw the amount of money listed, she almost jumped out of her seat. She's going to get paid $10 million? Is it serious? Vely checked the numbers several times, but there were no errors. "The wedding will last for three months, and this amount..." Vely started to say, but Harry interrupted. "If you feel uncomfortable with that number, my master will not hesitate to double it as long as you are willing to enter this contractual marriage for three months." Vely fell silent in a stunned state. "Double? So, you're not the one marrying me?" Vely asked, shocked. She thought Harry would be her future husband. She wondered how rich this man was to offer such a high price. "No, Miss. I'm just an assistant. You're going to marry my master, and I'm in charge of organizing all this." Vely nodded in understanding. She had more questions but was interrupted by Harry's next statement. "Miss, can you sign it quickly?" Harry asked while glancing at his Rolex watch. "Of course." Vely took a pen from the table and signed the contract. She was in a pretty good mood when she saw the numbers listed on the contract. After Vely finished signing, she returned the folder to Harry. Simultaneously, two waiters brought their main dish, Gilded Lobster Risotto, to their table. It was a sumptuous dish decorated with gold leaf and truffle shavings. After Harry put the folder away in his bag, he said, "I will make a copy of this contract and give it to you immediately." "Okay, Harry. You seem very busy," Vely replied, noticing Harry's busy expression. As an assistant, she knew he had a lot of responsibilities to take care of. "You're right. I've been quite busy lately. I have to leave now for a meeting. I'll call you later, Miss." “Are you leaving yet? Aren't you going to have lunch?” "Skipping lunch is normal for me. I have to go. Thank you for your cooperation," he said and stood up. After a brief nod, he turned and left the restaurant. After Harry left, Vely looked at the Golden Lobster Risotto in front of her. This luxurious meal was paid for by Harry. She, who was currently facing financial difficulties, obviously would not waste her money on ordering such food. *Ting!* A notification on her cellphone caught her attention when she was just about to touch the food in front of her. She took her cellphone out of her bag, let out a heavy sigh, and read the newly received message. It was a reminder from the owner of the house she lived in to pay that month's rent. When she looked back at the food in front of her, Vely groaned in frustration, realizing that the total cost of the food in front of her was the same as her monthly rent. Vely let out a quiet breath, her eyes fixed on the Gilded Lobster Risotto in front of her. Luxurious. Unbelievably luxurious. Even the shimmer of the crystal chandelier above made the gold flakes on her dish appear to glow. But her stomach felt oddly unsettled. She took a small spoonful and tasted it slowly. Soft and delicious—but left no impression on her tongue. Her gaze drifted toward the window, watching New York City in its usual frenzy, always moving fast, as if mocking the mess her life had become. Then suddenly, her eyes locked onto something across the street. A black car had just pulled up. A Porsche 911 GT2 RS. A rare limited edition. But far too familiar. Vely’s breath hitched. Her eyes narrowed. Her whole body froze. “No way...” she whispered under her breath, almost inaudibly. Her hand trembled. The spoon slipped from her grip and clattered onto the plate, drawing glances from nearby guests. Thump. Thump. Thump. Her heartbeat pounded like an alarm blaring in her chest. “It’s just a look-alike...” she murmured, as if trying to convince herself. “Just a similar car…” But her eyes refused to lie. When the car door opened and two tall men in dark suits stepped out, her stomach dropped. Their movements—the way they carried themselves—their posture... too familiar. Her eyes widened. Her breath caught. Her hands, resting on her lap, began to sweat. “No... It can’t be… them...” A sudden chill ran down her spine. She shot up from her seat, almost knocking over her glass. She didn’t care about the untouched luxury meal anymore. There was only one thing on her mind—she had to leave. Now. Before they saw her. She rushed toward the exit, her footsteps quick and uneven. Her throat tightened. The shadows of a past she’d tried to bury—tried so desperately to erase—came rushing back without mercy. And if those men really were who she feared... Then her dark past might be coming back to life—all over again. --- *7:30 PM* In a dimly lit alley, a woman let out a heavy sigh when she found that one of her high heels had fallen off. Frustrated, she took off her heels and walked barefoot along the narrow path. After losing most of her money paying off her father's debts, Vely had no choice but to look for a house in this area, as her remaining funds were limited. After some time, when Vely was about to reach her house, she sharpened her vision, seeing three familiar gang members standing in front of her house. Seeing her little sister, Mia, being pushed by one of them, Vely rushed towards them while furious. "What did you do to my sister?" Vely stared sharply at the gang members after helping her sister to stand up. "What are you doing here? I have already paid off my father's debt! We have nothing to do with you!" Vely protested. One of the gang members named Jeff stepped forward while smiling slyly. "Hey, Miss, unfortunately, from now on, we will deal with you again." Vely narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What do you mean?" "Your older brother borrowed money from us in your name, so we want to get the money back!" Jeff explained. Vely immediately furrowed her eyebrows. "What!" She had struggled for six months to escape their clutches, selling all her assets. Now her older brother, William, who always gambles, is in debt to these loan sharks using her name? This is crazy! Vely bit her lip and exhaled roughly. She asked Mia, "Mia, where is William now?" "He's not at home..." Mia muttered, looking down. "Bastard!" Vely growled, clenching her fists tightly. "Hurry up and pay! We will destroy your shabby house!" The man behind Jeff added in a threatening tone. Vely gritted her teeth, her whole body shaking with anger. “How much is the debt?” Jeff chuckled. "Not much... just two million dollars." Vely's eyes widened, almost unable to believe hearing such a large number. “Two million dollars? How could it be?" Mia looked pale hearing the exorbitant amount, while Vely cursed her sister in her heart. How could Roby make her pay this unreasonable amount? "Miss, we'll give you until tomorrow morning. If the money isn't there by then...you will suffer the consequences! And your sister looks quite beautiful..." Jeff smiled crookedly as he turned to look at Mia, making Mia shiver and tighten her hug on Vely. Vely's face darkened as she guessed what Jeff was thinking. "What are you thinking! Don't you dare covet my sister!" "Our boss likes young women, maybe he will lighten your debt if you hand over that beautiful girl," Jeff said without taking his eyes off Mia. "Don't you dare want my sister!" "We'll be back tomorrow morning! If the money isn't there... You'll know the consequences!" said Jeff threateningly. After that, the gang members immediately turned around and headed towards a black jeep parked nearby. Vely's attention was diverted when she heard Mia's faint voice. "Sis, about that debt..." "Don't worry Mia, focus on your exam tomorrow, leave this to me." A smile appeared on Vely's lips so that Mia wouldn't worry; tomorrow, her sister would have her high school graduation exam, so she didn't want to worry her. "Sis, I think William ran away abroad. I found a letter in his room." Vely bit her lip to hold back her anger. If William were here, she would love to beat the man. "Mia, come in, I'll answer the phone first." Vely said when she heard her cell phone ring. After Mia entered, she immediately picked up the phone. "What's wrong? Victoria?" Vely answered in a weak voice. "Vely, where are you! Did you forget my mother's invitation? It's my parents' wedding anniversary! The event starts in 30 minutes!" The voice sounded loud even though Vely had moved her cellphone away from her ear. Vely patted her forehead. She completely forgot that tonight was the wedding anniversary of Aunt Freya and Uncle Joshua, the parents of Victoria, her best friend. "Oh, I completely forgot!" "Hurry up and dress up, I'll send a car to pick you up." "Okay... okay..." Vely answered in a resigned tone. She felt tired, but if she didn't come, she would feel uncomfortable with Aunt Freya, who was so kind to her. And maybe Victoria would nag her non-stop, the woman even bought her a dress and heels so she would come. The magnificent Swiss Hell Hotel towered in front of Vely as she stepped out of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The courtyard of the hotel, owned by the Victoria family, was lined with luxury cars, almost all of them large cars made in Europe: Mercedes, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce. And there were several cars wearing diplomatic flags. As Vely walked towards the entrance, she handed her gold VIP card to the officer who then escorted her to the 10th floor, where the event was being held. The hotel's luxurious ballroom was elegantly designed, the waiters impeccably catered to the assembled high-class guests – a mix of business associates and friends of Victoria's parents. "Vely!" Victoria approached with a big smile, her stunning figure in a black dress with a high slit approached her while carrying a glass of wine. "You're finally here. I'm starting to get bored without anyone to chat with," said Victoria, her voice low and sultry. Vely immediately rolled her eyes lazily when she heard the words just now. "I'm sure a lot of guys are trying to chat with you," she whispered. "None of them fit my type," Victoria replied, disdainful of people who approached her simply to flatter. "Wait here, I need to go to the restroom. I drank too much," said Victoria leaving Vely at the table in the middle of the ballroom. From there, Vely saw Mrs. Freya and Uncle Joshua busy chatting with other guests. She would congratulate them later. "Hey, can I join you?" A sudden voice made Vely look up. Before she could answer, a handsome man with a comma hairstyle and a gray suit had already sat beside her. Vely observed his familiar handsome face, after she remembered it, it turned out that she often saw him in the gossip news. "Where is your family from? I've never seen you before," he asked, showing interest in the woman before him. He had been observing her since she got out of the car. "Sorry, I can't reveal it," replied Vely, not interested in dealing with Vernon Zenith, who was known as a troublemaker and playboy, the youngest son of the owner of the Evolion Group. He is always in the tabloids because of the scandals he causes. "Did you know that you are the most attractive woman I have ever seen tonight? You are sexy and beautiful. You meet all my criteria," he said, his eyes fixated on Vely, the gaze made Vely uncomfortable, so she chose to get up from her seat. "Sorry, I have to go because I have business to attend to." Vely stood up, and before turning around, she reached for the wine on the table in front of her. "Oh, Miss... That's a shame, even though I wanted to chat with you again," he said. And Vely didn't notice the smirk on the man's thin lips. But when she had just taken a step, suddenly... Bruk!