Chapter 2
Through the steamy hot spring mist, Natalia reclined delicately by the pool’s edge, her cheeks
flushed an unnatural pink. “Cousin, I feel so dizzy…”
Before she finished speaking, she went limp and began to slide underwater.
Xavier jumped into the pool without hesitation and pulled her out. Water droplets trailed down his tense jawline, landing on Natalia’s bare shoulders.
“Xavier Rhodes,” I interrupted coldly, “I told you, you’re not welcome here.”
He froze, and Natalia’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.
“Aria!” Panic flashed across his face, quickly replaced by anger. “Why are you being so aggressive?
She nearly fainted! Can’t you stop being so petty for once?”
Suddenly, Natalia broke free from his embrace and fell to her knees before me with a splash. Her forehead hit the ground hard, drawing blood.
“Miss Sullivan, I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault!” Blood trickled down her pale face.
Without warning, she lunged forward to grab my legs, then suddenly–as if pushed–toppled back into the pool.
She thrashed in the water, “Help! I’m cramping…”
Xavier jumped in again to rescue her. When he surfaced, he looked at me with pure disgust.
‘Aría Sullivan, you’ve gone too far!”
He shoved me forcefully into the pool.
THUD!
My arm slammed against the edge, instantly bruising.
“If you keep bullying Natalia like this,” he said, cradling the trembling Natalia, his voice ice–cold, “I won’t marry you.”
Chapter 2
Watching them leave, I climbed out of the pool, soaking wet. “Everyone who let them in today–you’re all fired!”
While changing clothes, my assistant rushed in. “Miss! We’ve found a lead on Dominic Vega!”
I headed to Cloud Valley overnight. The roads, washed out by heavy rain, were treacherously
muddy.
Just after settling into the local inn, a strong hand suddenly grabbed me. The person yanked me into
a dark alley, a warm palm firmly covering my mouth.
I looked up in terror and met a pair of eyes sparkling like stars.
“Dominic?!”
He quickly released me, his face reddening beneath his mask. “Miss Sullivan, what are you doing in a place like this…”
“Weren’t you supposed to be dead?” My voice shook.
He scratched his head awkwardly, revealing an adorable canine tooth when he smiled. “We discovered a mole in the project here. The mudslide provided a perfect cover to fake my death and
smoke them out.”
“I didn’t know you were this clever,” I said, somewhat surprised.
His smile suddenly dimmed. “Disappointed? Do you… think I’m stupid too?”
My heart clenched painfully.
I grabbed his hand urgently. “Listen! You need to come back before the wedding date–8th!”
His body stiffened, his eyes instantly turning dull. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss your wedding.”
“You idiot,” I stomped my foot in frustration, “I want to marry…”
“Boss! The mole’s getting away!” A shout came from the distance.
He backed away hastily. “Miss Sullivan, this place could be dangerous. You should leave! I’ll be at your wedding, I promise!”
Dominic’s retreating figure quickly disappeared around the corner.
Marry the Hot Fake Dead Hunk
1.1%
Chapter 2
I stood there, a thousand thoughts swirling through my mind.
In my previous life, he was the one I paid the least attention to among the eight.
Everyone said he was all brawn and no brain, only interested in nightclubs and outdoor adventures. Unlike Xavier, who was always impeccably dressed in tailored suits, orchestrating business with his gold–rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Yet the most marginal operations, the thorniest
relationships, were always dumped on Dominic to handle.
Looking back now, these so–called “marginal operations” involved dealing with the most difficult characters from all walks of life. Without exceptional social intelligence, how could he have managed them so seamlessly?
On the drive back, I had a new electronic wedding invitation made and sent to Dominic.
It wasn’t until late that night that my phone lit up with a notification: “Miss, you’ve got the groom’s name wrong. Don’t forget to fix it.”
The “typing” indicator flashed for a long time before he added: “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely attend your wedding.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. No matter what I said now, he wouldn’t believe me. I’d just have to explain everything in person when he got back.
My phone kept vibrating with messages from Xavier:
“Natalia needs your apology.”
“Stop being so stubborn.”
I opened my screen and deleted his contact without a second thought.
Dumo the Toxic Ex Marry the Hot Fake–Dead Hunk
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Chapter
