Inside the most luxurious bar in the Capital City.

Rowena Grayson shoved the private room door open and bolted out, but the man chasing her yanked her back like she weighed nothing, one hand clamping around her pale neck.

"Hey, girl, what’re you running for? Just play along and serve us well. You want money, right? I’ll pay you."

The Scar‑Faced Man’s voice was greasy and vicious as his filthy hand crawled over her. Rowena’s wide, watery eyes were full of panic.

"No! I’m not selling myself!"

She clutched at his wrist, but no matter how hard she fought, she couldn’t break free. Something fierce flashed across her eyes, and she suddenly lowered her head and bit down on his hand.

A small but clear row of teeth marks appeared instantly.

"You crazy woman!"

He hissed in pain and flung her away.

Rowena staggered, seizing the chance to run, but she crashed straight into a firm, cold chest that smelled faintly of tobacco—unexpectedly steady and strangely safe.

Lucian Holmes looked down at the girl with a faint frown. She was pretty in a soft, harmless way, her small face delicate, her eyes glassy with unshed tears—anyone would feel protective just seeing her like that.

"Still trying to run?"

The Scar‑Faced Man glared at her like he wanted to tear her apart. Rowena grabbed onto Lucian’s suit jacket as if he were her last lifeline, her eyes reddened at the corners.

"Sir, please… help me. I don’t want to go with them."

Her voice trembled, thick with fear, her nose turning pink. Just thinking about being dragged back to that room full of leering men made her stomach flip.

Lucian’s bodyguard, seeing his boss hadn’t pushed the strange girl away, hesitated before speaking. "Sir, the young lady you were waiting for has arrived."

Lucian pressed his lips together. The girl’s small hands clung to him so tightly, her whole posture like a terrified kitten seeking shelter. It tugged at him more than he expected.

He lowered his gaze to her tear‑filled eyes, something sharp flickering through his expression.

Then Lucian tipped her chin up lightly, his voice low but oddly gentle. "Little one, I can help you. But you’ll have to marry me."

Having a soft little kitten at home sounded way more tolerable than dealing with another blind date his mother arranged. And this kitten was unexpectedly adorable. Lucian narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners softening as he reached out and ruffled Rowena’s hair without thinking.

Rowena Grayson’s soft, pink‑tinted fingers clutched tighter at Lucian Holmes’s shirt. Her pale face was full of shock. “What?”

Lucian spoke in a tone that sounded like he was coaxing a kid. “A contractual marriage. We just get the certificate, and that’s it.”

He stepped back slightly and bent down. His nearly one‑ninety height brought an overwhelming pressure, yet somehow Rowena felt safer the closer he got.

“As for the guy behind you…” Lucian’s gaze slid toward the Scar-Faced Man, a flash of cold killing intent cutting through his eyes. But the moment his eyes returned to Rowena, all of it vanished. “You can deal with him however you want.”

The Scar-Faced Man was still pushing forward aggressively, but when Rowena glanced into Lucian’s deep, wine-dark eyes for just one second, her mind went blank. It felt like his gaze hooked her soul, and every thought of refusing just… evaporated.

Lucian pulled her toward another private room.

Rowena lowered her head and covered her face, practically radiating regret. She hadn’t expected herself to be this weak against a good-looking man—enough to accidentally sell herself out.

Through her fingers, she peeked at the man in front of her.

He looked like a masterpiece heaven casually tossed into the mortal world. That striking face, the mature air that came with time, the kind of quiet, effortless sensuality that could sweep a whole room of women off their feet.

Lucian took an ice pack from a bodyguard.

“Kid, your wrist’s red,” he said warmly, amusement flickering across his face as he looked at her hiding like a tiny ostrich. “Give it a bit, it’ll probably bruise.”

“You wanna turn into a scruffy little kitten?”

The second Rowena heard that, she snatched the ice pack away. Her fingertips brushed against his long, elegant hand.

Her gaze shifted slightly. That hand… it was too perfect. The lines, the joints—it looked like something sculpted, precise and beautiful. If he ever touched someone with those hands, it would probably look good… and feel even better.

The thought barely formed before her ears went up in flames. She awkwardly moved the ice pack to her neck just to hide her reaction.

“Did you hurt your neck too?”

Lucian had no idea what was going on in her head. He frowned and reached out to move the ice pack aside to check. “Want this uncle to rub it for you?”

Her soft, fair skin came into view, and the instant his fingers brushed close, it flushed—bright red, like a freshly boiled little lobster.

Mortified, Rowena shoved his hand away. “N‑no, I didn’t.”

“U‑uncle, don’t… don’t touch my neck. It—it tickles.”

Rowena Grayson bit her lower lip, her lashes trembling nonstop. That lost little-kitten look on her face clearly amused Lucian Holmes.

Lucian watched her with a faint, teasing smile, absentmindedly rubbing the fingers that had brushed her neck earlier. So the little kitten was extra sensitive, huh?

Meanwhile, Rowena’s mind was a mess. She stared at her toes, awkwardly curling them as she stammered, “Um… Uncle, are you… seriously saying you want to marry me?”

Lucian assumed she’d finally calmed down and answered in a steady voice, “Yeah. But I’m not going to force you into anything.”

He added gently, “If you’ve got conditions, just tell me.”

“Whatever the little kitten needs, I can take care of it.”

His tone was soft and doting, but Rowena still sensed that quiet dominance underneath.

Conditions…? The moment she thought of her father’s debt, the heat at her eyes faded, replaced by a cold heaviness.

“You saved me just now. That’s enough,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

That money… she’d pay it back herself. She couldn’t drag down the man who had helped her.

Lucian raised a brow. Seeing the stubborn set of her jaw made something in his chest tighten with a faint ache.

His assistant stepped over with a folder at just the right time. Lucian skimmed it, and his expression softened with even more concern. “Part-time bar server. Monthly pay: three thousand.”

“Little kitten, you’re short one million.”

Those words shattered Rowena’s fragile calm. Her complexion went paper pale as she stared at him.

Lucian let out a quiet sigh, his voice full of pity. “I’ll cover it. Just treat it as something you need.”

“But, Uncle—”

Before she could finish, Lucian stood up. His tall frame blocked the light, long legs right in front of her. He ruffled her hair with a low, slightly hoarse chuckle. “Don’t worry, kid. I’ve never lied.”

“Especially not to a kitten as well-behaved as you.”

When Rowena finally snapped back to reality, her fingers curled inward, and even the ice pack couldn’t cool the burning at the back of her neck.

Uncle is way too handsome… and way too gentle. Mortified, Rowena covered her face, wishing she could disappear under the sofa.

In the outskirts of Capital City, Rowena Grayson got back to her uncle’s place late at night, and she was spotted before she even stepped through the door.

“Yo, you’re finally back?”

Lilly Rivers came downstairs, her designer outfit completely out of place compared to Rowena’s messy, exhausted look.

“Cousin,” Rowena called softly.

Lilly lifted her hand, the gold ring on her finger catching the light as she grabbed Rowena’s chin hard. “I heard you turned Brother Guang down?”

Rowena’s eyes snapped up in shock, disbelief spilling out before she could stop it. “You’re the one who told them I was working part‑time at a bar?”