Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 3: Gripping Her Throat

A sudden knocking sound broke the silence, and Butler Felix's voice followed from beyond the door, "Young Master."

Hayden Crawford's thin lips parted slightly. "Enter."

Butler Felix pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Young Master, what are your orders regarding the young madam...?"

Hayden stood by the bed, an imposing figure at one eighty-seven. Dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants, the expensive fabric clung to his tall, jade-like physique, accentuating his exceptional poise.

With lowered eyes, Hayden deftly adjusted the bright silver cufflink on his shirt sleeve. He casually glanced at Serena Sterling. "You might not be aware, but there are two wolves kept in the backyard of Orchid Court. How about... I toss you in to become their meal?"

Serena's heart constricted. This marriage was prearranged by their elders. The four great families of Bayside—Crawford, Gu, Huo, and Su—were influential powers.

The head of the Crawford family was rumored to be the youngest and most handsome business magnate of his generation, though his true face remained unseen, adding to his mystique.

Orchid Court, situated in a secluded area, hardly seemed like a residence for the elite. Investigations into Orchid Court by the Sterling family revealed only an old man and his grandson. This grandson was said to be the legendary, gravely ill groom.

Lillian Sterling's greatest ambition was to marry her two daughters into one of Bayside's four prominent families. The situation with Orchid Court infuriated her to the point where she felt like unearthing the Sterling family's ancestral graves to question how the previous generation could have agreed to such a ghostly union.

While Lillian was against her daughter's marriage, Gregory Sterling, a man of conservative and filial nature, refused to break the engagement arranged by their ancestors.

Since her daughter could not fulfill the marriage, Lillian conceived a plan: she brought Serena back to marry in her stead, a move intended as a blessing.

From Serena's perspective, the man before her was hardly a nobleman. Yet, paradoxically, she now found herself bewildered.

The man currently present exuded an undeniable aura of superiority in every gesture. A cold, elegant charm emanated from his very being, akin to a king issuing decrees, compelling submission and admiration.

Furthermore, keeping wolves in the backyard was certainly not a hobby for ordinary individuals.

Serena intended to speak, but at that precise moment, the man abruptly braced both hands on the table. His handsome eyes shut lightly, revealing a flicker of intense pain.

The butler's expression shifted dramatically. "Young Master, I shall summon the doctor at once!" he exclaimed.

Serena's clear eyes shifted downward. The large hands resting on the table displayed bulging veins, a clear indication of an impending episode.

Was he ill?

And was it a severe affliction?

At this juncture, Serena met the man's narrow, crimson eyes. Hayden turned his gaze towards her, addressing the butler, "Make her leave!"

The butler immediately urged, "Young Madam, please depart swiftly."

Serena knew she could not leave. She had returned to the Sterling family with a specific objective and required the status of the Orchid Court bride.

Serena's clear eyes fixed on Hayden, devoid of any hesitation. "You are unwell; what illness afflicts you? I possess some knowledge of medicine and am skilled in acupuncture. I can treat your condition."

Hayden's thin lips tightened into a cold line. He almost forced the word out, "Get out!"

Not only did Serena not retreat, but she also moved closer. "Just now, I detected the scent of lily, poria, gastrodia, and other valuable herbs on you. These are all traditional Chinese medicines used to treat insomnia. If I am not mistaken, you suffer from a sleep disorder, unable to find rest at night."

The butler stared at Serena, his shock evident. "Young Madam, you..."

Serena's bright eyes settled on Hayden's handsome face. "To what extent has your sleep disorder progressed? When a sleep disorder becomes severe, it profoundly impacts one's mental state. The body is completely exhausted yet receives no rest or rejuvenation, leading to the manifestation of an internal duplicate—dark, irritable, terrifying, almost pathological."

Hayden's long, narrow eyes turned a deeper shade of red, and a shadow of gloom clouded his handsome brow. He extended a hand, gripping Serena's neck.

The girl's delicate, rosy neck was vulnerable; a slight pressure could extinguish her life.

"Young Madam, do not provoke the Young Master further! Young Master, release the Young Madam immediately!" The butler's anxiety was so palpable he nearly intervened.

The available air grew increasingly thin. Serena's small face slowly flushed red, but she deftly maneuvered her small hand, swiftly inserting a silver needle into one of Hayden's acupuncture points.

Hayden's grip loosened, and he slumped onto the sofa.

Serena gasped for breath, utterly unwilling to perish upon her return. She had indeed been terrified moments before.

The man before her possessed a dangerous aura; setting aside his enigmatic identity, his sleep disorder alone had the potential to transform him from a picture of grace and nobility into a veritable monster at any given moment.

Yet, with no other options available, she could only take a chance.

Serena regulated her breathing, positioned herself behind him, and then lifted her delicate, fair fingers to gently massage his temples.

Hayden's handsome eyes closed, the crimson hue within them concealed. "Your treatment for me involves a massage?"

"Consider yourself fortunate; you are the very first man I have ever massaged."

"As if you are not the first woman to be so fortunate as to massage me."

"..."

The conversation reached an impasse.

"Keep me here, and let us coexist peacefully. You will not interfere in my private matters, and I will assist you in performing for your grandmother. Furthermore, I can help you overcome your insomnia. What do you say?"

Hayden remained silent.

As Serena inserted a slender silver needle into a specific acupuncture point on Hayden's head, he shut his eyes, his head tilting back against the sofa.

Quickly, Serena reached out, her hands gently and tenderly cupping his fallen, handsome face.

He had fallen asleep.

The butler standing nearby was already sweating profusely. While others might be unaware of the young master's true identity, he, of course, knew. His young master was none other than the heir of the prestigious Crawford family, a true prodigy who had conquered the business world as a mere teenager, single-handedly forging the legend of The Crawford Group.

Through the years, no one had ever dared to negotiate with the young master in such a manner, let alone a young woman.

Every young lady fortunate enough to glimpse the young master over the years had possessed eyes brimming with adoration, love, and an overwhelming desire to fall into his embrace.

The young madam standing before him, however, was remarkably distinct – calm, forthright, and wise, even when faced with the ailing young master.

Even more astonishing was the fact that the young master had actually fallen asleep!

The young master had not slept soundly for a very long time!

Even the most acclaimed masters in treating insomnia had proven ineffective, yet the young master now slept peacefully in the young madam's palm!

"Young Madam..." the butler began tentatively.

Serena placed a finger to her lips, motioning for silence. "Leave now; I will handle things here."

For reasons unknown, the butler felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance emanating from this young madam and obediently withdrew.

...

Silence descended upon the room.

Serena allowed him to rest in her embrace for a short while, and once he was in a deep slumber, she carefully laid him onto the sofa and draped a blanket over him.

Having seen to everything, Serena retired to bed and soon drifted into dreams.

At that precise moment, Hayden on the sofa slowly opened his eyes, now fully awake.

Hayden stirred and approached the bedside, extending his slender fingers to gently lift the veil covering Serena's face.