Chapter 1

“Are you the fiancé my grandfather arranged for me?” In a farm somewhere in Dexas, Daniel Perkins eyed the gorgeous woman in front of him. She was donned in a figure-hugging dress with curves in all the right places, sporting a well-defined waist and a pair of striking features. “And you are?” “Your fiancée, president of Zen Byte, Jennifer Hawkins!” My fiancée? Daniel remembered that the old man had indeed mentioned he arranged a marriage for him.

“Are you here to marry me?” “Me? Marry you? You country bumpkin! You’re broke, and let’s face it, not a looker. What makes you think you can afford me? My shoes alone cost three grand! A dress goes for five! I splurge more than a hundred thousand a month on makeup and beauty treatments. Can you handle that?” “Nope, can’t afford it. And I never had any plans of footing your insane bills.” “Oh, not prepared, are you? Can’t handle it? Listen, I’m here to call this travesty off. Gimme the contract so we can be done with each other for good.” Daniel retrieved a box the old man had left for him, unlocking with a growing sense of dread. The old man had mentioned a marriage contract alright, but he hadn’t mentioned there were this many… Inside the box were a total of nine marriage contracts. Daniel went through them one by one, indeed finding one that belonged to Jennifer. He pulled it out and handed it over to her. Jennifer cursed under her breath upon seeing the stack in Daniel’s hands. She then snatched her contract and shredded it mercilessly, tossing the pieces to the wind. “Done. Our agreement is void. We have nothing to do with each other now!” With that, Jennifer stomped away in her high heels, her anger echoing with each step. No sooner had she left did Daniel feel a surge of heat in his throat, spitting out blood. “Ugh…” It wasn’t the broken engagement that made him bleed but a failing dragon seal within him. If he couldn’t find the legendary Dragon Seal Grass within a year, the seal would break and he’d be dead. He had to move, and fast. Time was ticking and Daniel needed to find the Dragon Seal Grass, hopefully to cancel the other unexpected contracts along the way. … The iron beast roared down the runway as a sweet voice chimed in from the airplane’s speaker system. “We’re about to land in Leo Bark. Please prepare for disembarkation…”

Daniel had been meditating throughout the flight to suppress the seal. As the plane slowed to a stop, he stretched and got ready to deboard. Suddenly, his Seven Dragons Ring slipped off his neck and rolled away under a seat. Bending down to retrieve it, a piercing shriek startled him. In front of Daniel were a pair of long, shapely legs. Dazzled by an unexpected flash of light, he looked up. Click! Click! Jennifer was snapping photos with her phone, snapping away at what she called a ‘pervert’ below. After saving the incriminating shots, she realized the man at her feet was Daniel. “Is it you? What are you doing?” “Nothing, just picking up my ring,” Daniel replied. “Do you expect me to believe that? You, a filthy rogue! Are you stalking me because I called off the engagement? Let me tell you, this is harassment!” “You? Not interested! Harass you? Even less interested!” “Not interested? You deliberately dropped that stupid ring near my feet. Don’t pretend I don’t know what you’re up to!” Daniel pocketed the Seven Dragons Ring without a word and walked away.

“Stop right there!” “What now?” “This is the last time I’m saying this—never let anyone know we were engaged. I can’t stand the shame! And don’t you dare show your face around me again. If you harass me, I’ll call the cops. With those photos, they’ll have all they need to put you behind bars.” “Boring.” Outside the airport, Daniel walked past Jennifer, carrying her trendy LV bag. “Why are you following me?” Turning around, he replied with slight frustration, “I’m ahead; you’re behind. It’s the other way around.” Then, a sleek two-tone Rolls-Royce pulled up, and a distinguished elderly gentleman stepped out. Jennifer’s heart skipped a beat.

David? She recognized the car plate—it was one of The Matthews’ cars, and the man was their butler, David Wagner! Zen Byte had worked so hard to be noticed by The Matthews Organization, now on their shortlist for partnership. The final selection was due next week. David approached Jennifer, completely ignoring her fawning introduction, and she was left talking to thin air. But soon, David was bowing deeply to Daniel, a man she had written off as a loser. Confused, Jennifer lingered close by to eavesdrop. “Are you the venerable Mr. Daniel Perkins?” “Well, ‘venerable’ is a stretch, but yes, I’m Daniel. Who are you?” “I’m David, The Matthews’ butler. Miss Jessica sent me. She’s your fiancée, waiting at home.” With an invitation from The Matthews, Daniel was swept away, leaving Jennifer standing alone, dumbfounded.