章 14: Puzzling Puzzles

Zuri got out of the car and looked at Zen with a puzzled expression. Zen understood the confusion of his young master's wife. "You don't need to be so confused, miss. Just follow the scenario that's been arranged. That's Mr. Liam, who will often appear with you in public," Zen, Liam's bodyguard, said coldly, just like his master.

"I don't want that! Liam didn't say anything about it. Where is he? I'm really going to lose my mind!" Zuri shouted, unable to accept this game.

"That's Mr. Liam, and he will accompany you in public," Zen said, pointing to the man in the car, without giving Zuri any further explanation.

Zuri was not satisfied with Zen's answer and still refused to get into the car.

"Miss, please get in the car or we'll be late," Zen pleaded firmly, gesturing for Zuri to get in the car. But Zuri remained unmoved.

"Get in. You just need to be quiet. Nothing is going to change," a deep voice from inside the car ordered her to get in.

But Zuri still refused to get in.

"Miss, don't make this more difficult. This is all related to the Harrison family business. Mr. Walter Harrison's fate is in your hands," Zen said coldly, his tone containing a clear threat for Zuri to get in the car.

Zuri had no choice because the Harrison family was involved.

"You're all annoying!" Zuri snapped, then quickly got into the car and sat next to the ugly man Zen introduced as Liam.

The car slowly left the mansion's driveway, accompanied by the gaze of someone watching from the balcony above.

Zuri looked at the man beside her. His rough face, with scars on his cheeks and sharp, sunken eyes, was a stark contrast to the handsome Liam she knew. She still couldn't accept the fact that this was the "Liam" the world would see.

"Hmmm... are you the man rumored to be Liam? Is the man who is supposed to be my husband not Liam?" After a long silence, Zuri finally expressed her thoughts, working up the courage to ask the man sitting next to her.

The man remained silent, not responding to Zuri's question. This made Zuri smile bitterly. She felt like hitting every single person in the car.

"Liam, or whoever's going to be my husband, is the biggest asshole I've ever met after Prince Tristan!" Zuri began to mutter, her voice low.

In the end, Zuri asked no more questions and sat quietly, following the set scenario.

Soon the car arrived at its destination. Zuri herself had no idea what kind of meeting this was or where they were.

"Keep smiling and don't show your annoyance," the man who claimed to be Liam said in a heavy voice before they got out of the car.

Zuri just nodded, too lazy to reply verbally.

As they exited the car, Zuri immediately moved closer to the man who was Liam in front of the public. Her mind raced, but her smile remained as she had been instructed. "Smile and play the part," was what she had to do now.

Zuri took the fake Liam's hand, her fingers lightly brushing his skin. She wanted to read his mind. The man didn't react, simply allowing Zuri's actions.

They entered the grand building with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, signaling the opulence of the event. The guests greeted them with curious glances. They looked, judged, and seemed to be waiting for something. Zuri felt like a puppet on a grand stage, watched with no way to escape.

But in front of everyone, they had to play the part well, to look like a happy couple. But Zuri ignored the stares in her eyes. The only thing on her mind was the question of Liam's true whereabouts. Where was he now? Why would she send him to a strange place like this with someone he didn't know?

When they reached the center of the room, an older man in a neat suit approached them. His eyes scanned up and down before finally extending a hand to Liam.

"Mr. Liam, good to see you here. And this must be your lovely wife, Miss Zuri, right?" The man spoke in a friendly tone, but there was something hidden behind his smile.

"Liam" nodded slightly, his deep voice answering, "Yes, this is Zuri. We're glad to be here."

Zuri nodded briefly and smiled faintly, then reached out to shake the older man's hand. Of course, Zuri wanted to read his mind.

"Mr.Walter sold his daughter to this ugly bastard just for power. What a shame. Every day this beautiful woman has to see this ugly man in bed. If I had power like this bastard Liam, I could force this beautiful woman to be with me. To satisfy me in bed."

Zuri recoiled in disgust after hearing the old man's thoughts. Behind his sweet smile and elegant appearance, his mind was filthy. Zuri looked at the man with contempt and loathing.

"Zuri." Suddenly, a very familiar voice came from behind. Zuri turned and saw the person responsible for placing her in this mess.

"Dad," Zuri said, acknowledging the man who called her.

The ugly man, who was Liam, shook hands with Mr. Walter out of courtesy and continued talking with the old, lecherous man. Meanwhile, Zuri's father led her aside. The event hadn't started yet, so they had a brief moment to talk.

"How are you? Is Liam giving you trouble?" Mr. Walter asked his daughter.

Silence followed, as Zuri was annoyed by the question. If her father already knew she would face problems with Liam, then why did he marry her off to such a despicable man? Wait… her husband, whether it was the real or fake Liam, still confused her.

"Dad, you already know the answer, so why are you asking?" Instead of answering her father's question, Zuri threw one back at him.

Mr. Walter sighed deeply. "I just want to put you in a safe position. This is the only way to make sure everything stays in place," Mr. Walter said mysteriously.

Zuri looked at her father. "Why don't you just tell me what's really going on? Why are you and Liam playing a game full of riddles that I don't understand?" Zuri demanded answers from her father, who remained silent.

"And who is that ugly man? Why must I appear in public with him as my husband? Where is the man I married?" Zuri asked her father, demanding clarity.

"Dad... please explain to me, please," Zuri begged.