Chapter 3

Ellie’s P.O.V.

The moment I looked up, my heart paused. That man was not old.

He wasn’t weak, fragile, or anything like the rumors surrounding Zackary Walton.

The young man standing near the door looked handsome in a way that felt illegal. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a black shirt with the top buttons undone.

And those eyes…

Amber!

Not soft golden brown, but deep amber that glowed under the dim lights like something wild hiding beneath a human’s skin.

For several seconds, my brain completely failed to function.

This couldn’t be him…

The entire city talked about Zackary Walton. He was a sick old man hidden from society after that scandalous downfall.

But that man in his early thirties looked powerful enough to destroy people with a single glance.

His observant gaze moved over me, scanning me unapologetically.

I clutched the fabric of my gown and stood up, my voice steady.

“A-Are you Zackary Walton?”

He raised his eyes to face me, his gaze lingering on my breasts for two lazy seconds.

Then, instead of answering, he started walking toward me, each step carrying an oppressive kind of dominance that made my pulse race harder.

“What do you think?” He asked, his voice deep.

My throat suddenly felt dry.

I instinctively stepped back to maintain the distance between us, but he didn’t stop, moving forward slowly.

A low gasp escaped me as my back hit the cold wall behind me, my eyes fixed on that handsome stranger.

He finally stopped, dangerously too close to me. One of his hands lifted, resting above my head against the wall as he trapped me completely between his muscular arms and chest.

My breath hitched as the scent of mint and an expensive cologne surrounded me instantly.

I barely managed to ask.

“W-Who are you?”

His amber eyes held mine for unbearable seconds before he leaned closer, his warm breath fanning my face.

“I am Zack.”

My heartbeat spiraled out of control.

I shifted uncontrollably as his body’s heat clung to me like a second skin, making me recognize how close he was.

I frowned, masking my inner turmoil.

“Zack? Who?”

His lips curved in an overwhelmingly cold smirk.

“I am the young master of this White Mansion. Zackary Walton is my father.”

What?

My mind went blank.

Father?

I gawked at him in disbelief.

Like, this sinfully alluring man was my stepson?

I got married and, all of a sudden, became a stepmother at the age of only twenty-one?

“That’s not what I was told!” I blurted out. But before I could process the insanity of this situation, Zack stepped away, his warmth disappearing as well.

His expression turned cold and detached as he said mockingly.

“Nice try, Ellie Hunt.”

“Wait, what?” I straightened immediately.

Zack loosened the cuffs of his sleeves and rolled them up before sitting calmly on the chair across the room, his aura commanding.

“Well, I almost admire the effort.“

His gaze dropped briefly to the dress.

"My the father. Seduce the son."

He leaned back.

"Creative strategy."

My mouth fell open.

“S-Seduce?”

His amber eyes swept over my red gown that barely reached my knees.

“You married my father and came into my room dressed like this,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Too bad! You picked the wrong man to test.”

I couldn’t even believe this was happening.

First, Jared.

Then Dad.

And now, this damn stepson was hell bent on humiliating me?

A wild wave of anger replaced my embarrassment in a split second.

I snapped angrily.

“A maid brought me here. I didn’t know it was your room.”

Zack looked unimpressed. “Convenient explanation!”

I pointed my finger at him.

“Watch your tongue. I don’t want to stay here. Not for a second.”

With that, I stomped toward the door, anger rising like a tidal wave.

Zack called me from behind.

“Where are you going now?”

“To my husband’s room.”

“And… where is that?”

His valid query made me pause. Balling my fists, I retorted back.

“I will find it myself. You… just stay away from me.”

I didn’t wait for another insulting comment and stormed out of the room.

My heart was still beating uncontrollably as I walked through the enormous corridors of White Mansion.

This place felt endless, silent and cold. Servants moved around occasionally, but strangely, every single one disappeared before I could stop them for a question.

I groaned in frustration.

“What have I done to deserve this?”

Even after ten minutes of wandering in this castle-like mansion, I still couldn’t find any help.

The cold air brushed my bare skin as I took another turn, hoping to see any living being in the empty corridors.

But…

“Ellie!”

That calm, unhurried voice almost made me scream.

Zack stood in the shadows, leaning against a wall with his hands tucked in his jeans pockets. His tall figure blended into the darkness like he had been waiting there for the whole time.

“You…!”

My hand flew to my chest, clutching it in a failed attempt to calm my thundering heart.

And Zack….

He looked entirely too calm for someone who had nearly given me a heart attack.

“It doesn’t seem like you found your room.”

I shot back. "Don't tell me you ordered everyone to avoid me."

Zack's lips twitched.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

I ignored the irritating amusement in his voice and questioned, swallowing my pride.

“Where is your father’s room?”

For the first time since meeting him, his expression became unreadable.

Zack narrowed his eyes and answered flatly.

“He is in the hospital.”

What?

My anger vanished into thin air.

If Zackary Walton was in the hospital, then why did they bring me here tonight?

What was I supposed to do?

A strange discomfort settled in my chest. I looked around the massive mansion uneasily.

“Then… where is my room… to stay?”

“Well, you have two options..

Zack’s glowing amber eyes studied me for a second.

“One: you can use the guestroom.”

His voice remained calm as he uttered with a straight face.

“Or you can spend the night in my room as you planned.”

His audacity to twist that misunderstanding into something scandalous caught me off guard.

I spoke quickly before he could spout more nonsense.

“Guestroom, please.”

A faint smirk appeared on his face, like my reaction was amusing.

Zack pushed himself away from the wall and started walking. As he crossed my side, he leaned closer, his deep voice brushing against my ear.

“Wise choice, Mrs. Walton. Welcome to the White Mansion.”