Chapter 2

HAZEL

I already accepted my new identity as Hazel Monroe. Though it still felt like a dream, what if it is not? I checked my reflection in the mirror as I twirled in the blue dress. It hugged my curves, accentuating my wide hips and small waist. No more burying myself inside my room, watching my life fade away. No more wasting my life away doing nothing. Now I can do anything I want. I can go on trips and eat my favourite dessert. I picked up my purse and opened it. There is a black card inside.

“Yes!” I screamed in happiness, twirling the card between my fingers.

“Dreams do come true,” I squealed before straightening my dress again. I checked my reflection one last time before walking out of the room. Father is going to introduce Katherine to his people today.

I made my way downstairs and I found them already dressed. I still can't shake the feeling that I could see my parents again even if this is not real. Even if I am not their daughter, I am glad I could see them again.

“Are you done?” Father asked and I nodded.

“Yes, but I need to branch somewhere, so I will just meet you there,” I said, hoping that by the time I got to the venue, Father would have already introduced Katherine to Vincent and the two could be together forever.

“Are you sure you are coming with us?” Mother asked and I nodded.

“Yes. I really need to go to this place. I promise you that I will even get to the venue before you,” I told them and they seemed to agree with me.

“Alright, Hazel,” Katherine said.

I walked towards her and gave her a hug. “You look beautiful,” I said and she smiled.

“You too,” she said and I smiled at her before waving at my parents. I left the room and went outside. I walked towards the parking lot and pressed the car key.

A Porsche 911 Turbo S makes a beep sound. Thank God I have my driver's license, or it would have been awkward if I suddenly informed the people inside that I couldn't drive a car. I opened the car and hopped in. I started the car and drove out of the compound after the guards opened the gate for me.

Monroe Quinn. One of the wealthiest men in America. At least one thing is clear: my father's name wasn't Monroe and he wasn't wealthy when he was alive. They only looked like my parents but I will treat them as mine.

I played my favourite music and I must say, everything is the same in this world, just like the real world. I began to sing the lyrics alongside the artist and suddenly, I heard a loud crash.

I stopped the car immediately by applying the brakes, but it was already too late. I had already hit the car in front of me. I got out of the car immediately and I saw the car I had just hit.

Judging by the way the car looked, it looked damn expensive and I am afraid this is not going to end well. I walked towards the front glass window and the driver rolled down the window. The interior of the car is damn clean, which means I am right. This belongs to a rich individual. However, the man in the driver's seat actually looked calm.

“I'm sorry, sir. I accidentally hit your car from behind,” I said and opened my purse to bring out my business card.

The man in the driver's seat looked behind him. “Boss,” the man said and I felt my heart skip a beat.

Damn it. He is not the owner.

“Inspect the damage and make her pay,” the man in the passenger seat said and I swear, I have never heard a man's voice so beautiful as his. It sounded like a symphony.

The driver got down and I followed him to check the damage I had caused. My eyes widened in shock when I saw how deep the scratch was.

“Calm, Hazel. You are an heiress. You can pay for this,” I said calmly in my head. The driver went back to speak to his boss and then the passenger door opened and my gaze stayed glued to the door.

I saw the black shoes first, then the thick legs in black pants, and then I looked up when the owner of the car stepped out and I sucked in a fucking breath.

“Is she the one?” he asked but the rest of the words he said seemed to fade into the background.

I have never seen a man as beautiful as this. I have read novels. A lot of them, and none of them seem to come close to this man in front of me. Thick and long eyelashes, a firm jaw and a pointed nose with pink, full lips. He has broad shoulders, and I could tell that his waist is narrow. He looked so damn sexy in the black suit.

My phone rang, and that seemed to pull me back to earth. I took out my phone and my mother's voice broke through the speaker.

“Where are you? We are about to start,” Mother said.

“I'm coming right away,” I replied and she hung up the call. I put the phone back in the purse and looked at the two men in front of me.

“Ma’am, you will have to pay for…”

“I'm so sorry,” I said, cutting the driver off. “I will pay for the damages. Just call me. I am in a hurry right now to go somewhere,” I said in a rush and thrust my card into the driver's hand.

“Sorry, Handsome,” I said, looking at the man before I disappeared into my car. I started the car before they could stop me.

As much as I want to stay and gawk at that man longer, I need to get to the venue fast. I will have to forget about the burger I am planning to get.

I got to the venue about twenty minutes later. Katherine would have met Vincent by now. Which means I can go inform my parents that I want to go on a vacation to Italy or maybe Los Angeles.

"Miss Hazel. Your car key?" One of Father's men approached me.

I even forgot that I didn't come with a chauffeur. I gave the man the car key and he drove the car away.

The moment I stepped on the red carpet floor, the cameras were focused on me. And the reporters began to ask questions.

“How do you feel to suddenly realise the real daughter of the Monroe family is back?” a reporter asked.

“Are you happy to learn that Katherine Monroe was found?” another one fired.

“Do you still think you are entitled to any of the Monroe family?”

“What are you going to do now after learning the truth? Is it true that you are planning to leave the family?”

“ ”

“ ”

I continued waving with a smile as I walked down the red carpet. Maybe the old Hazel would have agreed with them, but I am not Hazel. I am in this world to enjoy my life. I don't care if the Monroe family has more than two daughters outside.

When I got to the top of the stairs which led to the entrance, another car was parked in front of the red carpet and all the reporters focused on it. Not long after, I saw the car open and my eyes widened in surprise. This was the handsome man I saw earlier. The one whose car I hit, and he actually appeared in another car.

I walked inside before he could see me. The guests were already inside the grand hall conversing with each other. I saw Katherine having a conversation with some ladies while Father seemed to be talking with a man in the same age bracket as him. The moment the ladies standing with Katherine saw me, they began to whisper.

“Isn't she your spoiled sister?” I heard one of them say as I approached.

I didn't blame them. I only blamed Hazel, who had made sure her reputation was ruined. Well, I am here to change the perspective they have about her.

“Hi,” I said when I got to their side.

“Hi, Hazel. It's good to see you,” one of them said.

“Same here,” I said and Katherine smiled at me.

“You came,” she said and I nodded.

“Something came up on the way, so I ended up coming late,” I explained and Katherine smiled.

“It's fine. They actually keep me company and they said you were friends,” Katherine said, and I looked at the three girls with her.

If they were indeed my friends, then the one with the ginger hair is Celeste, while the tallest is Anita. The third person should be Victoria.

“You don't even have to sugarcoat anything,” Victoria said to Katherine, then she looked at me.

“After you chased us out of the boutique the last time, you are trying to act friendly with us now?” Victoria added and I seem to remember now. In the novel, Hazel is known for spending lavishly. And she did indeed wrong her friends at the boutique.

“I'm sorry for the way I acted then. I wasn't feeling too good,” I said, apologising for what I didn't do, but I need to make Hazel a good person this time.

“It's fine. Let her be,” Celeste said, and then her eyes widened.

“Is that not Vincent?” I heard Celeste ask, her voice etched with shock.

“What? Vincent Alistair?” Anita asked in shock.

Vincent Alistair? The male lead of the novel.

I turned towards the direction they were looking, and I couldn't believe my eyes. There is no fucking way that is Vincent Alistair. The same man whose car I hit. The one I ran away from this morning after giving his driver my business card.

“He is so handsome. Gosh,” I heard Celeste say.

“I would do anything to have a one-night stand with him,” Victoria said jokingly.

“I just want to birth his child. He doesn't even need to partake in the fatherly role,” Celeste added.

I shook my head in bewilderment. They haven't met. Katherine didn't meet Vincent first, just like what happened in the novel.

Not long after, I watched Vincent as he walked towards Father. I know what happened in the novel, but some things are changing now. Vincent was betrothed to Hazel in the novel, but he chose Katherine instead because of Hazel's manipulations.

Now, I can understand why Hazel wants Vincent for herself. The man is indeed handsome. But I am not Hazel. I'm Annabelle in Hazel's body. I might not have dated any man in my life, but I know very well that I love money.

“I think your mother is coming towards you. We will excuse ourselves now,” Celeste told Katherine before leaving with her friends.

Mother came towards us with a big smile. “How are you, Katherine?”

“I'm fine, Mother,” Katherine replied.

“I hope you two have already talked,” Mother said, looking at me.

“Yes, we have,” I replied.

“Good. Your father wants to introduce someone important to you both. Come with me,” Mother said, and there's no way I do not know who the important person is. It's Vincent Alistair.