Chapter 2

This really was a first. We in the Cerulean Gang had always been the ones saying that to others. I couldn't believe I was the one being threatened today.

A cold smirk tugged at my lips. I looked straight at her and said, "Don't hide behind other people like a coward. Not even Cohen would dare talk about ruining my family. Who do you think you are?"

"Who are you calling a coward?" Kate snapped.

"You, obviously," I shot back.

"You… You bitch!" Kate lost it completely as she swung at me.

I stepped aside effortlessly. She missed and crashed straight to the floor.

"Ms. Barnes, you didn't have to prostrate yourself to me. Thank you, but that's too much."

Kate scrambled up and pointed at me. "Bitch, just you wait!"

I coldly warned, "Keep running your mouth like that, and I don't mind teaching you some manners myself."

Since childhood, Dad had me train under various martial arts experts so I could protect myself. Someone like Kate was all talk and no threat. I could take on three of her without breaking a sweat.

She froze under my stare, suddenly unable to speak.

More and more people gathered around. I had no interest in being put on display like some kind of spectacle.

I bent down, picked up my bank card, paid for the bag, and turned to leave.

However, Kate blocked my way again.

That last bit of patience in me snapped. I lifted my foot, ready to kick her aside.

"Stop!" A deep voice cut through the air from behind me.

Kate immediately ran over, turning on the waterworks. "Mr. Campbell, you're finally here! She's been picking on me."

I turned around and finally saw Cohen. My eyes lit up. No wonder Dad said I'd be happy with this match.

With his broad shoulders, long legs, and sharp features, he looked about 70% like my favorite comic character.

That alone was enough for me to give him one more chance.

I smiled. "Mr. Campbell? I'm Bella Hurley, your blind date. Your father should have told you about me."

Cohen's father, Ruben Campbell, had once been nothing more than a small-time underling in the Cerulean Gang. It was Dad who recognized his business talent and gave the Campbell family the backing to rise step by step to where they were now.

Cohen's gaze swept over me slowly before he spat out with pure disdain, "A 28-year-old virgin? We're not a good match."

His words were sharp enough to cut. My anger flared instantly.

28 was old?

I had kept myself clean and never fooled around. Who gave him the right to insult me like that?

"Did you eat garbage before coming out today? Your mouth reeks! Did your parents forget to teach you basic manners?"

Cohen's expression darkened. "Manners? Someone like you isn't qualified to talk about that. I don't care what kind of spell you've put on my father, but I will never marry a hick like you."

Kate clung to his arm, smirking at me. "Look at that hideous face of yours. You aren't fit to even stand beside the brilliant and handsome Mr. Campbell!"

The crowd immediately chimed in, "Seriously, look at what she's wearing. That can't be more than 100 bucks. And she thinks she can marry Mr. Campbell? In her dreams!"

"Mr. Campbell has looks, wealth, everything. He can have all kinds of women. Why would he ever choose her?"

"Just a delusional old maid. Someone should wake her up!"

I might not be some world-class beauty, but I was easily a ten-out-of-ten in any room. How did I end up being dragged through the mud like this?

This world really just worshipped men like gods.

"Even if you were begging to marry me, I wouldn't have you! Go back and tell your father that I'm not interested in you!"