Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

For the next few days, Brian’s case became worse. Everytime he stepped out of the house, he’d return home with wounds on his body.

Nancy and Hwang Min became worried that they confronted each other about it, but none of them agreed to being the perpetrator who wanted Brian’s life.

Having three or more forces going after his life daily, Brian decided to sit at home. At least it was what Jeslyn wanted anyway.

Nancy and Hwang Min felt it was the best decision. They didn’t want him to mingle in the first place for different reasons, so when he started staying at home, they were relieved, but because he didn’t leave the house doesn’t mean that he won’t be hurt.

One fine morning, Brian was eating with his parents like every morning when the guy started acting weird and in the next minute, he puked blood and passed out.

Nancy was alarmed and immediately sent for the family doctor who confirmed that the Young Master was poisoned.

After a thorough search, it was discovered that a female servant whom Brian hated the most, did it. When she was interrogated with extreme torture tools, she accepted that she hated Brian because he had it too simple in life but she and her brother had been toiling for so many years, yet can’t hold a candle to Brian.

Although she denied ever poisoning Brian, Nancy refused to hear that. The lady and her brother who was also a servant in the house were killed.

After Brian got better, he lost his appetite for food and only settled for snacks that were bought by someone he trusted.

Nancy was worried that if this continued, her son might fall sick, so she thought that by changing the servants and cooks, Brian’s appetite would be back, so she fired everyone and employed new servants.

The new servants were of great quality, just like how she wanted them. The chefs were even better than the ones she fired but Brian didn’t want to have anything to do with anything the kitchen served him. He became best friends with his snacks, so Nancy couldn’t take it anymore and made an announcement.

"Anyone who can lift my son’s mood and make him eat again shall be rewarded handsomely!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Ever since she made the announcement, different servants, both chefs, and non chefs tried out their cutleries but were mercilessly turned down by Brian who had grown cold and heartless as the days went by.

Nancy lost hope, thinking her son can no longer be rescued because she had sought professional help and they told him that Brian was traumatized by the poison incident and had unwillingly lost his appetite.

The woman even took him out to try some delicious meals from high end restaurants but nothing worked.

Throughout the weeks that such calamity befell Brian, Mr. Hwang was busy with lots of things, especially at the organization. He was informed of the attack that their base was suffering, so he had been there trying to bring the intruders to their knees, unaware that his house was on fire.

On this day marking a month that Brian had stopped eating, the Young Man and Nancy were eating in the dining room when a young chubby maid walked over with a tray.

Before she could enter the dining area, she was stopped at the entrance by the two guards that were guarding the space.

"Halt!" one of the guards yelled.

The maid stopped a few steps away with her head lowered.

"You’re not a chef, what are you doing here?" the guard asked with an unfriendly tone.

"I– I made something for the Young Master, I heard that he–"

"Take it back, Young Master was not interested in something cooked by professionals, why do you think yours can make a difference?"

"B– but..."

"Leave!" the guard roared, startling the young maid that she almost cried.

"What’s the commotion all about?" Nancy’s sharp voice drifted into their ears.

The guard entered the dining area and bowed, "Ma’am, an insignificant maid prepared something for the Young Master–"

"Send her back, they are all worthless." Brian said disinterestedly with a bored look on his face. It’s been a month yet Jeslyn is nowhere to be found. He can’t leave the house to ask what the problem is and he also can’t use his phone because Nancy is tracking all his calls and messages. F*ck!

Seeing the annoyance on her son’s face as he munched on a hard biscuit, Nancy’s lips twitched and she subconsciously said, "Bring her in."

Brain didn’t argue, nor did he spare her a glance but only rolled his eyes, knowing that he wouldn’t be taking a bite from the food that would be brought in.

The guard bowed and made way for the maid to enter.

"Good morning, ma ...Young Master!" she bowed to the family that didn’t give her anything more than a fleeting glance.

The maid felt a little awkward but still smiled before walking to the table. She placed the tray on the table and opened the lid of the plate on the tray.

"Young Master, I thought that since you don’t want to eat anything else, I should make you some treats. It’s called mooncake." the maid smiled sweetly.

This time around, Nancy and Brian finally spared her ’mooncake’ some attention. They were of different shapes and light colors– Pink, yellow, purple, white, and orange. Looking at the intricate designs made into various forms with little words written on them like;

’Eat me.’

’I taste better.’

’I’m made from honey.’

Brian smiled. In all honesty, the mooncakes looked appetizing and delicious that even Nancy couldn’t keep her hands to herself. Once she tested it, she shifted her gaze to the maid and asked;

"What did you call it?"

"Mooncake, Ma’am," she curtsied with a smile.

"Hmm... very delicious! Does something like this really exist?" Brian asked. He was indeed blown away by the taste.

"Yes, Young Master. It’s a popular recipe in my country," she said proudly.

"Where are you from?" Brian asked.

"My dad is from Country G and my mom is from Country V but we reside in my father’s country."