Chapter 1

Liam wiped the sweat from his brow as he worked on his farm. An SUV appeared from afar, an unusual sight in these rural parts. 

Despite being the president, Liam comes to the farm to work sometimes.

As it pulled up, a woman got down, dressed in designer attire that screams money.

Her gaze swept over Liam, a look of disgust appeared on her face. "Liam Miller?" 

she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

Liam nodded, "That's me." He said.

"I'm Ashley Wilson," she said,scanning his worn out clothes and rugged surroundings.

 "Your arranged fiancée." She completed.

“I can't believe I am engaged to a farm boy.” She muttered to herself.

Liam's eyebrows shot up. "Arranged fiancée?"

He knew his grandfather planned an arranged marriage but was not expecting it to be someone like her.

Ashley snorted. "Don't get excited. I'm only here to make something clear,I won't marry you. It is not happening in your wildest dreams."

As she spoke, she flaunted her diamond-studded watch and designer handbag, her eyes glinting with superiority.

"You're... quite direct," Liam said. He is relieved that the cutting off won't be from him, As he had no plans to marry her.

“What were you expecting? A hug?” She said, tapping her leg impatiently.

Ashley smirked. " I won't tie myself to some... Country bumpkin." She looked at him with pure disgust.

“I have no interest in marrying someone unsophisticated like you. You are below me socially and financially.” She continued.

Liam narrowed his eyebrows, feeling a little bit offended,but he remained calm.

“You are not actually considering going through with this agreement, are you?.” 

“Marrying someone like me? Ha!” her laughter echoes through the farm.

Liam remained silent.

 “How did your grandfather manage to convince my parents to agree to such a ridiculous arrangement?” she raised an eyebrow.

“We need to cut off this engagement.” She said rudely.

“Don't worry,I will pay if necessary.”she sighed dramatically.

“Just name your price.what do you want?”she removed her sunglasses and crossed her arm.

Ignoring her, Liam headed inside hoping to find it somewhere inside.

He knew his grandfather kept the marriage contract somewhere in his room.

He returned with a folder containing the marriage contract and handed it over to Ashley. 

“Here,”Liam said, handing it over to her.

She snatched it from him and flipped the pages over. A triumphant grin appeared on her face.

She tore the paperwork in half and half and dropped the shredded paper at Liam’s feet.

“The contract is null and void.” a mischievous grin appeared on her face.

“I am going to keep my word,how much is your price?” she said without taking off the mischievous grin off her face.

“I don't need your ….” Liam was interrupted.

“I knew you were going to play hard to get but I am in a good mood.” she sneered 

 “I will give you a million dollars..it is much more than you would ever make on that pathetic farm of yours.” Ashley’s sneer deepened.

“I appreciate the gesture but I will have to deny it.”Liam said, trying to remain calm.

“You are just a poor farm boy, I just offered you a golden opportunity and you are refusing?”

“You are a fool and you will regret this.” Ashley said scornfully.

“Are you not tired of this miserable life?” she hissed.

Liam refusing to engage in any conversation with her maintained a stoic face despite the insults.

“I hope we don’t have to see each other again, farm boy.” She said with a fake smile on her face.

She turned and flipped her hair as she walked majestically into her car and zoomed off.

As Ashley’s car starts to fade in a distance,Liam looks down at the shredded paper and a feeling of relief settles within him.

Suddenly a feeling of heat surged through him and coursed through his throat.

Liam coughed, spitting blood.

"Damnit," he muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

The bloodstain on his palm triggered a surge of anxiety.

He is glad Ashley came to end the contract today.

The dragon seal within him stirred, it is like it is reminding him that his time is ticking.

The dragon seal, an ancient curse,A mystical mark imbued within Liam’s body.

it would consume him from the inside out if he did not find the dragon seal grass soon.

Time is running out, Liam needs to find the rare Dragon Seal Grass within a year.

 It could be destroyed or manipulated by powerful dark magic.. 

He needs to get to it before it gets to the wrong hand.

The next day 

On an aeroplane, Liam headed to a new location in search of the Dragon seal grass. 

As the plane landed,he stood up to take his luggage from the overhead bin.

While trying to get it out,he accidentally dropped his Seven Dragons Ring, making it roll under a seat.

He ran after it. he could not lose the ring, it was given to him by his master.

The ring stopped near a woman's feet.

Liam bent to pick it up.

"Pervert!" she shrieked.

To his surprise, it was Ashley again.

"You?? Are you stalking me?” She accused 

"Of course you are!! Have you changed your mind about money?” She said rudely without giving him a room to respond.

“I thought I made myself clear yesterday. I can't be with someone like you. You should have collected the money while the offer was available.”

Ignoring her, Liam bent to take the ring.His indifference annoyed her.

"Unfortunately the offer no longer stand."

She brought out her phone, snapping photos of Liam bent near her feet.

“I have clear evidence now, prick.” she spat

Liam stood up holding his ring.“I dropped my ring, that's all.”

 “Intentionally.” She said, looking at him with disgust.

“You flatter yourself, miss…” Liam looked at her to complete her name.

“Wilson…. Ashley Wilson.” She said,

“You don't have to act like you can't remember Liam.” she rolled her eyes.

Liam ignored her and got out of the plane.

As they exited the airport, Ashley continued to accuse Liamof following her. "You're obsessed!"

“I won't change my mind even if you keep following me.”

Liam smiled wryly. "I'm ahead of you, actually."

A luxurious Rolls-Royce pulled up, and David Wagner, butler for the wealthy Matthews family, stepped out.

“What could Matthews be doing here? Maybe he came to pick Jessica.” Ashely thought.

“I should get closer to the butler…he is known to be like a father to jessica.”

Ashley rushed to go and greet him hoping to make a good impression for a good business partnership.

“Hi my name is Ashley Williams,the president of will…….”

Ashley's eyes widened as David ignored her and bowed to Brion. 

"Mr. Daniel Miller, welcome."

Liam corrected him. "Liam Miller."

“Mr Miller.” He said dryly 

“Sir, Miss Matthew, request your presence.” he said with a stern tone.

“She is waiting at the Matthews' estate” he said, not looking at him directly.

Liam nodded.

David invited Liam to the Matthews' estate, leaving Ashley stunned.

"Wait, you're engaged to Jessica Matthews?" Ashley asked, her voice laced with shock.

“Yes he is.” David replied like he did not ignore her a few minutes ago.

“We should go Mr Miller, Miss Mathew is waiting.”

“We should.” Liam replied 

David collected his luggage and dropped them into the trunk of the car before coming back to open the door for Liam.

Liam's expression remained neutral.

He entered the car without giving Ashley another glance.