Hazel woke up feeling sore all over her body. Her mind was foggy, her heart heavy.
My uncle has really crossed the line this time… she thought bitterly.
Turning to the side, she saw the man from last night still asleep. Quietly, she tiptoed out of bed, grabbed her clothes, and slipped into the bathroom. The warm water washed over her skin, but it couldn't cleanse the confusion in her heart.
After dressing, she crept to the door, opened it slowly, and left without looking back.
---
Meanwhile, in the suite—
"Come in," Liam said coldly.
His assistant, Wilhelm, entered with a tablet in hand. "Sir, I've looked into her background."
"Go on," Liam ordered, his tone firm but distracted.
"Her name is Hazel Collins. Parents deceased in a car accident when she was ten—on her birthday. She was then taken in by her uncle and aunt. She was born on April 16, 2003."
"So her birthday was yesterday," Liam murmured.
"Yes, sir," Wilhelm continued. "She studies English at Imperial College London. She also takes dance and music classes. Works part-time as a babysitter. She was kidnapped once, but released after ransom was paid by her grandparents. She currently stays in her school dormitory."
"Find out what brought her here last night."
Wilhelm hesitated. "It appears her uncle owed a large debt. He went to his boss for help. The man agreed to pay the debt… on one condition — that he could sleep with Hazel. Her uncle accepted. Since she had already rejected that man's marriage proposal before, he decided to drug her and hand her over instead."
Liam's eyes darkened. "Cancel today's meetings. I'm going somewhere."
"Sir, you can't," Wilhelm said quickly. "You have a meeting with the Japanese delegates."
Liam exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Fine."
---
Hazel's POV
Is my birthday cursed? Hazel thought bitterly as she walked down the street. At ten, I lost my parents. At fifteen, I was kidnapped — and my uncle and aunt told the kidnappers to kill me. If not for Grandpa and Grandma, I wouldn't be alive today. And now, at twenty… I end up sleeping with a man I don't even know.
She sighed deeply, clutching her bag tighter. At least it wasn't that disgusting old man. I wouldn't have forgiven myself if it was him.
Spotting a clothing store, she stepped inside. She picked out a short shirt, a tennis skirt, and long shoes. Thank God I brought my ATM card, she thought, checking her bag.
After paying, she changed in the fitting room and looked at her reflection in the mirror. The girl staring back looked confident, different — almost unrecognizable.
She smiled faintly. "Now I look like a new person."
Dumping her old clothes in the trash outside, she walked into a salon and dyed her hair black and white. A soft lipstick glossed her lips — no makeup, just enough to feel alive again.
"Now I'm not the same kind, gentle Hazel they used to know," she whispered, smiling at her reflection. "Now I'm different."
She called a taxi and headed to school.
---
Twenty Minutes Later
The taxi stopped in front of Imperial College. Hazel paid the driver and hurried inside. Checking the time — ten minutes left before her professor arrived.
She took a deep breath, opened the classroom door, and stepped in.
The entire hall went silent.
Every student turned to look at her, eyes wide, mouths open. Then came the whispers.
🗣 "Wow, she's gorgeous!"
🗣 "She dyed her hair?"
🗣 "She's actually wearing a skirt and long shoes!"
🗣 "She's like a new person."
🗣 "Is she an angel?"
🗣 "The school queen is back — and even more beautiful!"
Hazel ignored the murmurs and walked over to her friends. Dior and Vorden were frozen in place.
"Wow, you look so hot and sexy, babe!" Dior said, grinning.
"Thanks, babe," Hazel replied with a small smile.
"You look beautiful," Vorden added, smiling softly.
"Thanks."
Amber and Mia stared in shock at her transformation, and even Kaden — who had just entered to inform them about their public dance assignment — was speechless.
Nearby, some girls began snapping pictures. "She's so beautiful!" they squealed, sending her photo all over the school chat.
Phones buzzed with notifications: @Haa_zel has shared a new post.
"Hazel, why the sudden change?" Dior asked curiously.
Hazel smiled faintly. "Hmm… I just thought, since I'm twenty now, I should start enjoying myself — doing the things I never did before."
"Does that mean you'll finally join the cheerleaders?"
"The answer is still no," Hazel said with a smirk.
Dior pouted, then quickly brightened. "Let's take a selfie!" She snatched her phone and pulled Hazel and Vorden close. They posed together, laughter filling the air.
Dior sent the photos to their phones. "Hazel, you have to post this!"
Hazel hesitated — she rarely posted anything besides her dance or singing clips. But after a moment, she nodded. "Okay."
Within seconds, the entire campus was buzzing. Hazel Collins had changed — and no one could look away.