The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 15- interesting

After having seen the deeply enigmatic Charles and the sunny August, Janet could only describe the man standing next to Simon as "mesmerizingly beautiful," a man whose beauty was almost supernatural in its allure.

His long, brown hair fell in a soft cascade over his forehead, a lock grazing his cheek with a bewitching charm. A platinum earring adorned his left ear, and his eyes—narrow and deep as obsidian—could make anyone’s heart race with just a glance. His face was exquisitely beautiful, the fine details almost too perfect to be real, especially his thin lips, tinged a deep red. His lean, toned frame was draped in a casually unbuttoned black shirt and khaki pants. Even standing still, he radiated a kind of languid, seductive beauty, as though he carried a mysterious darkness mixed with an almost radiant warmth—both qualities interwoven so seamlessly it was as if he embodied two extremes at once. It was the kind of allure that made everyone, even men, want to steal a second glance.

"Hey, isn’t this our big handsome guy? What brings you here?" Peggy exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement as she rushed over to hug him.

Janet couldn’t help but notice that, besides Simon, there were a few other men in the room, but it was Manfred who stood out the most.

"Hey, little sister, what’s with that attitude? I just came to see you because I missed you!" Manfred chuckled, casually slinging an arm around Peggy’s shoulder, though his gaze never strayed far from Janet. His smile held an almost imperceptible mischievousness, and he continued to send flirtatious glances her way.

His gaze made Janet feel a bit uncomfortable, though she quickly dismissed the thought as Simon called her over. Manfred was Simon’s high school friend, as she learned when she was introduced to him.

As she walked toward the group, she heard a few of the other men whistle at her, but she simply smiled and turned her attention to the mesmerizing Manfred across from her.

The moment their eyes met, it was as if her soul had been drawn in. Janet prided herself on not being a superficial woman, yet she couldn’t help but be stunned by Manfred’s captivating beauty. It wasn’t just his appearance—it was the aura around him that made him magnetic, drawing people in without effort.

Manfred loved to call Peggy "little sister" or "baby," and every time he spoke to her, Janet couldn’t help but feel uneasy. There was something unnerving about the way his stunning, almost feminine features blended with a charm that felt almost too potent, too manipulative.

"Well, didn’t expect to meet such a gorgeous woman here in the country," Manfred said with a teasing grin. "Too bad, though, I’m not really into women." He flashed a roguish smile as he sat across from Janet, playing with a ZIPPO lighter. He flicked it open, lit the flame, and closed it again, all while casually observing Janet with those hypnotic eyes.

Janet couldn’t decide if he was joking or if there was something deeper in his words. Either way, his unsettling charm made her feel like she needed to keep her distance—something about him was just too eerie.

"Ha, what, are you into men? That won’t do! I’ll have to keep my brother away from you!" Peggy, picking up on the teasing in his voice, quickly positioned Simon in front of her as though she were protecting a little chick from an eagle.

"Relax, I’m not interested in just any man," Manfred replied, his voice smooth and casual, "But when it comes to extraordinary women, I might not be so easily turned away." His words were a bit cryptic, and he lazily draped one arm across his leg, making the entire room seem brighter, as if his very presence lit up the atmosphere.

"You’re getting more and more ridiculous," Simon chimed in, clearly trying to defuse the tension. "Janet, don’t pay him any attention."

As laughter echoed around her, Janet felt a heat rise in her cheeks. She quickly turned her gaze away, feeling an odd discomfort. It wasn’t just his words—it was the way Manfred looked at her, so direct and unashamed, as if he could see right through her. That gaze unsettled her, making her feel exposed in a way she couldn’t quite understand.

Not long after sitting down, the room quickly filled with the thick smells of smoke and alcohol. Peggy kept pushing men toward Janet, and though she casually sipped from her glass, she could already feel her head starting to spin. After the last time she got drunk and ended up in some strange man’s car, Janet still had some lingering trauma, and she didn’t dare to drink too much. So, she excused herself and headed for the bathroom.

The cool water splashed on her face, and as she wiped it off, she suddenly remembered that today was her first day as a newlywed. If she came home too late, it would leave a bad impression on Derrick, even if they hadn’t had a formal wedding. The fact was, she was already a wife.

With that thought in mind, she hurried out of the bathroom, planning to call Peggy and tell her she wouldn’t be returning to the party.

She didn’t expect to bump into someone outside. Before she could react, it was already too late.

"Sorry!" she exclaimed, rubbing her nose, which had been hurt by the collision. The dim yellow lights in the hallway cast a glow on the tall figure in front of her, making him look even more captivating. When she looked up, she recognized him. "Manfred?"

"Bingo! Little beauty, you’ve got a good memory!" Manfred flashed a bright smile, his platinum earring gleaming under the hazy lights.

Janet had already silently memorized his name after hearing Simon mention it earlier. He had an easygoing, carefree exterior, but his eyes were deep and mysterious. Those eyes had a magnetic pull that made Janet feel like she was being watched.

"You seem to be afraid of me?" Manfred asked slowly, his arms crossed over his chest. One foot was placed on the smooth marble floor while the other casually rested against the wall. His tall, slender figure leaned against the sleek, shiny wall, making him look like a character straight out of a comic book.

"No... No!" Janet stammered, feeling her heart skip a beat under his intense gaze. For some reason, she felt a deep unease around him—like a man with the allure of poppies, someone whose very presence could make you lose control. She thought to herself, Manfred is one of those types...

"I’m afraid I have some bad news for you..." Manfred lifted the corner of his lips in a teasing grin. He exhaled softly, standing just a couple of steps away, his eyes filled with a seductive glimmer as he slowly said, "I’m interested in you."

Janet blinked in shock, her lips parted in surprise, and she couldn’t help but smile a bittersweet, resigned smile.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Manfred, but I’m already married," Janet replied, her face quickly turning serious. She could feel the weight of his words, but rather than being flattered, she was instantly put off by his presumptuous attitude.

No matter what his intentions were, she could sense that this man was not someone simple...

"Hah, married..." Manfred uncrossed his arms, and his gaze, which had been half-turned, gradually became direct. As his deep black eyes shifted to a deep shade of green, he took two long strides toward her. Standing in front of Janet, his tall, striking figure made him appear imposing.

"A married woman is even more alluring," Manfred said, lifting a lock of Janet’s hair from her shoulder. With an almost seductive smile, he brought it to his nose and inhaled deeply, the fresh, natural scent of her hair filling his senses. He couldn’t help but look at her again, more intrigued than before.

So, this woman is August’s target? She seems interesting...

Manfred flashed a mischievous grin, locking eyes with Janet, his smile growing wider.