MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

After making small talk about their graduation thesis defense, Hazel said, "Ariel, I was out of the country for a few days. I don't know what has been happening here at home. Was there anything in the news recently? Tell me about it?"

"Nothing can happen when you go away for just a few days," Ariel said, sighing. She seemed to think of something suddenly and then said, "Wait! Yes, there seemed to be something related to Sir Denmark."

"What was it?" Hazel suddenly became worried and asked quickly.

Ariel replied, "Give me a minute! I will search for the news and read it to you."

After she listened to Ariel reading the news, Hazel felt numb. It turned out that when she and Joshua were in Country F, Fred went to the orphanage where Mandy grew up and found evidence that could prove her identity.

Marcus and Cate made a necklace after their daughter was born, and when Mandy was taken to the orphanage, she had the necklace. However, due to its value, the director of the orphanage took it and gave it to his niece.

The niece's family did not know the quality and value of the necklace, they assumed it wasn't worth anything, so they left it in a warehouse.

After Fred arrived at the orphanage, repeatedly asking questions, he finally told about the necklace that could prove Mandy's identity. With the necklace as proof, the directors who had alienated Mandy all rushed to support her.

The story broke a few days earlier while Joshua and Hazel were away. Still, nobody knew what they were facing in Country F. The only reason Mandy's identity became such a heated discussion was because it involved the Denmark Group. The identity of Mandy and Hazel had become more talked about than when Joshua was looking for a surrogate.

Hazel bit her lip and realized that the evidence of Mandy's identity was found the same day she was kidnapped. Joshua was too busy saving her to deal with affairs at home.

She knew that she could spend all day thinking back and feeling guilty, but that would not help the situation. The most important fact was that if the evidence was true, then she was not the child of the Denmark family.

"Hazel, so it seems like this, Mandy, is your future sister-in-law?" Ariel smiled and said, "I hope she is someone that is easy to get along with. If there is conflict in the future, then that could be troublesome."

Hazel smiled bitterly. Ariel knew nothing of the danger Hazel had been in previously, so she was not clear what kind of people Mandy was. The conflicts were usually rectified by her and not Joshua.

She did not want to explain everything to Ariel, so she made an excuse to hang up. Outside the window, the gardens were blooming, the birds were singing; Hazel stood to stare at how beautiful Denmark Residence was.

Denmark Residence was just a place to stay before. She never really stopped to enjoy the peace and beauty.

***

In the study, Jaxson told Joshua everything that happened and blamed himself for all of it.

"Jaxson, it was not your fault, you have tried your best." Joshua calmly comforted him. Hazel was taken away, and the situation with Mandy was nothing anyone could have predicted.

However, after Hazel had been kidnapped, the news of the evidence proving Mandy's identity was realized, it was definitely odd. It seemed that the person who had been hiding behind the whole situation helped Fred when he was running out of time to turn the situation around. 

"What do you want to do now?" Jaxson asked worriedly. "Do I need to tell it to Miss Crowe?"

"She has been trying to prepare for her graduation thesis defense. I don't want her to be distracted by this kind of thing." Joshua frowned slightly. "First off, keep it secret. When the timing is right, I will tell her. You should check the necklace to make sure it is legitimate or not."

Jaxson lowered his head and promised to do so. When he left, Joshua went to Hazel's room.

"Wife, don't you have a rest?" He said as he walked in.

"Joshua, don't call me that. I really don't feel right." Hazel rubbed the goosebumps on her arm. "Just call me Hazel."

"If you aren't used to it, I will just have to call you more." Joshua smiled, "You will be my wife, it is just a matter of time."

Hazel's eyes were lowered, she wondered if she would really become his wife. When they were in Country F, she was looking forward to getting home. However, as soon as they arrived home, she found out that the situation was no better than in Country F. 

It was a problem that could not be ignored, Mandy now had evidence. If she was the daughter of the Denmark family, would Joshua still treat her like he did before? Or would he choose to be with Mandy?

She believed that she and Joshua were in love, but the foundation of their love was based on Joshua's firm belief that she was the daughter of the Denmark family. In the end, she was not sure if their love was stronger than identity, and for some reason, Joshua didn't want her to know about Mandy's proof.

"I just tried to use the internet, but it doesn't connect," Hazel said.

"The network is broken," Joshua whispered. "I have already made a call. They said that a nearby cable was cut, and they are repairing it."

"Oh." Hazel lowered her eyes. She did ask any more questions, she just pretended not to know.

"Are you going to work on your graduation thesis defense next week?" asked Joshua.

"Yeah." Hazel nodded. Joshua knew her schedule better than she did.

"You can stay here at Denmark Residence and get familiar with the content." He said in a low voice.

"Okay," Hazel promised.

Joshua hesitated and finally said, "So I will not bother you?"

"Well, you will be at work." Hazel nodded again.

  Joshua was miserable as he walked out of her room. He didn't want to disturb Hazel's schoolwork, but he didn't know how he would keep it from her. He took a deep breath and sighed, the most important thing was to figure out the evidence.

Hazel was lying on the bed, completely exhausted, when her phone rang.

Susan Edwards? Hazel saw the name and frowned.