Married To Mr. Grouchy

Rumors swirled through Las Vegas like a desert sandstorm, threatening to engulf Richard Hernandez’s carefully cultivated reputation in a cloud of doubt. The city was in an uproar, with gossip spreading like wildfire, fueling a frenzy of speculation and whispers behind closed doors.

Everyone was talking about the anonymous news that had spread through Las Vegas like a roaring fire. The gossip centered on Richard Hernandez, the owner of the most luxurious hotel in Las Vegas.

Glamour Empire Hotel, famous for its luxury resort and casino that hosted celebrities, wealthy vacationers, award shows, fashion shows, movie premieres, and a renowned nightclub, was now the subject of ridicule. The hotel, once praised for its opulence, was now being dragged through the mud due to hateful comments. The handsome and powerful Richard Hernandez was rumored to be gay.

The scandal had reached a boiling point, with every citizen, and all the TV stations in Las Vegas, seemingly aware of the rumor that Richard was in a secret gay relationship. In a city known for world-class entertainment, the news went viral, dominating headlines and conversations alike.

---

The room was dark and silent, save for the grunts and pained cries of a man being brutally beaten by several others. Richard sat in the corner, watching with cold indifference. Though he didn’t show it, his dissatisfaction with how his men were handling the situation was evident in the slight twitch of his jaw.

With a snap of his fingers, the men stopped, dragging the bloodied and battered man over to Richard, who sat like a king on his throne. Richard’s cold hand grasped the man’s jaw, forcing his head up to meet his steely gray eyes, now glaring with barely contained rage.

"Your broadcasting company was the one that started the rumors about me, wasn’t it?" Richard’s baritone voice was low and menacing, each word laced with venom.

"Yes, it was. I’m sorry. My broadcasting company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and I needed to do something about it," the man stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

"By tarnishing my reputation? Do you even know who I am?" Richard’s voice dropped even lower, enough to make even the strongest man tremble.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Hernandez," the man whimpered.

"Who sent you the fake news? If you tell me, I might reconsider not chopping your head off," Richard glared, tightening his grip on the man’s jaw.

"Forgive me, Mr. Hernandez, but I don’t know who sent it. It was anonymously submitted to my company. We just uploaded it online," the chin-bearded man said, his voice cracking.

"You think I’m going to buy that lie? I’m asking you for the last time, who sent you the message?"

"I’m telling the truth, Mr. Hernandez. It was sent anonymously," the man cried, desperation seeping into his voice.

He had heard rumors about how dangerous Richard could be. If he hadn’t been blinded by the thought of boosting his company when the anonymous email was sent, he wouldn’t be in the realm of the devil’s son right now.

Richard stood up slowly, his towering figure casting a long shadow over the cowering man. With a slight raise of his eyebrow, he signaled his men to resume the beating.

The man screamed for mercy, but his cries fell on deaf ears.

---

Kristin sighed as she exited the building. She had just arrived in Las Vegas, searching for a cheap place to rent, but couldn’t find anything within her budget.

"Why are houses in Vegas so expensive? I need to start working as soon as possible to take care of my parents in Glenwood. They can’t keep farming forever," Kristin whined to herself.

"Should I find a rich tycoon and marry him?" she chuckled at her own words.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her it was time to eat. She hadn’t eaten since landing in Las Vegas.

Kristin searched for the perfect spot to sit, and when she found one, she smiled and rushed over. She opened her luggage and took out the homemade rice cakes her mom had prepared before she left for Vegas.

"Mmmm, mom’s cooking is always the best," Kristin murmured, nodding her head in delight.

She wasn’t the type to get shy, which is why she comfortably ate by the roadside despite the curious stares from passersby.

"Why are they all staring at me? Haven’t they seen someone eating before?" Kristin muttered, enjoying her meal.

"Do you want some rice cakes?" Kristin asked a woman who wouldn’t stop looking at her.

She even struck a pose when another woman tried to take a picture of her to post online.

"She’s definitely not from Vegas. No one in Las Vegas eats outside," someone whispered.

Kristin kept smiling at them, even as they gossiped about her. She kept doing so until she was the only one left by the roadside, still enjoying her meal.

"It’s no big deal in Glenwood to eat by the roadside. Why is it such a big deal here?" she wondered aloud.

After finishing her meal, she began zipping up her luggage. In the process, someone stole her bag containing all the money she had.

"You thief! Come back here!" Kristin screamed, chasing after the thief, leaving her luggage behind.

"You’re so dead if I get my hands on you!" she yelled, her voice filled with fury.

The thief was a good runner, but despite his speed, Kristin didn’t stop chasing him. Her entire life savings were in the bag he stole, and she wasn’t about to let it go without a fight.

---

Richard stepped out of the building after instructing his men to keep beating the man until he talked. He was about to enter his black Rolls-Royce when a notification on his phone stopped him from opening the car door.

He slid up the screen, his gray eyes scanning the message with disinterest.

Kristin, still chasing the thief, spotted a man in a black hoodie—the same one the thief was wearing—standing with his back to her. Her anger flared as she ran toward him.

"You good-for-nothing thief!" she spat, her voice seething with rage.

Without a second thought, she leaped into the air and landed a thunderous slap on the back of the man's head.

Richard’s head snapped forward, and he stumbled slightly from the force of the blow. Shock coursed through him as he turned around slowly, his eyes narrowing at the audacity of whoever dared to strike him.

"What the heck?" Richard’s voice was low and dangerous, his gray eyes darkening as they locked onto Kristin.