Awakened Desires: My Comatose Husband's Secret

"The top-tier Bartlett family, officially declared bankruptcy a week ago and is currently in the process of liquidating Bartlett Enterprises to repay its debts through an auction. However, up to this point, the daughter of Bartlett, Dana Bartlett, has yet to make any response…"

In the empty villa, Dana lowered her gaze and slowly read the news on her phone.

A week ago, her father suddenly passed away in a car accident with unsuccessful rescue attempts. Unable to accept this, her mother followed by jumping off the hospital building. Overnight, investors withdrew their funds, causing the financial chain to break. Within a few days, the once mighty Bartlett Enterprises was completely overturned.

When trees fall, monkeys scatter. Not a single one of her father's friends was willing to lend a helping hand, but there were plenty of opportunistic vultures waiting to take advantage. In just one night, Dana saw through the true faces of everyone.

This morning, she just signed the consent form to auction the Bartlett's villa. By now, the court officials should be arriving soon.

Dana picked up her luggage and reluctantly glanced around the place where she had grown up. Finally, she decisively turned away, pushed open the door, and walked out.

It was difficult to hail a taxi in the villa area, and Dana didn't even intend to hail one. After chased by debt collectors, she only had a few scattered coins left.

"Squeak—"

The piercing sound of brakes came, and a bright silver sports car stopped beside Dana. The rolled-down window revealed a gloating face.

"Dana? Just you?" Antonio greedily stared at Dana's face, unable to avert his gaze. "I heard the Bartlett's villa is going to be auctioned. Are you going to end up homeless?"

Dana couldn't be bothered to give him a glance and continued walking forward with her luggage.

She wasn't wearing any makeup. Her skin was delicate and fair, and her features were exquisitely drawn.

Before the Bartlett's bankruptcy, Dana could be considered the most beautiful rose among the socialites of New York. Radiant and proud, she was admired by many young heirs of prestigious families. Antonio was one of them.

Unfortunately, no matter how attentive he was, Dana has never warmed up to him.

And now, he wanted to see how she lost her mighty attitude.

"I know you're not having a good time now,"

Antonio slowly followed behind Dana in his car. "How about moving in with me? I promise to treat you just like before. Without the Bartlett as your backing, you'll be vulnerable…"

Before he finished speaking, Dana turned her head. Her captivating eyes fixed on him.

"You're right,"

Dana said. "I need a new backer."

Antonio thought his words had an effect. Before he could indulge in his fantasies, Dana took out her phone, "Hey, I agree to the terms you proposed earlier."

Dana reported her current location.

After hanging up the phone, a glimmer of light flickered in the corner of her eye as she looked at Antonio. "Did you hear that?"

"What do you mean?"

Dana shrugged innocently, "It simply means that I despise you. To be honest, even if I were to find a backer, it wouldn't be your turn."

Antonio was furious and left a message before leaving, "Just wait till you fall into my hands!"

Before long, a black Cayenne slowly approached from the end of the road and stopped by Dana's side.

A butler came out of the car, "Miss Bartlett, Madam instructed me to pick you up."

The car parked in front of the Leopold's. Following the butler's guidance, Dana entered the hall and greeted the two elders sitting on the sofa with poise.

Louise assessed her and felt a hint of astonishment.

"Dana," Stanley spoke in a deep voice. "Please have a seat."

Dana didn't hesitate and directly sat across from him.

"You are aware of the conditions set by us," Louise's expression was dignified. "Have you truly decided to marry Ken?"

Dana nodded decisively. "Yes."

Ken, the eldest son, was the heir of the Leopold. A year ago, he was in a car accident and has remained in a coma since then. According to the doctor's prognosis, it's highly likely that he will never wake up.

For this past year, the Leopold had sought renowned doctors and remedies, but nothing had worked. In their desperation, they thought of the idea of finding someone to bring good luck to Ken. They searched for women whose star signs matched Ken's, and eventually, they found her.

Dana.

If it had been a week ago, Dana still had the option to refuse.

In order to save the Bartlett, Dana has been searching for help these days, only to be approached by lecherous men.

Now marrying Ken is actually her best choice.

In terms of power, the Leopold is not weaker than the Bartlett, but rather surpasses it. Besides, a comatose man is much better than those perverts.

Stanley asked, "What's your conditions?"

Dana thought for a moment and said, "My family has a piece of land in the western suburbs. It is one of the dowries left by my mom. It will be auctioned off in three months together with the Bartlett Enterprises. I hope the Leopold can help me acquire it."

Stanley remembered that the piece of land was not in a popular location, and compared to the Bartlett's vast estate, it was extremely insignificant.

"Okay."

Stanley agreed very readily and signaled for the butler to bring a contract, "If there are no issues, please sign it."

The contents of the contract were simple.

Unless the Leopold agreed, Dana did not have the power to unilaterally dissolve the marriage contract.

Dana quickly scanned the contract and signed her name at the end.

Louise said, "The wedding will be in a couple of days."

Even though Ken is currently lying in bed and unable to attend the wedding, all the necessary procedures are still in place.

Dana had no objections. "I will follow the Leopold's wishes."

Stanley instructed the valets to move Dana's luggage upstairs, "If you have any needs, feel free to tell the butler."

After finishing packing, she went to school.

Ever since the Bartlett went bankrupt, she hadn't gone to school for a week. Her advisor had already called her multiple times, and if she didn't go soon, she might fail the semester.

Dana had originally planned to study for a postgraduate diploma, but with the current situation, she had no choice anymore.

She came back to pack her belongings in the dormitory.

After all, in two days, she would marry into the Leopold.

She pushed open the door of the dormitory. Her roommate, Clara, looked at her with concern, "Dana, we have heard about it. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Dana forced a smile and was about to ask Clara to borrow her notes when the door was kicked open.

"That slut is back?"

A sharp female voice rang out, Dana recognized it as Amy.

Amy had a heavy makeup on her face and walked in wearing high heels. She harshly prodded Dana's shoulder with her nails. "Since the Bartlett has collapsed, you seduced my boyfriend?"

Dana grabbed her wrist, pulling it apart inch by inch. "What are you talking about?"

Amy became furious, "If you don't apologize to me, I'll make sure you regret it!"

The commotion attracted others to watch. Amy had always dreamed of marrying Antonio and finally caught the attention of him. She's afraid someone would snatch Antonio away from her.

Dana let go of Amy's wrist. Amy stumbled back several steps, staring at her with resentful eyes.

In Amy's eyes, Dana used to rely on the backing of the Bartlett and her captivating face to walk arrogantly in the school. Now with the fall of the Bartlett, Dana turned to seduce Antonio.

Dana said, "Your boyfriend is like trash, and I don't want to be a scavenger."

Her tone was neither light nor heavy, and others around laughed.

"How dare you?"

Amy was infuriated and was about to slap her, but Dana easily dodged it.

"Slap me at school? Be careful of getting into trouble."

Dana warned her calmly and continued packing. However, she did not expect that Amy would lose her sanity and forcefully push her towards the balcony.

If Dana fell over, she would fall off the balcony.

A burst of exclamation erupted. Dana was caught off guard, and her body suddenly lost balance. She was about to fall, but her wrist was grabbed.

"Dana, are you alright?"

Dana was pulled up. A female bodyguard dressed in black stood in front of her.

Amy shouted, "Who are you?"

The bodyguard ignored her and said to Dana, "Louise asked me to protect you."

Dana couldn't help but smile bitterly. It was said to be protection, but it was probably because they were afraid that she would change her mind and run away.

Later, the security arrived and took them away. But in the end, only Amy was given a serious warning.

Amy couldn't accept it at all. She cried and caused a scene in the office, then summoned Antonio.

"Dana made the first move, so why am I the one being warned?" Amy cried with a resentful tone. "Kick her out of school!"

Dana sat on the side.

Antonio couldn't help but become eager at the sight of Dana. He wanted to possess her immediately. Upon hearing Amy's words, his heart couldn't help but stir.

If Dana were expelled from school, wouldn't it be easier for her to be tamed by him?

He immediately said, "My girlfriend shouldn't suffer such injustice. The school must give Amy an explanation and expel Dana!"

The headmaster said to Antonio, "Mr. Wilde, I'm afraid this is beyond my remit."

Antonio 's face sank.

"Is she protected by someone?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you much."

The office door was pushed open. Dana looked over, only to see Louise.

Louise approached Dana and gently patted her shoulder in a comforting manner. "Dana is now a member of my family, I would not want any unrelated person to disturb her studies."

"Yes, Mrs.Leopold."

The headmaster replied.

Antonio was dumbfounded.

Mrs.Leopold? Although she had a gentle appearance, she was fierce. He couldn't understand how Dana suddenly became connected to the Leopold.

Dana followed behind Louise. Having expected someone from the Leopold to visit, but she didn't expect it to be Ken's mom, Louise, her future mother-in-law.

This seemed to emphasize the Leopold's importance and consideration towards her.

"Louise, thank you for coming,"

Dana carefully spoke, "It's not necessary for you to..."

Louise glanced at her and smiled, "From now on, we are family. Your matters are mine."

Dana didn't know what to say. She stiffly bid farewell to Louise.

Inside the car, Louise leaned back in the rear seat.

When she received the call from Letitia, the bodyguard, she insisted on coming.

The chances of Ken waking up were already slim. As long as she was still alive, she could at least protect Ken in this ruthless big family. But once she was gone, who else could Ken rely on?