Emily stared into the man's light blue depths, filled with an irresistible allure. 

From his eyes, she knew she was in trouble.

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's find somewhere else," she said, feeling helpless.

....

At the coffee shop.

Silence, Silence. And more silence...

Emily narrowed her eyes, glaring at the man sitting across from her, as if she could bore holes into him with her gaze.

Kenneth, on the other hand, leisurely sipped his coffee.

Just a while ago in the library, he was eager to know why Julia wanted to have a child, but now he remained silent.

It seemed he expected Kenneth to speak eventually, especially since he had leverage over her.

"What did I ever do to you? Why are you treating me like this?" Emilly finally broke the silence.

Kenneth let out a cold chuckle, took another sip of his coffee, and slowly placed the cup back on the table.

"Just curious."

Kenneth couldn't help but roll her eyes. "If I tell you, will you delete the photos?"

"No problem."

Emily sighed deeply. "I'm married."

 Kenneth wasn't surprised at all by what he heard. Of course, he knew she was married-he was her husband!

"Oh, your man can't satisfy you?" he asked with a smirk.

Kenneth lowered her head shyly. "You slept with me last night... You should know, it was my first time, so my husband and I..."

"Then why do you want to have a baby?"

Kenneth pondered for a moment.

"A fortune teller said our family needs a child to ward off bad luck. So, I have to get pregnant within a year."

Kenneth scrutinized Emily's clear, bright eyes. Despite their clarity, he still found her explanation a bit

dubious.

"You believe in that superstitious nonsense?"

"Believe it or not, it's up to you," she replied.

"To ward off bad luck? Is someone in your family dying?"

As soon as Kenneth uttered the word "dying," Emily slammed her hand on the table, her face turning pale with anger. "Shut up!"

Kenneth instinctively looked at Emily. She seemed so delicate and fragile, but in that moment, he saw a

stubborn look in her eyes.

Emily realized she had overreacted to the word "dying" and quickly turned her head away.

"Anyway, it's very important to me. I have to have a baby within a year," she insisted.

"Then why don't you ask your husband?" Kenneth questioned.

"My husband?" Emily turned back to him, looking incredulous. "That balding old man? I don't even know if he can have kids!"

"Balding old man?"

Kenneth instinctively reached up and touched his hair. He wasn't balding! His hair was perfectly healthy and stylish! Why would she say that?

Thinking back, on the day of the marriage registration, he had gone golfing with Lionel. His secretary, Dorris, and the family butler, Maurus, had handled the paperwork.

Maurus, who was in his fifties and indeed balding, must have been mistaken for him.

Emily knocked on the table, snapping Kenneth back to reality. "If I told you that I haven't seen my husband even once in the year we've been married, would you believe me?

Kenneth certainly believed her. If she had seen him, they wouldn't be sitting here talking!

"That's hard to believe," he replied, feigning skepticism.

Emily shook her head. "I knew you wouldn't believe me, but I've honestly never met him. I don't even know his name. At the wedding registration, my only job was to provide my own documents and sign my

name. I was just about to sneak a peek at my new husband's name when that detestable secretary snatched the certificate away."

Kenneth silently thought, "Well done, Dorris."

"Oh."

"And then, they dumped me in a villa and left me

alone."

"Oh, and why would they do that?" Kenneth asked, pretending not to know the answer.

Emily stroked her chin thoughtfully. "My guess is he's probably too ugly and afraid for me to see him. Or maybe he's impotent and ashamed of it. Or perhaps I was

married off to him as a good-luck charm while he was on his deathbed."

Each word left a sour taste in Emily's mouth, but he couldn't refute it.

He had a devilishly handsome face! He was powerful and could last all night! How could he possibly be impotent?

"Well, maybe there are other reasons," Kenneth said with a dry laugh.

"You see? My life is a total tragedy! So please, just let me go," Emily immediately grabbed Kenneth's hand, looking at him with pitiful eyes, tears almost spilling out.

For a professionally trained actress like her, this level of skill was practically a requirement.

Seeing her heart-wrenchingly pitiful expression, Royce felt his own heartbeat skip. This girl... she really knew how to pull at a man's heartstrings.

"I've told you everything, so... will you delete the

photos now?" Emily pleaded.

Kenneth cleared his throat. "I can delete them," he said. "But you have to promise me one thing."

Emily's expression changed instantly. "Don't push your luck. I told you everything you wanted to know. You promised to delete them once I did!"

Kenneth waved his phone. "I hold all the cards here. I know you weren't telling me the whole truth, but frankly, I'm not interested anymore."

"You-" Emily gritted her teeth. This man was really difficult to deal with. "Fine, what's your condition? Say it!"

Kenneth smirked. "Let me sleep with you one more time."

"You shameless pig!" Julia wanted nothing more than to slap that infuriatingly handsome face.

"Me, shameless? You're a married woman who went out looking for a man to take to bed. Don't you think that's shameless? I'm not married. What's so wrong with me finding a woman for the night?"

"You-"

Emily was on the verge of losing her mind. She regretted her decisions so deeply that it felt like her insides were twisting.

People always said you

couldn't trust a beautiful woman, but a handsome man was even worse!

"Anyway, you've already cheated on your husband once. What's one more time?" Kenneth said, giving her a sly, sideways glance.

He wanted to see if she would dare to cheat on him again.

"No way! I have principles. Sleeping with you was a last resort; it was to have a baby!"

"Is there a difference? Besides, what if you didn't get pregnant? We might as well try again tonight. Who knows, it might work this time."Kenneth winked.

Emily bit her lip.

Honestly, she couldn't bring herself to do it a second time. Her conscience wouldn't allow it.

"Take your time. I'm in no rush," Kenneth said, leaning back on the couch and sipping his coffee.

Time ticked away, second by second.

Emily's mind was in turmoil.

If Kenneth Butler didn't delete those photos, if they got out, her life would be ruined.

If she were just an ordinary person, it might not matter as much. But she was going to be an actress. Photos like that could destroy her career

and reputation completely.

But if she slept with him again, her conscience would never forgive her.

After all, the reason she needed to have a baby was...

"I..."

Just as Kenneth was about to speak, her phone rang

urgently.

"Let me take this call first." Julia pressed the answer button, "Hello?"

"What did you say?" My husband is coming home?!"

Kenneth let out a soft snort.

Of all times to call and tell her, did it have to be at this exact critical moment?

Emily hung up the phone. "I need to go home right now! We'll deal with our matter later. But until we reach an agreement, I hope you don't leak those photos. Otherwise, I'll sue you. We'll both go down together if it comes to that!"

With that, Emily headed for the door, but then stopped halfway and came back.

She quickly scribbled her phone number on a piece of paper. "Here's my number. We'll be in touch. Now, give me yours."

Emily glanced at the string of numbers and then dialed it on his phone to verify its authenticity.

Emily saw her phone screen light up with the incoming call and nodded. "Alright, I'm leaving now!"

She hurried out the door and didn't come back this time.

Kenneth sighed. "What's the rush? You'll still end up in my bed tonight."

...

Prism City Villa District

Speaking of this villa district, it was quite well-known in Z-Ford City. When it was first being developed, the real estate company's slogan was the promise of a "villa garden within the city," which caught a lot of attention.

The location was incredibly convenient, situated in the outer ring area. It had easy access to the highway for trips out of town and a direct expressway to the city center. The villas were built in an elegant Western style, making them a unique sight in the city.

However, after the villas were built and many were sold, rumors started spreading about the place being haunted.

Several families reported strange occurrences, and some elderly folks claimed the area used to be a graveyard. The haunting stories grew more intense, and gradually, people who had moved in started moving out. Prospective buyers lost interest as well.

The villa complex had slowly fallen into disrepair, resembling a ghost town.

Initially, when Emily heard she had to live there, she was totally against it. But first, she didn't have enough money to rent a place, and second, she needed to make sure her brother knew she was married, which meant she had to live outside.

So, she reluctantly moved in. But after a year of living there without anything strange happening, she gradually forgot about her initial reluctance.

As soon as she walked through the door, Emily saw Zoey, the young maid her husband had arranged for her, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, munching on sunflower seeds with the TV blaring. It seemed like Zoey was more the lady of the house than a maid.

Emily sat down next to her. "You mentioned on the phone..."

"Yes, yes, aren't you thrilled? You've been alone for a year, and now, finally, your dry spell is over," Zoey interrupted, spitting out sunflower seed shells with a look of disdain.

"Why is he suddenly coming back?"

At first, Emily was annoyed by the young housekeeper's insolent attitude. The girl did nothing but eat and laze around, acting less like a hired servant and more like she was the lady of the house.

But Emily knew she was just a simple girl from a village. According to her, she had previously served Mr. Butler directly, where she had lived and eaten well; coming here was, in her eyes, a form of suffering.

Emily couldn't be bothered to argue with her, especially since she didn't come back often. They each lived their own lives, so she let it slide.

"How should I know? This is Mr Butler's house. He can come back whenever he wants! Did you really think this place was yours?" Zoey spat out another sunflower seed shell and glanced at Emily.

"Let me make one thing clear," Zoey said, her tone turning serious. "I'm here to serve you, and I do so with all my heart and soul. So don't you dare take that for granted."

Zoey's voice was high-pitched and thin, making anyone who heard it get goosebumps.

"With all your heart and soul?" she rolled her eyes and let out a cold snort. "Then tell me, have you ever cooked a meal for me?"

Zoey, however, was not the least bit afraid. "How am I supposed to know when you're coming or going? And don't you forget, I have something to hold over your head, too!"

"Something to hold over my head?" Emily asked, genuinely curious.

Zoey let out a cold sneer.

"You only sleep here two nights a week. Where do you go the rest of the time? As a married woman, staying out all night, I wonder what Mr Butler would think about that."

Emily simply smiled. Zoey was a classic case of a petty person puffed up with a little bit of power. She couldn't be bothered with her, so she just turned and started up the stairs.

"Hey, just a reminder," Zoey called after her. "Be careful around Mr. Butler. He has a bad temper, and I don't want it coming back on me when you mess up."

Emily paused for a moment at the words, then continued up the stairs.

Sitting in her bedroom, she felt a wave of apprehension. What could that old man be coming back for? He had ignored her for a year, and now suddenly he wanted to return?

Could it be that he wanted... her body?

The thought made Emily feel disgusted. The image of that balding, sixty-something-year-old man pressing down on her made her skin crawl. But she couldn't refuse him. After all, they were legally married. If he wanted to touch her, it was within his rights.

What should she do?

By the time evening rolled around, there was still no sign of the old man returning. Instead, Emily was greeted with a dinner prepared by Zoey.

It was the first time Zoey had ever cooked dinner for her, and the taste was quite mediocre. Emily barely ate a few bites.

"Did Mr Butler mention what time he'd be back on the phone?"

Zoey, munching on her food, replied, "Mr Butler is always swamped with work. There's no telling when he'll be back. Why this sudden impatience?"

Not wanting to continue the conversation with her, Emily went straight upstairs.

She waited until 10 PM. Having not slept well the previous night, she was already feeling sleepy by 9 PM. She yawned and checked the time.

Don't old people usually go to bed early? It's late already; he probably won't come.

She took a quick shower and went straight to bed.

At 10:30 PM, a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of Villa 18 in Prism City.

Kenneth Butler stepped out of the car, the sapphire earring in his left ear gleaming under the moonlight.

Just as he was about to step into the house, he paused, removed the earring, and handed it to Dorris.

"Mr Butler, should I wait here for you, or...?" Dorris asked, considering the possibility that Kenneth might stay the night here.

"Wait here for me," Kenneth said curtly before heading inside.

As soon as Kenneth stepped through the door, Zoey darted over like a flash. She had been eagerly waiting for his return, full of energy.

"Sir, you're back! Would you like something to eat? Do you need me to make you something?" she asked, her face beaming with a fawning smile.

Back when she worked in Kenneth's crystal garden, she was just a lowly maid who cleaned the outdoor areas, rarely getting a chance to see Kenneth himself.

Kenneth glanced down at her, his eyebrows knitting together. "No need. Where is Mrs. Butler?"

"Mrs Butler should be in the bedroom, probably asleep by now," Zoey answered immediately.

Kenneth let out a cold snort. This woman had some nerve. After a year of not seeing her husband, she could still sleep soundly.

"Which room is she in?"

"The second room on the left after you go upstairs," Zoey replied without hesitation.

Kenneth strode towards the stairs but suddenly stopped in his tracks.

What if she wasn't asleep? Or what if he woke her up?

If she saw his true face, his plan to test her would be ruined.

No, that wouldn't do.

"Go cut the power to the house," Kennth commanded.

Zoey was taken aback. "Cut the power?"

"When I tell you to do something, just do it!"

"Yes, sir!" Zoey quickly ran to cut the power. In no time, the villa was plunged into darkness, pitch black, with not a hand in sight.

Only then did Kenneth feel assured as he ascended the stairs. He gently pushed open the bedroom door. Emily was indeed asleep.

By the faint moonlight streaming through the window, he could just make out the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing.

He quietly approached the bed. Emily's eyes were tightly shut, and she was sleeping soundly. The sliver of moonlight cast a soft glow on her face.

He had to admit, even without any makeup and with her face barely visible, her face was still cute.

Kenneth's fingers gently brushed across her cheek. As if tickled by the sensation, Emily let out a soft murmur and turned over in her sleep.

Somehow, that little soft sound sparked an impulse inside him. An urge to take her, right here, right now.

The sweetness of their first night together had left him insatiable.

He threw off the blanket and pressed himself onto her.

It was only at this moment that Emily realized someone was there!

Just as she was about to scream, her lips were dominantly sealed by his.

She struggled a bit, but soon her hands and feet were pinned down. With a ripping sound, her nightgown was torn away.

Kenneth's passionate kisses left her nearly breathless.

The only person who could enter this house was her husband, so after a few futile attempts to resist, she stopped struggling.

...

Before long, Kenneth fell asleep again.

What a buzzkill!

Kenneth gently pinched her cheek. "You need to work on your stamina!"

After taking a shower in the bathroom, Kenneth realized he didn't have any clean clothes to change into. He had to put on the clothes he had come in and leave the room.

Hearing the noise, Zoey sprang up from the couch. She had been waiting there, ready in case Kenneth needed anything.

Kenneth asked her to turn on the power, and she did so immediately, bringing light back into the room.

Seeing Kenneth's satisfied expression, Zoey felt a surge of jealousy. "How shameless!" she muttered under her breath, but still managed to keep a smile on her face.

"Mr Butler, is there anything else you need?" she asked.

Kenneth didn't respond immediately. Instead, he sat down on the sofa, and Zoey obediently stood to the side.

"Have you been here the whole time?" he finally asked.

"Yes, Mr Ignatius instructed me to stay here and take good care of Mrs Butler."

"Besides me, has anyone else been here?" Kenneth's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp and his voice devoid of warmth.

"Uh... Assistant Dorris has been here twice, but other than that, no one else."

Although Emily was legally married, she felt no sense of belonging here and didn't want others to know about her marriage, so she naturally didn't bring anyone over.

Kenneth nodded.

"But sir, there's something I'm not sure if I should tell you," Zoey hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Speak," Kenneth said coldly.

"Not only has no one else been here, but Mrs Butler herself rarely comes back. She often stays out all night. If she comes back two days a week, that's already a lot."

Kenneth frowned.

Although Dorris had mentioned that Emily sometimes stayed elsewhere, it was hard to think she was only home two days a week at best... The frequency with which she was staying out was too high!

"Keep an eye on Mr Butler and report any unusual behavior to me immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

Zoey was thrilled to receive this carte blanche. It felt like a sign that she wasn't just a housekeeper here, but rather someone in charge of monitoring Emily Avery. This was a significant upgrade!

Now, more than ever, she had no reason to pay Emily Avery any mind.

"One more thing," Kenneth paused before continuing, "if she asks about my age, just tell her I'm around forty. For any other questions, handle them as you see fit."

Zoey didn't know what Kenneth's intentions were, but she knew better than to ask.

"Yes, sir."

"The next time I come back, just shut off the main power switch. I shouldn't have to remind you."

With that, Kenneth stood up. "How much are you being paid?"

"Four thousand dollars a month," Zoey answered truthfully.

For a small-time housekeeper like her, most families would pay around two thousand, but the Butler family was known for their generous salaries.

"Starting next month, your salary will be eight thousand."

Zoey's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, sir!"

Kenneth didn't say another word and walked out the door.

...

The next day.

Emily finally woke up around nine in the morning. Her body was still in immense pain, as if it had been torn apart. Every part of her ached.

She lay on the bed for quite a while before she managed to sit up.

Last night, her husband...

He was definitely not an old man!

That strength, that stamina, the feel of his skin-Emily couldn't possibly associate it with that balding old man.

On the bed lay her torn nightgown.

Looking at herself, she noticed more bruises on her arms and thighs. Adding to the ones from the night before, her body looked like a canvas of colours!

"What is it with me...

After the shower, a sudden realisation hit her. There were only twenty-four hours between the night before and today.

Doing the deed around ovulation could very well lead to pregnancy.

If she got pregnant this time, would the child be from the man from the night before or her husband?

Emily closed her eyes in agony, hoping for the first time that she wouldn't get pregnant!

But this was beyond her control.

After her shower, Emily went downstairs. Zoey had already finished her breakfast and was sitting on the couch, eating some fruit.

Zoey had definitely met her husband before. She should ask her about it!