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!

After two days of continuous chaos, Emily still had several hickeys on her neck. She chose a top with a slightly higher collar to cover them up.

As usual, Zoey was sitting on the couch, munching on sunflower seeds and watching TV, looking every bit like the lady of the house.

Emily cleared her throat as she came down the stairs and sat on the couch. Zoey glanced at her.

"What? Want breakfast? Make it yourself!" Zoey's tone was still as arrogant as ever.

Emily knew very well that the meal Zoey made yesterday was only because she was worried about being caught by the master of the house.

However, she didn't want to make a fuss over a meal, especially since she didn't think much of Zoey's cooking skills anyway.

"I want to ask you something."

Zoey turned her head and gave Julia a once-over. "What do you want to ask?"

"Is your master's last name Butler?"

Emily had picked up on this during her conversation with Zoey yesterday. It was the first time she realized her husband's last name was Butler.

Zoey sneered, "You don't even know your own husband's last name!"

"How old is he?" Emily continued to probe.

Although she had been half-asleep yesterday, she could definitely tell during their intimate moment that he was a young man.

Zoey remembered Kenneth's instructions from the night before, and her eyes became somewhat distant. "He's in his forties."

"Oh..."

Emily Avery let out a meaningful "oh." The touch of that skin last night, those firm muscles-if a man in his forties kept up with his fitness, it made sense.

Zoey snorted coldly, "Let me tell you, don't be fooled by Mr. Butler's age. Even though he's in his forties, his body is no less fit than a guy in his twenties. He's charming and handsome!"

Emily could see it clearly now-Zoey was always defending this man. Maybe she had a thing for him all along!

"Alright, I have nothing more to ask," Emily said as she stood up.

"Hey, let me tell you, when the master comes, serve him well. Don't make him unhappy, or you'll regret it!"

Emily rolled her eyes dramatically. Zoey didn't seem like a housekeeper; she was more like the wicked stepmother from a TV drama...

Back in her bedroom, Emily glanced at her phone. Her reminder app notified her that she had an audition today.

Graduation was approaching, and all her classmates had signed with various companies, but she was still without a contract.

Without an agency or a manager, it was hard for her to get audition opportunities. Fortunately, this audition was an open call. The director was the famous Blithe, who was planning to shoot a historical drama.

Director Blithe was known for his willingness to give newcomers a chance. His logic was that after a few years in the industry, actors just get too much "stuff" in their eyes. They become too self-conscious, too full of reservations, and the raw, authentic feeling in their performances is lost.

That's how Emily got this audition opportunity, but she was only auditioning for the third female lead.

Even though it was just the third female lead, because of Director Blithe's reputation, dozens of people were auditioning for the role!

The competition was fierce.

The ringing of her phone pulled Emily out of her thoughts. Seeing the number on the screen, she couldn't help but smile.

"Oliver, what's up?"

"Sis, what are you doing?" A young boy's voice came through the phone.

"I'm getting ready to change clothes and then head to an audition."

"You have an audition today!" The boy on the other end sounded even more excited than Emily. "You've got this! Break a leg!"

Emily chuckled. "Look at you, getting all excited. It's just a third female lead."

"So what if it's the third female lead? No one starts as the lead actress right away! With your talent, you'll be a big star someday!"

"Alright, alright, you little flatterer. Do you have enough money? Are you still taking your medicine? Have you been feeling okay lately?"

"I have enough money, and I'm still taking my medicine. I feel fine..." The boy's voice sounded a bit impatient. "You ask the same questions every time we talk."

"I'm just worried about you, you ungrateful brat!"

"How are things with you and my brother-in-law? Any plans for a baby?" The boy asked excitedly.

Emily bit her lip and then smiled. "My little brother... the head of my one-man 'have a baby' fan club."

"I'm just worried I won't be able to see it happen later on."

"Don't talk such nonsense!" Emily's voice was suddenly sharp, her expression turning serious in an instant.

"Sis, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that," the boy's voice replied, now heavy with resignation. "But you know it's true."

Emily bit her lip, holding back her tears. The last time her younger brother Oliver was hospitalized, Dr. John, who had been treating him for years, had a serious talk with her.

Her brother was born with congenital heart disease. At that time, medical science wasn't as advanced, and there was no way to treat it. The doctors said he wouldn't live past seventeen.

Later, a hospital offered surgery, but Oliver had already missed the optimal treatment window. Undertaking the operation now may not yield any benefits and carry significant risks.

Born at the wrong time.

From the day he was born, Oliver had been living under a death sentence handed down by his doctors.

And yet, here he was, eighteen years old and a senior in high school. He had already lived one year longer than expected.

During his last flare-up, Dr. John had told Julia to prepare herself mentally. Oliver's condition was not good.

"Okay, okay, sis, don't be upset. I want to see my little nephew or niece sooner, that's all. You and your husband have been married for a year now. I know you're still in that lovey-dovey phase and want to enjoy your little world for two. But what about me?"

Emily snapped back to reality. "Alright, Oliver.

My husband and I have talked about having a baby, and he agreed. But you know, having a baby isn't something that happens just because you want it to. It takes time."

"Really? That's great! As long as he's cool with it, then it's all good! Okay, I won't nag you anymore. Take your time, no rush!"

Emily smiled. For the past year, she had been hiding the truth from Oliver.

In Oliver's eyes, the story was a perfect one. His sister had a husband who was a top executive and traveled often, which was why she was always free to come home and take care of him. This brother-in-law was successful, earned a good living, and, most importantly, doted on his wife.

"Okay, sis, I'll let you go. Good luck with your audition!"

"You call me if you feel even a little bit off, you hear me?" "I know, bye!"

After hanging up, Emily let out a long, heavy sigh. Her brother would forever be her greatest heartache.

But she couldn't afford to think about that now. The audition this afternoon was crucial because she was running out of money.

She rummaged through her closet and picked out an outfit. Actually, there wasn't much to choose from. She only had a few presentable pieces, and it took but a single glance to see them all.

After changing and putting on a little light makeup, she headed out the door.

What she didn't expect was to run into someone she knew.