A glimmer of amusement suddenly appeared in Royce's eyes.
Seeing the worried expression on Julia's face, he couldn't help but feel a bit smug.
"What? Are you afraid I want to sleep with you?" Royce's tone shifted, and the atmosphere instantly became more lively.
Julia shot him a sidelong glance and turned her gaze away, remaining silent.
Royce leaned closer to Julia, "It seems like you're eagerly waiting for me to name my terms for sleeping with you. What, are you disappointed I haven't said anything yet?"
Julia's face turned a deep shade of red. How could this man say such things so casually?
"Get lost!"
"Look at that, someone's getting all flustered!" Royce teased, giving Julia a light tap on the head.
Julia rolled her eyes. Communicating with this man felt like trying to talk to someone from a different world.
"Are you going to say it or not? If not, I'm leaving!" Julia made a move to stand up, but Royce grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down.
"As for the terms, I haven't decided yet. Let's leave it for later."
Royce genuinely couldn't think of anything he wanted from Julia other than to sleep with her, and he couldn't say that out loud right now.
Julia looked Royce up and down, seeing that he wasn't joking. "I have conditions."
"You? You think you're in a position to set conditions?!" Royce scoffed dismissively.
"I can agree to any of your conditions, except one: I won't do anything that violates the current Marriage Law."
Royce Butler stood there, mouth agape, unable to utter a word for a long time.
Julia's move was brilliant!
The modern Marriage Law effectively killed all his dirty thoughts in their infancy. Forget about sleeping with her; even kissing or dating was off the table.
Royce thought about it and realized that he could still sleep with his own wife openly, which made him feel a lot better.
"Alright, I agree."
Julia finally felt at ease. Despite hating her husband, who treated her like a blow-up doll, she was a traditional girl at heart and couldn't bring herself to cheat in a marriage.
Moreover, she believed in repaying kindness. If it weren't for this man giving her a million dollars when they got married, Grady might not have lived to see seventeen.
Julia downed the remaining half bottle of vodka in one go, her expression unchanged.
This left Royce, who considered himself a decent drinker, utterly shocked. "Whoa, you drink vodka like it's water?"
"What's the big deal? I grew up around alcohol; don't forget my family runs a distillery."
Royce initially wanted to drive Julia home, but she refused.
Julia hailed a cab and headed back to Prism City on her own.
Royce had initially planned to spend a romantic evening with Julia during her break, but after everything that had happened, he decided against it.
Firstly, he didn't want to worsen Julia's already poor impression of him as her husband. Secondly, he just wasn't in the mood.
Yes, he really wasn't in the mood.
The next day, Julia returned to the small home she shared with Grady. Grady had been so excited after meeting Royce that he couldn't sleep all night. Knowing that his brother-in-law was handsome and treated his sister well put him at ease.
To keep Grady from worrying, Julia went back to Prism City that night.
That evening, Royce couldn't hold back any longer.
In the middle of the night, he returned, pressing himself against Julia and tearing off her nightgown. His hot, wet kisses landed on her lips.
Since it wasn't the first time, Julia had even gotten used to it.
He didn't let her see his face, so she didn't look.
He didn't talk to her, so she didn't speak.
She endured it all.
Having abstained for many days, Royce was particularly rough that night, and Julia once again passed out from exhaustion.
When the storm finally subsided, Royce gently brushed aside the messy hair from Julia's face. Seeing her delicate features, a smile suddenly spread across his face.
He planted a gentle kiss on her cheek before changing his clothes and leaving.
Despite nearly two hours of intense passion, he showed no signs of fatigue. He leisurely descended the stairs.
Zoey had already turned on the lights, always meticulous when serving Royce.
Hearing his footsteps, Zoey quickly ran to the circuit breaker and flipped the switch.
The living room instantly lit up as bright as day. "Sir, are you leaving?"
"Yes," Royce replied with a soft grunt.
"Sir, last night, Madam came back very late and reeked of alcohol," Zoey said, her face showing a hint of disdain.
Royce didn't respond; he was already aware of this.
Zoey moved closer to Royce. "Sir, how about I add you on WeChat? That way, I can report anything to you immediately."
She had tried adding that WeChat number several times but never succeeded, which frustrated her greatly.
Royce glanced at her. "No need. If there's anything, Dorian will contact you. Madam is tired; prepare something nutritious for her tomorrow."
Zoey dared not refuse and immediately nodded, bowing slightly. "Yes, yes, of course, I will."
Royce ignored her and walked straight out the door.
Zoey stomped her foot in frustration. That little vixen! Who knows what kind of spell she cast on him? Now he's even treating her well!
When Julia woke up the next day, she still saw the bruises on her body. That man was never gentle; she always ended up with injuries.
However, Zoey did indeed make her some soup, wearing a face of condescension early in the morning.
"Don't think that just because Mr. Butler asked me to make you soup, it means he cares about you! He just wants you to get better. If you're sickly, he won't enjoy himself in bed!"
Zoey's words were always sharp, especially since that Mr. Butler had returned.
Julia ignored her.
Zoey continued chirping in her ear like a sparrow that wouldn't stop.
"Next time Mr. Butler comes, you better keep quiet! He doesn't like you talking. Just cooperate with him."
"Mr. Butler said you're only tolerable when you're asleep. He thinks other women are dirty."
"Mr. Butler said—"
"Clang!" Julia slammed the bowl onto the table. "Did Mr. Butler ever say that you're just a maid? There's no way a maid should be acting like she's in charge!"
"You—you really think you're the lady of the house? You're just a tool for Mr. Butler to vent his desires!" Zoey retorted, hands on her hips, her neck craned in anger.
"Oh? Is that so? Then it's perfectly legitimate for me to sleep with him! If you want to be his tool, you'll have to get my permission first!"
Julia stood up swiftly and headed straight for the door.
"You—you—" Zoey stammered, seemingly struck by Julia's words, too furious to speak.
Julia wasn't really against Zoey; she just thought her husband, Mr. Butler, was too much!
***
Obsidian Empire
Royce had just arrived at the company and took the elevator up to the executive floor.
As he stepped out and approached the door to his office, he saw a familiar face he hadn't seen in a long time.