Ch. 381..390

Chapter 381

Jay drafted an agreement contract and asked Rose to sign it.

As Rose looked at the details of the agreement, she felt like crying.

She had to accompany Jay on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of that month. As compensation, he would immediately sign the collaboration agreement with Severe Enterprise once the three days were up. "Human trafficking is illegal, Sir Ares." Rose tried to make her final plea.

"You can choose to give up," Jay said expressionlessly.

The fate of Severe Enterprise rested on Rose's shoulders. She gritted her teeth and signed the agreement.

It was not like she had not slept with him before.

Sleeping with him a few more times would not make a difference. At least, this was what Rose said to encourage herself.

Jay grinned mischievously.

She felt as if he had a sense of satisfaction after successfully conning her.

Soon after, her bad hunch proved to be correct.

Sean suddenly called her, but she did not dare to

answer his call in front of Jay. She quickly rejected his call.

When Sean continued to call her, she continued to reject his calls.

However...

Jay's cold voice ordered, "Answer the call!"

Trembling, she answered it. Sean's warm voice could be heard on the other end.

"Rose, I have some good news and some bad news. Which one would you like to hear first?"

"The bad news," Rose replied weakly.

"Our social media account has been shut down by that rascal Jay.

"Also, he's bought himself to the top of the trending list in these three months. Our relationship seems to be in jeopardy."

Rose's hands were shaking so much that she nearly dropped her phone to the floor.

"What's the good news?" she asked.

Sean's voice sounded more upbeat now. "Grand Old Master Ares of Ares Enterprises has his birthday coming up. It's on the 17th of this month. I heard Ares Enterprises wants to celebrate it in a big way. Anyone who's anyone is going to be invited. If we attend the ceremony as a couple, I wonder what'd be the expression on Jay's face when he sees us?"

Just thinking about it got Sean excited. "I just can't wait to see the look on his face!"

Rose snuck a glance at Jay who was right beside her. His expression was as cold as ice.

The fierce look in his eyes told her that if she dared to accept Sean's invitation, that would be the end of her.

She quickly replied, a little tongue-tied, "Sean, I don't think you should attend Grand Old Master Ares' birthday ceremony!"

"Why?" Sean asked, rather shocked.

"I'm worried it might be the end of you!" she replied before hanging up in a hurry.

Furthermore, Sean said Grand Old Master Ares' birthday was on the 17th. That was one of the days she had agreed to accompany Jay. She would not want to see Sean's reaction if he saw her next to Jay o n that day.

After hanging up, Rose looked nervously at Jay and pleaded for Sean, "Sir Ares, Sean has been having a severe case of depression lately. He doesn't feel like living anymore, so he doesn't think much before he speaks. Please don't take what he said to heart!"

Jay gave her a death-stare. "Sean? How affectionate."

She shrunk away and said, "It's more convenient to call him that!" "Refer to him as Mr. Bell next time," Jay said before turning away and leaving...

Soon it was the 16th.

Early in the morning, Rose's ringtone continuously sounded. She looked at her phone and saw the words ' The Devil' on the screen. She sighed in dismay. Just before the ringtone ended, Rose picked up the call.

"Sir Ares!"

"Today's the 16th, Rose."

Chapter 382

Chapter 382

Rose pouted her lips. He did not have to rub it in. She knew today was the day she had to give her body to him.

"Our agreement starts from the moment you're by my side. It'll end exactly 72 hours after that," Jay said and reminded.

Rose raised her eyebrows. The agreement was that specific?

He was a capitalist. She did not have enough experience in that field compared to him.

Rose forced out a laugh. "Don't worry Sir Ares. I pride myself on being honest in doing business. I won't try to steal even a second away from you." "That's good to hear. Now open the door!"

Right at that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Rose sat on the bed, prepared for the worst. She was nervously looking at the door.

She realized she was helpless in that situation. As such, she decided to submit to fate and go open the door.

Today, Jay had abandoned his normal suit and jacket. Instead, he opted to wear a green T-shirt, a casual and short jacket, and a skull necklace...

Rose thought the necklace looked quite familiar. However, at that moment, she was completely transfixed by his strong legs, handsome face, and casual yet classy style. Suddenly, selling her body to him did not seem too bad!

Jay handed her a bag of clothes and said, "Change into this."

Treating the place like his own house, he walked around the room and sat down on her bed.

Rose stood in front of Jay, flustered. She said to him," Sir Ares, I have to change now."

He quietly looked at her and said, "It's not like we haven't seen each other naked before."

Rose's face reddened. She picked up the clothes and went into the bathroom.

After dilly-dallying inside for some time, she finally mustered enough courage to go back out.

His gaze fell upon Rose, and he was momentarily stunned.

She was wearing a slim, green dress that nicely showed off her body. She was also wearing a casual green jacket that matched his. It made her look graceful and elegant. Rose looked at Jay bitterly and said, "Sir Ares, people might think we're wearing matching outfits."

He replied in a serious manner, "That's the point!"

He wrapped his finger around hers. His gesture did not feel overly snobbish but rather reinforced his charm on her.

Thinking that he was going to help her button up the back of her dress, she took a step toward him. However, he pulled her into his arms instead.

At that moment, Rose was wrapped up like a bundle of string.

"Follow me back to Tourmaline Estate," Jay said.

Rose was surprised. "Why are we going there?"

Guests were only invited to Tourmaline Estate on big occasions.

"Tomorrow's Grandfather's birthday."

"Sir Ares, you're not worried that people might get the wrong impression about our relationship if I follow you there?" Rose kindly reminded him. "What wrong impression?" Jay knowingly asked.

"The impression that you still haven't gotten over me!" Rose replied.

He pinched her face and said, "What if I tell them that it's not the wrong impression?"

Rose was speechless.

What the heck?

She did not believe him!

As Rose sat in the backseat of the Rolls-Royce, she was still in a dilemma.

Did she really want to accompany Jay for three days a t Tourmaline Estate?

The answer was no.

However, a small voice kept asking her, 'Don't you want to go and investigate what caused Jens to go into depression? Don't you want to know who the crazy girl on Jay's bed was?'

Chapter 383

Chapter 383

Sitting in Jay's Rolls-Royce, Rose's emotions were complicated.

It was once her dream to go to Tourmaline Estate.

She had asked Jay countless times, "Jaybie, I know you don't like trouble, so let's not get married. You could just take me to Tourmaline Estate and we'd be just like husband and wife. Is that okay? Jay had always replied with the same excuse, "Any woman who enters Tourmaline Estate has to be an official wife of an Ares. There's no other way around that."

Tears welled up in Rose's eyes.

Feelings of sadness due to her previous rejection rippled through Rose's heart.

When the Rolls-Royce arrived at Tourmaline Estate, the front gate was crowded with people. Guests were all holding invitation cards. It was more crowded than any tourist attraction.

Rose looked at Jay, feeling depressed. "Didn't you say Grand Old Master Ares rejected the idea of having a large ceremony?"

Jay replied, "This is considered small-scale."

"What would a large ceremony even look like then?"

Rose was once again baffled by Jay.

"A national celebration!"

His reply left Rose speechless.

'Could you be more humble, Sir Ares,' she thought.

Jay directed the Rolls-Royce toward the district where his mansion stood-Fragrant Vessel Court.

The front of the estate was bustling with noise, but there was only dead silence at the back. It seemed like two different worlds.

Once Jay parked the car at the parking spot, Rose hurriedly got out of the car.

This place was definitely a mansion owned by the wealthy. The environment was breathtaking. Rose breathed in the fresh air. Looking at the winding paths, the flowing water, and the bridges at the courtyard, Rose was amazed.

Jay walked toward her and gently wrapped his arms around her waist. "Do you like it?"

Rose stiffened. 'Has he gone mad?' she thought. Her slim body flinched while in his arms, as if she was trying to escape his grip.

"Don't move, let me hug you," he said softly.

He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Rose was startled. She felt as though she had detected a hint of anguish in his voice.

He hugged her really tightly, as if he was trying to absorb her presence into his life.

Rose continued to struggle in his grasps.

She was afraid that she would be fooled into his fake and brief period of fondness for her once more.

He was the one who caused all sorts of trouble for her, yet at this moment, he was tenderly pampering her.

She did not know what his intentions were.

"If you keep struggling, I can't promise I won't do anything to you!" He sounded exhausted. His voice was hoarse, yet the hint of tenderness in it was hypnotizing.

Rose heard him and immediately settled down, afraid that he might actually do something to her.

However, what happened next was proof that he could not be trusted. Jay started to do certain things to her with his hands.

"Sir Ares, you said you wouldn't do anything to me!" Rose was about to cry. "What if someone sees us?"

"This is my private area. Nobody can enter without my permission."

"Oh..."

Following the increased intensity of his touch, Rose could not help but let out a moan. She quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment. 'Damn, why did I let out a moan like that?" "No one can hear." Looking at her cute and flustered expression, Jay could not help but grin.

"This is embarrassing. If anyone sees us, I don't think I can live anymore."

At last, she was carried into the house by Jay only to have more 'horrible' things done to her.

After waking up, Rose felt weak. Her waist and back ached. She did not even have the energy to get out of bed. She angrily stared at Jay.

He was sitting at the front of the bed, tenderly looking at her. He chuckled and said, "I'll be more gentle next time." Then, he truthfully added, "Although it's really hard to control myself."

Chapter 384

Chapter 384

Jay felt wronged as well. He had finally gotten the woman he yearned so long for back to Tourmaline Estate. Perhaps he had indeed been a tad overexcited.

Gently, Jay helped her into her clothes. The fire within Rose quelled at the action.

However, a beeping sound came from her body right after she was clothed.

Finding the offending device at the end of her sleeves, Rose stared questionably at Jay. "What's this?"

"A timer! It records how long you've been with me."

It was no ordinary timer, for it came with a special sensor. Its counterpart on Jay was in a diamond wristwatch.

The closer the timer to Jay, the faster the hand ticked by. The further she was from him, the slower time would pass.

Having found out its mechanics, Rose stared despondently at him.

"So, what's the effective distance for the timer to work?"

"50!" Jay exclaimed.

Rose was displeased. "50 meters? Isn't that too short?"

Jay corrected her and said, "50 centimeters."

Rose wanted to leave!

"Why don't you just tie me to you at this point?"

He examined her with a serious expression. "I like that idea."

He would have her in his pocket all day every day if he could. Throwing a tantrum, she huffed where she sat by the side.

His eyes twinkled with mirth as he reached out to ruffle her long hair.

He liked it when she was within reach!

Rose, on the other hand, was close to tears. This pervert was so going to have his way with her for the next three days.

Suddenly, a lightbulb popped above her head. She thought of her savior.

"Sir Ares, where's Robbie?"

Jay replied relaxedly, "The kids are with their grandparents."

Rose forced tears out her eyes to form a pitiful expression. "I miss them."

Staring at her, Jay replied cruelly as he had seen through her scheme. "You cannot!"

Rose was speechless.

'So bossy.'

Mimicking his tone, she said, "I can't help myself from missing them. You know how yearning is. Like a fired arrow, there's no controlling it."

Lips twitching, Jay lifted her head by her chin and smiled wickedly. "What? Hoping your son would come to save you?"

Rose shook her head. "You've misunderstood, Sir Ares. It's a fortune accumulated by generations before me that I'm blessed with the honor of being by your side. How could I possibly want to flee?" Leaning over, he pecked her forehead rewardingly.

"It's great that you think so."

Rose pressed on. "But what if they miss me?"

"You may video call.'

Wiping her tears away, she broke into a smile. "Can I call now?"

She had to ask her son for help!

Jay nodded. After fetching his phone to call his son, Baby Robbie quickly picked up.

Chapter 385

Chapter 385

"Robbie... Come save Mommy!"

Instantly, Baby Robbie raised his fists. "Who's taking advantage of you, Mommy? I'll avenge you."

Rose instantly eyed in the direction of Jay Ares.

Baby Robbie's anger instantly shifted into elation. "Is it Daddy?

"When will you be giving birth to our younger siblings, then?"

Rose was rendered speechless. What ungrateful rascal had she raised?

Hanging up the call, Jay's gaze fell on Rose. "What a childish signal!"

Rose was embarrassed, for she had not expected Jay to see through her attempt at signaling her son for help.

"You don't like me having my way with you?"

Rose muttered under her breath, "I'm not a masochist."

"Yet you seem to enjoy it..."

At his remark, her cheeks immediately flushed.

Elated, Jay turned to walk out of the house.

Giving up, Rose lazed on the bed. This man was definitely going to oppress her at every given moment the next three days.

Nope. She had to think of a way to get rid of this demon!

Walking up the stairs with lunch in his hands, Jay was met with the sight of Rose sitting by the long wooden table. The timer had successfully been turned into a mess with its components all taken out and on her hand.

Seeing him, Rose pulled on a guilty facade, though her eyes hid a twinkle of pride. "The timer stopped working, Sir Ares. So I thought that maybe I could get it to work again, but the more I tried to fix it, the more it came apart."

Hah! Now that the timer was dismantled, he would not be able to record the time anymore!

"That's fine."

Placing the lunch on the table, Jay took the seat in front of her. Then, he began to skillfully reassemble the timer.

It was reconstructed in no time. However, the timer's display remained pitch black.

Pleased with herself, Rose spoke, "Did you fix it wrongly, Sir Ares?"

Reaching out his palm, he said, "Give it to me."

Rose played dumb. "Give what to you?"

"The heart-shaped component!"

Resigned, Rose murmured as she placed the component she had been clutching in her hands into his. "We both grew up drinking the same baby formula. It doesn't make sense that your intelligence is so insanely high!"

She had not expected him to realize she was secretly hiding a piece.

Jay fastened the rebuilt timer on her wrist.

Guiltily, Rose asked, "How does the timer work, Sir Ares?"

Staring at her, he asked, "Curious?" Her true intentions were written all over her face. Want she wanted to know was how she could speed up the timer.

Lifting her gaze, Rose stared at him with puppy eyes." Mhmm."

Jay could not help but lean over to kiss her...

A gust of anger sparked as Rose pushed him away with both hands. Was he in heat? Why was he so prone to such actions?

Yet, an accidental swipe of her eyes found the timer speeding.

Rose was befuddled...

The thuds of her heartbeat in her ears coincided with the ticks of the timer!

Jay let go of her now that the experiment was over." Now you know what makes the timer run fast."

Blushing hard, Rose huffed. "Timer my foot. This is obviously a device to pick up girls."

Mirth shone in Jay's eyes. "You want it to go faster, right? Make my heart race."

Chapter 386

Chapter 386

It was at that moment Rose understood why cultured rogues were harder to deal with than uncultured ones!

After lunch, Jay suggested that they go golfing. Rose gladly agreed, for she did not know if he would revert to his monstrous ways if she declined.

Tourmaline's golf course was quite a few times larger than ordinary ones. Greenery filled the large landscape.

John Ares was currently participating in some rather indecent sports activity with a young lady on the court at that moment.

"Don't look." Jay lifted a hand to shield Rose's eyes.

"Why not?" She promptly pulled his hand down.

"It's free action in high definition. It'll be a waste not to watch."

The two heard Rose's wonderful commentary just as they began to get heated on the grassland. As if they had just been doused with ice water, the duo immediately pulled on their clothes.

John Ares looked like he was just forced to eat poop.

"Can't you tell that I'm busy, Jay Ares? Leave us alone!"

John looked despondent.

Jay's expression was indifferent. "She wants to learn from you two."

The man's chiseled features twitched as John said," Since when were you so open about this? How do you want us to do it when you're standing here? How about you teach me instead?" Jay's gaze fell on Rose, fondness seeping through his frosty gaze.

"Fourth Uncle wants us to teach him!"

Hearing such a straightforward request, Rose could not help but flush red. She immediately turned into a tomato.

Jay loved the embarrassed look on her.

"Our skills' are too unpolished. It's rather unsightly," Rose immediately replied in a humble tone.

Jay's expression twitched.

Were his skills that bad?

Staring amusedly at Rose, he asked, "Are you sure? How about we put on a show for Fourth Uncle now?"

She immediately cowered and answered obediently." No, no, no. Your skills are great, Sir Ares."

John Ares stared at the cute and compliant Rose before turning to glance at the lustful lady next to him. For a reason unbeknownst to him, he felt as if there was something wrong with his taste at that moment. Not that he would admit to having bad taste.

"You're here just in time. Come play with us?" John stared contemptuously at Rose after having made his mind to make a fool out of this crude country girl.

It was only by making a fool out of her that he would triumph over Jay Ares.

"Sure." Jay agreed readily.

It had been a long while since Rose played golf. As a result, she lost horribly right at the start before she could get back to her prior standards.

John doubled over with laughter by the side. "Oh, nephew. Where did you even find such a prehistoric wife? What breathtaking golf skills."

Jay walked over to Rose. Teaching her with his hands on hers, Rose regained the gist from her training in her past life. The golf ball soared straight into its designated hole.

At this sight, John was rendered speechless. Indignant, he shouted, "You taught her that. It doesn't count."

Rose wondered to herself. 'Jay Ares may be annoying, but John Ares is hardly any better.'

Thus, she lifted the golf club and swung. The ball then hit John square in the face.

"Ow! Who the f*ck told you that golf balls could fly, Rose Loyle?" John yelled as he cupped his cheek.

Rose felt euphoric despite losing the game.

Killing two birds with one stone, she had gotten her revenge on both men.

"You lost!" John pulled the young lady into his arms." You've got to admit it, Jay. I'm better at picking up girls."

Jay replied plainly, "You've always dominated in this regard among the Areses."

John frowned. "Is that a compliment?" Somehow, it did not seem like one.

Rose began to feel unwell after a few rounds. Her head felt dizzy and her complexion started to pale. Further, her palms began to sweat as well-

Suddenly, with a thud, Rose fell without warning to the ground.

Jay immediately paled.

"Rose!" His voice was slightly mangled.

John stared open-mouthed as his nephew dashed over like the wind. "So you do have fears, Jay Ares."

Realizing Jay's Achilles' heel, John's gaze grew sinister with every step Jay took toward Rose.

Chapter 387

Chapter 387

Jay carried Rose back to the Fragrant Vessel Court where the family doctor quickly arrived with his medicinal case. After a quick check-up, he concluded, "Miss Rose has what's called nutritional-deficiency anemia."

Jay frowned as he stared at the check-up report filled densely with arrows.

After the doctor left, Jay sat blankly by the bed.

His heart clenched as his eyes traced over Rose's hollowed cheeks.

What life had she been living for the past seven years?

Under her care, their children had grown healthily while she herself was a mess.

Perhaps it was time for him to take extraordinary measures.

After having awoken, Rose was met with the sight of Jay's thoroughly striking features staring back at herself depressingly.

Having gotten used to his dignified expression, Rose could not help the itching feeling that something was wrong. Fearfully, she grabbed Jay's hand. "Sir Ares, am I going to die?"

Amusement flashed in his eyes.

"Any last words?" he asked calmly.

"After... I die, could you... Remain a widower?" her doelike eyes blinked at him as she murmured embarrassedly.

"Nope."

"Then, if you're going to find a stepmom for Jens and the rest, could you find a woman as soft as me? The kind of woman who can't win Robbie in a fight, can't win Jens in an argument, nor win Zetty in terms o causing trouble for no reason. That way, I'll be at peace even after I die."

The corners of Jay's lips twitched actively.

"You're worried about the kids?"

Rose's eyes reddened. "Yeah."

"Then take care of yourself and live. Or else, I can't promise what kind of woman I'll find to torture your children."

Aghast, Rose jumped up. "Do you have to be so cruel, Sir Ares? They're your children too."

At that, Rose was immediately ecstatic as she realized that she had no problems moving. "I'm alright?"

Jay stared at the cute lady in front of him. He could not help but chuckle at how she thought of her kids before her 'impending death'.

Pulling her onto him, he cupped her face and kissed her.

Realizing where they were headed, Rose immediately blushed and protested. "But Sir Ares, I'm still sick."

Jay teased shamelessly by her ears. "I'll be very gentle!"

Rose lay on the bed after a round, exhausted. She was in no position to resist at all!

"Let's get married, baby."

That moment, Rose heard the stubborn persistence in Jay's baritone voice.

Rose tensed, feeling as if something in her heart had cracked and shattered to pieces.

This "baby' Jay used reignited every spark of love and hate she had accumulated for him from both her lives.

She remembered how he used to call her that in her past life whenever he was drunk.

She remembered the thick desire in his eyes, yet he always rejected her despite how she provoked him.

How euphoric she felt, thinking it was out of respect.

However, she knew now that he disdained her.

Today, he called her "baby' again.

Men were indeed animals who thought with the organ between their legs. He would call Rose 'baby', just like how he called Angeline 'baby'. It seemed that as long as they fulfilled his desires, he could call anyone that!

He was a playboy. How had she not seen through him her past life?

Forcing the tears back where they came from, Rose regained her composure. "Do you mean it, Sir Ares?"

Pressing her hand against his heart, his tone dripped surprisingly with hurt. "I'll use my whole life to answer that question."

By her side, he fell soundlessly asleep.

Chapter 388

Chapter 388

Unable to hold them back in the end, Rose's tears fell freely like rain through a torn canopy.

It wet the pillow beneath.

Could she still believe in him?

Her gaze was empty as the void.

Finally, she set her eyes on the white marbled tiles and the carved mahogany handrails.

The handrail led to the quiet floor upstairs, where it was abnormally dark.

"A crazy woman is hiding in Daddy's bed!"

Jenson's shaky voice suddenly echoed in Rose's head.

Unable to sleep, Rose got up and dressed herself. Then, she tiptoed up the stairs.

Jenson was not the only one panicking about the secret behind the attic, for it agitated her as well.

Who was the woman in the attic?

As the Fragrant Vessel Court was built following the characteristics of classical overlapping architectures, its rooms were built intricately and were naturally dim.

Pushing open the door in front of the handrail, Rose

entered the room and closed the door behind her.

She found herself in a small living room conjoined with a bedroom. Simply decorated, there was a corseted square table with a tea set on top and several expensive-looking Narra chairs.

Both the left and right living room walls were broken into archways. As if they moved on their own, Rose's feet brought her down the archway on the right where she was met with a narrow wooden door. Lightly pushing it, Rose slipped into the room carefully.

Inside was a bedroom decorated with vintage French furniture. The color scheme fitted perfectly with Jay's personality-Dark and oppressive.

She looked around. Other than the floor-to-ceiling screen that more or less covered the view behind, everything else was placed before her eyes.

Rose walked toward the screen. Her heart raced nervously for some reason, and her hands subconsciously clenched into fists.

The screen was carved with flower designs. Coupled with the Chinese painting, it was an elegant sight to behold. Despite her passion for such art, Rose did not have it in her to stop and admire it. Holding her breath, she crept slowly toward the screen.

Now that she had gotten closer to the screen, she could see what was behind.

There was an incense burner, burning smoke the scent of sandalwood.

On the wall behind hung a portrait of a man in loosefitting clothes, exposing his tantalizing collarbones. Around his neck hung a skull necklace.

His hooded sultry eyes were tinted with laze as he lay on the bed.

Atop him lay a woman with her back provocatively revealed.

Despite it merely being someone's back, it reminded people of words such as 'stunning' and 'ineffable beauty'.

Standing in front of the portrait, Rose felt her heart drop down a bottomless pit as she stared at the gentle adoration in both their eyes.

The man, be it his exquisite features, his charming peach blossom eyes, or the dignified aura he gave off, mimicked Jay to a tee.

Jay was indeed in special relationships with other women! He was even showcasing it so openly too!

Rose's heart jolted in pain. She quickly steadied herself as she had suddenly staggered.

The heat from the incense burner further pushed Rose into a sea of despair.

The smoke from the incense burner had never once ceased, which meant someone was living in this room!

Jens was right. There was a woman in the attic!

Rose shut her eyes. She did not want to face the secret she had uncovered.

However, a blurred scene surfaced in her mind without prompt right as she closed her eyes. It came with a voice that said, 'Let me go, Angeline Severe. I'm not good enough for you.' It was the sound of Jay pleading.

The scene felt real, like it was just yesterday when it happened.

Rose's eyes shot open with abnormal speed as she stood frozen, rooted in place.

What was happening? She never recalled such an incident!

From the back of her mind was the probing feeling that she had lost something important.

She tried her best to recall the missing pieces in her memory, attempting to pick them back up. Instead, her head was suddenly hit with a pain so severe the room began to spin before her eyes.

In a daze, she felt the wall begin to move and the room's layout shifting.

Rose clutched her head that threatened to crack from the pain and tried to calm herself down.

To no avail, the room only seemed to spin even faster, to the point that she had no other choice but to shut her eyes to hold out against the strong dizziness.

The room had stilled by the time she opened her eyes again.

On the wall was a cramped hole...

Chapter 389

Chapter 389

Rose dashed toward it, only for the wall around the hole to move just as she reached it, blocking the hole. Then, the room's lights switched on.

Rose turned around to see Jay with a dark look on his face. His hand was pressing on a knob on the wall.

Rose stared at the knob, then turned around to stare at the blocked hole.

Did he close the hole?

"Sir Ares, I... I think I'm lost. I wanted to go to the bathroom..." Rose spoke slowly. Her eyes stared at the ground as she made the subconscious decision to hide what just happened from him. Jay reached out his hand. Stunned by the gesture, Rose placed her hand in his larger one.

"Come on. Let's get you out." The scrunch between his brows from realizing that Rose was no longer beside him when he woke finally relaxed now that he had found her.

Rose's gaze was fixed on the knob as if it was an enormous black hole that threatened to swallow her whole.

What was the secret behind this place?

Was Jay hiding something from her?

"What a gloomy room. Wouldn't you say so, Sir Ares?" Rose fidgeted as she asked, trying to probe.

She glanced secretly at Jay when she spoke.

His flawless side-profile exuded manly cleanliness. From his straight nose to his thin lips, to every lock of his hair, everything was immaculate as if he was basked in a holy glow. However, was this open and frank appearance all a mere facade he had put up?

"Do you not like it?" he asked plainly.

Rose nodded. "It gets a little dim since there's no floor-to-ceiling window. There's too much negative energy, so you'll attract visitors."

"Superstitious." Jay criticized.

With that said, his defined brows furrowed again. Perhaps they should sleep in another bedroom if she did not like it here.

With her hand in his, Jay brought both of them out of the dark attic. He did not seem to have any intentions of letting her go even when they had returned to the bright space downstairs.

"Come eat lunch with me out front."

Meals were not to be skipped, for one only had the energy to do things when they were full.

Rose nodded dutifully. "Okay."

Jay's 'out front' apparently referred to the banquet hall the Ares family used to entertain guests.

With her head held down, Rose was deep in thought a s Jay pulled her along. Only after bringing her to the packed banquet hall did Rose snap herself out of her humbled thoughts.

At the same moment, Sean stood elegantly among the flow of people in a white suit. His smile was radiant while his posture was gentlemanly.

Seeing him, Rose turned to run away.

She never expected her predictions to come true. Not only was Sean in attendance, but they would have to face each other head-on! She was screwed. It would be prudent to leave first.

However, Jay had insanely fast reflexes. Tugging her back, he pulled her strongly against his chest and walked forward with her in tow. "What are you so afraid of?"

"I... I'm not afraid! I just have this rare disorder that's driven by places with a lot of people. My face feels hot, my heartbeat's too fast..." Rose rambled on from the top of her head with a serious expression. "That's called being shy." Jay saw through her facade.

Rose was confused. How did he guess it?

As a student, this man was distinguished. As a businessman, this man was odds-defying. Not to mention his craftiness had been sharpened by himself. He was quite the object of envy.

"You see, Sir Ares. I have trouble walking when I see attractive men, so can I not follow you there?"

Merciless, Jay exposed her lie. "Yet you seem to run pretty fast whenever you see me. You mean to tell me I'm not attractive, yes?"

Rose replied, ashamed, "Of course not. You're an attractive man. More attractive than any other man."

Chapter 390

Chapter 390

Despite having never paid attention to his own looks, praise from this woman somehow turned his negative mood around. Rose murmured under her breath, "Don't you know? The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."

Jay shot her a death glare. "What other men do you want?"

Rose shut her mouth and shook her head.

Moving his arm from her shoulder to her waist, Jay squeezed her tightly against himself to the point where Rose felt as if the air from her abdomen to her lungs had been squeezed out. For a split moment, she felt suffocated.

"Since you've slept with me once, Rose, you've signed yourself off to a lifetime of sleeping with me. You're well aware of me being a clean freak, yes? I'll throw you into the furnace should you have the slightest thought toward another man."

Rose nodded and bowed in a puppy-like manner." There's not a second of which I don't remind myself that I'm yours, Sir Ares."

"Good." Then, he said, "Grandfather wants me to entertain the guests. Wait for me here. I'll be back

soon."

It was as if a heavy weight lifted off Rose right as Jay turned to leave.

Sean walked elegantly toward Rose.

"Orchid!"

"Sean, our plan ends here." Taking the opportunity, Rose clarified with him.

Sean tsk-ed disappointedly. "I should have known he would end our love before it even started."

Rose was speechless."..."

"Miss Rose." Nancy Bell appeared out of nowhere.

Standing in front of Rose, she glared domineeringly at her.

"Yes?"

"Didn't Miss Rose swear to love my brother just a few days ago? Yet here you are in Master Ares' arms in the blink of an eye. You have quite admirable skills, Miss Rose."

Rose splashed the red wine in her hands onto the other's face. "Watch your mouth, Nancy Bell."

Nancy glared at Rose. "Was I wrong though?" A venomous smidge of a sneer appeared in her eyes.

Suddenly, she lifted an arm to overturn the wine rack by her side, splashing Rose with wine as the multicolored bottles came crashing down.

Not expecting such an outburst, Rose could not shield herself in time and was completely drenched.

Watching the scene, Sean immediately removed his outerwear to cover Rose.

Nancy intentionally raised her voice and said, "Of all the people to fall in love with, Brother, why did it have to be such a half-hearted one like her? Sure, you were in love, but she has already found someone else, so why can't you just forget about her?"

Both Rose and Sean were shocked to their cores." Nancy Bell, you stop this nonsense now!"

Everyone's gaze fell on the trio as the banquet hall grew silent.

"Don't force me to sue you for defamation, Nancy Bell!" Rose stated angrily.

"Defamation? You're an utter conman, an absolute liar. How about you listen to yourself, then tell me whether I'm framing you or not."

Nancy took out her cell phone and tapped on the video she had secretly taken. She had already paired the device with the large screen display out front.

Immediately, the screen showed the scene of both Sean and Rose on their knees with no regrets, begging for Stanley Bell's blessing on their relationship.

The screen blinked twice right after the video was projected on it.

The electricity was cut off.

Right as everyone was getting into the gossip, Jay had reached Nancy while wearing a sinister expression on his chiseled features. A cold tone escaped his lips as he uttered out, "You're very much wrong if you think any Tom, Dick, or Harry can slander my woman. You'll pay for your actions, Nancy Bell!"

Nancy had not expected the tables to turn against her so quickly. She had planned to drag Rose into the abyss with her, then neither of them could marry Jay.

It never crossed her mind that Jay pampered her to the point of covering for her even without knowing the full story.

"I'm doing this for you, Master Ares. So that you know what kind of person she truly is."

"I know her better than anyone else." Jay clenched his jaw.

"Men, capture her. Bring her to the police office after the Grand Old Master's birthday celebration. I want her sued for defamation." "Yes, Sir."

At that, Nancy was dragged away as she glared at Rose with utmost hatred. 'This isn't the end, Rose!'