The second time

"The lady should be in the bedroom, probably asleep by now," Zoey answered immediately.

Royce Butler 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.

Royce Butler 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," Royce Butler 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 Royce Butler feel assured as he ascended the stairs and gently pushed open the bedroom door. Julia Avery 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. Julia Avery's eyes were tightly shut, and she was sleeping soundly. The sliver of moonlight cast a soft glow on her face.

I have to admit, even without any makeup and with her face barely visible, she still looked adorably endearing.

Royce Butler's fingers gently brushed across her cheek, causing Julia Avery to let out a soft whimper and turn over.

Somehow, that little sound sparked an impulse in Royce Butler, an urge to take her right then and there.

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 Julia Avery 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.

Royce Butler'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, Julia Avery stopped struggling.

Before long, Julia Avery fell asleep again.

What a buzzkill.

Royce Butler gently pinched her cheek. "You need to work on your stamina." After taking a shower in the bathroom, Royce Butler realized he didn't have any clean clothes to change into. He had to put on the clothes he came in and left the room.

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

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

Seeing Royce Butler's satisfied expression, Zoey felt a surge of jealousy. "Such a show-off!" 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.

Royce Butler 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. Avery."

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

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

Although Julia Avery 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. Royce Butler nodded.

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

"Speak," Royce Butler said coldly.

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

Although Dorian had mentioned that Julia Avery occasionally didn't stay here, the fact that she only came back two days a week was alarming. The frequency of her staying elsewhere was simply too high.

"Keep an eye on my wife and report any unusual behavior to me immediately."

"Yes, sir!" Zoey was thrilled to receive this golden opportunity. It meant she wasn't just a nanny here; she was tasked with monitoring Julia Avery. This was a significant upgrade!

She no longer needed to regard Julia Avery with any respect.

"Additionally," Royce Butler 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 Royce Butler'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, Royce Butler stood up. "How much are you being paid?"

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

For a small-time nanny like Zoey, 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!"

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

The next day Julia Avery 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—Julia Avery couldn't possibly associate it with that bald 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 colors!

"What kind of weird fetishes do men have these days? Violent maniacs."

Julia Avery finally gathered herself and went to take a shower.

After the shower, a sudden realization 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?

Julia Avery 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, Julia Avery went downstairs. Zoey had already finished her breakfast and was sitting on the couch, eating some fruits.

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

After two days of continuous chaos, Julia Avery 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.

Julia 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.

Julia 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?"

Julia 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?" Julia 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 Royce Butler's instructions from the night before, and her eyes became somewhat distant. "He's in his forties."

"Oh..."

Julia 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 my husband'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. "

Julia Avery 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," Julia Avery 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."

Julia Avery 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, Julia Avery 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.

It was said that Director Blithe loved giving newcomers a chance. According to his theory, actors who had been in the industry for three to five years had too much going on in their eyes and too many concerns, which affected their performance.

That's how Julia Avery 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 Julia Avery out of her thoughts. Seeing the number on the screen, she couldn't help but smile.

"Grady, 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 Julia Avery.

"You have to do your best. " Julia Avery 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 you and brother-in-law doing? Any plans for a baby?" The boy asked excitedly.

Julia Avery bit her lip and then smiled. "My brother, the ultimate baby pusher."

"I'm just worried I won't be able to see them in the future."

"Don't say that!" Julia Avery immediately scolded, her expression turning serious.

"Sis, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, but you know it's true." The boy's voice grew somber.

Julia bit her lip, holding back her tears. The last time her brother Grady 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 Grady had already missed the optimal treatment window.

Undergoing the operation now might not change anything and carried significant risks.

Born at the wrong time. Grady was essentially given a death sentence by the doctors from birth.

But now, he was eighteen, a senior in high school, having already lived a year longer than expected.

The last time he had an episode, Dr. John told Julia Avery to prepare herself mentally; Grady's condition was deteriorating.

"Alright, sis, don't be upset. I just want to see my little nephew sooner, that's all. You and your husband have been married for a year now. I know you're still in the honeymoon phase and want to enjoy your time together, but think about me, okay?"

Julia Avery snapped back to reality. "Alright, Grady. My husband and I have discussed having a baby, and he agrees. 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 your husband agrees, everything will be fine! I won't rush you, take your time."

Julia Avery smiled. For the past year, she had been hiding the truth from Grady.

In Grady's eyes, he had a brother-in-law who was often away, which allowed his sister to come home frequently to take care of him.

His brother-in-law was a company elite, earning a good salary and loving his sister dearly.

"Sis, I won't say any more. Good luck with your audition."

"Remember to call me if you feel unwell."

"I know, bye!"

After hanging up the phone, Julia Avery sighed deeply. Her brother would always be her greatest worry.

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

Julia rummaged through her closet and picked out an outfit. In reality, she only had a few decent pieces of clothing, so it didn't take long to decide.

After changing into her chosen outfit and applying a simple makeup look, she headed out the door.

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