Chapter 18: Tease and Withdraw? Too Late!

Vivian lay in the bathtub, surrounded by a warm mist. The heat made her flushed face look even more delicate.

Several sachets of Chinese Mugwort were placed in the constant-temperature bathtub, clearly prepared for her use. She picked one up, and sure enough, a note was written on it: "Soak for thirty minutes in hot water." The handwriting was bold and powerful, with the word "Ling" written below it.

Chinese Mugwort is used to ward off the cold, suggesting that soaking with it could help her body recover quickly. Daniel hadn't mentioned any of this, but everything was laid out for her to see as soon as she entered the bathroom.

Outside the glass window, rain poured down in torrents, accompanied by flashes of lightning. The rain splattered against the window and slid down, while the neon lights outside seemed to merge with the vast night.

The bathroom was filled with steam, and the temperature was just right.

As Vivian lay back in the tub, the full-body water massage activated, and the droplets gently washed over her body. She closed her eyes halfway, humming in pleasure.

She scooped a handful of the Chinese Mugwort water and slowly poured it over her shoulders and neck. Her body warmed, and the soothing sensation made her feel much better.

After her bath, Vivian felt more relaxed all over.

The recommended time for the soak was thirty minutes, and despite the ventilation running throughout the house, she couldn't stay in the water for much longer. With a 'splash,' she stood up from the tub, naked, as she heard the sound of the water draining away.

Daniel had left, and the grand house was now empty except for her.

The bathroom had a clear separation between wet and dry areas, and her usual skincare products were neatly placed on the counter—new, unopened items.

As she applied the night cream to her face, Vivian thought to herself that once Daniel returned, she would make sure to pay for the skincare and new clothes she had used. She couldn't let him think she was taking advantage of him.

The bathrobe and towel were fresh, soft to the touch, and the tension she had felt earlier at Smith family seemed to be soothed by the meal and warm bath.

Having sweated a lot during the bath, Vivian felt thirsty. She searched upstairs but couldn't find any water, so she decided to go downstairs.

It was pitch dark in the house as she moved quietly down the stairs. Just as she rounded the corner into the kitchen, she suddenly tripped over something. Before she could see what it was, she felt it shift slightly.

The downstairs was dark, and when Vivian felt the soft object, her hair stood on end.

"Who?" she asked, her voice trembling as she gripped the empty glass in her hand.

"What are you doing?" a low, hoarse voice responded. Vivian instantly relaxed—it was Daniel.

"But didn't you say you weren't staying tonight?" She had seen him leave just earlier, so how was he back now, and why was he in the dark?

There was a rustling sound from the leather sofa.

Daniel tugged at his collar and slowly sat up on the sofa.

Vivian, relying on her memory, turned on the light. As the lights flickered on, Daniel squinted, his eyes half-closed for a moment before he slowly opened them.

The shirt he wore, perfectly tailored, was creased where he had leaned back. His long legs sprawled lazily across the sofa, his posture less sharp, more relaxed.

"I just came back to check on you."

Vivian noticed something was off with his response. His words were slow, and the alcohol on his breath was strong.

"You've been drinking?" she asked. Looking at him, it was clear that he hadn't just had a drink, but quite a bit.

Daniel kept his hand over his eyes, murmuring something, but Vivian couldn't make it out, only noticing his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed.

"Thirsty?" Vivian guessed.

He stopped mumbling.

She took the nearby water cup and headed to the kitchen, filling it with water. Returning to him, she handed it over. "Drink."

Daniel didn't move.

Vivian thought about it—he had taken such good care of her when she was sick, so now it seemed only right that she help him. He had probably been out for business, coming back late, reeking of alcohol. She gently brought the cup to his lips, tilting it slightly.

The cool, sweet water quenched his parched throat, and he drank it all.

"Need more?" she asked.

He shook his head.

"Then go to your room. I'll stay in the living room for a while. I'm not tired yet."

After a whole day and night of sleep, she wasn't sleepy. Meanwhile, he was the one who needed rest after drinking.

Surprisingly, Daniel shook his head again. "No, I just came back to check on you… to see how you're doing."

Vivian had heard him mumble something earlier about checking on her, but what did he need to check?

"What's there to check?" she asked, a strange feeling rising in her chest. She slowly sat beside him. "Is there something important at home? Something you're worried about?"

This massive mansion surely held valuable things, and perhaps, after drinking, he needed to ensure everything was fine.

Daniel shook his head and spoke, his voice barely above a whisper but clear enough for her to understand. "I'm worried about you. You're afraid of the thunder."

When he said this, despite his drunkenness, his gaze locked onto hers with startling clarity, as though he knew exactly where she was.

Even in his intoxicated state, his eyes carried a sharpness that unsettled her.

Vivian's hand, resting on her knee, trembled uncontrollably. "Who am I?" she asked, her gaze fixed on him, trying to discern whether he was telling the truth.

She heard him say it clearly, "Vivi, don't be afraid. I'm here."