Ella reached out towards the water jug on the bedside table, only to find it empty.
Sighing, she slumped back on the bed. Forget it, I should just clear my head and try to sleep.
Hearing the movements, Ella turned to the side, momentarily surprised when she saw the ’I-am-sleeping-like-a-fairy’ person get out of the bed and step out of the room.
Downstairs, Ruby was standing near a long floor to ceiling window, looking at the storm stirring outside.
"Miss Ambrose?" Bertha approached her.
Ruby turned to her, giving her a slight bow, "Did I disturb you?"
Bertha shook her head, "Most of the servants stay in the servant quarters while some of us stay here in the main residence just in case the Masters need something..." Especially after Miss Yu came here, the Eve Mansion has been active past midnight too.
Of course, Bertha skipped the last part.
"Were you unable to fall asleep?" Bertha asked.
"I stepped out to have some fresh air," Ruby briefly said.
Bertha looked at the closed windows and doors and then at the girl who said she stepped out to get some fresh air. But Ruby’s placid expression did not give her the space to question her.
"Alright, Miss Ambrose. Please rest early," Bertha bowed to her before retreating.
Ruby had just turned around to look at the sky when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps again.
As she turned around, she spotted Adrian walking in the direction of what seemed like... the kitchen?
Soon, he stepped out with a water bottle.
Adrian’s brows tugged together as he halted in his tracks.
Ruby walked up to him, "I know you don’t like me much..." she said expressionlessly.
Adrian looked at the woman with a cold face, his thoughts unknown.
"And neither do I," Ruby continued.
Adrian did not say a single word.
"I don’t think you are the right person for Ella..."
The moment those words were uttered, a silent storm stirred in Adrian’s eyes.
For a moment, Ruby fell silent.
But after a beat, she spoke again, "Even before I got to know about your identity and true nature of your relationship, I had felt this way. When we first met at Dr. Knight’s place, I found you... unsuitable to be her partner—"
"She is mine," Adrian said, a touch of possessiveness in his tone.
For a moment, Ruby was taken aback. The way he spoke, it was like... like he was talking to a love rival?
Ruby mentally chased that absurd thought away, "Mr. King, I just want to ask you, are you serious about her?"
Adrian, once again, did not respond.
"It is something I have wanted to ask for a while. Even today, when you answered that question. I just want to ask you to let her go if your intentions towards her are not as pure as hers are towards you. Don’t play her or hurt her."
Adrian turned to leave.
There was a touch of coldness in Ruby’s voice when she spoke again, "Right now, I might not have the power to go against you. But things will not be this way forever. And if she is hurt, you also won’t escape unscathed."
Adrian ascended the stairs and Ruby pursed her lips.
Suddenly, the man halted in his tracks and looked at her from above his shoulder, "She is all that matters to me."
Ruby was stunned as she stood there, looking at the man’s retreating back.
In another guest room, Kade was just beginning to doze off when his phone rang.
He glanced at the unknown number before answering the call.
"Hello, Third young master, you don’t miss me at all, do you?’’
Hearing the feminine voice from the other side, Kade sighed inwardly.
These ladies just can’t sleep without listening to my voice.
"Is this Lena... Jenna... Kenna?"
"Hello... Hello... Third young master, are you going to ignore me now?"
Kade looked at the weather outside before glancing at his phone. Was it the weather, huh?
Frowning, he grabbed the phone and walked out of the room.
The moment he stepped out, the call got disconnected.
Kade was about to return to his room when he spotted Ruby in the living room, "You... Why are you lurking here like a ghost at this hour?"
Ruby looked away from the direction of the staircase and turned to him, "What about you?"
Kade sighed, looking at his phone, "Thought I’d do some public service but the network is not supporting me."
Ruby blinked, bewildered.
Looking at Ruby, something occurred to Kade, "You have been the class topper for a long time. Tell me honestly, what are the odds of me coming in the Top 10?"
Ruby gave him a quiet look.
Kade scratched his neck, "Forget it, I understand..."
Ruby shook her head, "I thought you decided not to stress about it."
Before Kade could respond, Ruby had already walked upstairs.
Kade sighed. Maybe I can only beg my brother by then... At worst, I will grovel in front of Ella. I will lose my dignity. But one day’s dignity in exchange for all my money... Worth it!
Nobody noticed a shadow near a pillar in the distance, watching them closely.
The lights in the guest room were out and the room was enshrouded in darkness. Ruby pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The moment Ruby closed the door, she stiffened.
"Where did you go at this hour, all by yourself, Miss Ambrose?"
When Ruby turned around, she spotted a shadow in the darkness, occupying the couch in the corner of the room.
"What are you doing here?"
The lightning cackled, reflecting Ronan’s face, "Concerned about your safety."
Ruby lowered her gaze, "We are not that familiar with each other. Please leave."
Ronan pushed himself to his feet and strode towards her, each step slow and deliberate.
Just as he was about to close the gap between them, Ruby retreated, her back slamming against the door.
Ronan raised his hand, twirling a strand of her crimson hair between his fingers.
Ruby tilted her head, glancing at him coldly.
"What? Are you angry? You want to slap me?" Ronan leaned to her height, whispering, "Or maybe you are just worried that... somebody will know the things you are hiding in your heart."