CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: ABSTINENT YET DANGEROUS

Julian Fordham’s hot breath landed behind her ear, and Victoria Monroe’s body stiffened.

It was as if the person holding her was a threatening beast, she suddenly pushed Julian Fordham away, standing up in panic from his embrace.

The drowsy man opened his eyes dazedly, with lingering confusion in his gaze as he looked at her.

The man’s coat was draped to the side, wearing only a white shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing a delicate collarbone.

He raised his slender hand and rubbed his hair, with two strands carelessly falling across his full forehead, adding a lazy recklessness to his usually noble and composed demeanor.

His voice was deep and raspy: "Sorry, I was just dozing off."

Victoria Monroe didn’t want to say another word to him, she turned back to the companion bed beside her grandmother.

Julian Fordham looked at the blanket she had covered him with, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.

Victoria Monroe still cared about him, right?

Beside her grandmother, Victoria Monroe couldn’t sleep well, she would get up and check every now and then.

Only when she saw the elderly woman sleeping soundly did she slowly lie back down.

Just like when she was sick as a child, her grandmother also cared for her all night long.

She didn’t know, but any time she got up and made even the slightest sound, Julian Fordham would notice.

She stayed up all night, and as dawn broke, a nurse came in to check the room, Victoria Monroe tidied the bed, nervously asking the nurse, "How is my grandmother?"

"All the indicators are reasonably normal, but it still needs monitoring at all times, after all, the elderly recover slower from such surgeries compared to younger people, so it’s normal for her to take a bit longer."

"Hmm, thank you."

Julian Fordham brought breakfast, but seeing the food made Victoria Monroe feel nauseous. Afraid Julian Fordham would notice something amiss, she said listlessly, "You take care of grandma, I’m going out for a walk."

Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, Julian Fordham looked at her with a hint of concern: "I’m free these days, you can go home, rest well, and come back later."

Despite meticulously caring for her over the years, Victoria Monroe still looked frail and even thinner than she had been recently.

Victoria Monroe ignored his gaze, seeing her grandmother still asleep, she lowered her voice: "It’s because of you that I can’t relax, you take good care of her."

After saying that, she turned and left the room.

Rhys Hawthorne’s bodyguards were stationed not far from the ward, keeping watch round the clock, ensuring there was no opportunity for Julian Fordham to relocate her grandmother.

Victoria Monroe felt apologetic, repeatedly thanking them.

Using the pretext of wanting their contact information, she transferred compensation to them, insisting they accept it.

After doing all this, she bowed again to express her gratitude: "When I’m not around, I ask you to take extra care of my grandmother."

"Miss Monroe, you’re too kind, this is our duty."

Victoria Monroe felt assured with Rhys Hawthorne’s people, so she left the hospital, had breakfast, and bought some orange peel ginger plum candies to prevent pregnancy nausea.

Although they tasted awful, at least they weren’t overly nauseating.

Ever since the snowfall, the weather had grown increasingly colder, with the biting wind slicing at her neck like a knife.

Victoria Monroe wore a warm mask and a big hat, huddling her shoulders and lowering her head as she braved the wind moving forward.

Just as she reached the parking lot, she spotted a familiar business car, Lana Jameson dressed in a mink coat was leading Rachel Hayes off the car.

Recalling how her grandmother suddenly fell ill yesterday, Autumn Fordham claimed never to have seen her grandmother.

What if it was her grandmother who saw Rachel Hayes?

Is it possible that her grandmother was indeed shocked?

Victoria Monroe quickened her pace to follow them.

She was enveloped in a black long down coat, even her eyes were concealed by black fur, hunched over, so no one would associate her with the once-beautiful film star.

She slowly approached, overhearing Rachel Hayes’s voice: "Mom, I don’t dare visit sister again, how about I wait for you in the car? If President Fordham discovers my presence, he’ll kill me."

"What are you afraid of? He won’t be stationed at the hospital all the time, Autumn likes you, the more you talk to her, the faster she’ll recover."

Rachel Hayes hesitated recalling Julian Fordham’s crazed demeanor last night, "But last night President Fordham suddenly came to me, asked about what we talked about at the hospital, he looked scary, I had a feeling something went wrong."

Lana Jameson patted Rachel Hayes’s shoulder, "What are you scared of? If things go south, I’ve got your back, and the Mrs. Fordham position will eventually be yours."

The two walked away laughing and chatting, unaware of the woman behind them, whose bloodshot eyes were filled with icy hostility.

The surrounding sounds seemed to vanish into thin air, the whole world reduced to just her standing in the wind and snow, her body soaked in cold wind.

From head to toe, her body froze solid.

So, grandmother had known the truth all along, and last night Julian Fordham also found out.

The two had teamed up to put on a show for her.

In fact, the scheme was never entirely seamless, the clues were there all along.

Upon awakening, grandmother met Julian Fordham alone first thing, Victoria Monroe assumed she was touched by life and death to entrust herself to Julian Fordham.

But unexpectedly, they reconciled, culminating in grandmother forgiving Julian Fordham.

She even used herself as bait, drawing her into the plot and matchmaking her with Julian Fordham.

If Victoria Monroe was correct, the next step would be her grandmother using her physical inconvenience as an excuse to move into her home, creating opportunities for her and Julian Fordham to be together.

In grandmother’s eyes, the man made one mistake, if he repented, with Julian Fordham’s current status and position, he would make a great partner.

After her passing, she wouldn’t be lonely and helpless.

Victoria Monroe understood grandmother’s well-intentioned efforts, but couldn’t agree.

Because grandmother didn’t know, beneath Julian Fordham’s excellent façade lay a fervent heart.

If she chose to return to that family, it would mean accepting Julian Fordham’s control over her.

For the rest of her life, she would have no personal freedom, even speaking to another man would be a crime.

Marriage is like a chain, imprisoning her within the confines of their marital home forever.

No matter how expensive the clothes he buys her, the exquisite jewelry, dressing her up beautifully as a flower.

She is merely Julian Fordham’s personal artifact.

How ridiculous!

How pathetic!

And what does her struggle all this time count for?

For freedom, she could even abandon the child not yet fully formed in her womb.

Not even grandmother could stop her.

She would not look back anymore.

Victoria Monroe dialed Rhys Hawthorne’s number; the call quickly connected, and the man’s voice was as deep and melodious as ever, like a cold, clear spring, naturally aloof.

"Ms. Monroe." A leisurely and soothing voice came to her ear, soft and tantalizing.

"Rhys, I need to trouble you again."

Victoria Monroe smiled bitterly; in the vast city of Kenton, Rhys Hawthorne was the only one she could rely on.

She knew it was inappropriate to disturb him frequently, but apart from him, with Julian Fordham’s current status, she had no other way out.

She could only brace herself to seek help from Rhys Hawthorne to get through this difficult time.

Rhys Hawthorne was perceptive, and he had already guessed several things from what Victoria Monroe said.

He knew that the truth could not be hidden forever, that one day she would know, but he hadn’t expected that day to come so soon.

Sensing her current low mood, and her pregnancy, with the sound of wind and car horns coming from the other end of the line, Rhys Hawthorne felt uneasy.

His voice was composed and warm, "Find a sheltered place and wait for me; let’s talk in person."

Victoria mumbled, "Will I be bothering you?"

"Not at all, I’ve given myself a day off."

Standing at a bustling street corner, the cold wind carried Rhys’s rich voice to her: "Wait for me."

Though it was only two words, they inexplicably reassured her.

He arrived quickly; upon seeing the black Maybach, Assistant Woods hurriedly got out to open the door for Victoria, who brought the cold and snow into the car.

Inside, it was warm; Rhys wore a light gray cashmere sweater, leaning lazily on the back seat, his long, clean fingers playing with prayer beads.

The black beads were smooth and warm, twining between his fingers, trailing along his green veins, restrained yet dangerous.

He looked up at Victoria, with deep eyes flowing with gentle emotion, and his thin lips curved slightly, "Aren’t you hot?"

Knowing she had been by the roadside, where there was a big temperature difference outside, he deliberately set the car’s interior temperature high.

The warm air enveloped Victoria as soon as she got in; she took off her mask and down jacket.

Underneath was a pink off-the-shoulder sweater, the soft cashmere hugging her fair skin, outlining an elegant shoulder and neck.

Sweet yet not without allure, the simple style perfectly showcased a woman’s best features.

But the oblivious beauty, unaware of the charm she exuded, casually played with her slightly curly long hair, her every move full of allure.

After tidying her clothes, Victoria stated her intention, "I’d like to find a sanatorium near the city center, with reliable medical conditions, for my grandmother’s retirement."

Indeed, it was precisely what Rhys had foreseen.

"Your grandmother just had surgery, aren’t you going to care for her yourself?"

Unwilling to elaborate on family issues, Victoria made an excuse, "You know I took on a variety show; I have my own matters to attend to, and I can’t be with her 24/7, so I’ll leave the professional matters to the professionals."

"Do you have a particular sanatorium in mind?" Rhys followed her lead, knowing she must have an answer if she sought him out.

Victoria nodded, "Yes, Aeridor Sanatorium."

This is a private, high-end sanatorium offering top-notch medical resources and professional nursing staff.

Most residents are retired senior officials and wealthy individuals with health issues. It’s a great location for convalescence, with a perfect setting in the city center.

A hint of difficulty appeared on her face, "I’m sorry, but apart from Julian Fordham, I have no other way to get in, so I have to shamelessly ask for your assistance."

Nervous, her curled and long eyelashes fluttered slightly, her white teeth anxiously biting into her red lips.

She hung her head low, looking particularly docile.

Rhys Hawthorne’s gaze never left her lips, now marked by her teeth, his Adam’s apple rolled heavily, his voice slightly hoarse, "It’s a small favor, but..."

Victoria quickly looked up at him, only to see a clean hand resting beside her face.

The warm palm gently supported her slightly cool cheek, and a thumb softly brushed over her lips.

"I told you, at any time, at any place, you can ask me for what you need, so don’t harm yourself."

The man’s rough finger pads gently caressed her soft lips, carrying a hint of sensuality.

However, when Victoria met his gaze, she only saw his perfectly sculpted face, tense and his lips, indifferent to the point of apathy.

Even his cold eyes remained indifferent, devoid of any trace of desire.

As always, he looked down from afar.

She might have been thinking too much; in his eyes, she was still that warm-hearted elder sister.

Victoria wanted to convey her gratitude but forgot that his fingers were still resting there; she opened her lips, inadvertently taking his finger in.

The sudden turn of events flustered Victoria, compounded by the car’s swaying around the corner.

"Ah!" Victoria let out a soft cry, as in her clumsy hurry, her tender tongue brushed lightly against his finger...