Secret Marriage to a Billionaire

Kenneth let out a soft snort.

Of all times to call and tell her, did it have to be at this exact critical moment?

Emily hung up the phone. "I need to go home right now! We'll deal with our matter later. But until we reach an agreement, I hope you don't leak those photos. Otherwise, I'll sue you. We'll both go down together if it comes to that!"

With that, Emily headed for the door, but then stopped halfway and came back.

She quickly scribbled her phone number on a piece of paper. "Here's my number. We'll be in touch. Now, give me yours."

Emily glanced at the string of numbers and then dialed it on his phone to verify its authenticity.

Emily saw her phone screen light up with the incoming call and nodded. "Alright, I'm leaving now!"

She hurried out the door and didn't come back this time.

Kenneth sighed. "What's the rush? You'll still end up in my bed tonight."

...

Prism City Villa District

Speaking of this villa district, it was quite well-known in Z-Ford City. When it was first being developed, the real estate company's slogan was the promise of a "villa garden within the city," which caught a lot of attention.

The location was incredibly convenient, situated in the outer ring area. It had easy access to the highway for trips out of town and a direct expressway to the city center. The villas were built in an elegant Western style, making them a unique sight in the city.

However, after the villas were built and many were sold, rumors started spreading about the place being haunted.

Several families reported strange occurrences, and some elderly folks claimed the area used to be a graveyard. The haunting stories grew more intense, and gradually, people who had moved in started moving out. Prospective buyers lost interest as well.

The villa complex had slowly fallen into disrepair, resembling a ghost town.

Initially, when Emily heard she had to live there, she was totally against it. But first, she didn't have enough money to rent a place, and second, she needed to make sure her brother knew she was married, which meant she had to live outside.

So, she reluctantly moved in. But after a year of living there without anything strange happening, she gradually forgot about her initial reluctance.

As soon as she walked through the door, Emily saw Zoey, the young maid her husband had arranged for her, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, munching on sunflower seeds with the TV blaring. It seemed like Zoey was more the lady of the house than a maid.

Emily sat down next to her. "You mentioned on the phone..."

"Yes, yes, aren't you thrilled? You've been alone for a year, and now, finally, your dry spell is over," Zoey interrupted, spitting out sunflower seed shells with a look of disdain.

"Why is he suddenly coming back?"

At first, Emily was annoyed by the young housekeeper's insolent attitude. The girl did nothing but eat and laze around, acting less like a hired servant and more like she was the lady of the house.

But Emily knew she was just a simple girl from a village. According to her, she had previously served Mr. Butler directly, where she had lived and eaten well; coming here was, in her eyes, a form of suffering.

Emily couldn't be bothered to argue with her, especially since she didn't come back often. They each lived their own lives, so she let it slide.

"How should I know? This is Mr Butler's house. He can come back whenever he wants! Did you really think this place was yours?" Zoey spat out another sunflower seed shell and glanced at Emily.

"Let me make one thing clear," Zoey said, her tone turning serious. "I'm here to serve you, and I do so with all my heart and soul. So don't you dare take that for granted."

Zoey's voice was high-pitched and thin, making anyone who heard it get goosebumps.

"With all your heart and soul?" she rolled her eyes and let out a cold snort. "Then tell me, have you ever cooked a meal for me?"

Zoey, however, was not the least bit afraid. "How am I supposed to know when you're coming or going? And don't you forget, I have something to hold over your head, too!"

"Something to hold over my head?" Emily asked, genuinely curious.

Zoey let out a cold sneer.

"You only sleep here two nights a week. Where do you go the rest of the time? As a married woman, staying out all night, I wonder what Mr Butler would think about that."

Emily simply smiled. Zoey was a classic case of a petty person puffed up with a little bit of power. She couldn't be bothered with her, so she just turned and started up the stairs.

"Hey, just a reminder," Zoey called after her. "Be careful around Mr. Butler. He has a bad temper, and I don't want it coming back on me when you mess up."

Emily paused for a moment at the words, then continued up the stairs.

Sitting in her bedroom, she felt a wave of apprehension. What could that old man be coming back for? He had ignored her for a year, and now suddenly he wanted to return?

Could it be that he wanted... her body?

The thought made Emily feel disgusted. The image of that balding, sixty-something-year-old man pressing down on her made her skin crawl. But she couldn't refuse him. After all, they were legally married. If he wanted to touch her, it was within his rights.

What should she do?

By the time evening rolled around, there was still no sign of the old man returning. Instead, Emily was greeted with a dinner prepared by Zoey.

It was the first time Zoey had ever cooked dinner for her, and the taste was quite mediocre. Emily barely ate a few bites.

"Did Mr Butler mention what time he'd be back on the phone?"

Zoey, munching on her food, replied, "Mr Butler is always swamped with work. There's no telling when he'll be back. Why this sudden impatience?"

Not wanting to continue the conversation with her, Emily went straight upstairs.

She waited until 10 PM. Having not slept well the previous night, she was already feeling sleepy by 9 PM. She yawned and checked the time.

Don't old people usually go to bed early? It's late already; he probably won't come.

She took a quick shower and went straight to bed.

At 10:30 PM, a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of Villa 18 in Prism City.

Kenneth Butler stepped out of the car, the sapphire earring in his left ear gleaming under the moonlight.

Just as he was about to step into the house, he paused, removed the earring, and handed it to Dorris.

"Mr Butler, should I wait here for you, or...?" Dorris asked, considering the possibility that Kenneth might stay the night here.

"Wait here for me," Kenneth said curtly before heading inside.

As soon as Kenneth stepped through the door, Zoey darted over like a flash. She had been eagerly waiting for his return, full of energy.

"Sir, you're back! Would you like something to eat? Do you need me to make you something?" she asked, her face beaming with a fawning smile.

Back when she worked in Kenneth's crystal garden, she was just a lowly maid who cleaned the outdoor areas, rarely getting a chance to see Kenneth himself.

Kenneth glanced down at her, his eyebrows knitting together. "No need. Where is Mrs. Butler?"