Chapter 2

I sipped the milk in my cup, my thoughts drifting far away.

With his looks, it was highly likely that someone would suspect him.

I couldn't prevent it even if I tried. If things really went south...

I would lose my comfortable life. Those I oppressed would rise against me, and the first would be this meticulous attendant who took care of me.

I would be thrown out, and the true young master who resented me would torment and chase me to the ends of the earth.

It was not unreasonable for me to think so darkly of him.

When we were kids, I saw him throw a boy who insulted him into a lake full of ice shards, then sincerely lie that the boy slipped on his own.

After all, he was my attendant, and I was a bit scared of him back then. The boy's insults were indeed harsh, so I lied as a witness.

But this incident left an indelible mark on me.

Robert was definitely not someone to mess with!

If he ever found out the truth, he would surely throw me into a sack filled with stones and sink me into an icy lake like that boy!

Fear grew within me, and my hand holding the cup began to tremble slightly.

"You've been very obedient today, young master."

A cold voice pulled me back to reality.

At some point, I had finished all the milk in my cup.

I handed the cup back to him and accidentally met his gentle smile. I quickly looked away.

I wiped the milk from my lips and prepared to go to bed, but he stopped me.

Robert crouched in front of me, his hands on either side of the bed, his posture enveloping me.

He must have just showered. His body radiated warm moisture and smelled like the same brand of body wash I used.

It was late autumn, and with the heater on in the room, he wore only a black short-sleeved shirt.

Years of training had given him smooth and defined arm muscles with slightly protruding veins beneath his strong build.

For wealthy families, personal safety was paramount, so I'd had this attendant since childhood. He followed me everywhere, and we were rarely apart.

But never had we been this close before, close enough to feel each other's breath.

I was too scared to move. Did he discover something? He never dared to act this boldly before!

I didn't know how long my mind wandered when I heard him chuckle softly. He stood up with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

"Why have you been avoiding me since this afternoon?"

Robert's question made me freeze. Still stubborn, I replied, "You're imagining things. Get out. I'm going to sleep."

I lifted the blanket and got into bed. Before I lay down, I felt warmth around my ankle.

His entire hand circled my ankle.

"Robert, what are you doing?" I quickly scolded him.

He ignored my command and tightened his grip on my ankle to prevent my struggle. In an unyielding tone, he said,

"Young master, you shouldn't sleep with socks on. It affects blood circulation."

"So what?"

"Your calves will swell, and you'll complain about pain again."

Before I could argue back, he had already removed my socks with his other hand.

His warm palm brushed over my instep. I could even feel the fine lines on his rough fingertips.