Juliana glanced down at Benson's lower abdomen with a faint smile. "You need those to improve your kidney functions."
Benson said in a cold voice, "Are you messing with me?"
Juliana stood up and replied, "You don't have to eat it. But if it doesn't work well, it's not my problem."
Benson suspected Juliana was intentionally messing with him, but he couldn't argue back.
He couldn't refuse either, because if the results were poor, it would be blamed on him, not her medical skills.
Once again, Benson suffered defeat.
Juliana said, "Go take a shower, or you won't be able to after the acupuncture treatment. Oh, I need to shower first. Don't forget to ask the maid to bring me some clothes."
After saying that, she walked into the bathroom like she was at home.
Benson looked at the list in his hand, thought for a moment, then added one word at the end, condoms.
He asked Philip to buy them, but only to mislead others.
If anyone found out Juliana could cure him, she might be targeted or even murdered.
Benson handed the list to Philip, the butler, and told him to get the medicines.
Philip froze when he saw the last item, but he didn't ask anything. He just took the list and went to see Old Mr. Leach.
Old Mr. Leach also froze when he heard there were deer pizzles and condoms on the list.
Then he laughed, "Go buy them quickly. And don't forget to have the maid send Juliana's clothes upstairs."
To him, these two things meant his grandson was finally starting to understand, even if he was impotent. That was still a good thing.
Old Mr. Leach didn't think much about the other medicines, assuming Benson just added them to cover up his embarrassment.
Philip soon returned with the purchases while Old Mr. Leach waited downstairs.
When Philip took out the condoms, Old Mr. Leach grabbed a long needle he had prepared and pricked them hard.
Philip was stunned watching this.
Old Mr. Leach finished, then told Philip to send them up quickly.
He smiled and muttered to himself as he watched Philip go upstairs, "Now I can wait to have a great-grandson."
When Juliana came out of the bathroom, Philip brought in the medicines. He gave her an unusually kind and respectful look before leaving with a smile.
Benson lifted his eyes and looked at Juliana. Her wet, wavy hair hung loosely over her shoulders.
Her light, delicate skin was flushed from the heat of the bath.
At that moment, she looked more relaxed and charming, far less aloof and proud than before.
Watching her, Benson felt restless and a little stirred up inside.
Juliana checked the medicines without looking up and said calmly, "Go take a shower. I'll be preparing the medicines."
Her voice was softer now, not cold like before, but strangely attractive.
Benson tugged at his tie, excitement stirring, and went into the bathroom.
When he came out, Juliana had already prepared the medicines and sterilized the silver needles.
She heard the sound of the door and looked up at him.
Fresh from the shower, Benson had only a towel wrapped around his waist.
His hair dripped with water, droplets sliding down his sharp jawline, across his collarbone, over his six-pack abs, and further down.
His body was so hot that Juliana couldn't help but swallow and quickly look away, her face flushing red.
She pointed at the table. "That's the potion. Take it with the deer pizzles."
Was he doing this on purpose?
Was he trying to seduce her?
Benson only glanced at her, then took the medicine and went to dry his hair.
When he was done, Juliana made him lie down on the bed so she could begin the acupuncture.
When she had been Miranda, she was already the proud disciple of Mr. Schroeder, a master of ancient medicine.
Acupuncture was nothing difficult for her.
But she had never revealed her true identity before. Would this identity also be stolen by Wendy?
Juliana shook her head quickly, pushing away those distracting thoughts.
Her identity might be stolen, but her medical skills... her abilities, were something Wendy could never take away!
Benson lay on the pillow that carried a faint scent of medicine. He turned onto his side, unable to see Juliana's face.
All he could see was her nightgown, her snow-white thighs, and her delicate wrists.
When her hands touched his shoulders, a faint fragrance drifted from her fingers.
It wasn't just the herbal scent of medicine. It was lighter, more refreshing than the pillow's smell, and it instantly eased the restlessness in his heart.
This was a calmness he had never felt before.
By the time Juliana finished the acupuncture, Benson's agitation had already faded. After three sleepless nights, the drowsiness finally hit him.
Still, he tried to keep his eyes open to look at Juliana.
Juliana carefully pulled the silver needles from his body and said softly, "Sleep now. I'll stay here."
Her gentle words made his heavy heart lighten. Unable to resist the exhaustion, he finally fell into deep sleep.
Juliana looked at him resting. His face still looked cold, but much softer than usual, stripped of its ruthlessness and sharpness.
Her eyes lingered on his long, black eyelashes.
Reaching out, she lightly brushed them with her fingertips. "I can't believe he has such beautiful eyelashes."
Since she wasn't too familiar with Benson's body condition yet, she chose to stay by his bedside.
Later, her own fatigue caught up to her, and she dozed off beside him.
In her sleep, Juliana suddenly sensed danger. Her eyes snapped open, only to meet a pair of scarlet, murderous eyes.
"Mr… um... "
She had barely spoken when Benson's hand clamped around her neck. His movements were so quick she had no time to react.
This time, Benson gripped her throat and lifted her up.
Juliana's breath caught as she struggled. She grabbed his arm and twisted it hard.
Benson loosened his hold in pain, but immediately raised his fists to attack again.
The two of them fought fiercely, breaking the furnishings in the room.
Even when Benson was sober, Juliana could not defeat him. Now that he was lost in madness, she stood no chance.
Within minutes, Benson had once again trapped her by the throat and pressed her down on the bed.
His eyes were bloodshot as his grip tightened.
His body pressed hard against hers, and through their thin pajamas, their body heat rose sharply.
Benson breathed in her refreshing medicinal scent.
That fragrance slowly eased his wild mania.
Just when Juliana thought she was about to be strangled to death, Benson suddenly released her.
Instead, he pulled her into his arms, rolled over, and collapsed onto the bed.
His steady breathing soon filled the air.
He had fallen asleep.
Juliana was stunned.
"Mr. Leach?"
She called him softly a few times, but there was no response. He was truly asleep.
Yet his arms locked her in tightly, making her position uncomfortable.
She tried to wriggle free, but as soon as she moved, his grip around her neck tightened again.
"Don't move," Benson murmured, holding her closer.
Juliana froze. If she moved again, she feared he would strangle her without realizing.
But this position was suffocating. "I feel uncomfortable like this," she whispered.
Her breathing grew shallow.
Perhaps hearing her voice, Benson's arm across her neck loosened slightly. He shifted, but still didn't let go.
Juliana tried a few more times, but every time she moved, he hugged her tighter, like she was his pillow.
In the end, she gave up. At least she could breathe properly now.
Soon, his arms and legs wrapped fully around her.
Her back was pressed against his broad, firm chest. His strong arms enclosed her tightly.
With her cheek against his chest, she could hear his steady heartbeat thudding against her ear.
It was the first time Juliana had been this close to a man. His masculine scent surrounded her, filling her nose.
She thought she would feel embarrassed, but strangely enough, a rare sense of relief washed over her instead.