The room went silent.
Estrella quickly ended the call. Gosh, what the heck was wrong with Stella?
She cast Luciano a sidelong glance, checking his reaction.
"You—" Before Luciano could complete his sentence, Estrella cut him off.
"Didn't you call me to come and eat?"
"Let's go quickly," she said, pushing Luciano out of the room before running downstairs.
Luciano followed at a slower pace. Did she think running away would help her escape punishment?
Those who broke his rules in the past had regretted ever crossing him.
When he got downstairs, he saw Estrella already eating.
Knowing what she had done, Estrella didn't dare to look up. She kept her head down, eating silently.
Luciano glanced at her, and a wicked smirk appeared on his lips.
His mind filled with countless ways to punish her.
She had always been so arrogant. It was time he put her in her place.
After a few bites, Estrella suddenly lost her appetite.
She wondered what was wrong with her. These days, she barely felt like eating.
She stood up to return to her room, but Butler Neil stopped her.
"Where is the young mistress going?"
"To sleep," she replied, looking at him strangely. What was this old man up to?
"Why not wait for the young master so you can sleep together?"
Sleep together? Again?
She still hadn't forgotten the horrible experience of sharing a bed with him.
Never.
"I don't feel comfortable sleeping with others," Estrella said firmly.
But Butler Neil wasn't having it. With a smile, he replied, "Marriage is not about convenience. It's about trying to make things work. Moreover, sleeping together is an effective way to build feelings."
Estrella was speechless as she tried to find a way to argue back.
Aunty Smith interjected, "What is wrong with you? Feelings are not something to be forced."
"Exactly," Estrella agreed.
But the next moment, Luciano looked up calmly. "Go and rest, Aunty Smith."
Aunty Smith understood immediately that he was dismissing her. Unable to disobey, she reluctantly left.
Watching her go, Estrella felt uneasy.
What was wrong with him? Why send Aunty Smith away?
Did he want to sleep with her again?
The moment Aunty Smith left the dining room, Luciano stood up.
"Let's go."
Estrella stared at him in disbelief.
Go where?
She wasn't going anywhere.
She stood her ground.
Luciano didn't seem to care. He walked up to her, grabbed her hand, and started dragging her upstairs.
"Let go of me!" Estrella struggled, trying to pull free.
But her resistance had no effect. Luciano dragged her effortlessly.
He pulled her all the way to the third floor.
Estrella looked around. She had never been here before.
The place was eerily quiet. Not that the rest of the villa wasn't, but this floor felt especially isolated. There were no maids around.
There were only two rooms—one opposite, and the one Luciano was dragging her toward.
She grabbed the railing, refusing to go in.
Luciano stopped and turned back to look at her.
Estrella expected him to lash out, but instead, he walked toward her.
When he got close enough, he looked down at her, his gaze piercing.
Estrella met his eyes, refusing to back down.
Distracted by him, she didn't realize when he pried her fingers off the railing.
The next thing she knew, he had pulled her into the room.
It was pitch dark, but the lights came on as soon as they entered.
Luciano let go of her and locked the door behind them.
Estrella felt a sting on her wrist. Looking down, she saw red marks forming.
She glared at him, anger rising in her chest.
"Heartless jerk."
Luciano ignored her glare. "You broke the rules."
Estrella immediately understood—she had told Stella about their contract marriage.
"I'm sorry. But I don't hide things from Stella. She's my best friend," she said.
"Rules are rules. What if Butler Neil had been there?"
Did he expect her to beg for forgiveness just because she apologized?
Estrella felt a twinge of guilt. It would have been troublesome if Butler Neil had heard.
Still, she thought Luciano was being unreasonable.
After all, Butler Neil wasn't there, and she had already apologized.
"I already said I'm sorry. Just forget about it," she said, lying down on the bed.
It wasn't a big deal. She had only broken one rule.
She kicked off her slippers and suddenly felt drowsy. She didn't know why, but her body felt weak.
She closed her eyes.
Luciano stared at her in disbelief. Did she even understand the seriousness of what she had done?
Estrella suddenly opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Don't you dare come and sleep on the bed."
Then she rested her head back down and drifted off.
Luciano was stunned.
"Crazy," he muttered.
A dozen punishments had crossed his mind—none of them gentle.
But now, he could only watch in disbelief.