Chapter 92
Fluffy, cotton–candy–like clouds gradually drifted away, and sunlight fell on Victoria, dispelling the chill from the basement.
Victoria spoke earnestly. "Emma, don't get into conflicts with Jude. I don't want you to get hurt."
Emma blinked her big eyes, asking, "Will he bully me?"
Victoria couldn't guarantee it, especially since she didn't know the current Jude well. "Just trust me."
"Okay, I'll listen to you." Emma nodded obediently but couldn't help adding, "I don't like him. He is too rude to you."
Victoria laughed, her eyes filled with tenderness. She squatted down and kissed Emma. "Emma, you're such a little angel. I absolutely love you."
Emma shyly smiled, saying, "I love you, too."
The intimate interaction between Victoria and Emma was seen by Henry and Jude who followed behind, immediately turning their expressions into envy.
Seeing them come out, Victoria took Emma and quickly left.
As Victoria entered the villa, the butler and servants all approached. "Mrs. Harrison, who is this?"
Victoria replied, "She is my friend's daughter and will be staying here for a few days. Please prepare a guest room for her. Thank you."
The servant quickly said, "You're too kind. We'll get right on it."
Victoria looked at Emma. "Do you want to choose a room you like?"
But Emma blinked her big eyes and asked, "Can I sleep with you?"
Just as Victoria was about to agree, a cold voice came from behind. "No."
Emma shrank back, hiding behind Victoria, but couldn't help peeking out to look at the tall figure who had walked in.
She still felt some fear toward Henry because his gaze was sharp as if it could cut her.
Victoria protected Emma behind her and looked at Henry. "Why not?"
Henry glanced at Victoria's defensive stance, his brows slightly furrowed in displeasure. His tone became even colder. "You're my wife, so of course, you should sleep with me."
Victoria calmed down and gently said to Emma, "Sweetheart, do you want to see your room?"
"Yes, I'll go." Emma nodded and went upstairs.
Victoria turned to the stern Henry. "I agreed to move back, but I didn't agree to live with you. Henry, you can't be unreasonable like this."
Henry walked step by step toward Victoria, his tall figure and broad shoulders exuding a powerful aura. He looked at her mockingly. "You think this is unreasonable? I have even more unreasonable sides. Do you want to see them?"
"You-" Victoria couldn't help but take a step back. Looking into his deep eyes made her feel breathless.
Noticing Jude still standing nearby, Victoria grabbed Henry's hand and turned to head toward the garden.
Henry glanced at Victoria's delicate, fair hand. She tightened her grip slightly, the coolness of her touch transferring to him, causing his eyes to narrow.
The intimacy he had planned with Victoria last night had been interrupted, leaving him somewhat displeased.
It had been over a month since they had shared any intimacy, and Henry indeed felt a longing for Victoria's body. He grasped her hand in return, warmth spreading between them.
Victoria paused for a moment. They quickly exited the living room and arrived in the garden. Victoria forcefully pulled her hand away. "I don't want to sleep with you."
Victoria's weary face was full of resistance, her eyes cautious. "You really feel like a stranger to me. We've only known each other for a short time. Can't you give me some time to get to know you better?"
"If I give you that time, will you agree to sleep with me?" Henry countered.
Victoria fell silent.
Henry stepped closer, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Victoria instinctively pulled away, but he suddenly pressed his hand against the back of her head, preventing her from escaping.
Victoria's body immediately stiffened.
Henry leaned in, the tip of his straight nose brushing against hers. His voice was low and soothing. "Victoria, you seemed to enjoy it last night. If we do it a few more times, you'll get used to it and even like it, just like before."
Victoria reflexively raised her hand to strike Henry, but he casually interrupted, "If you slap me, your brother will be kicked out of Hardwick Group, and then the Hardwick family will be expelled from Lanceser. Do you want to try?"
Victoria's hand froze in mid–air.
She didn't care about the fate of the Hardwick family, but she cared about her brother.
Her fingers slowly curled up and finally formed a fist. "Didn't you say you would wait until I regained my memory? I'm not willing right now. You wouldn't force me, would you?"
Henry chuckled lightly, tracing his fingers along the tender skin of her neck. "Why are you still so naive?"
There had been so many times that he forced her to do things she didn't want.
Victoria felt a deep sense of powerlessness as her eyelashes fluttered, and she lowered her gaze.
"You are being too much. I definitely didn't like you before."
Henry scoffed softly, "You've got it wrong. You liked me, obsessed with me which is why you drugged me and climbed into my bed. Otherwise, why would you have married me?"
"Since you have married me. You need to do wife's duty to your husband like you've always done before."
Henry's gaze swept over her slightly lips. Suddenly, he leaned down and pecked Victoria on the lips before stepping back two paces. "Be good. It's better for both of us." With that, he turned and left.
Victoria stood among the withered rose bushes, her face pale, feeling fatigued and powerless. Not only she can not prove her innocence and Henry always considers her a schemer, but also she is in his mercy now.
She closed her eyes, determined to find out what had really happened five years ago.
At that moment, she suddenly felt discomfort in her stomach, a dull ache creeping in. She clutched her belly, her eyes gradually brightening.