?Chapter 1021:


    Freya’s lips pressed together in thoughtful consideration.


    Ellis gazed at her with undisguised admiration, his rational faculties nearly submerged beneath waves of alcohol-induced desire. “I can manage my ablutions independently. Perhaps you might prepare some honey-infused water instead?”


    Previously, such situations had never arisen, eliminating any need to maintain rigid self-discipline.


    But circumstances had evolved dramatically; surrendering to impulse now would constitute an injustice to her.


    “But…” Freya’s concern for his welfare remained genuine and pressing. What if he suffered a fall in her absence?


    Despite persistent lightheadedness, Ellis clung tenaciously to his remaining fragment of rationality. “If your concern truly persists, you might draw my bath and locate suitable nightwear.”


    “Agreed.” Freya immediatelyunched into purposeful motion. Observing her efficient movements around the chamber, Ellis’s lips curved into an alluring smile.


    Though aware she had conspired with Trent and Frederick to orchestrate his intoxication, he harbored no intention of confronting her deception.


    Such behavior represented a rare deviation for her. Why not indulge her scheme with willing participation?


    After locating appropriate attire, Freya escorted him to the bathroom, verified the bathtub’s water temperature to ensure optimalfort, then discreetly withdrew.


    She deliberately postponed preparing the honeyed water, concerned that descending to the kitchen might prevent her from detecting any disturbance from upstairs.


    Should any mishap ur, she positioned herself to respond with immediate assistance.


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    Approximately twenty minutester, Ellis emerged from his ablutions. The bathing ritual had partially restored his sobriety, though he deliberately refrained fromplete rity.


    Earlier that evening at the restaurant, before excusing himself momentarily, he had inadvertently overheard Freya’s exchange with Trent, revealing her intentional…


    Ellis felt a strange awareness of Freya’s scheme to intoxicate him for some mysterious examination. Though uncertain about her specific intentions—which she clearly wished to keep concealed—he elected to participate willingly in her ndestine experiment.


    He feltpelled to provide her with a satisfying sense of aplishment in whatever plot she had meticulously crafted.


    Freya’s gaze lingered on Ellis’s hair, still damp from his shower. She reached for the towel, rubbing it through his hair with gentle, practiced motions before plugging in the hairdryer and finishing the job with a warm, steady stream of air. Throughout it all, Ellis sat quietly, offering no resistance, just letting her fuss over him.


    When he settled onto the bed, she headed off to the kitchen and returned with a ss of honeyed water, nerves prickling beneath her skin the entire time.


    She couldn’t shake her anxiety—not knowing if he was truly drunk.


    What if he snapped awake the moment she tried to measure his finger?


    That would spoil the entire surprise she’d worked so hard to n.


    Worries spun through her mind, stealing her sense of time.


    Almost without realizing, she nced at the clock and saw that ten minutes had vanished.


    Holding her breath, she listened for any hint of movement, then called out softly, “Captain? Are you asleep?”


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