The two maids walked along, talking softly,
"Is this incense going to Mr. Hawk and Ms. Jessica''s room? one of them asked.
"Yes," the other replied. "Mrs. Edith and Mrs. Lilian told us to deliver it. This is aphrodisiac incense."
"Looks like tonight, Ms. Jessica and Mr. Hawk will finally get things moving"
"You''ll see soon enough, Ms. Jessica will be Mrs. Hawk.”
"And don''t forget Dr. Cen. He''s staying tonight, too. He and Ms. Trish are bound to make something happen. Mrs. Edith hasn''t stopped talking about how impressive her two grandsons-inw are."
"The Crone family is rising to the top!"
The two maids walked further away, their chatter fading as they went.
Wendy, who had been standing quietly nearby, overheard their conversation. Edith and Lilian were nning to use aphrodisiac incense on Stanley, were they?
Thest time, at the Crone family''s estate, Stanley had been exposed to some aphrodisiac, but it hadn''t been very strong, and he had managed to resist it. This time, however, the incense was far more potent-difficult to find and working with a fierceness that couldn''t be ignored.
It seemed Edith and Lilian were eager to push things along.
Should she tell Stanley?
Looking at her feet, Wendy hesitated, then decided against it.
It wasn''t her ce to interfere. Stanley had always loved Jessica, and the incense was just something to spice things up.
Wendy nced back at the Crone family''s estate, now brightly lit and decorated, full of energy and celebration. The night was thick with fog, and her solitary figure soon disappeared into the mist.
The maids had delivered the aphrodisiac incense to the room. Jessica was sitting on the bed as Stanley brought her
some water.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked, his voice calm and steady.
Jessica nodded. "Yes, much better. Stanley, these past few days, my heart''s been bothering me. Now that we found Dr. Cen, I know he can help me."
Stanley''s expression remained impassive as he nced at her. "Was it Trish who found Dr. Cen?"
"Yes! Stanley, are you doubting Dr. Cen''s credentials?" Jessica asked, her eyes harrowing slightly.
Stanley didn''t answer, his silence heavy.
Jessica smiled, reassuring him. "Stanley, you''re overthinking it. Dr. Cen is the real deal."
Stanley didn''t continue the conversation. He stood up, ready to leave. "Now that you''re feeling better, I''ll head
back."
"Stanley." Jessica quickly reached out, grabbing his hand and giving it a yful shake. "Are you still angry at me?
312
I''m sorry, okay? Please stay and keep mepany."
Stanley pulled his hand away gently.
"Rest well, Jessica," he said, his voice soft but firm.
He turned to leave, but then, Jessica suddenly asked, "Stanley, have you developed feelings for Wendy?"
Stanley froze, his steps halting.
"You know why I showed that photo to that guy, Lionel?" she pressed, her voice low. "Because a woman''s intuition is never wrong. You seem to have feelings for Wendy, just a little bit."
Stanley''s gaze shifted, his features hard to read. He briefly closed his eyes, but no one could tell what he was thinking. With a small movement, he tugged at his tie, feeling a sudden rush of heat.
The heat was intense, and it hit him suddenly. Stanley could feel his blood boiling, the heat spreading through him, and his eyes narrowed as his body seemed to burn with lust.
Something was wrong.
Stanley immediately realized it. He reached for the door and flung it open.
Outside stood Harry and Lilian. They seemed to have been there for a while.
"M-Mr. Hawk," they said with forced smiles.
Stanley''s face darkened. "Did you two do something?"
His voice was cold, dangerous.
"Mr. Hawk, we..." Harry began, but he faltered under Stanley''s piercing re.
Stanley turned his icy gaze toward them, ready to leave.
"Mr. Hawk!" Lilian suddenly called out, her voice urgent. "There''s no other way to get rid of the aphrodisiac effect. It only wears off after sex. If you leave, what will happen to Jessica?"