"We're on our way to Ashfran Manor." Edward Pike leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, "I've sent people to move your suitcases over there."

"I thought I was supposed to move in until the day after tomorrow?" Jane Sidney recalled the conversation Sean Richard had with her earlier and frowned slightly, looking over at Sean, who was driving. Although she had not seen the manor, she thought it should not be the case.

Sean remained silent, pretended he had no idea of what was going on, and then looked at Jane in the rearview mirror with a helpless and pitiful expression. But inside, he felt glad because he was able to complete the task earlier than he had expected.

Jane pursed her lips, thinking, "Edward Pike is so bossy!"

At this moment, the car was slowly driving upon a long, tree-lined lane, and then a large group of European-style buildings appeared before their eyes.

Jane stared in amazement and curiosity at the magnificent Italian Baroque complex, recalling that Sean had said that Edward had bought the estate for her.

"Gosh! How much has he paid for this place? He shouldn't have bought it for me. It's just a marriage of convenience between him and me."

When the car pulled up somewhere at the manor, the housekeeper and several servants went over to them. "Boss, welcome home."

Getting out of the car, Jane could not help but curiously get closer then look up at the complex, exclaiming, "It's so impressive. I've never heard of an estate like this existing in Viaduct City."

No sooner had Jane finished admiring the magnificent architecture than a middle-aged woman standing behind Jane greeted her, "Madam."

"Hello." Jane felt a little uncomfortable hearing the other woman call her "madam", but she had no choice but to respond to her politely.

"You may call me Mrs. Miler. Please allow me to show you to your room." Mrs. Miler made a polite gesture of "please."

"All right." Jane nodded. Meanwhile, she wanted to call Stephen Sidney to tell him she was with Edward now but then realized her phone was still in Edward's hand.

"Where's Edward Pike?" asked Jane.

"He should be working in his study, but he doesn't like to be disturbed during work, " Mrs. Miler said while leading Jane into the castle.

"You are free to use these rooms, but please don't open those locked doors. Please try not to go anywhere above the third floor. Also, if you don't have the owner's permission, please don't enter his study or bedroom."

Mrs. Miler introduced as they were walking.

Jane wanted to say something but did not, silently following Mrs. Miler, and decided to wait until she was done with the orientation tour before going to Edward to get her phone back.

She looked around while Mrs. Miler was introducing the situation of the place.

Just like the castles she had seen in movies or TV shows, the hall here was spacious and gorgeous, with a large, expensive golden chandelier hanging in the center. She took a closer look at it and noticed that it was set with what looked like pearls and diamonds.

The walls of the room were lined with religious paintings from the Renaissance, all of which looked old enough to be worth a lot of money.

"Madam, this is your room." Mrs. Miler opened a door.

Jane walked in and saw her three suitcases lying on the floor. The spotlessly clean room had a large double bed, a glazed chandelier hanging from the ceiling, one vintage lamp on the table, and the other on the nightstand. The table, chairs, and sofa were all reddish-brown.

A study and bathroom were conveniently located next door to the bedroom.

The woman was quite satisfied with her room.

"I have this room all to myself, right?" Jane asked to make sure that Edward would live in a different room.

"Yes." Mrs. Miler nodded at Jane's questioning look. Edward was a nostalgic man. He had been living in a different house and did not want to move to any other place. This was his second dwelling spot.

Mrs. Miler thought to herself, "Boss hasn't brought another woman back home since that woman left him three years ago. Can this woman before my eyes open his heart again?"

Mrs. Miler had some anticipation in her heart.

"Great!" Jane could not help but cheer, thinking that after spending a year at this place, she would regain her freedom again.

Her reaction and performance confused Mrs. Miler.

Mrs. Miler then proceeded to show Jane around the property, repeating, "You shall not come out after midnight. Do not leave the room, no matter what you hear."

Mrs. Miler's words echoed in Jane's mind again and again.

With apprehension, Jane closed her bedroom door, but then, she thought about her phone.

So, she walked towards Edward's room. Her bedroom was on the second floor while the man was on the third floor.

Jane walked down the quiet hallway, looking around but could not see a single person, only her footsteps echoing, which made her scared.

For her lack of sense of security, being too spacious was a disadvantage of this place in the woman's perspective.

She quickened her pace, ran up to the third floor, and then passed room after room.

As long as a door was not locked, she would push it open gently and have a check. Unfortunately, she saw no one.

The woman, growing more and more scared, swallowed and walked over to the railing to peer downstairs.

"Help! Help!" shouted Jane, "Mrs. Miler! Help me!"

After hearing her yelling, several servants, including Mrs. Miler, ran out. Only when she saw them did Jane finally let out a sigh of relief. "Why could I not see any of you? I was afraid."

"Madam, please don't stay on the third floor." Mrs. Miler hinted to Jane to hurry down the stairs.

"My phone is still in Edward's hand. I'll get it and then go downstairs." Jane, much calmer, turned around but was shocked to see Edward, who had suddenly appeared, and stepped back in fear.

Luckily, Edward was quick enough to grab her wrist. Otherwise, she might have fallen down the stairs.

"What's the matter? "Edward frowned and let go of her wrist.

"My phone," Jane answered after regaining her balance.

Edward said nothing and turned to head for his room. Jane hurried to catch up. "And I haven't eaten yet tonight." She looked up at her watch and saw that it was eight twenty-three.

She was so hungry.

"Ask Mrs. Miler to prepare dinner for you. No need to let me know about such things." Edward responded coolly, taking Jane's phone from the room and turning to hand it to her. The look on his face seemed to indicate that he wanted Jane to get the phone and leave as quickly as possible.

Taking the phone, Jane pursed her red lips, "Thanks." She turned to leave but tilted her head to the man after taking two steps. "Edward Pike, my electric..." The man had crashed her electronic bicycle, and she wanted him to pay for it.

But she didn't finish that sentence. The horrible look in Edward's eyes kept her from saying anything further and from staying in his room for a moment longer.

After getting out of Edward's room, Jane immediately called her brother, Stephen.

Stephen didn't blame her.

After that, Jane had a light dinner and went back to her bedroom to prepare for tomorrow's class. The time sped by, and when she had finished her preparation, it was already eleven-thirty.

She hurried to unpack her suitcases and entered the bathroom with clean clothes.

While she was enjoying herself in the tub, all of a sudden, the light flickered, and Jane was so scared that her heart skipped a beat.

Not daring to continue, she panicked and climbed out of the bathtub, wrapping a towel around her body. Just as she was about to change into her clothes, the room went completely black.

"What's going on!" the woman thought, "What's wrong with the manor Edward bought? This place is worse than those in the countryside!"

"Edward Pike? Mrs. Miler? Sean?" Jane wrapped herself tightly in the towel and reached for her clothes, but a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.