Violet had gleaned some insights from George earlier, but Naomi’s detailed ount provided a fuller picture.


    She was stunned. She admired Lucius’s tolerance, but she questioned herself if this was the same man she knew. Lucius had shown no such mercy toward her, seemingly determined to make her suffer.


    Naomi’sforting hand sped Violet’s, offering reassurance.


    “Aggie, don’t worry. If you show genuine remorse, he’ll eventually forgive you. He once despised me deeply, yet


    he never harmed me.”


    “So, he decided I should work here?” Violet wondered, knowing how much Agatha irritated him.


    “Yes, it was his decision. But considering how much we wronged him, I’m happy to work here as a way to make amends,” Naomi confirmed.


    “Mom,” Violet said, affected by Naomi’s immense love, “I’m sorry.”


    She was apologizing on behalf of Agatha.


    Naomi’s embrace wasforting, and she whispered, “Aggie, just being with you is my greatest joy.”


    Back at the Imperial Pce, Lucius massaged his brow, his gaze inadvertently drifting outside.


    He noticed several of his lovers ying volleyball on the grass, but Violet’s usual presence was missing. Her


    absence, having be a regr part of the scenery, was oddly noticeable.


    At lunch, he asked nonchntly, “Where has Agatha been assigned?”


    George responded, “To the dog farm.”


    Lucius gave a soft hum, aware that the dog farm was a strenuous ce to work. He pictured Violet worn out and possibly in tears from theborious task.


    He had logged into the surveince system immediately upon returning to his study, perhaps to confirm his


    assumptions about her state.


    Contrary to his expectations of a distressed scene, the screen disyed Violetfortably nestled in Naomi’s


    embrace, presenting a rather heartwarming sight.


    He zoomed in on the image and turned up the volume, catching Violet’s gentleughter.


    “Can I do it like this?”


    “Sure, you can even do it that way.”


    “That’s so much fun! Hehe!”


    Frustrated, Lucius mmed his hand on the desk. George entered quickly, puzzled by Lucius’s sudden anger.


    “Has Agatha bewitched you?”


    +15 BONOS


    George was sweating profusely, unsure what he had done wrong. Lucius <i>coldly </i>turned the surveince screen to him, and he understood the implication.


    To be honest, he just followed Lucius’s directions to assign Violet the most difficult, filthybor. He never


    anticipated Naomi’s appearance.


    Admitting his error, George apologized, “I’m sorry, Master Lucius. It was an oversight on my part.”


    Lucius stood, his eyes still fixed on the screen. Violet was now separated from Naomi,


    struggling with a broom and a bucket of water, insisting on doing the work herself despite Naomi’s offer to


    help.


    “George,” Lucius said, “don’t you notice a significant change in Agatha?”


    “Change?” George, skilled as a butler, quickly understood Lucius’s implication. “Does Master Lucius think Ms.


    Agatha has grown more ustomed to hard work? She must try hard to minimize her penalty now that she


    has returned as a sinner without your protection.”


    Lucius’s expression turned thoughtful, his brow furrowing.


    “Is Master Lucius suspicious of something?” George prodded.


    Lucius remained silent, his gaze narrowing with contemtion.


    After a demanding day of work, Violet returned to the Imperial Pce in the afternoon.


    Feeling tired but uplifted by Naomi’s affection, she was in good spirits. Humming a song in the shower, she


    noticed the rosy hue of her cheeks in the mirror.


    After finishing her shower, Violet came out casually, wrapped only in a towel.


    To her surprise, she found Lucius in her room, leaning against the bed with a serious expression.


    Caught off guard, her singing halted suddenly. She stared at him, momentarily forgetting her scantily d


    state.


    “Feeling happy?” Lucius inquired.


    Violet hesitated to respond, uncertain about what he was implying.


    “You might be happy, but I’m not,” he stated tly.


    Feeling a surge of apprehension, Violet instinctively moved back. Memories of the previous night’s


    punishment for his displeasure fresh in her mind.


    From outside the slightly open door, voices discussed, “Has Master Lucius eaten dinner yet? Why hasn’t it been arranged?”


    “It’s ready, but Master Lucius…isn’t eating.”


    Violet, with a quizzical look, asked, “You haven’t had dinner yet?”


    +15 BONOS


    Her gaze inadvertently fell on his stomach, and she recalled his past stomach issues. Skipping meals like this could only worsen his condition.


    She looked at her clothes on the bed, near Lucius’s feet, and suggested softly, “I’ll make something for you to


    eat.”


    Not daring to retrieve her clothes, she redressed in the clothes she had worn earlier.


    Lucius watched her, but said nothing.


    About twenty minutester, Violet returned with a tray. On it was a bowl of gnhi, garnished with vegetables, looking appealing and fragrant.


    She ced the tray on the table. “Let’s discuss after you’ve eaten.”


    Lucius, however, didn’t move an inch.


    Violet let out a resigned sigh, picked up the bowl, and began stirring it with a spoon. She scooped up a


    gnhi, blew on it gently, then held it out to him. “Open your mouth.”


    Lucius obeyed, taking the gnhi into his mouth and chewing it with grace.