Chapter 27: Shadows of Possession

"Also, I bought these for you."

Julian reached into the shopping bag and pulled out the two sets of adorable silk loungewear featuring soft pastel bunny patterns.

He felt a slight nervous flutter in his chest. In the original novel, Victoria was portrayed as an aloof, terrifyingly cold empress. These cozy, playful pajamas were a complete contrast to her public persona, and he wondered if she would find them ridiculous.

Little did Julian know, the seemingly modest sleepwear he picked out would only fuel her desire to keep him wrapped around her finger.

"Mm," Victoria’s eyes softened into a rare, radiant warmth. "I love them."

Anything Julian gave her was an absolute treasure in her eyes.

"I’m glad," Julian smiled, relieved.

As he reached out to smooth a stray lock of hair from her forehead, Victoria gazed up at his gentle expression. A sudden, dark memory surfaced in her mind—the image of her biological father screaming hysterically at her mother, his eyes dripping with pure hatred before he abandoned them.

Her hands clenched tightly into fists at her sides.

When she had first brought Julian back and confined him within the gates of Rose Manor, she had fully anticipated his rebellion. She had prepared for him to fight, scream, and try to escape endlessly, just like her father had done.

Yet, Julian was astonishingly gentle with her. He indulged her possessiveness, accepted her eccentricities, and brought warmth into her cold existence.

If only we could stay like this forever...

Without warning, Victoria leaned up and pressed her lips against his in a deep, possessive kiss.

"You are mine," she murmured against his mouth, her voice dark and low with unyielding authority. "And you will always be mine alone."

She slid her hand up to the back of his neck, leaning closer to whisper directly into his ear, "Remember to always be good to me, Julian... or I’ll turn you into my permanent specimen."

Julian felt a cold shiver run down his spine. Yep, definitely dealing with a top-tier yandere. Obedience is the only path to survival!

Clearing his throat softly, Julian decided to test the waters. "Victoria... hypothetically speaking, if I had to attend an engagement ceremony with another woman—not because I actually want to get engaged, mind you, just to officially break it off—would you let me go?"

Victoria’s smile remained fixed, but her eyes turned pitch-black. "No."

Julian sighed inwardly. She clearly thought he was making up an excuse to lie to her.

He decided it was best not to press the issue further.

That evening, Victoria rested peacefully in Julian’s arms, her arms wrapped around his waist like an iron vice, as if terrified he might slip away into the night while she slept.

The following morning, Julian woke up around nine o’clock. Victoria had already left for headquarters at seven, her ironclad self-discipline on full display.

If I were as rich as her, I’d have retired years ago, Julian thought lazily, stretching on the velvet sofa as he played games on his phone.

By four in the afternoon, Butler Chen entered the living area with a polite bow. "Master Vance, Miss Sterling has a late corporate banquet to attend tonight, so she will not be returning to the manor for dinner."

Julian’s eyes instantly lit up. Heaven is on my side!

Tonight was the forced engagement party with Miss Ross. Because of the system mission, he had to go to officially annul the arrangement. Since Victoria had made it clear she wouldn’t let him go, sneaking out was his only option.

"Butler Chen, I’m heading out to meet a few friends for a casual dinner tonight," Julian said smoothly. "You don’t need to prepare a heavy meal for me."

"Understood, Master Vance."

Julian changed into a tailored designer suit Victoria had custom-ordered for his wardrobe. Looking at himself in the full-length mirror, he adjusted his cuffs. The immaculate fit made his sharp features and athletic frame look impossibly striking.

"Master Vance," Butler Chen asked attentively, "shall I assign a security team to accompany you?"

"No need," Julian declined immediately. "It’s a public venue, Butler Chen. Nothing’s going to happen. Don’t worry!"

He knew those bodyguards answered directly to Victoria. If they followed him, she would know about the engagement party before he even stepped through the front doors.

Little did Julian realize, Victoria had already stationed covert operatives to monitor his external movements whenever he left the estate, tasked with reporting any unauthorized contact with other women.

"By the way, Butler Chen," Julian asked casually, "Victoria didn’t set up secret guards to tail me, right?"

Butler Chen kept a perfectly neutral expression. "Presumably not, Master Vance."

"Great." Julian smiled, relieved. I’ll execute the annulment, finish the system task, and be back within two hours.

The grand ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel was illuminated by crystal chandeliers. Hundreds of high-society guests in tailored tuxedos and elegant evening gowns milled about, clinking champagne flutes and chatting in low, refined tones.

Outside the entrance, a luxury sedan pulled up. Elenor Vance, her husband Arthur Vance, their eldest daughter Sienna Vance, and Leo Vance stepped out onto the red carpet.

Leo adjusted his lapel, while Elenor scanned the crowd impatiently.

"Mom, do you really think Julian will show up?" Leo asked, a faint frown on his face.

Elenor sneered quietly. "He accepted the seven million dollars! If he dares to blow off this ceremony, I’ll personally ensure he loses his place in this city!"

Sienna Vance, who had always paid little attention to her long-lost younger brother, smoothed her silk gown and said dispassionately, "Father, Mother, Leo, let’s head inside. The Ross family is waiting."

As the Vance family walked into the main hall, whispers rippled through the gathered socialites.

"Is that Leo Vance? The golden son of the Vance family? He really is as handsome as the rumors say." ℯ

"I heard he’s a top-tier scholar at the university’s School of Economics. Such a refined, gentle young man."

"It’s a pity about the marriage arrangement," another wealthy socialite whispered behind her lace fan. "The Vance and Ross families made a betrothal pact years ago. But ever since Miss Ross was paralyzed in that car accident, the Vance family refused to let their precious biological son marry her."

"So they dragged back that illegitimate adopted son from the countryside to take Leo’s place as the groom?"

"Exactly. The Ross family was furious at first, but they eventually conceded. An adopted country bumpkin marrying a disabled heiress... what a farce."

Listening to the surrounding praise, Leo’s lips curled into a subtle, triumphant smirk. He thrived on being the center of attention—especially when everyone agreed that Julian was far beneath him.

Meanwhile, sitting in a motorized wheelchair near the head table, Miss Ross stared coldly at her phone.

She was originally supposed to marry Leo Vance. Now, she was being forced into an engagement with an unknown, uncultured peasant from the countryside.

Opening her messaging app, Miss Ross typed out a text to Leo:

[ Leo, meet me in the side lounge right now. ]

Leo checked his screen, a dark glint flashing in his eyes as he typed back: [ On my way. ]