Chapter 35: The Blood-Red Wine

"Is that a coffin?" Julian asked, frowning as he turned back to the butler. "Butler Chen, what on earth is that doing here?"

Butler Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t possibly reveal that Victoria had ordered the crystal coffin specifically to house Julian’s preserved remains if he ever tried to abandon her.

Making up a quick excuse, Butler Chen replied smoothly, "Master Julian, Miss Sterling believes that custom-molded crystal helps ground one’s energy and dispel bad luck. She simply had it delivered to store in the lower wing."

"Ah, right. Wealthy family quirks," Julian muttered, accepting the explanation without another thought.

Focusing back on his main priority, Julian tapped his chin. He needed concrete proof to clear his name.

Wait, I have it! Julian’s eyes lit up.

Before entering the banquet hall, he had set his phone to record audio in case his parents tried to twist his words. He had saved the file right when Miss Ross approached him. His direct refusal of the marriage was right there on tape!

"I have the proof! Let me go check my phone," Julian said, quickly retreating to the bedroom.

He dug through the pile of torn clothes on the floor, found his dead phone, and immediately plugged it into the wall charger. As the battery icon flickered to life, he extracted the audio recording and saved a backup.

Waiting for Victoria to return, his eyes fell on the bedsheets. Yesterday, despite her condition, Victoria had completely lost control. He shook his head, praying she hadn’t made herself sick.

At the Royal Lounge, Chole looked on with concern as Victoria threw back shot after shot of heavy liquor.

Reaching over,Chole snatched the glass away. "Victoria, stop! It’s just a man. Why are you destroying yourself like this?"

Chole had never seen Victoria so utterly unraveled by heartbreak. She had warned her that Julian was only playing a game, and now his true motives were on full display.

Victoria snatched the bottle back, her lips curling into a self-deprecating smirk as dark liquor spilled over her chin.

"You don’t understand," Victoria whispered softly, her eyes hollow. "It’s normal that he doesn’t love me. A broken, twisted monster like me doesn’t deserve to be loved by anyone."

She inherited her mother’s dangerous, possessive nature—the urge to lock up what she loved until it withered away. Every time she imagined Julian leaving her, smiling at someone else, or building a life with another woman, a murderous rage threatened to consume her mind. Julian was too pure for her world, yet she couldn’t bring herself to let him go.

Suddenly, Victoria doubled over, clutching her abdomen as a harsh fit of coughing tore through her throat.

Cough, cough—

She vomited dark red liquid onto the marble floor, blood staining her pale lips.

"Oh my god!"Cholengasped, springing to her feet.

Her chronic stomach condition had flared up, aggravated by severe alcohol poisoning. Knowing Rose Manor had a fully equipped medical bay, Natasha immediately called Butler Chen to dispatch an emergency transport team.

By the time the doctors stabilized Victoria and brought her back to the manor, she was running a high fever and slipping in and out of consciousness.

"Miss Sterling is extremely weak," the private physician instructed Butler Chen. "Because of her severe stomach lining damage, we cannot administer strong oral medications right now. You’ll need to use physical methods—sponge baths with cool water—to keep her fever down through the night."

Julian stepped forward from the doorway. "Leave her to me tonight. You all go get some rest."

The maids hesitated, looking to Butler Chen. Seeing an opportunity for the two to reconcile, Butler Chen gave a subtle nod.

"Understood, Master Julian," the staff bowed and quietly withdrew.

Julian didn’t sleep a wink. He spent the entire night dipping towels, wiping down Victoria’s forehead, neck, and arms, checking her temperature every half hour until the fever finally broke at dawn.

When Victoria opened her eyes the next morning, the first thing she saw was Julian sitting beside the bed, his head resting against the mattress with dark circles under his weary eyes.

"Julian..." she whispered softly to herself, her fingertips lightly hovering over his dark hair. "If only you could be this obedient forever."

Yet she knew this peace was an illusion. Once the reality of his confinement settled in, he would grow to despise her, screaming and fighting to escape just as her father had done years ago.

Her gentle touch woke Julian instantly. He blinked his tired eyes and sat up, his face brightening with relief.

"Victoria! You’re awake!" Julian checked her forehead with his palm. "How are you feeling? Does your stomach still hurt? Any dizziness?"

Victoria stared at him, her dark eyes filling with a tragic, lingering affection. To her, his affection felt like another calculated act—a sweet performance meant to drop her guard so he could run away again.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Julian asked, feeling a strange chill down his spine.

Without a word, Victoria reached beneath the headboard pillow and pulled out a sleek, razor-sharp steel dagger. The blade caught the morning light, reflecting a cold gleam across the bedroom.

Julian froze, his pulse spiking instantly.

Holy crap! Is she actually going to kill me and turn me into a specimen right now?!

You useless system, you’ve completely ruined my life! Julian screamed internally.

Before he could react, Victoria flipped the handle and offered the dagger directly to him.

Julian blinked, utterly bewildered. "V-Victoria? You’re giving me a knife? Do you... want me to peel some fruit for you? I’ll go get an apple—"

Julian made a move to stand up, but Victoria grabbed his wrist in an iron grip. Guiding his shaking hand, she pressed the sharp tip of the blade directly against her own chest, right over her heart.

"Julian," Victoria whispered, her lips pale, her gaze locked onto his with painful intensity. "Kill me."

Julian gasped, completely stunned into silence.

"Kill me, and you’ll finally be free," she murmured softly.

She had no attachments left in this world except for him. During her feverish delirium, memories of her parents’ violent, toxic relationship had flashed incessantly through her mind. She couldn’t bear the thought of watching Julian look at her with hatred, or hearing him spit bitter words at her.

If keeping him meant turning into her mother, she would rather die by his hand.

Julian stared at her, completely speechless.

Wait... what?!

In every novel, shouldn’t the yandere heiress be the one threatening to freeze him in a crystal block? Why on earth was she begging him to murder her instead?!