Chapter 56 Valerie gave Lucius no room to indulge his own temper . She swung a leg over him , straddling his waist through the blanket , and lifted his chin with one hand as she smiled with wicked amusement . " Well , well . Who knew my dear husband had two faces ? I've always liked dealing with men like you - the ones who look all cold and restrained on the outside but turn out to be restless beasts underneath . " Pinned beneath her , Lucius didn't move . Flat on his back , he even looked faintly expectant , curious about what she might do next . His voice came out low and rough . "What are you planning ? " Valerie tilted his chin higher , leaning down slowly . He thought she meant to kiss him , but instead , like a mischievous child , she bit down on his cheek , leaving behind a neat row of teeth marks . Never in his life had Lucius been treated that way . Her voice was cool when she spoke . " I don't have a good temper . I don't take losses . Whoever makes me unhappy , I'll make them twice as miserable . " Lucius stayed on the bed , chuckling to himself . Valerie sure was interesting . At that moment , the bedside phone rang , cutting through the tension . Hannah's voice came crisply through the speaker . " Ms. Woodward is requesting to see you , Mr. White . She says it's urgent . She's waiting in the living room . " " Ms. Woodward ? Sonia ? " Lucius met Valerie's gaze , hoping to catch a flicker of reaction on her face . But there was nothing - not the slightest ripple . It seemed Valerie truly didn't care about his entanglements with other women . A wife who never pouted , fussed , or got jealous . She was easy - going and trouble - free - almost too much So. Downstairs , in the Azure Bay's living room , Sonia slid an ornate gift box across the table toward Hannah . " A friend brought these skincare products back from overseas . There are far too many for me to use on my own , so I thought I'd share some with you . " Sonia wasn't a shallow person . If she aimed to become Lucius ' wife , then everyone connected to Lucius went on her list of people to win over . Chapter 56 2/2 Hannah's breath caught when she saw the brand . It was from an international luxury line , worth easily hundreds of thousands of dollars . Sonia was being very generous . This , Hannah thought , was the benefit of working in a wealthy household . The chores might be menial , but the people you rubbed shoulders with outshone Fortune 500 executives . She smiled politely . " Ms. Woodward , this gift is far too valuable . I can't accept it . " Sonia played the role of a gracious young lady with ease . " I told you , it was a gift from a friend . It isn't worth much . If you won't take it , I'll just have to throw it away . You wouldn't want me to waste it , would you ? " Her carefully crafted persona was that of a beauty and a scholar . She had a good family , decent looks , and high intelligence - the perfect package . Winning over Hannah meant gaining an inside line to Lucius ' habits and movements . For Sonia , it was a bargain with nothing to lose . Hannah wasn't foolish . She knew the rule - if one accepted someone's gift , they would have to do their bidding . With a box of luxury skincare in front of her , free of charge , she wasn't about to play the martyr. " Since it's your kind offering , Ms. Woodward , I'll gratefully accept . " With that exchange , Sonia's favorability rose a notch . And before Lucius came downstairs , Hannah leaned in to share something useful with her . " Mr. White lives by strict routines . After 10:00 pm and before 9:00 am , we're forbidden from calling him on the house line , no matter the urgency . That's why you had to wait so long . It's the rule , and anyone who breaks it faces disciplinary action . " Sonia was taken aback . " Disciplinary action , in this day and age ? Seriously ? " Chapter 57