Arranged Marriage: Beneath The Rumors

Chapter 37: Insomnia

She sighed and stood up, after eating her breakfast, deciding to clear the table and distract herself from the questions swirling in her mind.

the butler tried to stop her but she refused and dismissed them.

But as she began to gather the plates, her gaze drifted back to the chair where Lugard had sat, her thoughts still lingering on Mr handsome cold face who had just left the room.

As Lisa finished packing the plates, she noticed the servants hovering nervously in the background, their eyes darting towards the dining room and back to her. She realized that they were scared - scared that if Lugard found out that she had cleared the table herself, he might punish them or even fire them.

Lisa felt a surge of frustration and anger towards Lugard. Why did he have to be so controlling and intimidating? She didn't want the servants to lose their jobs because of her actions.

She returned to the dining room and called out for the butler, "butler Jenkins!"

Jenkins appeared promptly, his expression neutral. "Yes, madam?"

"Mr Jekins, I want to ask you something," Lisa said, her voice low. "Why are the servants so scared of Mr. Lu? They seem to be walking on eggshells around him."

Jekins hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before responding in a hushed tone, "It's because of his temper, madam. Mr. Lu has a... volatile personality. He can be quite... unforgiving when things don't go his way."

"Ok, but I have disobeyed his word so many times," Lisa said, her voice laced with a mix of defiance and curiosity. "But he still keeps me around. Why is that, butler Jenkins?"

Jenkins's expression turned cautious, as if he was choosing his words carefully. "Well, madam, I think it's because... you're different. You're not like the others."

"Others?" Lisa repeated, her interest piqued. "What do you mean?"

"The other women in his life, madam," Jenkins clarified. "They're all... intimidated by him. They do as he says, no questions asked. But you... you're not afraid to speak your mind. You challenge him, madam. And I think that's what fascinates him about you."

Lisa's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. Fascinated? Lugard? She couldn't imagine it. And yet... Thomas's words sparked a glimmer of hope within her. Maybe, just maybe, she could use this to her advantage.

Jekins expression turned wary, as if he sensed where Lisa's thoughts were headed. "Madam, I don't know if that's wise. Mr. Lu is not a man to be trifled with."

But Lisa was undeterred. "I'm not afraid of him, Mr Jekins. And I'll do whatever it takes to get out of this marriage. Until he agrees to our divorce, I'll keep pushing his buttons, keep challenging him. And maybe... just maybe... he'll tire of me and let me go."

Jekins's eyes widened in alarm, but Lisa just smiled, a fierce determination burning within her. She was ready to play Lugard's game, to use his fascination against him. And she would stop at nothing to gain her freedom.

She looks at the butler, her eyes searching for answers. "Why is there dark circles around Mr. Lu's eyes? I have seen it like four times."

The butler hesitated for a moment, thinking to himself. Maybe I will just tell madam since she's young master's wife. "Young master has an insomnia from childhood," he said finally. "He can't sleep without taking sleeping pills. Sometimes it won't work, and the next day he will have dark circles under his eyes. And he will be very irritated and angry, even... he will become more cold."

Lisa's eyes widened in surprise. She had no idea that Lugard struggled with insomnia. No wonder he always seemed so distant and detached.

"So that's the reason for his cold attitude this morning," she thought to herself. She felt a pang of sympathy for Lugard, despite his handsomeness and harsh treatment of her.

"Thank you, Mr Jekins," she said to the butler. "I understand now."

the butler nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, madam. It's a... delicate topic, but I thought you should know, given your circumstances."

Lisa nodded, her mind whirling with new thoughts and questions. She wondered what is the reason for Lugard insomnia.

Lisa decided to take a walk outside, needing some fresh air to clear her mind. She slipped on her white jean skirt, which fell just above her knees, and paired it with a black big polo shirt. The comfortable outfit was perfect for a casual stroll.

She then turned her attention to her hair, gathering her long black locks into a ponytail. She tied it with a black ribbon, the ends of her hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. A few stray strands framed her face, which she gently tucked behind her ears.

With her hair secured, Lisa slipped on her black ballet flats and headed out the door. The warm sun on her skin and the gentle breeze in her hair were just what she needed to calm her racing thoughts. She walked aimlessly, taking in the sights and sounds of the lush gardens surrounding the estate.

As she strolled, Lisa couldn't help but think about Lugard.

As Lisa walked towards the estate's gate, she was suddenly stopped by the guards. "I'm sorry, madam," one of them said, his expression firm but polite. "But we can't let you go out alone."

Lisa frowned, taken aback by the guard's words. "Why not?" she asked, trying to sound assertive.

"It's Mr. Lu's orders, madam," the guard replied. "He's instructed us to ensure your safety at all times. You can't go out without an escort."

Lisa shook her head, her mind made up. "No, I don't need an escort. I just want to take a walk around the streets. I need some fresh air and time to think."

The guard frowned, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, madam, but Mr. Lu's orders are clear. You can't go out alone."

Lisa's eyes flashed with determination. "I'm not going to be a prisoner in this house. I'm just going for a walk, not escaping. Let me go."

the butler stepped forward, his expression worried. "Madam, please reconsider. It's not safe..."

Lisa cut him off, her voice firm. "I'm going for a walk, Mr butler. Alone. And that's final."

With that, she pushed past the guard and The butler, walking swiftly out of the estate's gates before they could stop her. She felt a thrill of excitement mixed with fear as she stepped into the unknown, determined to assert her independence.

The guards panicked, their faces pale as they realized they couldn't stop Lisa from leaving the estate. One of them quickly grabbed his phone and dialed a number, his hands shaking slightly as he waited for an answer.

Lugard sat in his office, his eyes fixed on the documents in front of him. His face was a mask of calm, his features chiseled in stone. He was a master of control, his emotions locked away behind a wall of ice.

As he worked, his pen moved with precision, his strokes bold and confident. He was a man who commanded respect, who inspired fear in those around him.

But beneath the surface, a storm was brewing. His mind was consumed by thoughts of Lisa, his young wife. He couldn't understand why she refused to obey him, why she continued to challenge his authority.

Just as he was starting to lose focus, his phone rang, shrill in the silence. He lifted it to his ear, his voice cold and detached. "Yes?"

"Sir, it's Guard Li. Young Madam has left the estate. She refused our escort and insisted on going out alone."

Lugard's voice was calm and collected on the other end of the line, but Guard Li could sense a hint of danger lurking beneath the surface. "Find her. Now."

Guard Li nodded, even though he knew Lugard couldn't see him. "Yes, sir. Right away, sir."

He hung up the phone and turned to the other guard. "We need to find Young Madam. Mr. Lu wants her back."