"Yes, really. Once I finish this busy period, I'll let you know the exact time."
"Alright, alright. You haven't been back in a while. It's a good chance to see your father. He's always been stubborn, pretending he doesn't care, but he misses you a lot."
Valentina's face lit up with childlike joy upon hearing her son say he would come home.
"Okay."
"Now go finish your work." Valentina gave Royce a loving look, then suddenly remembered something and added, "Dear, I know you're at that age now. If you're with a woman, make sure to use protection."
Royce's face showed a brief flash of shock, but he nodded.
"I'll be off then." Royce took long strides and quickly exited the room.
Valentina let out a deep breath, feeling content. Soon, the family would be reunited.
Royce immediately got into his Ferrari LaFerrari and sped towards the Imperium Grand Hotel.
Meanwhile, in the presidential suite, Julia lay on the floor, her clothes torn to shreds, unable to move. She lay there, letting the pain spread through her body.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. Julia struggled to sit up and leaned against the bed, using one hand to hold her clothes and cover herself.
It was a hotel staff member.
Julia looked up and realized that this staff member looked familiar. It seemed to be the same person who had helped her to the room earlier.
The waiter was momentarily stunned when he saw Julia. He probably hadn't expected that the bright and cheerful girl from earlier would now look like this.
Her face was swollen from being hit, her clothes were torn, and her body bore horrifying whip marks.
"Um... the entire hotel has been booked by the Edwards Family. You can stay here tonight," he said hesitantly.
Julia let out a cold laugh. "How much did you make?"
The waiter seemed to be struck by a guilty conscience. "What are you talking about? I don't understand!"
"If you don't understand, who does? How much did Bailey pay you to do this to me?" Julia's tone was eerily calm.
"Ten thousand!" A woman's voice came from behind the waiter.
The waiter immediately turned around. "Miss Avery!"
"You're done here. Leave now. The money has already been transferred to your account. Go check it," Bailey said.
"Yes, thank you, Miss Avery!" The waiter left, looking quite pleased with himself.
Bailey flashed a dazzling smile at Julia. "Ten thousand dollars to get you into this state. Don't you feel cheap?"
Julia suddenly started laughing, her laughter echoing through the empty presidential suite, making it even more eerie.
Bailey's smile slowly faded, unsure of what Julia found so funny.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at how foolish you are. I've already lost everything. What's the point of staging this whole drama? Ten thousand dollars? You think I'm worth that much? All my money combined probably doesn't even add up to ten thousand. Ha ha!"
Bailey looked at Julia with a mix of disdain and unease.
Yes, she was already engaged to Harry. Her future in-laws were very pleased with her, and she had already secured the lead role in her next movie. Julia, on the other hand, had only signed with a company on the brink of bankruptcy, posing no real threat to her.
Yet, she still felt worried.
"The fact that you've gone to such lengths to set all this up only shows how insecure you are, Bailey. You're scared..."
"That's nonsense! I'm not scared!" Bailey immediately denied.
Julia let out a cold laugh. "You know the truth deep down."
"Julia Avery! Look at yourself! What do you have that I should be afraid of?"
"Exactly, what do I have that you should be afraid of?" Julia retorted.
Bailey's eyes widened, filled with both anger and fear.
"Let me tell you something, Julia. You will never beat me! You can't take Harry away from me, and signing with that failing company won't make you outshine me! You'll always be my defeated rival!"
Bailey gritted her teeth, as if she wanted to tear Julia apart right then and there.
Julia looked at her with pity, feeling even more sorry for her.
"Let me tell you something, Julia. I recorded everything that happened between you and Harry. I also took some very compromising photos. I suggest you leave the entertainment industry, or else, if you ever anger me, I'll release the videos and photos! Harry and I are engaged, and we'll be married soon. Once those videos are out, you'll be branded as a homewrecker! You'll never clear your name!"
Julia stared coldly at Bailey, a smile playing on her lips.
"You're really pitiful! It seems you can't do bad things these days, or you won't sleep well at night," Julia taunted.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Bailey retorted, a hint of guilt in her voice. "I'll say it one more time, you'd better quit the entertainment industry, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
With that, Bailey turned and stormed out of the room.
Julia stared blankly at the bedroom door. The effects of the drug had not completely worn off, and her strength had not fully returned. Coupled with her injuries, she dared not move recklessly.
Bailey had drugged her with something that made her whole body weak, a tactic even more insidious than an aphrodisiac! It left her completely at the mercy of others.
However, she was somewhat relieved that she had only been beaten.
Suddenly, the sound of a phone ringing broke the silence. It was her own phone.
Julia looked around and found the phone beside the bed. She propped herself up and picked it up, seeing the number on the screen.
Royce.
"Hello," she answered the call.
"Where are you, Julia?" Royce's anxious voice came through.
"Where are you?" she asked back.
"I'm at the hotel. The banquet hall is empty now. Did you leave?"
"Can you buy me some clothes? Bring them to my room."
On the other end of the line, Royce listened to Julia's weak and soft voice. Where had the usually fiery Julia gone?
He sensed that something was off.
"What's wrong?"
"Buy me some clothes. I'm in the presidential suite, but I'm not sure which room exactly."
Julia abruptly hung up the phone.
At this hour, most stores were already closed. Royce made a call, and within ten minutes, a store employee had opened the doors for him.
Royce quickly bought the clothes and returned to the hotel.
When he reached the floor of the presidential suites, he noticed one of the room doors was ajar.
Bailey had intentionally left the door open.
Today was her engagement party, and many guests had drunk too much and were being accommodated at the hotel. If any drunkard saw the open door and a half-naked Julia inside, it would surely be a spectacle.
"Julia?" Royce called out.
"Here..." Julia's voice came from inside.
Royce let out a sigh of relief and walked into the room. But when he saw Julia, he was stunned!
Was this really Julia?
Her face was swollen, and she was wearing clothes that were practically torn to shreds. The exposed skin was covered in red whip marks!
Julia managed a weak smile. "You made it?"