Royce turned his head and saw her in that state again.
"What are you doing? Just because I'm handsome doesn't mean you get a free show! If you keep staring, I'll have to charge you!"
"You didn't bring this just for me, did you?" Julia couldn't believe it was just a coincidence.
"Hehehe!" Royce chuckled mischievously.
"I knew it!"
"It's not worth much; it's a high-quality knockoff. But don't worry, this place does a great job. It's almost indistinguishable from the real thing."
Even though Julia saw through Royce's intentions, her heart still felt warm.
This man was kind to her and cared about her dignity, never saying it outright. It was this subtlety that made her feel so warm inside.
"Sorry to make you spend money. I'll figure something out myself."
She had to attend Bailey's engagement party, and she couldn't show up looking shabby. Given Harry's status, there would be celebrities and big shots from all over.
Originally, she didn't want to go, but she couldn't avoid it because of her family.
Grady definitely couldn't go, so she had to go alone.
"What do you mean, spend money? I told you it's not worth much. How expensive can a high-quality knockoff be? Just wear it. If you don't, I have no one else to give it to. My clients wouldn't want a knockoff, and as for you, with your status, ha..."
"Ha what? What's wrong with my figure?!"
Julia glanced at Royce.
Royce gave her a look, signaling her to figure it out on her own.
It was as if he was saying, "Don't you know your own worth?"
Julia sighed in frustration. "Fine, I'll give you some face and accept it!"
Originally, Royce had already dropped Julia off at that old, rundown apartment complex. If Julia was going to host, she had to cook herself!
But just as Julia got out of the car and Royce was about to follow, he received a phone call.
"Young Master, I've checked the celestial signs. There will be a full moon tonight. You need to come back immediately!" Ignatius's voice was urgent on the other end.
Royce looked up at the sky.
At that moment, the moon was partially covered by a cloud, but the cloud was slowly moving away. The weather was clear, and the full moon was about to appear.
"Got it," Royce said, hanging up the phone.
Seeing that Royce hadn't gotten out of the car, Julia stood there quietly, holding her gift box.
Royce finally stepped out. "I just got a call. A client specifically requested me tonight. Let's reschedule."
"Oh..."
A hint of disappointment flashed across Julia's face.
Yes, sometimes she forgot that Royce was just a gigolo.
Royce, a man who made a living by charming women in bed, raised an eyebrow and smirked. "What's wrong? Feeling jealous because I'm going on a date with another woman?"
"Nonsense! I'm thrilled! It means I don't have to cook for you today!" Julia retorted.
"You still owe me! You can make it up another day!"
"Are you going to the engagement party tomorrow?" Julia asked.
Royce nodded seriously. "Of course, I got the invitation myself. How could I not go? Just wait and see, I'll be there in my best attire to make you proud!"
"Alright."
Reluctantly, Royce got back into his car and drove away from Julia. As soon as he left her sight, his expression darkened.
He floored the gas pedal, speeding all the way back to Crystal Garden.
Crystal Garden was a castle-like mansion near the seaside, so vast that its boundaries were invisible. Tall, lush trees peeked over the high walls, creating a dense canopy. On the eastern side, close to the sea, lay the famous Lover's Sea of Zenith City. Originally a renowned tourist spot, this part of the Lover's Sea was on the outskirts, just outside the designated scenic area.
The grand palace was designed in a romantic Mediterranean style, with unpolished lines, archways, and a blue-and-white color scheme that exuded romance at every corner.
In truth, people didn't know the real name of this palace. They only saw its grandeur and the expensive materials used in its construction, so they called it Crystal Garden. However, the true name of the palace was known only to its current owner.
Royce Butler was the master of this grand mansion.
As soon as he stepped inside, the butler, Ignatius, greeted him. Ignatius was a bald man with a kind and friendly demeanor.
"Young Master, you're finally back!"
Seeing Royce return, Ignatius let out a sigh of relief.
"Hmm." Royce didn't look pleased.
Could he be happy when his date had been interrupted?
"I've arranged for the servants to stay away. No one will disturb you, Young Master. Please head to your room."
Royce went straight upstairs to a room on the top floor and walked inside.
Ignatius locked the door from the outside. This room had an external lock that couldn't be opened from the inside.
Once everything was set, the clouds parted, revealing a full, round moon hanging in the sky.
Ignatius sighed and quietly left the area.
Thinking about the future, knowing that every full moon night Royce would have to endure this torment, the old butler couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.
Yes, Royce was not an ordinary human; he was a half-human, half-vampire.
Half of his blood came from a vampire lineage.
His mother was still human when she conceived him, while his father was a vampire. No one had expected that he would come into this world.
Legend has it that the union between humans and vampires is cursed, and such hybrids are sealed beings.
Royce Butler was living proof of this legend.
Every full moon, he would transform into a true vampire, howling and craving human blood.
He despised the moon, especially when it was full.
A hybrid.
He was a blend of human and vampire, possessing vampire blood and a human heartbeat, yet lacking human warmth.
While humans need eight hours of sleep to feel rested, he only needed four to be full of energy.
His dazzling blue eyes, like shining glass, were not because he was mixed-blood, but because he was a hybrid.
He grew up in human society, appearing no different from any other human, which was his parents' intention. Despite having vampire blood, any vampire could easily kill him, so he was safer among humans.
Since his birth, his mother and father had been searching for a way to break the seal.
Unfortunately, they had never found it.
Meanwhile, Julia was in her room, trying on the clothes Royce had given her.
Julia didn't know much about brand names, but she knew this dress was from ANGEL, a famous international brand.
Even if it was a knockoff, it was still the best-looking dress she owned.
Outside, a full moon rose into the sky.
Julia walked to the edge of the bed and gazed out the window. What a beautiful moon!
The moon hung in the sky like a giant silver plate, surrounded by wispy clouds.
A phrase came to Julia's mind: "May we live long and share the beauty of the moon, even if we are thousands of miles apart."
A good omen.