The heavy rosewood door slowly creaked open in the silent dead of night, emitting a soft, lingering “creak.”
Head Maid Rita and the maid Emma pushed in a delicate dining cart, moving quietly inside.
On the cart were various exquisite late-night snacks and drinks.
The tempting aroma mingled with the lingering, ambiguous scent inside the study—an intoxicating blend of youthful fragrance and sweat—creating an indescribably complex atmosphere.
As the study door fully opened, the spacious room was illuminated by the magic lamps.
The two maids could see the entire scene inside without obstruction.
Emma felt puzzled.
She distinctly remembered Miss Su Nian had just been called into the study by Master, but now she was nowhere to be seen.
Could it be—
Emma guessed silently but didn’t dwell on it.
Together with Head Maid Rita, she pushed the dining cart beside the desk.
After all, the thoughts of Master and Miss Su Nian were not for mere maids like them to speculate on.
“Master, the late-night meal has been prepared as per your instructions,” Rita said respectfully, her voice soft and gentle—professional maid etiquette in every word.
“Hmm.” Chu Tian replied faintly, his gaze flicking toward the shadow beneath the desk.
At the same time—
… Had she left ahead of time?
Just before the study door opened, Su Nian’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
In the end, she chose to hide beneath the wide rosewood desk.
“Ugh…”
Instinctively, Su Nian wanted to cry out, but at the last moment, she clamped her mouth shut with her hand, forcing the almost-escaped sound back down her throat.
If the maids discovered her like this—
She would be utterly unable to explain.
How could she still have any face to remain at Shadowmoon Manor?
How could she possibly face the maids who once respected and adored her?
After all—
In the maids’ eyes, as a Magic Tutor, she was nothing less than an idol in their lives.
It was all that Horned Demon Bastard’s fault!
‘How could such a person exist—perverted!’
‘Super perverted!’
Su Nian cursed inwardly.
Was she, as a “trophy,” truly destined to be bullied by the Horned Demon Master in front of her?
“Ding dong, Humiliation Value +32,845.”
“Ding dong, Annoyance Value +32,845.”
“Mental Status: Spirit Road Endurance 62%↓”
“Master’s mission: In progress.”
The System’s cold notification sounded in Su Nian’s mind, as if mocking her weakness and helplessness.
When would this ever end?
Su Nian schemed silently.
The longer this went on, the deeper the humiliation settled, and the more the part of her heart ready to surrender began to emerge.
Not to mention the risk of being discovered by the maids.
Damn Horned Demon Bastard, still not letting the maids leave.
Though Su Nian felt intense humiliation, unlike the dazed confusion she experienced when kissed earlier, she was clear-headed now and began thinking about how to break the deadlock.
Based on her many years of experience with men—
Once the Horned Demon Bastard reached a certain point—
‘Right.’
Maybe she could break the stalemate using the “magician’s” method!