Honey, You're a Billionaire?

"Understood," Finley replied before following Jonathan's order and making his way to the far end of the greenhouse. He soon found Ezra in a secluded corner.

The drug had taken complete control of Ezra's body, leaving him disoriented, but he could still faintly hear Jonathan's voice.

"Is Jonathan here?" Ezra asked weakly.

"Yes, Mr. Ezra, he's here," Finley confirmed.

"Tell my brother... Rose and I... we were set up. There's nothing between us. Let him know..." Ezra's words came out hurried and strained.

Finley clearly remembered how Ezra had gone to great lengths to get close to Rose in Aquastead, deliberately trying to mislead Jonathan. But now, his words were the complete opposite of what he was trying to achieve back then. "Don't worry, Mr. Ezra. Mr. Jonathan will take care of her. But I need to get you out of here," Finley reassured him.

The Finch Manor had a medical wing, and the greenhouse had a small side door. Finley helped Ezra to his feet and guided him through the side door, quietly slipping into the darkness without alerting anyone.

Back in the greenhouse, Jonathan had located the source of the strange scent and discarded all the tainted flowers. As he re-entered the room, a warm, delicate figure stumbled into his arms.

"Hubby..." Rose's sweet, seductive voice was a whisper in his ear, causing Jonathan's heart to skip a beat.

Feeling the heat and urgency emanating from Rose's body, Jonathan grabbed her hands, which were insistently tearing at his clothes.

"Do you know what you're doing?" he asked.

"What I'm doing?" Rose mused as she gazed up at him, her mind clouded by the drug's influence. The face in front of her was a sight to behold.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Jonathan repeated, his grip tightening slightly as he restrained himself and his voice growing harsher with control.

He was aware that Rose was not fully conscious due to the drug. He didn't want to take advantage of her vulnerable state, but as he thought back to how she had been deliberately keeping her distance from him for so long, he realized he might have waited long enough. A voice inside his head told him that if she said she didn't know what she was doing, he would continue to restrain himself. But if she said she did...

"Know what?" Rose asked innocently, her gaze never leaving his face. All she knew was that his inviting lips were irresistible.

Taking the invitation, Rose freed her hands from his grasp, hooked them around his neck, and stood on her tiptoes.

She brushed her lips against his and they were softer than she had imagined and just as delicious as she had expected. Because of that, Rose couldn't resist giving them a little lick too.

Her sudden action snapped the last thread of Jonathan's self-restraint as a loud bang echoed in his mind.

What did it matter if she knew or not? She was his wife, and he was her husband. Their relationship was legally recognized. Besides, she had just called him "hubby".

She had needs, and he was there to fulfill them. Only by doing so could he truly be called a good husband.

The kiss initiated by Rose quickly spiraled out of control. Soon, the only thing left in the greenhouse was the sound of their heavy, entangled breaths.

Meanwhile, back at the banquet, Cyrus had just come down the stairs and was organizing the waitstaff to bring out a massive cake.

Lizzie stood gracefully by his side. The guests attending the birthday banquet knew the focus had long shifted away from her, but when it came to the cake-cutting ceremony, they still had to play along. Cyrus gave a moving speech, and Lizzie smiled happily. However, she couldn't help but think of Rose.

She had noticed Rose's absence when she came downstairs. Elijah, Clover, Miles, and Jonathan were all present initially, but now she couldn't find Jonathan either.

Lizzie's gaze swept the room, her smile faltering slightly.

"Lizz, is something wrong?" Cyrus noticed her unease and asked with concern.

Lizzie snapped out of her thoughts. She almost blurted out, "Where's Jonathan?" but quickly regained her composure and offered an excuse. "I'm just...really happy." Cyrus couldn't help but think her elation was because of his earlier declaration of love.

Brimming with excitement, he handed Lizzie the cake knife. "Let's cut the cake. Afterward, there's a special surprise waiting for you."

Lizzie wasn't interested in the surprise, for her thoughts remained on Jonathan and Rose.

Just then, à voice suddenly

interrupted the scene, breaking the silence Where's Rosie? She went to change clothes earlier. Why hasn't she returned?" It was Harriette, standing beside Miles.

This birthday banquet had made her feel invisible as everyone's attention was focused on Rose. That didn't surprise her, but Rose had been gone for a while now. Even if it was just to change her clothes, she should have returned by now.

Yara, who had taken Rose to change, was already back, but Rose was still nowhere to be seen.

"Did something happen?" Harriette mused.

Noticing the odd look on Lizzie's face, a suspicion formed in her mind, making her wonder if Lizzie had something planned for that night.

The more she thought about it, the more intrigued she became. She was curious to see what Lizzie's intentions were.

Sensing Lizzie's hesitation to cut the cake, Harriette seized the moment and spoke up. Though her voice was quiet, several people overheard her inquiry. Lizzie paused, her hand hovering over the cake as she looked around, frowning. "Now that you mention it, where is Ms. Shaffer?"

Everyone in the room exchanged glances, each with the same question in their mind.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

"Where is Ms. Shaffer?"

Instinctively, all eyes turned toward Yara. She had been the one to take Rose away after her dress was soaked. Now, Yara had returned, but Rose had not.

Under the weight of the crowd's questioning gazes, Yara's brow furrowed in confusion. "I have no idea where she is. She changed her clothes and left with someone right after."

Yara had recognized the bodyguard who had led Rose away. He was from the Finch family's Azure Clan. Those serving in the clan were loyal to the family's leader.

She surmised that Jonathan might have summoned Rose through the bodyguard. Perhaps the two were enjoying a moment of solitude together.

Rose and Jonathan were missing from the banquet, so her theory seemed plausible.

Lizzie's face creased with concern, and she set down the cake knife she had been holding. "We must search for her. Ms. Shaffer isn't familiar with the manor, and if something were to happen..."

"But..." Cyrus hesitated, reluctant to disrupt the birthday festivities.

Before he could finish, Elijah, Clover, and Miles hurriedly exited the hall. Others followed suit, leaving Cyrus struggling to maintain his composure.

Lizzie comforted him, "Cyrus, Ms. Shaffer's background is unique. If anything happens, the Finch family will be held responsible. We should join the search."

Despite her reassurances, Lizzie couldn't help but smirk inwardly. If Carl had arranged things according to her plan, the Finch family would undoubtedly be held accountable.

Yet, this could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Finch family. And for Eleanor, it would be a dream come true.

As thoughts of Eleanor crossed Lizzie's mind, her eyes darkened. Such a significant event was about to unfold, and it would be unthinkable not to inform Eleanor.

As they made their way out of the hall, Lizzie discreetly instructed a nearby helper, "Inform Mrs. Finch Senior that Ms. Shaffer has gone missing."