Billionaires' journey of sadomasochistic love

The night was cool, like water, and the ancient European castle, draped in quiet luxury, stood shrouded in the deep darkness of the evening, bathed in serene moonlight. Arthur Jones moved easily, skillfully avoiding the surveillance lines he knew all too well. This was the farthest corner of the Jones family estate—much like the person who lived here—neglected and overlooked. But, of course, caution was second nature to him. The soothing, flowing notes of a piano filled the air. Arthur squinted at the dim lights on the upper floor and, without hesitation, scaled the second-floor balcony, leaning casually against the window. Inside, the room was decorated with a white carpet and a large black piano. A young woman played the piano, her head bowed, her pale blonde hair cascading down like a waterfall. She wore a white gown that exuded a quiet, graceful elegance. Arthur Jones chuckled and clapped slowly, almost lazily. “You don’t seem the least bit surprised that I came to find you so late.” The woman stood up, her fingers gliding across the piano keys, a slow smile spreading across her face. “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, Arthur.” Arthur’s expression darkened slightly as he spoke in a cool tone. “How much do you know?” She smiled faintly. “More than you think.” The atmosphere grew quiet, and Arthur’s gaze remained steady on her as if he were weighing her every word. “I don’t feel safe dealing with people who are too clever, especially you, Edith. I still don’t know what it is you want from me.” Edith looked back at him with calm, dark blue eyes. “I heard your grandfather sent you to L country. If I’m not mistaken, you’re being trained under Daniel, and when you return, you’ll be positioned as second-in-command of the Jones family, right?” Arthur’s face remained unreadable, and he replied in a neutral tone. “It’s not that hard to guess.” It wasn’t hard to guess. Despite being an adopted son, Arthur seemed to be trusted more than anyone with the blood of the Jones family. In fact, he was the one Cody Jones trusted the most. But, of course, trust never comes without reason. “But Edith, why are you so sure that I’m only here to work with you?” Edith smiled lightly. “Is there anyone more suited to this than me? And, besides, the more people who know your secrets, the more danger it brings.” Arthur walked past her, casually scanning the room. His eyes suddenly stopped on a photo on the desk—a picture of two young girls. One was Edith, and the other had long flowing hair and a strikingly pure aura, especially her eyes. It held a radiant smile—untouched by the world, combining a sense of laziness and allure. “She’s my friend.” As Arthur hesitated, Edith’s calm voice came from behind him. "Maybe I should thank her in person," Arthur said, his voice thick with sarcasm. Six months ago, this woman had saved him in S country. At that time, he had been cornered by the mafia's elite assassin team, gravely wounded and certain he would die. After making a phone call, he waited in despair, knowing it was likely the end. But just before he could make his move, a black Cadillac came charging in, rescuing him. The driver was a woman. She wore a black baseball cap, but it was easy to recognize her. Her daring driving skills and the aura completely opposite to that of the underworld were unforgettable. "No need to thank her. You can just thank me for saving you," Edith replied, locking eyes with him and smiling lightly. "You misunderstood. I wasn’t following you. I happened to be with Erin when you called. Since Evelyn was in S country, I called her, and luckily, I got there just in time to save your life." "She’s a black market racing queen, right?" Though Arthur was near unconsciousness at the time, her speed, skill, and calmness in the face of death—not to mention her hubris—could only belong to an extraordinary driver. Edith smiled softly. "I guess so." "We’re straying from the topic," Edith said, walking toward the balcony. The evening breeze ruffled her hair. "I promise I’ll protect her for the next two years." Her voice was quiet and gentle, without a hint of emotion. "And if I run into trouble later, would you help me out, Arthur?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "Edith, with how deep you are, who could possibly put you in a difficult situation?" After over a decade of subtle maneuvering, who in the Jones family could match her? Edith’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile on her lips. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me. But, as you know, life is unpredictable. I just want to leave myself an escape route." "Well, in that case, I should thank you for thinking of me as your escape route." Just then, rain began to fall, the soft pattering of drops filling the air. Edith gazed into the distance. The building she lived in was the most secluded part of the entire castle, yet it was also perched on the highest ground. From this balcony, she could overlook all the lights below. "In this house, if it’s not family or someone you deeply care about, then no relationship is as stable as one based on mutual benefit. You just need to know that what we need from each other won’t conflict, and we can both get what we need. You can trust me." Edith extended her hand to him. "Arthur, let’s make this work." Arthur Jones looked at her outstretched hand, studying her more closely than ever before. Edith Jones, walking in the sunlight, seemed humble and reserved. Despite her perfect appearance, the deliberate restraint in her aura kept her brilliance under wraps. Now, in a white dress, her elegant neck and ivory skin were exposed, her back straight. "Grandfather already agreed to the duke and arranged a marriage for you. Why don’t you refuse it?" At his words, Edith frowned slightly, then looked at him with a half-smile. "Joseph? Since no one bothered to inform me of the engagement, why should I inform them that I won’t marry, hmm?" She smiled nonchalantly, as though speaking of something trivial. He often watched her and thought: such enduring patience—perhaps even her heart had been turned to ashes by the years of silence and pain. Arthur Jones simply said with a faint smile, "Edith, please protect her for me. Thank you." Then, he turned and left without another word. Edith stood on the balcony for a long time, watching his tall figure slowly vanish into the rainy night. She couldn’t help but smile bitterly. If only she weren’t the calculating Edith Jones in his eyes… But then again, there is no such thing as a contingency. He would never like her, so she never really fell for him.