Chapter 386

S31 129. Strict Rules

“First,” Jeremy raised his finger briefly, “you are not allowed to go into the kitchen. For the dining room, you can enter it only when we are

there.”

Eva’s eyebrows rose. “Why?”

“Even though you are Ava’s sister, you are still a stranger to me. I just met you, so of course I have to be careful. I don’t want someone to put poison in my food.”

Eva snorted quickly. “Does a beautiful face like this have a murderous aura?”

Jeremy blinked stiffly. “I’m always alert. Nowadays, even a mother can kill her own child, let alone someone else?”

Eva shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly do that. What’s in it for me?”

“You are jealous of Ava. You could have intention to harm her. Or perhaps, you hold a grudge against me. I have never sided with y

Eva laughed sarcastically. “I’m not that mean, Mr. Harper.”

“Then you shouldn’t mind the rules.”

“What if I’m hungry and want to eat?” Eva looked for an excuse.

“You can ask the servant to help you get food. And besides that, you can’t go upstairs.”

Eva’s eyes widened. “Why?” Her voice rose.

“I don’t like it when other people invade my privacy. My mother does too. So you should stay away from our bedroom and workspace, as far as possible.”

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Eva snorted. The corners of her lips twitched.

“Are you up to it? If not, I can’t let you stay here.”

“Okay. I won’t enter those places.”

Jeremy nodded. “Second rule, you are not allowed to roam around after curfew.”

“Curfew?”

“Once everyone enters the room to sleep, you are not allowed to leave your room.”

Eva’s brows furrowed deeper. “What if I want a drink?”

“The servant can provide water in your room. That should be enough if you don’t use it to water the plants outside the window.”

Eva sighed faintly again. “What kind of rules are those? Are you afraid that I’ll sneak up and strangle you guys in your sleep?”

“Just to be safe. It’s for your good too.”

“My good?” Eva’s arched eyebrows changed meaning. Even Ava wa confused.

“This house used to belong to my late grandfather. Didn’t you hear the news about his death last year? He died because a truck hit his car.”

Suddenly, Jeremy lowered his tone. The look in his eyes was even

more serious.

“When he was alive, my grandfather suffered from insomnia. So, at night, he liked to walk around, looking at the hanging figures. Why do you think this house looks like an exhibition? It’s because of my grandfather.”

In an instant, Eva’s expression turned horrified. “You mean your grandfather’s spirit is still in this house?”

“If you want to greet Jeremy raised an eyebrow. His voice thinned. him, go ahead and break the rules. But don’t shout because my mother and I really don’t like it when our sleep is disturbed.”

While Eva’s face turned pale, Ava lowered her head to hold back laughter. Now she understood why Jeremy had wondered about Eva. To look for weaknesses.

“I assume you agree with the second rule. The next rule, you must report your route every time you leave this house. And every time you return, you must undergo an inspection before entering the house.”

Eva’s eyes widened again. “Is this home or the airport? Why don’t you just prepare a boarding pass for me?”

“If you want to accompany Mom here, just do it, Eva. It’s not too much trouble,” Ava said after managing to control her amusement.

“But I also have privacy. Why would report my route to anyone else?”

“So we can see if there is any danger around you. That’s also for your own good. And don’t try to lie because that will only make us suspicious,” Jeremy emphasized.

Eva snorted in annoyance. However, because she didn’t need to see Patricia, she finally agreed. “Okay.”

Jeremy nodded with a stiff expression. “Good. Next-”

“Is there anything else? You want to make laws?”

Jeremy took a deep breath and continued, “This rule is for the comfort and peace of all residents in this house, both living and not.”

“Living and not?” Eva’s voice trembled, just like her eyeballs.

“You know who I mean,” Jeremy nodded with narrowed eyes. “All the residents in this house prioritize etiquette. Therefore, you must also uphold manners and politeness.”

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With her hands clenched tightly, Eva moved her shoulders, trying to relax. “That’s not a problem for me. I’m a classy woman. I always maintain my manners.”

“So you don’t mind?”

“Of course.”

The corners of Jeremy’s lips lifted slightly. “Okay. That means you have to respect everyone here, including Ava. You can’t say harsh words. You can’t bad-mouth or make bad comments about her. You also can’t refuse the food menu that has been provided.”

Eva was pensive. She didn’t think that being nice to Ava could be part of the rules, and she had already said yes.

“Ava,” Jeremy suddenly glanced at his girlfriend, “do you have anything to add?”

Eva instantly became worried. Her eyes bulged out, threatening not to give difficult rules. However, Ava returned her gaze casually.

“Yes. I don’t want her to enter Mrs. Melanie’s room and mine. I don’ want her to touch my things. Not to be arrogant, but the last time I got a better gift from her, she broke it.”

Eva’s blood boiled. Her lips twitched about to reply. However, she remembered that she had agreed to the final rule. She didn’t want to be expelled before her mission was successful.

“That time was an accident, Sister. I accidentally knocked over your night lamp. My hands were slippery. You shouldn’t worry about that. Especially now, you have expensive things. I’ll definitely be more careful.”

The self-defense sounded subtle, but still contained mockery. Jeremy

realized that.

“I remind you once again. You must not corner Ava.”

“What? I didn’t say something harsh. I was just clearing up a misunderstanding.” Eva shrugged her shoulders lightly.

Jeremy snorted. When he turned back to Ava, his gaze softened. ”

About your things, you don’t need to worry. You locked your bedroom door earlier, right?”

Ava nodded.

“That means everything is safe. Starting from tonight, you have to sleep in my room. I will ask the servant to move your things to my room tomorrow.”

Ava stared wide eyed. “I move into your room?”

Eva’s eyes were no less wide. “Are you kidding me, Mr. Harper? You’re not husband and wife. What would people say if Ava slept in your

room?”

“I know you secretly hold jealousy and grudges against Ava. You even tried to bring her down several times. So, as long as you live in thi house, I have to provide maximum protection to Ava. I don’t want yo to secretly smother her with a pillow when she is sleeping.”

“I couldn’t possibly do that!”

Jeremy didn’t want to believe it. He glanced at Ava, raising an eyebrow. “You agree that the safest place for you is in my room?”

Ava nodded very slowly. “Yes, but

“You are my future wife. Soon, we will be married. You don’t need to be embarrassed about sleeping in the same room with me. My mother doesn’t mind either. She even hopes that I will soon give her grandchildren.”

Eva’s mouth dropped even wider. “You guys are openly justifying a

false relationship?”

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