Qin Qinxi came home a bit later than usual today.

Normally, she and Maria would return to the villa between four and six in the afternoon, but today it was half past seven in the evening.

At this hour, Vio Mansello wouldn’t be back—he usually didn’t arrive until after ten, at the earliest around nine-thirty.

As Maria turned the car into the underground garage, she caught sight of a row of vehicles parked by the entrance through the window.

Her spine instantly tightened.

Mr. Mansello wasn’t one to keep people waiting.

Qin Qinxi noticed it too and froze for a moment.

Why was Vio back so early today?

Next door to this villa, his bodyguards and henchmen lived year-round, yet tonight he had also stationed several men at the entrance.

Qin Qinxi suddenly felt a chill run down her spine; an ominous premonition crept up from her feet, climbing all the way up her spine to the back of her head.

She tried to reassure herself: “Don’t scare yourself.”

He had said she could go out; he hadn’t restricted her freedom.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car with Maria, entered the elevator, and pressed the button for the first floor.

The elevator doors opened.

No sooner had Qin Qinxi stepped into the living room than her eyes met a pair of dark, pale-gray pupils.

The first-floor living room was dimly lit, with only a few wall lamps on, casting a low, oppressive glow over the entire space.

Vio sat on the sofa, wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, his legs crossed, and his hands casually resting in his lap.

Today, he no longer had that casual, languid air he usually exuded; instead, he sat there with an overwhelming sense of intimidation, so distant and aloof that he seemed almost like a stranger.

The very air in the room seemed to grow heavier under the pressure of his presence.

Four black-clad bodyguards stood in the living room as well, lined up on either side.

Each had a gun tucked into their waistband, their hands clasped in front of them, standing straight as arrows, their gazes fixed straight ahead—none of them looking at anyone.

His gaze locked directly on her face; it was plain to see he was looking for trouble.

Qin Qinxi’s heart immediately raced, her legs went weak, and she nearly sank to her knees.

She didn’t know what she’d done wrong.

All the girl could do was tremble as she forced a smile, just as she always had before.

“Mr. Mansello,” she said, her voice shaking as she tried to lift the corners of her mouth.

“Why are you back so late?” he asked, his tone calm and measured, “Where have you been?”

He posed both questions with a smile, yet there wasn’t the slightest warmth in his eyes.

Maria stood behind Qin Qinxi, her lips moving as if she wanted to speak up for her, but she was far too frightened.

“I was so bored at home that I asked Auntie to take me for a stroll around Jebel Ali,” Qin Qinxi said, her voice tight with tension.

“You said I could go anywhere in the Jebel Ali Free Zone…” Her voice grew softer and softer.

Vio let out a scornful laugh.

“You only went to Jebel Ali?” he looked at her. “It seems you even went to the shopping mall, too.”

Qin Qinxi was taken aback.

It was true that he had only allowed her to roam around the Jebel Ali Free Zone; the last time she’d asked Auntie to take her to the mall, she hadn’t consulted him about it.

But that was because she’d bought him some gifts, and he’d accepted them without asking, so she’d assumed he didn’t mind.

Yet today she hadn’t gone there at all.

Could it be that since he’d come home early today and she’d returned late, he was going to bring up the old issue again?

Qin Qinxi felt a flicker of anger; this man really was unreasonable.

She swallowed hard and defended herself: “But buying things does mean going to the mall. Last time you took the items without asking, too. I did only go that one time; normally I only stay within the Jebel Ali Free Zone.”

Vio smiled again.

She even dared to argue back.

Without saying another word, the man turned to the bodyguards beside him and ordered, “Take that maid to the next room and put her through punishment.”

Maria shuddered and nearly fell to her knees.

Of course she knew exactly what the next room was.

End of Chapter 63: Chapter 63