Chapter 758:

“You need to take responsibility for me,” Edward mumbled, blushing. Elyse was speechless. How could he say she needed to take responsibility for seeing him naked? Taking a deep breath, she replied, “The parts of you I saw aren’t exactly private. How can you expect me to take responsibility for that?” Edward paused thoughtfully. “When I carried you back, I also saw your thighs. How about this: you take responsibility for me, and I’ll take responsibility for you.” Elyse hurled a pillow at him, which he caught effortlessly. Grinding her teeth, she snapped, “Don’t be ridiculous. Why should I take responsibility for you? I didn’t sleep with you, so what’s the deal?” Edward shot back, “If you had slept with me, would you take responsibility?” He pondered. “So, if I sleep with you, I can take responsibility for you too?” Elyse’s face drained of color. “Don’t even think about it. I’m not sleeping with you.” Edward pointed to himself, a mix of confusion and annoyance in his expression. “Why wouldn’t you sleep with me? With my looks and physique, is it really such a bad deal?” Elyse rolled her eyes. How could his mind work this way? All she wanted was peace and quiet to mull over the previous night’s events. Why couldn’t he just be silent? Throwing up her hands, she asked, “Do you know where Aarya went? How did I end up in the hospital?” Edward nodded. “Yeah, I know. I found out at the hospital yesterday. The police surrounded that club, and there was reportedly a shootout. Aarya’s probably in jail.” Elyse was shocked. A shootout? Could the noise she’d heard have been gunfire? She leaned back against the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her thoughts tangled. Edward, meanwhile, struck various muscle-showing poses, but she didn’t glance at him. Embarrassed, he found his clothes and dressed. “Even if Aarya is behind bars, she should be out soon, right?” Elyse asked. Edward nodded. “Normally, yes, but this time, things are different.” Elyse turned a curious gaze toward him. “What’s different?” Edward crossed his arms. “The governor wants to tighten his grip on power, wipe out the Hudson family as local despots, and improve state security. So the Hudsons can’t spring Aarya out as easily this time.” Elyse stared at him. “How do you know all this?” Edward froze, a flicker of panic in his eyes, before forcing a smile. “Is it odd to be in the know about such things?” “Very odd,” Elyse said, her gaze steady. “Honestly, sometimes it feels like you’re not just a violinist. You seem like…” Edward felt a chill. However, Elyse couldn’t quite place what he reminded her of, so she brushed it off. Just then, the hotel room doorbell chimed. . . .