Chapter 404

Ryan’s smile turned playful. “Uncle Ryan actually set this up for my little niece. She and her mom live in Falansia now, so they only visit once in a while.”

I was stunned. I thought Jared was already pretty amazing with Yvonne, but Uncle Ryan was on another level; he actually built an aquarium right in their backyard for his daughter.

Guess dads who spoil their daughters are the same everywhere in the world.

“She’s so lucky,” I said softly.

But Ryan shook his head. “She’s got everything she needs, but her parents split up early on. She’s got her own worries too.”

I blinked, a little surprised. “Did your uncle really get divorced that early?”

Ryan nodded. “Yeah, when Nora was just two.”

So Mr. Jennings’ daughter is named Nora. I made sure to remember that.

Ryan clearly didn’t want to talk about Mr. Jennings anymore. He beckoned me over, and as soon as I stepped up, he spun me around and pinned me right up against the glass wall.

The shimmering reflections from the aquarium danced over our bodies, making it feel like we’d slipped into another world together.

Ryan traced my lips with his finger, his touch lingering. “No one’s ever had a son in the Jennings family yet.”

My heart gave a little jolt. 'Why is he telling me this? Wait, does he expect me to be the one to give them a son or something?'

Ryan’s eyes fixed on my face, his voice dropping to a soft, almost pleading tone. “Vic, I honestly don’t know if my grandpa would ever accept you, but… if we had a kid–especially a son–he’d definitely come around.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, totally thrown off. 'Is he for real right now? Ryan’s actually talking about having a kid at a time like this?'

Suddenly, I came to my senses and pushed him away. “Ryan, this is so not the time for that conversation. Plus, I haven’t even said yes to dating you yet. Don’t you think you’re rushing things?”

“If we had a kid, I’d split half my assets with you,” Ryan said, his words pure temptation.

I whipped my head around, shock written all over my face.

Ryan came over again, cradled my face in his hands, and kissed my forehead. “I’m dead serious. I never break a promise.”

I knew exactly what Ryan was after–he wanted his family to accept me, and having a kid was just a crucial step in that plan.

But all I could think about were those wild soap operas about the ultra-rich, where the family drama is next-level. The Jennings family is loaded, and their world is so complicated and cutthroat–people would do anything for power and money. Honestly, with my luck, I probably wouldn’t even survive past episode three in a show like that.

“Sorry, but I don’t want your money,” I heard myself say, my voice steady and firm.

Ryan looked genuinely deflated. I guess this was probably the first time he’d ever hit a wall like this, getting turned down at every turn.

“And here I thought you were all about the money,” Ryan joked, giving a helpless shrug as if trying to save face.

I laughed. “Honestly, I’ve got enough to get by. As long as I keep working hard, I’ll never have to worry about making ends meet.”

Ryan sighed, sounding defeated. “I really thought money could win you over. Guess that was pretty naive of me.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t love money–I just wasn’t willing to risk my life for it.

“Every deal comes with a price. I only take what I can live with,” I said softly.

Ryan gazed at me, a little dazed. The next moment, he reached out and pulled me into his arms, murmuring in a husky voice, “Alright, it’s up to you.”

I scanned the room, nerves on edge. Even with the dim lighting, I could practically feel eyes on us from the shadows.

Mr. Jennings was probably anxious, worried I’d drag Ryan into bed. I squeezed my eyes shut, thinking, 'Victoria, you don’t even have what it takes to be a bad girl. You managed to land yourself in a mess without even trying.'

Just like that, I’d steered my own path straight into a dead end.

“Vic, would you… stay over tonight?” Ryan had been drinking earlier, and now the buzz was making him a little bolder.