Chapter 430

As I passed by Riverside Avenue, the crowds were thick; people lined up everywhere. That’s when I really felt the energy and excitement of this city that never sleeps.

I watched all kinds of people passing by and thought, maybe everyone is making choices every single day. With over thirty thousand days in a lifetime, those choices mean we all end up living totally different lives.

So when it comes to making decisions, I have to keep my head clear and really think things through.

Later that night, I called Melissa again and told her to think twice before getting married. She broke down in tears on the other end of the line, and I stayed on the phone, comforting her the whole time.

Around eight, just as I was about to head downstairs to grab a bite, my phone suddenly rang.

It was an unknown number.

I answered, and a polite voice asked, “Is this Ms. Murphy?”

“Speaking. And you are?” I replied, keeping my tone friendly.

“Mr. Jennings wants to see you. Are you free?” the voice asked.

‘Instantly, my guard went up. When someone’s this polite, it usually means they’re not really asking–they’re telling you,’ I thought.

“Which Mr. Jennings? Do I know him?” I asked, keeping my tone cautious.

“Just Jennings,” he replied, only giving me the last name.

My mind buzzed, leaving me completely blank. ‘Edward again,’ I thought, feeling a wave of pressure.

‘Does he know Ryan went all the way to Hachester for me?’ I wondered, anxiety creeping in.

“This is bad. Edward’s protectiveness over Ryan is just overwhelming,’ I thought, feeling suffocated.

“Oh, what does he want with me? I’m actually pretty busy right now,” I lied, trying to sound casual even though my nerves were on edge.

Just then, the door of a black sedan next to me swung open, and a man in a sharp suit stepped out, smiling. “Ms. Murphy, haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin, staring at him. “You’re the one who just called me?”

The man nodded. “Yes, I’m Mr. Jennings’ personal assistant. Ms. Murphy, if you don’t have anything urgent, would you please come with me? Mr. Jennings would like to see you.”

“I… I really don’t want to go. I haven’t even had dinner yet,” I said, raising the takeout I’d just picked up.

The man kept smiling, but his words made my blood run cold. “Mr. Jennings said if you won’t come, he’ll just have a little chat with your family.”

“What?” I choked out, my breath catching. My parents both had government jobs, and the Jennings family had real power in this city. One word from them, and my parents could lose their jobs.

“Fine, I’ll go with you,” I said quietly. Looks like I don’t have a choice.

I tossed my takeout into the trash, turned around, and slid into the car he’d just opened for me.

After my shower, I just threw on some loose loungewear–almost like pajamas. My freshly washed hair was still damp, casually pulled back with a claw clip, and I was completely bare-faced. I’d never shown up in front of someone important looking this laid-back before.

The car kept moving forward, neither of us saying a word the whole way.

I hadn’t eaten a thing since morning–my stomach was practically caving in from hunger.

“Are we almost there?” I finally asked, glancing at the assistant. We’d been driving for over half an hour and still didn’t seem anywhere close.

“Just about ten more minutes, Ms. Murphy. Thank you for your patience,” the man replied with a polite smile.

‘I get basically kidnapped out of nowhere, have no clue where I’m being taken, and this guy has the nerve to tell me to be patient?’ I thought, my frustration boiling over.

‘Seriously, how is this even fair?’ I grumbled inwardly.

After another ten minutes or so, the car turned into a stretch of dense woods. Once we got through, a massive mansion appeared up ahead. My heart gave a jolt. ‘Why would Edward bring me to a place like this?’ I wondered.

If he really wanted to meet me, he could’ve just picked a quiet spot in the city.

‘Is he bringing me here to introduce me to the guy I’m supposed to fake marry?’ I thought, my anxiety spiking.

The unease in my chest kept building, and I suddenly had the urge to just jump out of the car and make a run for it.

The car rolled to a stop at the gate, and the assistant opened the door for me. “Ms. Murphy, please step out,” he said politely.

I took a deep breath and pulled up Ryan’s number on my phone. If things really got out of hand, I’d call him in, no matter what.

If push comes to shove, with Ryan watching my back, I’d be safer than with anyone else.