Chapter 435

When people are panicked, they often seek help instinctively.

I looked at Edward, and he was looking at me too. When our eyes met, I saw a hint of panic in his gaze.

As our eyes met, I caught a glimpse of something unsettled in Edward’s eyes—he seemed a bit flustered too.

“I’m still under house arrest, so you deal with it,” I whispered.

Edward let out a soft chuckle. “Weren’t you the one who wanted to blow things up and make a mess? Ryan’s downstairs.”

When I was really angry before, I did think about dragging everyone into the mess and just letting things get chaotic.

But now, thinking it over, I had youth, beauty, money, and a career. Why would I want to play with fire?

“Ryan’s been good to me. I don’t want to hurt him,” I said, lowering my gaze and speaking honestly.

“Do you actually like him?” Edward’s expression darkened a bit as he asked me seriously.

I glanced up at him briefly before quickly looking out the window. “He’s such a great guy. Who wouldn’t like him?”

Edward’s expression turned ugly as he snapped, “Get in that room and don’t come out.”

I noticed a small door nearby, walked over, and pushed it open. To my surprise, it was a stylish little lounge.

Edward went downstairs.

I tried to find a spot in the room where I could overhear what was happening downstairs.

But it was pointless—the soundproofing in here was just too good.

After more than ten minutes, I heard engines starting downstairs, and then the cars pulled away.

I hid behind the floor-to-ceiling window, watching as the three cars drove off.

Ryan was finally gone, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

I couldn’t help but wonder what was so urgent that he had to show up at Edward’s place so early in the morning.

When Edward came back upstairs, I was still standing by the window. His eyes lingered on me, dark and unreadable.

I turned to face him, and a gust of wind blew in from behind, whipping up my waist-length hair.

Edward reached out, his fingers catching a few loose strands of my hair in his palm.

Instinctively, I took a few steps back.

With a furrowed brow, Edward asked, “Did you use a hairpin last night?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but it snapped while I was sleeping on it last night.”

“Where’s the hairpin?” Edward asked.

I answered right away, “It’s on that long couch downstairs in your living room.”

“Go check and see if it’s there,” Edward pressed.

I had no idea why he suddenly cared so much about a hairpin, but I rushed downstairs anyway.

The hairpin on the couch was missing.

I couldn’t believe it. I was sure I’d left it there last night. I even grumbled to myself about the whole thing, thinking maybe a broken hairpin was some kind of bad omen.

Edward was standing halfway down the stairs, tall and lean. When he saw the panic on my face, he asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong? It’s gone?”

I looked at him, totally confused. “I swear it was right here…”

Edward called over the housekeeper, and she said she hadn’t even started cleaning the living room yet—she’d been in the kitchen making breakfast.

Edward was clearly unsettled. He rushed down the stairs, and we both searched the couch thoroughly. In the end, our eyes met, tension hanging in the air.

Anxiety kept creeping up inside me.

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose, let out a frustrated sigh, and stood with his hands on his hips by the couch. “Has Ryan ever noticed you wearing that hairpin before?”

I was totally confused and shook my head. “How would I remember that? But I do use that hairpin all the time.”

Edward lowered his gaze to the couch, his tone heavy. “He was sitting right where you were looking for the hairpin.”

My heart was pounding, fear creeping in. “You mean he secretly took my hairpin?”

Edward nodded. “That’s right. He always has breakfast here before heading out, but today he only stayed a few minutes, said he had something urgent, and rushed off.”

My mind just exploded—everything was a mess all of a sudden.

Edward gave me a deep, thoughtful look. “I’m thinking, maybe he went to your place last night but couldn’t find you.”

Even if that’s true, why wouldn’t Ryan just call me?

Hold on, my phone…