Chapter 471

Remembering a time in my previous life when I gave Yvonne a piggyback ride while wearing high heels, and ended up spraining my ankle—it swelled up like a steamed bun. I spent half the night stuck in bed, and Yvonne kept complaining because I couldn’t get her there on time.

I decided to step back. Let Jared do the heavy lifting this time.

It was late, and there was hardly anyone around. We headed for the elevator together, and the only thing you could hear was our footsteps.

Jared was walking slower than usual. When I glanced back at him, the city lights flickered in his eyes as he gazed at me, his look deep and lingering.

A cold, mocking thought crossed my mind—'Is this just how men are? Always chasing after what they can’t have, never able to let it go.’

Back in the living room, Jared gently laid Yvonne down on the bed. She didn’t even stir, just rolled over and kept sleeping.

I stood in the living room as Jared walked out of the bedroom, but he didn’t leave right away.

I turned my head to look at him and urged, “It’s late. You should head home.”

Jared walked up to me, step by step. He was so tall that, even after I changed my shoes, I was still a whole head shorter than him. He towered over me, looking me over from above, making me feel even smaller.

The look in his eyes was one I knew all too well—that rare, almost condescending gaze he used to give me in my previous life, only on those countless nights when he couldn’t get what he wanted and decided to throw me a scrap of attention.

“Victoria…” His voice was husky. “Just how many more surprises are you hiding from me?”

‘What the hell is he talking about?’ I blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

With no sense of boundaries, Jared reached out, his strong, defined fingers gently tracing my cheek. “You know, at the press conference today, you were like something glowing—so dazzling I couldn’t look away. I just wanted to keep seeing you.”

Jared’s feelings were clearly stirred, and there was a raw, unhidden desire burning in his eyes.

The heavy night air seemed to amplify every emotion. ‘Does he really think that tossing out a few seductive lines in the dark is enough to get me into bed?’ I thought, half annoyed, half amused.

I brushed his hand away coolly. “Oh really? Mr. Holcomb, are you catching feelings again?”

My words seemed to hit him hard. His face fell. “My feelings for you have always been there.”

“Jared, some relationships end for good. If you’re in the mood, go bother someone else.” I said it coldly, then turned to head into the kitchen for a glass of water.

Suddenly, Jared flicked off all the lights in the living room and kitchen, plunging us into darkness.

The room was pitch black. In the shadows, his arms—like iron bands—wrapped around me from behind, holding me tight. His voice was a low, desperate whisper. “Victoria, I’m losing my mind over you. Do you have any idea?”

“Jared, let go.” I was pissed. Yvonne was still in the bedroom, and he was pulling this kind of move?

“Not a chance,” Jared shot back, sounding almost childish. “Just tell me, how can I get things back to the way they were?”

I kept my movements quiet, not wanting Yvonne to see any of this.

This time around, I’m going to be a better role model for her.

“Jared, if you keep this up, I’m going to get mad,” I warned him in a low voice, trying to keep my cool.

Suddenly, Jared pressed a burning kiss to the nape of my neck, his scorching breath sending a jolt through my whole body.

He was utterly intoxicated, whispering against my skin, “Tell me, what do you want? Is there anything left in me you desire? Whatever it is, if I have it, it’s yours—just take it…”

His lips trailed lower as he spoke, brushing hot kisses along my collarbone.

I hated how forceful he was being, but I couldn’t risk making a scene. Swallowing my anger, I said through gritted teeth, “I don’t want anything from you.”

“Isn’t money your favorite thing? Go ahead, treat me like your personal money-making machine—I’ll earn it all for you…” Jared’s voice was hoarse, thick with desire. He was literally shaking, struggling to keep himself under control.

Chapter 472