Chapter 509

I figured Jared must've developed some kind of obsession after actually dying once. That wild look in his eyes was something I'd never seen before – strangely interesting, honestly.

I set my fork down and picked up my water, my voice cold. "Stop dreaming, Jared. If you really remember your previous life, then you should be off reminiscing with your old lover – talking about those nights under the stars, hikes through the mountains, and… locker rooms."

Jared's face went stiff. After a moment, he reached inside his jacket and pulled out a cigarette.

"No smoking," I warned coldly.

He didn't light it, just held it between his lips and bit down a couple times, craving that sharp kick of tobacco.

"I suspect my car accident in my previous life had something to do with the Darwin family," Jared said, his voice dropping, eyes cold as ice.

I arched an eyebrow and let out a long, meaningful "oh." "So, do you actually have any real evidence, or is this just your suspicion?"

Jared gave me a cold, mocking look. "I'm already dead, Victoria. Where would I get evidence? But my suspicions are enough to pretty much piece most of it together."

Honestly, I didn't feel even a shred of sympathy for him.

To be real, I almost wanted to pop some champagne and throw a party.

Jared caught the look on my face and gave a helpless little shrug. "You think I had it coming, huh? If you feel like applauding, go ahead – knock yourself out."

"Am I really the kind of person who'd kick you when you're down?" I grinned, then flagged down the waiter. "Got any champagne?"

Jared's face was a mess – flushed one second, pale the next.

The waiter was about to speak when Jared ground his teeth and snapped, "You drove here. You trying to get yourself a DUI?"

"DUI? Please, I'm taking a cab home. Waiter, bring us your finest champagne, thanks." I wasn't backing down on that drink.

Jared just stared at me, looking totally defeated, then let out a laugh – so pissed he couldn't help but chuckle.

It was that kind of laugh – helpless, lost for words, with a kind of messed-up charm in how broken he looked.

"Victoria, you've really gone bad," he called me out.

"Yeah, the worse I get, the fewer snakes stick around," I replied, quietly grabbing a piece of meat and chewing it slow, not in any rush at all.

Suddenly, Jared leaned in close, his voice low in my ear. "You're like a sly, gorgeous fox now – wild, ambitious, and it just makes people want to tame you."

I turned my head to look at him.

Just then, Sally walked in, holding Yvonne's hand.

"Mommy, are you guys gonna kiss?" Yvonne blurted out, her voice loud and clear.

Sally quickly covered Yvonne's eyes and started pulling her back out of the room.

My lips were so close to Jared's – so close it looked like we might actually kiss any second.

But in the next moment, I jerked my head back.

Jared was fast, though. He suddenly shoved his hand against the back of my head, forcing me forward.

SLAP!

I didn't hold back – I smacked him hard, and his lips just barely grazed mine, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Sally and Yvonne burst in, drawn by the sound of that slap.

"Victoria, are you out of your mind? Why did you hit my son?" Sally demanded, looking furious.

She rushed over to fuss over her darling son.

Jared's face was pale as jade, and my handprint stood out starkly on his cheek.

I grabbed my bag and stood up. "Sorry, but I'm taking Yvonne and heading out."

"Victoria, you haven't even apologized to my son yet!" Sally called after me, her voice sharp with anger.

Jared spoke up, his tone calm, "I'm the one at fault here, Mom. Don't take it out on her."

"Are you out of your mind? Even after the divorce, she dares to hit you? Who on earth would want a fierce tigress like her?" Sally was so mad, she just started spitting out insults without thinking.