Chapter 540

Sophia, who had been teasing Aiden just a moment ago, was completely stunned when she saw Ryan.

I made the introductions, and Aiden immediately grinned. “Mom and Dad said you were dating a younger guy. I didn’t buy it before, but now I totally do.”

Ryan politely greeted Aiden.

Aiden was super curious about what Ryan did for a living, and Ryan just said he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was a native of Braylin. Aiden kept giving me these looks, like he was silently asking if I was just blinded by Ryan’s looks. Even with a respectable job and Braylin residency, he still couldn’t measure up to Jared in my brother’s eyes.

Sophia was clearly stunned by Ryan’s appearance. He wore a crisp white shirt that made him look fresh and bright, and with his tall build and strikingly handsome features, he was honestly from a whole different world compared to Aiden. My brother was good–looking, sure, but next to Ryan, it was like they weren’t even playing the same game.

The vibe during dinner was pretty good, but I couldn’t help but notice Sophia had gotten a lot quieter.

Whenever Aiden tried to serve her some food, she seemed a bit impatient, insisting she couldn’t eat anymore and kept putting the food right back onto his plate.

Worried about my brother’s relationship, I kept a close watch on Sophia’s attitude, just in case.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but feel like Aiden was acting a little too humble, while Sophia was being pretty moody.

“Ryan, can I add you on Instagram? You never know, we might end up working together someday,” Sophia asked as things were winding down.

Ryan glanced at me and said, “Sorry, I don’t just add people on Instagram. If you need to reach me, you can go through Vic.”

Sophia shot me a look, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Victoria, you really keep your boyfriend on a short leash, huh? Not even letting him add people on Instagram?”

I just laughed. “It’s not me stopping him–he just doesn’t want to add anyone.”

Sophia flashed a sly smile and said, “Well, Ryan could never keep up with you, Victoria. He’s so much younger–no wonder you keep such a tight leash on him. Makes sense.”

I caught her trying to stir the pot right away, and my opinion of Sophia dropped even lower.

Aiden came back after settling the bill and said to Sophia, “Let’s go. Looks like it’s raining outside. I’ll go out and hail a cab.”

Sophia folded her arms, looking annoyed. “When are you finally going to get a car? It’s way too cold for this.”

Since Ryan and I drove over, I spoke up, “Aiden, I’ve got my car here. I’ll give you guys a lift home.”

Aiden said, “Sis, it’s really out of your way. You’d have to make a huge detour–probably take you an extra hour and a half to get home.”

“It’s fine, I’ll drive you guys,” I said, not bothered at all.

Ryan gave me a few reminders before heading off on his own. Once I pulled up, Sophia got in and asked, “Victoria, is this a company car? I remember you used to drive a Mercedes–Benz.”

As soon as she brought that up, I had a bad feeling.

I’d actually taken my Mercedes back to Hachester, and it’s still parked there.

The company hooked me up with a BMW here, so I haven’t really needed the Mercedes lately.

“Yeah, it’s back in Hachester. I didn’t drive it over,” I replied.

Sophia flashed a smile. “Victoria, Aiden’s been running all over for work lately, and taking cabs every day is such a pain. Why not let him borrow your car for a bit?”

Aiden jumped in right away, “Honestly, I don’t want to drive. Parking’s crazy expensive here, and I don’t even have a spot. Sophia, owning a car costs a ton, and we’re supposed to be saving for a place, right?”

“Hold up, let me talk to Victoria,” Sophia cut him off, her face turning serious. “Victoria, we just started working, and money’s super tight. Can you let us borrow your car for a while?”

I turned to her with a smile. “Cars and husbands–strictly off–limits for lending!”

Aiden chuckled. “Sis, you’ve got a point. I just got my license recently, and I’m not even comfortable driving yet.”

“I’d drive it,” Sophia shot back, clearly annoyed. “Forget it. Let’s just focus on saving for a house.”

The whole car thing really put a damper on the mood.

When we got to their apartment, just outside the Fourth Ring Road, Sophia slammed the door shut, making her annoyance obvious. Aiden, meanwhile, told me to drive safe on my way back.

I glanced out the window, feeling a bit helpless as I sighed. Sophia was way more mature, and it was obvious Aiden was totally outmatched.

But maybe that’s exactly why he kept sinking deeper and deeper. Love’s just a game of strategy–whoever calls the shots, wins.

On my way home, I actually got into a little fender bender, and it happened just around the corner from my place.

Two burly, thuggish–looking middle–aged men climbed out of the other car. The moment they saw I was a young woman, they immediately tried to pull a fast one on me.

“Give us twenty thousand yuan, and we’ll settle this right here,” one of them demanded.

I glanced at their car–barely a scratch, nothing major at all. Even if they took it to a shop, it’d only cost a couple thousand yuan, tops.

I pulled out my phone to call the cops, and they instantly got pissed. “You rear–ended us, so it’s all your fault, got it?”

I nodded. “I know, but I’m calling my insurance company to handle it.”

“We’re in a hurry. We don’t have time to wait for your insurance,” the other guy snapped, clearly pissed.

I ignored him and kept dialing, but suddenly he snatched my phone right out of my hand. “I’m telling you to just pay up and be done with it. Why can’t you just be smart about this?”

I didn’t expect them to be this aggressive. I frowned and said, “Give me my phone back.”

“Even if you call the cops, I’ve got people on the inside. If you don’t pay now, you’ll end up paying way more later…” he sneered.

He pointed his finger right in my face, barking at me like he owned the place.

I tried to get out, but one of them jammed the door shut, making sure I couldn’t go anywhere.

Just then, a black sedan with its hazard lights flashing pulled up behind my car.

A guy in a suit stepped out and walked over, said a few words I couldn’t catch, and suddenly those thugs looked like they’d seen a ghost. They shoved my phone back into my hand, jumped in their car, and bolted–didn’t even bother with the accident anymore.

I was still reeling when the back door of the black Audi swung open, and Edward’s silhouette popped up in my rearview mirror.