Chapter 554

Edward’s eyes flashed with something unreadable, and he nodded. “Looks like you’ve got your priorities straight. For a second, I thought you’d go down in flames for love.”

“No way. There’s no man in this world worth risking my life and everything for,” I replied with conviction.

Edward’s expression stiffened, and then he went quiet.

After a long pause, he suddenly said, “Victoria, if you ever run into trouble, just ask me for help.”

I stared at him for a moment. “If I really do, are you going to want something from me?”

Edward fixed me with a steady, unreadable stare. “Do you really think the only reason I’d help you is to get you into bed?”

His words were so blunt, I was left speechless.

‘Isn’t that exactly what you want?’ I couldn’t help but think.

Edward let out a soft laugh, as if he realized he was stating the obvious.

“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you,” he added quietly.

In the grown–up world, nothing comes for free–every favor has its price. Of course I understood that.

“I’m thinking about leaving Braylin,” I said, hoping he’d have something to say about it.

“Heading back to Shaville?” Edward’s eyes brightened for a moment.

“No, I want to go home and spend time with my parents,” I replied, dropping my gaze.

Edward’s face went stiff for a moment before he said, “I don’t think you should go back. Your parents work for the government, and the Chamberlains have plenty of ways to get to them.”

That was exactly what I was afraid of.

“But if you stay in Braylin and show you’re really done with 2g, the Chamberlains might just let you go. Not everyone dares to stir up trouble in Braylin,” Edward hinted.

I sucked in a cold breath. He was right–even if I went home, my broker would still be here in Braylin, unless he left too.

If my family got dragged into this because of me, I’d never forgive myself.

“Edward, after hearing all that, it really feels like I’ve hit a dead end,” I said, my voice lost and uncertain.

Edward replied coolly, “Yes. If you don’t make your position clear soon, you’re really in for a tough time.”

“I won’t see Ryan again,” I said, biting my lip, my heart twisting with the words.

“Just because you stay away doesn’t mean he won’t come looking for you,” Edward raised an eyebrow. “You can keep yourself in check, but you can’t control what he does.”

“I’ll talk to him and set things straight,” I said, feeling helpless and drained.

“Victoria, I tried to stop you two before, but you still went ahead and got together,” Edward said, throwing a bit of shade.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. Yeah, he really did warn me way back, but I was too stubborn to listen.

Edward’s face clouded over. “I figured from the start–Ryan was never going to stick around for the long haul.”

No point talking about it now. I slumped back in my seat and shut my eyes.

The car stopped at the entrance to my neighborhood, and I pushed the door open, stepping out right away.

The moment I got out, the bone–chilling cold hit me, and I shivered.

Just then, a pair of big hands gently draped my coat over my shoulders. I quickly slipped my arms in and was about to button it up.

But before I could, Edward stepped in front of me. His strong, well–defined fingers fastened the buttons for me, one by one.

Then he placed the bag from his arm into my hand. “Go home and get some rest. Stop overthinking–The Chamberlains can’t really touch you.”

His steady presence, in the deep cold and darkness of the night, brought a rare sense of peace to my anxious heart.

“Thank you, Mr. Jennings,” I said. Even though we’d clashed so many times before, I genuinely felt grateful to him now. When I was helpless, he didn’t shove me into the abyss–instead, he pulled me back from the edge.

“Mm.” Edward just nodded, accepting my thanks.

I walked a few steps, then paused and looked back at him. “I’ve given you a pretty hard time before. How come you’re not using this chance to get even with me?”