Chapter 582

“No, he’s just afraid you won’t accept his gift, so he snatches mine, adds more money, and basically forces you to take it,” Nathan said, seeing right through Jared’s antics.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “He’s too much. Why not just send it straight to me and see if I take it?”

Hearing that, Nathan immediately picked up his phone and started typing.

After I accepted Nathan’s gift, Jared sent three more big gifts in the group chat. “Victoria, go ahead and take them—blessings from your friends in the group,” he wrote.

I looked up at Nathan.

Nathan arched his brows at me. “Hey, you said it yourself—if he sends it, just take it. No need to be shy. Jared’s loaded.”

“You two are way too generous! Next time you start a group chat, make sure to invite me—I love hanging out with VIPs,” I joked, and of course, I took all the gifts.

Finally, I sent out a gift too—one for each of them, just to keep things fair.

Jared was the first to grab his, but he only got nine ninety.

Nathan took his next and ended up with more than nine grand.

Jared immediately sent an angry face emoji.

Nathan couldn’t help but laugh, his eyes now burning with a bit more heat as he typed in the group chat, “[Mr. Holcomb, looks like Victoria and I are just fated to be closer.]”

When I saw his provocative message, I shot him a playful glare. “Don’t tease him.”

Nathan replied lazily, “Relax, Mr. Holcomb can totally handle it.”

“Still, don’t,” I said, pretending to be annoyed.

“Alright, I’ll unsend it,” Nathan said, and actually deleted the message.

Jared shot back: “Unsend? Please, I already saw it. No matter how close you two are, do you have a kid calling you Dad?”

Nathan: “…”

Jared really knows how to throw a jab—and make it sting.

“Forget it. Mr. Holcomb’s not just tough on the inside—he’s got a sharp tongue too,” Nathan said, deciding not to push him any further.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “He wasn’t always like this. He only started getting this savage recently.”

“With a mouth that poisonous, if he licks his lips at night, he might just end up poisoning himself,” Nathan joked.

I burst out laughing—these two really didn’t hold back with each other.

After dinner, Nathan said quietly, “Victoria, I want to take a shower tonight.”

I froze. “The doctor said you can’t get your wound wet. You need to be careful.”

“Can you help me?” Nathan asked.

My mind buzzed. ‘Wait, help him shower?’ I thought to myself.

We’re both adults—everyone knows what that means. He was basically inviting me in a not-so-subtle way.

“Uh… I… it’s really not convenient for me,” I stammered. Honestly, it was true—my period had just started.

Nathan looked at me, a little disappointed. “Just a shower, nothing else, alright?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re hurt! What else do you think you can do?”

Seeing me play it straight, Nathan just chuckled and went to shower alone.

I went upstairs to get the guest room ready for myself.

After his shower, Nathan stood by the door in his white bathrobe, looking at me. “Planning to sleep here tonight?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I got a bit freaked out at the hospital before.”

Nathan looked even more down, his eyes fixed on the floor. “Victoria, I’ve been meaning to ask you… After you broke up with Ryan, could we be together?”

I turned to look at him, and his voice was sincere as he pleaded, “You know I’ve been waiting for you to come back. If you don’t want to get married, we don’t have to, okay?”

“Nathan, I’m sorry… I’ve just been in a rough place lately, and I’m really not up for dating right now,” I sighed, answering seriously.

“Did Ryan hurt you… emotionally?” Nathan asked, concern written all over his face as he stepped closer. “Tell me, what really happened between you two?”

I didn’t want to get into it. Nathan owed a debt to the Jennings family, and he was still in touch with Edward. As for everything that happened with the Jennings family, I just wanted to let it drift away like dust in the wind.

“No, he didn’t hurt me,” I said flatly. “Honestly… relationships just feel pointless to me now. I’d rather put all my energy into work instead.” I tried to keep my tone indifferent, not wanting to let my real feelings show.

“Work and love don’t have to be separate,” Nathan said, his voice a little wounded. He murmured, “Are you worried I’d get in the way of your career? I promise I won’t interfere with your work or your life, Victoria. If you want, I’m willing to just be your lover… whatever you need.”

I was totally stunned. ‘Did Nathan really just say that? Has he lost his mind?’ I thought.