Chapter 812

He nearly jumped out of his skin, then snapped to attention and looked at me, trying to sober up. “Vic…”

“Time to go home,” I said, moving over to help him up.

Aiden kept quiet and obediently followed me downstairs.

“Vic, you won’t believe it. I toasted our mysterious boss today… He’s so commanding. How am I ever supposed to become the next him?

“Oh, and he reminds me of someone….

“He said his last name was Jennings… I think I know a good-looking guy with that last name… Who was it again?” he murmured.

I turned back to Aiden, a dull ache settling in my chest. Was Edward really here just to look out for his own people? Well, Aiden had got what he had now all thanks to Edward looking out for him. He really did owe him that toast.

When we got home, Aiden was still rambling nonstop, like he was possessed. “I want to make it big. I want to rise above everyone else. I want to be just like… him–Edward.”

I watched him, totally dazzled by power and ambition. ‘Maybe being blinded by all that counts as growing up too,’ I thought to myself.

My mom was discharged from the hospital after ten days. Once she was home, my dad took care of her around the clock.

Lately, I’d just been with my family. Life felt peaceful and downright satisfying, and for once, nothing else was on my mind.

On the tenth day after the New Year, I decided it was time to head back to Shaville.

Aiden dropped me off at the airport.

Suddenly, Aiden blurted out, “Vic, it just clicked! Our boss actually reminds me a lot of Ryan. Have you ever met him? Do you know if Ryan has any powerful, well-connected relatives like that?”

I kept my gaze on the window, replying in an even voice, “Yeah, I’ve met him before. Seems like he does have such a relative.”

“Really? Do you still talk to Ryan at all? Can you get him to say a few nice things about me in front of his relative?” Aiden perked up, practically buzzing with anticipation.

I smiled. “Alright, enough. You know better than anyone what you’re truly capable of. If someone handed you a top position, could you really keep it together?”

That snapped Aiden back to earth. He groaned, deflating instantly. “True… Trying to move up without the chops is basically asking for trouble. Whatever, I’d better just focus on doing my own thing well."

The scenery outside the window sped by, I’d seen this road to the airport more times than I could count.

Memories floated up, then faded just as quickly. I caught myself zoning out for a few seconds.

There was a Mercedes business van ahead. I remembered Edward used to drive one like that. Instinctively, I peeked inside–but couldn’t see a thing.

I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. Swore I’d let it all go, but right on cue, my curiosity kicked in again.

A month later, Ryan finally texted me back.

Just two words: [No problem.]

I stared at his icon for a moment, zoning out, and ended up not replying.

It wasn’t until much later that Jared found out my mom had been hospitalized during the holidays, and when he did, he actually blamed me for keeping it from him. If Yvonne hadn’t let it slip, he’d have stayed completely in the dark.

I knew Jared was the kind of person who’d drop everything and rush over the second my family needed help.

But I really didn’t want to accept his help anymore. Owing someone a favor… Sooner or later, we had to pay it back.

The following spring, my villa in Shaville was finally renovated–my dream home at last. Outside of work, I spent most of my time picking out furniture and plants I actually liked.

I still loved tending to the garden, but honestly, it just didn’t feel the same anymore.

Back then, I mainly wanted the yard to look good so Jared or any guest would throw a few compliments my way.

Now, it was all about pleasing myself. After work, coming home to my own space and basking in peace—it really was one of life’s small joys.

I used to daydream about finding someone to fall for, but after hurting Nathan’s feelings, I decided to give romance a rest and just leave it up to fate.

Everything was running smoothly, until something unexpected popped up.

Some big shot had his eye on me. He started working his connections behind the scenes, and somehow I ended up invited to dinner with him.

At first, I didn’t think much of it–I figured it was just business, or so I thought. We were supposed to talk collaboration, and I talked shop with my team every day anyway, always hunting for new ways to expand.

Wasn’t about to let a chance like that slip by.

For this dinner, I didn’t go alone. I brought a few senior execs and my two bodyguards with me.

When we arrived, I got split up from the execs and sent to a different floor for dinner. My gut instantly told me something was shady, and I wanted to bail.

But once I’d walked into that trap, there was no walking out.

The door behind me slammed shut from the outside. I spun around and saw a greasy old man sprawled on the couch, his eyes practically gleaming with obsession as he looked me over.

“Come on, Ms. Murphy, check out this spread I prepared just for you.” The guy’s last name was Charles, and the way he carried himself screamed power–he was forcing me into this dinner while pretending it was all for my own good.

“If this feast doesn’t win you over, then how about this?” Mr. Charles abruptly turned and swung open a cabinet, showing off a trove of jewelry glittering like fire inside.

“What do you mean by this, Mr. Charles?” I said, a chill running down my spine as anxiety crept in.

Here, if one didn’t have someone powerful backing them, even if they made it big, they couldn’t hold onto anything. They bust their ass, and in the end, they might just be handing everything over to someone else.

Letting go of Edward’s shield… I should’ve seen this coming.

“Ms. Murphy, let’s not kid ourselves–we both know the game. I’ve showered you with gifts and you never accept any. So what choice did I have? Had to get you here so I could pass them along face-to-face.” Mr. Charles was all smiles, eyes practically glued to me. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen a beauty like you. Ever since you caught my eye, I can’t eat or sleep—I just wanna talk to you, share a meal together.”

His words made me sick to my stomach, but that’s just how people are–leave something beautiful out in the open, and everyone wants a piece of it.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Charles. I respect you, but that’s where it ends,” I said seriously, keeping my tone firm.

“Ms. Murphy, Shaville isn’t nearly as calm as it looks. Without some serious backing, you won’t last long here,” Mr. Charles said with a mocking smirk. “If it’s not me today, someone else will come knocking tomorrow. You’ll have to choose someone eventually. I can guarantee you–side with me, and your business will run nice and smooth. But if you decide to throw your lot in with someone else… let’s just say I wouldn’t take it kindly.”

I was panicking inside, racking my brain for an escape plan.

Just then, someone kicked the door open, the bang echoing through the room.

I jumped, and Mr. Charles did too. The next second, he roared, “Who the hell are you? Do you have any idea what this place is?”

Before he could finish, one of the men shoved a badge right in his face–Mr. Charles froze, words dying in his throat.

I stared at the people barging in, my head still reeling, when I suddenly spotted a familiar face among them.

He turned toward me with a quick smile. “Sorry you had to meet me like this, Ms. Murphy."

“Are you with Ryan now?” Surprise flickered in my eyes–it’d been ages since I’d seen him, and he looked different now.

“Yes, Mr. Jennings’s been looking out for you,” he said with a friendly smile. “Don’t worry, Ms. Murphy–unless something’s truly urgent, we’re not supposed to bother you.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, stunned.

That arrogant Mr. Charles from earlier instantly switched up, sounding totally deferential. “Sorry, Ms. Murphy, I had no idea someone powerful had your back. Why didn’t you say something sooner–seriously, you almost got me in deep trouble.”

I shot him a cold look, letting out a short laugh. “Turns out there’s always a bigger fish, huh? That’s quite the 180, Mr. Charles–color me surprised.”

“Oh, Ms. Murphy, you’ve got quite the sense of humor. Power struggles at the top are brutal by nature–I was just looking out for you. If you really want to thrive, you can’t go it alone,” Mr. Charles said, his grin as greasy as ever.

I couldn’t stand the sight of his slimy smile anymore. I turned on my heel and hurried out.

When I stepped into the hallway, my bodyguards and a few senior execs were standing there, looking pissed.

“Ms. Murphy, are you okay?” one of the bodyguards asked, stepping forward.

I shook my head. “I’m fine. Did you see that group of guys leave just now?”

“Saw them, but they’re already gone,” one of my bodyguards said.

On the drive home, my mind was swirling with thoughts. That close call really hammered it home–without some powerful backing in this world, you’re pretty much asking for trouble.

I grabbed my phone and shot Ryan a heartfelt thank-you message. I still had no idea how his crew knew I was in a jam, but they saved my neck, and I meant every word of my gratitude.

As always, Ryan stayed silent. I couldn’t help but feel restless, my nerves tightening as I stared at my phone.

Three more months slipped by, and before I knew it, the rumor that I had serious backing started making the rounds–maybe thanks to Mr. Charles. All those folks who’d been so eager to rope me into “business dinners” suddenly vanished from my calendar, almost like nobody dared mess with me anymore.

Business was exploding, and I’d just switched to a brand new office building. Renovations weren’t done yet, so I came over to see how things were shaping up. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, I took in the steel jungle stretched out before me, sunlight pouring in just so. Tilting my head up at that far-off sky, I found myself spacing out, wondering to myself, ‘Ryan, I wonder what you’re doing right now!’

My phone buzzed–a message from Jared, with two photos attached.

One was of a woman, sharp in a dress shirt and slacks, giving a speech onstage with a giant screen behind her.

The screen read: [Chief AI Researcher, Dr. Jacqueline Rivers]

The second photo showed Nathan sitting right in the front row, head tilted up, eyes fixed on her.

Jared messaged, [What do you think? Do they make a good match?]