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Inside a cozy private room, it was just the two of us. Nearby, a cage held a few small birds, including a chatty crow that greeted everyone with, “Congratulations on getting rich!” and then, “Beautiful lady!”

I leaned against the window with my coffee cup, playfully teasing the crow.

The crow hopped around, squawking, “Congratulations on getting rich!” over and over.

Edward sat in a chair nearby, watching me with a smile. “You just want to hear it say that, don’t you?”

“Because I want to get rich,” I replied, turning to him with a grin.

Edward’s gaze locked onto mine. “How rich do you want to get?”

I thought for a moment and said, “Just enough to last me a lifetime. Who knows where I’ll end up in the next one?”

Edward chuckled. “So, do you want to make your fortune somewhere new?”

I turned to look at him. “I’m not really the talented type, so don’t try to recruit me.”

Edward laughed at that. “Talent comes in all shapes and sizes. Maybe your day job isn’t your thing, but I’m sure you’d shine at something else.”

“Like what?” My eyes lit up, wondering if he was about to uncover some hidden potential in me.

“How about being my wife?” Edward joked, a playful glint in his eyes.

“You…” I blushed, half annoyed, half embarrassed. “Trust me, I’m not wife material. I’m way too fickle–always wanting to play the field. Whoever marries me is just signing up to get cheated on for life.”

Edward’s handsome face turned stormy, clearly annoyed. His voice dropped. “Enough. Don’t talk about yourself like that.”

I blinked in surprise. ‘I was just being honest about what some women secretly wish for–how does that make me cheap?’ I thought.

“Even if you’re trying to turn me down, you don’t have to trash yourself like that,” Edward grumbled, clearly getting more and more annoyed.

I burst out laughing. “Well, maybe that’s just how I really feel, you know?”

Edward stared at me for a long moment, his eyes narrowing. “So you mean it, huh? Who’s the lucky guy you’re chasing next?”

I turned around, grabbed a blade of grass, and kept teasing the crow. “Come on, say ‘beautiful lady’ for me.”

“Boss… Boss, good morning,” the crow squawked, instantly buttering up Edward as soon as it realized he was a guy.

Chapter 616

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“Boss…” That was it—I cracked up, leaning against the window, laughing so hard I couldn’t straighten up.

Edward looked exasperated and shot the crow a look. “You little rascal, quiet down.”

The crow hopped away, darting around with its clever little eyes, then squawked, “Congratulations on getting rich!” again.

I was still laughing when Edward tugged me to my feet. “Is it really that funny to you?”

I stopped laughing right away, but I couldn’t wipe the smile from my eyes as I just looked at Edward.

Edward reached out and pinched my cheek, then turned and sat back down. “Seriously, you won’t even consider coming over to my side?”

“Nope,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t want to be bossed around by you.”

“I won’t boss you around, and I’ll give you plenty of real perks,” Edward said.

“Still not interested,” I replied. If I was smart, I’d stay far away from anyone who could mess with my head.

Edward looked at me, exasperated. “You’re really gonna turn down such a bright future and all those chances?”

“I’m worried I’d just get even greedier. If I feed my ambition too much, it’ll get out of hand,” I said seriously.

Edward paused, a little surprised. “Doesn’t seem like you’re all that ambitious to me.”

“I am, but only as long as I can keep it in check,” I shot back.

Edward didn’t say anything else, just kept his eyes on me for a while before finally picking up his tea and taking a sip.

I didn’t dare say anything else, so I just quietly sipped my tea too.

After lunch, Edward had someone drive me over to the police station. I made my statement, and the cops just told me to head back and wait to hear from them.

When I stepped outside, I saw a black Bentley parked by the curb. The window rolled down, and there was Edward–his face all authority and good looks. He gestured for us to follow, and the car I was in pulled out behind his.

I leaned back in my seat, my eyes glued to the Bentley ahead. I couldn’t help but zone out, just staring at Edward’s car as my mind drifted.

We pulled over in a quiet spot, and Edward got out of his car, walked over to mine, and slid into the seat next to me.

I immediately shifted over, giving him some space. He leaned in and said softly, “Isabelle probably won’t be locked up for too long. She might be out in a year.”

I nodded. “I know, but I’m just worried she’ll come after me again once she’s free.”

I

Chapter 616

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Edward turned to look at me. “Don’t worry. The Lynn family won’t let her make the same mistake twice.”

I froze for a second, thinking, ‘Yeah, that’s exactly it. The elders in a family are terrified the younger ones will screw up so badly it drags everyone down with them. Mess up once, maybe you get a pass–but do it again, and nobody’s gonna save you from the fallout.’

Guess that’s why the older generation freaks out whenever the kids want to go off and play entrepreneur.

“Do you want to head back to Hachester now?” Edward checked his watch. “Or maybe stay the night and head out in the morning?”

My heart tightened, and I turned my face to the window. His words sounded like a subtle invitation.

‘Stay the night…’ I thought. ‘Just one night–anything could happen, and that made me nervous.'

“I’m heading back to Hachester right now–I’ve already got my ticket,” I blurted out, not even hesitating.

The atmosphere in the car froze over instantly, and a heavy silence hung between us.

My breathing grew shallow and tense, my palms turning clammy with nerves.

‘I’m not playing these adult games anymore,’ I told myself.

“Victoria, don’t ever come looking for me again. Just stay out of my life,” Edward said, then got out of the car.

The door slammed shut behind him, echoing through the silence.