Chapter 672

“People from those powerful families aren’t exactly known for their morals. If you really join the Jennings family, Ryan will definitely be secretly eyeing you…”

“I’m not some irresistible woman. I’m not that special,” I said coldly. “I only care about the person who’s with me now. Everyone else? They’re just passing through my life.”

“Victoria, you’re way too naive…” Jared’s eyes were dark as he stared at me. “Men are all about conquest. Don’t underestimate how far they’ll go just to get what they want.”

I couldn’t help feeling bitter. “So, in your eyes, women are just trophies, just tools for your pleasure—no dignity, no say in anything?”

Jared was stunned, clearly not expecting me to get it right away.

I arched an eyebrow. “Thanks for the heads-up. You know, sometimes I think staying free is actually simple. When fate tries to tie you up, don’t just sit there and pray for mercy. Then it can’t hold you.”

Jared blinked.

“You think I’m with Edward because I’m looking for a place to belong? Nope. I’m just here for the journey,” I said, squatting down and resting my chin in my hand as I looked at him. “You told Yvonne I want to be free like the wind. Thanks for telling her that.”

Jared gazed at me, lost in thought. Suddenly, he reached out as if to grab me, but I was too far away. “Victoria, you’re reckless and untamed now. There’s no way I can hold onto you anymore.”

I sat by the door, hugging my knees, my face pressed against them. “Jared, I’ve figured it out. You don’t have to get married to live a great life. Sure, if you meet someone you truly love, go for it—but always keep a backup plan for yourself. When you know you’ve got a way out, you won’t feel trapped inside.”

“Let me be your backup plan, okay?” Jared suddenly got up and crouched down beside me. “I want to be your safety net.”

I stared at him, surprised. “Sorry, but my backup plan isn’t a person. It’s money—cold hard cash that’ll never stab me in the back.”

Jared just stared at me, lost for words.

I shot him a small smile. “Looks like you’re fine now, so get some sleep, okay?”

With that, I got up and headed back to my room.

But just as I was about to leave, Jared suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace from behind, holding me close. “Did you… sleep with him?”

“That’s my private business. Don’t ask,” I said, starting to pry his fingers off me.

“If you’re willing to sleep with anyone, why not me…” Jared growled in my ear, almost losing control. “My money—one day, it’ll all be yours and Yvonne’s.”

I knew Jared was just talking nonsense because he was drunk.

As he pressed his lips to my ear, I pried his fingers off and pushed him away. “Jared, if you’re that desperate, I can call a girl for you.”

Jared just stood there, leaning against the wall, looking lost. “Don’t think I can’t do it. Just watch, I’ll marry someone the moment I’m back home…”

“Congrats,” I tossed over my shoulder, shutting the door behind me.

The next day, I didn’t have any classes, and Jared was still at the hotel, catching up on sleep.

So I took Yvonne out for some shopping and snacks, just enjoying some quality time together.

Yvonne had gotten so much taller, so I picked out some new clothes for her.

When we got back to the hotel, Jared was still zoned out, sprawled on the couch and totally out of it.

“Dad, are you okay? You’re not sick, right?” Yvonne asked, reaching out to check his forehead. “Looks like you’re not running a fever.”

Jared croaked, “Did you have fun today?”

“Yeah! Mom bought me a bunch of stuff and took me to eat all kinds of yummy food,” Yvonne replied, her face lighting up.

Jared looked at me and suddenly couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

I had no idea what he was laughing about.

“So, how does it feel to be taking charge of your daughter’s fate again?” Jared asked, still grinning at me.

I shot him a glare. ‘Why does he always have to bring up stuff that hurts me?’

Back in my previous life, if he hadn’t let things slide, our daughter wouldn’t have had her values warped by Tracy, and she never would’ve ended up in prison.

In this life, we should all own up to our mistakes and actually do something to fix them.

Yvonne looked at us, puzzled. “Dad, Mom, why are you talking so weird? I don’t understand at all.”

Jared ruffled her hair. “Go play in your room, sweetie.”

I was thinking of heading back to my apartment for a bit—I needed a shower, and I didn’t have any of my clothes here.

As I was about to leave, Jared said in an icy tone, “Elaine’s fired.”

I spun around, startled. “Why are you doing this?”

“She failed at her job,” Jared scoffed. “She knew what was going on and kept quiet. That makes it even worse.”

I shot back, “I kept her completely in the dark. You have no idea what really happened, so don’t pin this on her.”

“Someone’s got to take the fall for this,” Jared said coldly. “She’s the obvious choice.”

“Jared, don’t do this. It’s all on me. I’ll resign as soon as I’m back—I don’t want Elaine to get dragged into this. She doesn’t deserve it.”

Jared’s face hardened at my words. “Fine, I’ll let her off this time.”

I knew he was just trying to get a rise out of me, so I turned and walked out.

When I got to the lobby, my phone rang—it was Edward. “How about dinner tonight?”