Chapter 725

Ryan just wouldn’t leave me alone, and it was driving me crazy. If the Chamberlains ever found out Ryan kept coming to see me, they’d totally think I was some shameless homewrecker. Seriously, I hadn’t done anything, but I’d have to carry that kind of blame?

‘No way. I can’t accept this,’ I thought, feeling indignant. The only person I could turn to for help right now was Edward.

As soon as I got home, I called him. Edward picked up, and after I finished explaining, his voice grew heavy. “He really dares to act out like this, huh?”

“Edward, can you try to stop him? I’m really worried about him coming to see me so blatantly,” I said. In my previous life, I put up with a mistress for over thirty years—I absolutely refuse to become the homewrecker who ruins someone else’s family.

Since breaking up with Ryan, I never once reached out to him or kept tabs on his life. That’s just basic decency. When you’re together, things can get wild and lively, but once it’s over, you need to vanish without a trace.

‘Why can’t Ryan do the same?’ I thought to myself.

“Don’t stress. I’ll give him a call. Where are you right now?” Edward asked, sounding concerned.

“I just got home,” I replied.

“You said earlier a state–owned enterprise invested in your company? Which one is it? Can you give me some specifics?” Edward’s voice was low and serious.

“Edward, are you planning to block this deal?” I couldn’t help but feel my stomach drop. If asking him to talk to Ryan ended up blowing up this partnership, what was I supposed to do then?

“Don’t worry, it won’t affect your deal. I just need some info so I can talk to Ryan,” Edward reassured me.

“Alright,” I replied, having no choice but to trust Edward and gave him the details. After Edward hung up, I had no clue how he was going to talk to Ryan about all this. I just hoped Ryan would keep a cool head and not do anything reckless. It was already past midnight, and I was lying in bed, wide awake because of everything going on with Ryan.

Edward still hadn’t given me a straight answer. ‘Did their talk fall apart?’ I wondered. ‘Could this whole thing actually make them, uncle and nephew, turn against each other?’ I couldn’t help but worry. I felt like I was right back in the thick of the chaos.

Suddenly, my phone lit up with a text from Edward. I snatched it up and checked it in a hurry. It just said: “Open the door!”

I bolted upright, barely believing it–I dashed to the living room, and when I opened the door, there was Edward, looking dead tired.

“Why are you here all of a sudden?” I asked, totally shocked.

Edward smiled. “Didn’t I tell you last time that Mariah was coming to the church? She’s arriving the day after tomorrow. I just… showed up a little early.”

In the quiet darkness of the night, the one who’d been haunting my thoughts suddenly appeared right in front of me. It was like finally getting rain after a never–ending drought.

“Come on in. It’s really late,” I said softly.

“I figured you’d be asleep already,” Edward said, his voice sounding a bit rough.

“Couldn’t sleep,” I said, leaning against the wall. “Been waiting for you to text me back.”

“So if I hadn’t shown up or messaged you, would you have just stayed up till morning?” Edward let out a quiet laugh.

But I couldn’t bring myself to smile. I turned my back to him, putting some distance between us. “Edward, I feel like I’m caught up in a dangerous game here.”

Edward’s smile disappeared. He closed the gap between us in a few long strides, lowering his gaze to study my face. “Why do you say that?”

“I’m not some kind of superhuman–why did I ever think I could handle getting mixed up with both of you at once? I really overestimated myself,” I said with a self–deprecating laugh.

“Victoria, I’m sorry, I never thought Ryan would actually come looking for you,” Edward said, gently gripping my shoulders. “He’s just got that youthful impulsiveness. But don’t worry–I’ve already talked to him, and he gets it now. He knows how much trouble showing up like that could cause you.”

“Really?” My eyes lit up. ‘Does Ryan finally get that this is crossing a line?’ I thought.