Chapter 742
Edward stayed calm, his voice unwavering. “You want to know why? Well, let me ask you this, Dad. Didn’t you chase after Mom just because she was beautiful? My feelings are just like yours were back then.”
“Nonsense!” Jeffrey’s face flushed red, and the next second, he clutched his chest and started coughing.
Ryan immediately stepped forward, helping Jeffrey catch his breath. “Uncle, did you really have to say that to Grandpa right now?”
Edward remained cool. “I’m just telling it like it is. Dad, you promised you wouldn’t meddle in my relationships. Are you going back on your word now?”
Jeffrey’s face went stiff. As the head of the family, his word was law–if he broke it, his authority would be shot.
Ryan looked stunned, turning to Jeffrey. “Grandpa, how could you have promised something like that?”
Jeffrey gasped for air, pointing at Edward. “So you think you’ve got wings now, ready to soar on your own, huh?”
Just then, a gentle female voice drifted in from the doorway. “He’s already in his thirties. If he still can’t make his own choices, isn’t that just a little pathetic?”
Everyone turned to see Vivian Sterling walking in, dressed in a dark green long dress.
Her jet–black hair was pinned up neatly, and a pair of pearl earrings dangled by her ears, giving her an understated elegance and a quiet strength.
Jeffrey, who had been raising his voice just moments ago, immediately softened when he saw her. “You finally decided to come see me.”
Vivian walked in, and Fiona and Ryan instinctively stepped back. She reached out to steady Jeffrey’s arm. “Since you’re supposed to be recovering, stop worrying about everyone else’s business. I’ll stay here and look after you for the next two weeks. Let the younger generation handle their own affairs.”
Jeffrey’s gaze grew gentler, as if Vivian was his remedy. Just seeing her seemed to take the edge off his whole demeanor.
Ryan’s expression grew noticeably tense when he saw Vivian walk in.
“Grandpa…” Ryan blurted out.
Jeffrey gave him a look, a hint of resignation in his eyes. “Take Fiona home first.”
Agitation flickered in Ryan’s eyes as he looked at me, then at Edward.
Vivian smiled at Ryan. “Ryan, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of your grandfather.”
Ryan’s face darkened, his voice flat. “Grandma Vivian, it’s not often you come back to Braylin. Let’s have lunch together. It’s been a while since we’ve had a meal together.”
Fiona looked like she wanted to say something, but just sulked, turning her back to Ryan and staring out the window.
Edward spoke up calmly. “Since Ryan wants to stay for lunch, let’s all eat together.”
Tension simmered beneath the surface–this was a silent battlefield, and I was too scared to even breathe.
I’ve got more money than I know what to do with. I could’ve just picked some warm, sunny place, bought myself a villa, and lived a life where every day felt like spring. But instead, here I am, throwing myself into the social battlefield of the elite, scared out of my wits.
Seeing that Jeffrey Jennings wasn’t bringing up my business anymore, I jumped in, “Mr. Jennings, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out.”
But just as I finished and started to leave, a big, firm hand clamped down on my arm. “Stay for lunch,” Edward said.
I glanced at Edward–his eyes were practically begging me to stay.
Vivian turned to me. “Victoria, last time you came with me to the church, I never got to properly treat you to a meal. Stay for lunch, okay?”
Vivian’s soft, gentle voice made it impossible to say no.
I hesitated for a couple seconds, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll stay for lunch.”
Fiona huffed.
I shot her a look, thinking about how she and Isabelle had ganged up on me before. I could feel my temper rising.
Ryan stared at me, disappointment and frustration simmering just beneath the surface–like by agreeing to stay for lunch, I’d somehow signed myself up for something I never wanted.