Chapter 745: 55 Vouchers

I was shocked by the Jennings family’s rules. Worried those two guys outside might actually get hit, I jumped to my feet and pleaded with Jeffrey, “Jeffrey, all of this started because of me. Please don’t punish them–I’ll leave right now if you want.”

Jeffrey looked at me with a stern face. “This has nothing to do with you, Ms. Murphy. Don’t worry, I’m just disciplining my own family. You won’t be dragged into this.”

“But…” I started to panic and glanced at Vivian for help.

Vivian just looked calm as ever. Then she said to me, “Come on, Victoria, let’s step outside for some coffee. Just leave them be.”

“Vivian…” I couldn’t believe she was just watching from the sidelines. Edward was her son–was she really not going to step in for him?

Vivian just chuckled. “Relax, they’re tough–they’ll survive. Come with me.”

Edward glanced back at us, giving me a look that told me to go with his mother.

I was still on edge, but I knew the Jennings family rules were set in stone.

Ryan was kneeling outside, facing the door. Under the warm glow, his fair skin looked resolute, almost like a statue carved from marble.

Vivian led me out through a small back hall, and whatever was happening in the main room was now out of sight.

“Vivian, I’m really sorry. This is all on me. Can you please do something to stop it?” I admitted, “Honestly, I’m kind of a disaster when it comes to feelings, but I really don’t want anyone getting hurt or punished because of me.”

Vivian kept walking and said, “Don’t worry about it. You’re just getting an early taste of the Sterling Family Traditions. Most families would never lay a hand on their kids, but the Jennings family rules are strict. The pressure they deal with is way more than you can imagine.”

“Why is Jeffrey punishing him like this?” I still couldn’t figure out how things had suddenly gotten so intense.

“Because they’ve been spending way too much time caught up in romance and drama,” Vivian cut straight to the point.

My whole body went stiff. So in the end, it’s still all my fault.

“Vivian, if I promise to stop seeing them, will Jeffrey let it go?” I really don’t want to stir up more drama in the Jennings family–it’s just not fair to them.

“If only feelings were as easy to slam the brakes on as a car, the world would be a peaceful place,” Vivian scoffed. “It’s not something you can just delete with a button, Victoria. None of us have that kind of power.”

“I do,” I said firmly. “I can cut them out of my life for good. I won’t see any of them ever again.”

“You really are cold-blooded,” Vivian suddenly stopped and turned to look at me. “Edward told me he’s serious about you. He said you’re the one who actually makes his heart race.”

I was stunned.

Vivian frowned at me. “Of course, if you want to turn him down, I can accept that. After all, becoming the mistress of the Jennings family isn’t easy. Without a strong heart, there’s no way you could stand by his side and help him run such a massive family empire.”

Vivian’s words made my heart sink. Yeah, all that talk about love and romance–in the real world, only when both sides are equally matched can it last.

Vivian turned and kept walking.

I thought we were going to drive somewhere, but instead, we ended up at a small pavilion built over the lake in the backyard. Vivian led me across a covered walkway and opened the door. Inside, the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

The housekeeper was already there, getting the water ready for coffee.