82<b>% </b>


    <b>As </b>soon as I walked up to him, Ryan obediently handed me my phone. “Nathan called. Sorry, he called three times, and <b>I </b><b>was </b>worried he’d wake you up, so I answered.”


    I didn’t have time to settle the score with Ryan. I grabbed my phone and went straight into the bedroom.


    Nathan’s voice came through, sounding a little worked up. “Victoria, why is he at your ce so early in the morning?”


    “I’m sick, and he came over to take care of me,” I said, my tone unapologetic.


    “Who is he to you?” Nathan’s voice grew cold. “Why would you let him spend the night at <i>your </i>ce?”


    Thinking about what his sister said yesterday, my temper red. I answered coolly, “He’s my friend, same as you. If you cane over, so can he.”


    Nathan seemed taken aback by my words. His breathing quickened, and his voice carried a hint of hurt. “Victoria, how can youpare us? We’re in a rtionship.”


    “If I wanted to, I could be with him the same way I’m with you,” I snapped, not holding back.


    Nathan went silent, his breathing getting heavier and more ragged. He sounded almost desperate. “Victoria, are <i>you </i>seriously two- timing me? That’s just wrong.”


    I burst outughing when I heard that. ‘Please, I’m not the only one who’s two–timing here,‘ I thought to myself.


    “Nathan, your sister came to see me yesterday,” I said lightly.


    Nathan wentpletely still, like even his breath had caught in his throat.


    I went on, “She talked to me about you–oh, and about Miss Chancellor too.”


    I heard Nathan take a sharp breath. Funny how the more he tries to keep things from me, the more I end up finding out.


    “Victoria, my sister was just making things up. Don’t believe a word she says,” Nathan said, trying to soothe me. “There’s nothing going on between me and Miss Chancellor.”


    “Your sister told me you promised her that once she graduated, you’d start dating and get married. That’s what you promised her, Nathan. So, tell me–who’s really the one ying both sides here?” I shot back, my voice full of usation.


    Nathan seemed to snap, the tension finally breaking. His voice sounded a bit frantic. “Victoria, this is all a misunderstanding. I’ll handle things with her, I swear. Just give me a little more time.”


    “Your sister told me everything. The Chancellor Family is the reason you are where you are, and you owe them for everything they’ve done for you. Nathan, maybe this is just fate <i>for </i>you, or maybe this is where we end.” I took a deep breath. “That’s it. We’re done.”


    With that, I hung up and copsed onto the window seat, all strength leaving me.


    Nathan called again, but I put my phone on silent and just tossed it onto the covers without a second thought.


    Just as I was about to head into the bathroom, I found Ryan standing right outside my bedroom door.


    He looked genuinely shocked at me–he must’ve caught most of what I said to Nathan.


    28


    But honestly, I wasn’t in the mood to talk about rtionships. In just a few months, I’d kicked two guys to the curb back to back. Honestly, guys are just a letdown.


    Ryan looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself.


    I just shut the bathroom door behind me.


    When I came out again, Ryan was leaning against the doorframe, his clear eyes locked right on me.


    I motioned to him. “Could you step out? I need to get changed.”


    Ryan obediently turned and went to the living room.


    I changed into a smart business dress and swept my thick, dark hair up into a sleek bun, giving off an air of confidence and authority.


    My skin was pale, and my features had a naturally captivating charm. With heavy makeup, I looked bold and morous; with just a hint, I gave off a cool, distant vibe. I could pull off any look I wanted.


    When I stepped out, Ryan’s eyes went a bit wide when he saw me.


    Maybe it was because I looked so put–together, but with Ryan in his all–ck T–shirt and pants, he just looked like a kid brother next


    to me.


    “I’ve got a meeting at nine. Just do whatever you want,” I said, slipping on a pair of silver heels.


    Ryan trailed after me, looking a little hurt. “You never told me… did you and Nathan really break up?”


    I replied tly, “Sorry, I’m just not in the mood to talk about that right now.”


    “So you did break up, didn’t you?” Ryan’s face lit up a little.


    I looked at this devilishly handsome guy–honestly, every time I see him, I can’t help but like him even more.


    But… remembering all the drama behind his family, I have to remind myself to keep my distance.


    Breaking up with Nathan was inevitable, but that didn’t mean I was about to line up my next boyfriend the second after.


    It’s not like I can’t survive without a man. My career’s blowing up right now, and all I want is to level up and make something of myself.