I nced up at him, and he smiled at me. “The older you get, the harder it gets to feel real happiness. Back when we were kids, happiness was simple. Now? Not so much.”


    Just as I was about to reply, Mr. Wright suddenly nced over and said, “Victoria, do you see that group over there? The man leading them is someone really important. I’m going to go say hello.”


    I looked up, and a chill ran through me. That face–so much like Ryan’s–could only belong to his uncle, Edward.


    “Victoria, want toe along and say hi? I can introduce you. If you get on his good side, you’ll never have to worry about business again,” Mr. Wright offered. He was actually a pretty decent guy. Even though he invited me out for golf, he never gave off any creepy! vibes. It felt more like he was just looking for somepany to pass the time.


    “Thanks, Mr. Wright, but I’ll sit this one out,” I said. Honestly, running into Edward was thest thing I wanted right now.


    Just as Mr. Wright was about to head over, to my surprise, Edward ditched his entourage and came straight toward us with just two people in tow.


    I panicked and yanked the brim of my baseball cap down, hoping it would hide my face.


    “Ms. Murphy, what a coincidence!” Edward’s presence was so strong, it was impossible to ignore him.


    Mr. Wright stepped forward to greet him, and Edward nodded in response.


    Mr. Wright shot me a surprised look. “Victoria, you know Mr. Jennings?”


    There was no way out, so I forced a smile and faced him head–on. “Hello, Mr. Jennings. Didn’t expect to run into you here<b>.</b>”


    Edward’s face was brooding. “Could we have a word in private?”


    Mr. Wright shot us a knowing look, his gossip radar practically going off.


    “I’m actually in the middle of a game with my client. Maybe we could talkter?” I tried to dodge.


    Mr. Wright pped his thigh and grinned, “Don’t be silly, Victoria. Go on, have your chat with Mr. Jennings. I’ve got things covered here.”


    I sighed inwardly. ‘Seriously, Mr. Wright? Can’t you tell I’m trying to avoid this?‘


    Edward made it clear I didn’t have a choice. “Please.”


    Reluctantly, I set down my golf club and followed him in silence.


    One of Edward’s attendants opened the door to a private suite, and Edward strode in.


    I braced myself and followed him inside, the door closing firmly behind me.


    I nced back at the door, and a wave of hopelessness welled up from deep inside.


    That door felt like an unbreakable barrier between Ryan and me–a line of status and ss I could never cross.


    I never meant to bring Ryan any trouble. I was simply grateful for his affection and the support he’d given me at work. <b>Still</b>, I couldn’t help the surge ofplicated feelings rising in my heart.


    07:50 Tue, <b>20 </b><b>Aug </b>


    “Have a seat,” Edward said, already settled into an armchair. Hismanding presence made me even more tense.


    I sat across from him, legs angled politely. Today I was wearing a sporty outfit with a short skirt, my legs on full disy. Sitting there, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of awkward self–consciousness.


    Edward looked me over from head to toe, his gaze like a set of scales, silently weighing my worth and status.


    I hated being scrutinized like that, but there was no way to escape it.


    “So, what is it you want to say, Mr. Jennings?” I asked, taking a deep breath before I looked him in the eye.


    Edward nced to the side and said, “You already know what I’m here to talk about, Ms. Murphy.”


    “Ryan’s helped me so much, and he even saved my life. I can’t just turn my back on him,” I admitted, feeling stuck.


    “Yeah, he’s used his family’s influence to boost your career, and when you were in trouble the other day, he showed up right away to help you. In your eyes, he’s like your hero, isn’t he?” Edward said, his tone heavy.


    His deep, gravelly voicended like a heavy blow to my chest, making my eyes fly open in shock.


    ‘Edward really knows everything? So… does that mean he’s aware of everything between Ryan and me too?‘ I thought, anxiety twisting in my gut.


    Noticing my stunned reaction, Edward locked his gaze on me. “Ryan’s been so protected by our family that he’s quick to mistake infatuation for a lifelongmitment. You’re a beautiful woman, Ms. Murphy–no doubt you have what it takes to make me their heads over you. But you need to understand, Ryan and you live inpletely different worlds. Even if you manage to b through that barrier, the two of you could never truly be together.”


    AD