<b>Chapter </b><b>484 </b>


    As Ryan and I walked in, Edward set down the papers he was holding and looked up.


    I was startled by the way he looked at me, and that strange flutter in my chest came back again.


    Ryan frowned, his voice full of concern. “Uncle Ryan, did you catch a cold?”


    The butler standing nearby chimed in, “A few days ago, Edward came back and took a few cold showers.”


    Edward shot the butler a sharp look, and the butler immediately fell silent, clearly intimidated.


    Ryan frowned. “Uncle Ryan, you’ve always been in great shape. Have you been working too hardtely?”


    Edward shook his head, his voice a bit hoarse. “Maybe. The doctor said I just need to rest for a couple of days.”


    “Then delegate some of your work to others. You don’t have to do everything yourself,” Ryan said, his concern evident.


    Edward nodded, taking the advice, then looked over at me. “Ms. Murphy, what brings you here?”


    Since he called me out, I kept myposure and replied, “I was having dinner with Ryan, and he brought me along.”


    Edward’s expression darkened, and he just spoke to Ryan, ignoring me. “How long are you staying in Shaville?”


    “I have to head back to Braylin tomorrow afternoon. Grandpa doesn’t want me running around right now,<i>” </i>Ryan said with a helpless look.


    Edward’s tone grew serious. “Now that you’ve decided to start working, you really should focus.”


    “Don’t worry, I won’t mess around,” Ryan said, putting on his best well–behaved act. “I know what you’re about to say–there are eyes everywhere, watching us. I get it.”


    I felt a jolt of surprise. Turns out, keeping a powerful family on top isn’t as effortless as outsiders think.


    Who doesn’t want to be the one calling the shots? Who doesn’t dream of having more money than anyone else?


    That’s why the battle for power and fortune is always ruthless.


    Edward sighed, lowered his gaze, and waved Ryan off. “You two should head back.”


    Ryan nced over at me, then turned to Edward. “Uncle Ryan, get some rest. We’ll head out now.”


    “You can leave,” Edward said, his voice stiff and giving nothing away.


    Ryan shot me a look, and I immediately followed him out of the room.


    Stepping outside, it felt like I could finally breathe again–the air was so much freer. Ryan reached over and took my hand, his grip tightening in surprise. “Your hands are freezing.”


    I replied, “Women’s hands are always cold.”


    Ryan took my hands in his<i>, </i>rubbing them gently. Here, let me warm you up.”


    I smiled. “Thanks. Let’s head out.”


    Ryan came back to my ce with me, making himselffortable on my couch like he owned the ce. “Vic, I feel like something’s off with Uncle Ryan since he got back.”


    “What do you mean?” I paused, surprised <b>as </b>I took off my earrings.


    Ryan shook his head. “I can’t really exin it, but he just doesn’t seem


    like


    himselftely. He seems really preupied.”


    I just let out a quiet “oh.”


    “Could something be up with thepany?” Ryan got to his feet, looking thoughtful, then grabbed his phone and dialed.


    ???


    He switched to Englysian, kept it short and sweet, then hung up. “I checked with the assistant at headquarters. Nothing major’s happenedtely”


    Watching Ryan’s serious face, I felt a wave of uncase. My fingers drifted to my lips without thinking.


    That night at the club, when I came to after cking out, my lips felt swollen. I’m not some clueless girl–back when Jared and Nathan used to get all intense with me, i’d end up with lips so sore I knew exactly what that meant.


    So…


    Suddenly, Ryan tossed his phone aside and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “I don’t want to waste a single second of this perfect moment.”


    I turned to look at him, clutching the earrings I’d just taken off. Ryan leaned in, kissing me softly and carefully. “Vic, your lips are so beautiful, like roses.”


    I leaned back, but Ryan seemed to enjoy the chase. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he found it even more fun and pressed in closer.


    My mind was a mess, and a deep sense of


    unease was starting to take root:–


    Edward… kissed me? The thought hit me out of nowhere, leaving me reeling.


    My mind exploded into a haze–total nk.


    Ryan noticed I was spacing out and his irritation showed. He pulled me closer by the waist, making me look straight into his eyes. “Vic, why do you keep drifting off?”


    My gaze swept over his face, catching the sharp edge of his frustration–he looked even more intense, almost predatory. Right then, I made a reckless choice.


    Tonight, Ryan was going to be mine.


    Even if Edward lost his mind, there’s no way he’d dare mess with me once he knew Ryan and I had actually gotten physical.