<b>Chapter 542 </b>


    My heart, which had finally calmed down, felt like someone had hurled a rock into it–now the waves- just wouldn’t stop.


    I thought, ‘Edward’s not the type to lose control like this.‘


    ‘It’s not like he’s some twenty–something kid who can’t handle his feelings.’


    ‘He’s thirty–three–he’s been through everything. Rtionships are nothing new to him. But somehow, thest person who should be acting like he’s got his first crush is now stuck in this weird, doomed thing, eating himself up inside.‘


    I gripped my phone, thinking for ages before finally replying to Edward, “You can’t force feelings. Let’s just go our separate ways and be well.”


    As soon as I hit send, I blocked him again and wiped out all our chats.


    If this kept going, he’d make me lose my mind. If it were any other guy, I would’ve just confronted him face to face–with Ryan right there to back me up.


    But with Edward, I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t even dare let Ryan notice the slightest thing off.


    Lately, spending time with Ryan has actually made me a bit anxious. Maybe what people call “rationality” is just something women use to protect themselves when there’s no love in the picture.


    But once your body truly feels pleasure and satisfaction, those emotions that were just floating around suddenly find a ce to settle. And as you keep going back and forth, you start to develop feelings you never even realized–attachment, maybe even a little infatuation.


    Back then, I would’ve just been tossed around by these feelings, like a helpless little shrimp getting thrown around in a hot pan.


    But now, I’ve decided to open my arms and wee whateveres my way.


    Maybe… I really am starting to catch feelings for Ryan.


    After a good night’s rest, I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth, my mind wandering to Sophia.


    Halfway through, a random thought popped into my head.


    Back in school, Sophia was always so innocent, never caught up in all that drama or trying to outdo anyone. But once you step out into the real world, everything changes–this ce messes with people.


    Aiden’s my brother, my closest family. I want nothing but the best for him, and I really <b>hope </b><b>he </b>marries someone sweet and gentle.


    Looks like I need to pull the same trick I used on Tracy–time to find someone to keep tabs on Sophia.


    Getting a trustworthy PI in Beijing is no walk in the park, so I decided to hit up Ryan for help.


    It was a little after three when Sophia showed up at our office with a colleague from her bank to handle some banking business.


    Because I’d been moving my deposits through her, Sophia was definitely going to exceed her monthly quota this time.


    After they finished up their official business, Sophia came over to find me.


    Of course, I made sure my assistant gave her a warm wee. Sophia came in holding a coffee, grinning as she said, “Sis, I had a long talk with Aiden yesterday. We were chatting about the future- houses, kids, even what names we’d pick for them.” She brought it up so casually, like it was just everyday stuff.


    My hand froze on my coffee cup for a moment, then I smiled. “You and Aiden have been together since your freshman year, right? Five years already. That really says a lot about your rtionship.”


    “Oh, we’re great! Aiden treats me so well,” Sophia said, her face glowing with happiness.


    I casually nced at the bag she was carrying–it looked like it cost over 20 thousand dors.


    Thanks to my experience with luxury brands in my previous life, I took another look at the ne she was wearing. It was a thin chain with a circr pendant, and that alone probably set her back tens of thousands.


    Back when Aiden was in college, I used to slip him some pocket money, and Jared helped out behind the scenes too. As for my parents, they were always worried he’d be short on cash for his girlfriend, so any spare money they had went straight to him.


    With all that, unless Aiden had some major expenses, he should’ve had a decent amount saved up by now. But from the looks of it, he barely had anything left–he must’ve spent it all.


    “If you guys are thinking about getting married soon, you should start nning,” I said, keeping it casual.


    “Ugh, everything’s so expensive these days. No matter how much we n, we just can’t seem to save enough,” Sophia sighed, looking stressed. “It’s my fault for noting from a better background, Aiden’s really good to my parents–whenever he has a little extra, he wants me to send some home.


    <b>07:31 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>6 </b><b>Sept </b>VIE


    Sis, do you ever look down on me because of where Ie from?”


    Hearing Sophia’s probing tone, I couldn’t help but smirk to myself.


    ‘Let’s be real, if I actually said I minded, you’d just get mad,‘ I thought.


    “You can’t choose your family. Even from the humblest nest, a phoenix can rise. It’s really not a big deal to me,” I replied, just giving her a polite answer.


    Sophia broke into a bright smile. “Sis, Aiden always says you’re the sweetest woman he’s ever met. I didn’t really buy it before, but now I do. You’re not just gentle, you’re also so capable. Honestly, you’re. my role model–I really look up to you.”


    I could hear the ttery in her voice, and I knew from experience–the more someone praises you, the more likely it is they’re about to ask for something.


    “Work’s been pretty stressful for metely. I’m really not as amazing as you think,” I said lightly.


    Sophia nced around nervously, then asked, testing the waters, “Sis, do you happen to have any spare apartments in Beijing?”