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    Edward’s gentle look vanished in a sh. Maybe this was a sore spot for him too.


    But since I’d brought it up, there was no way for him to dodge it now.


    I took a deep breath and couldn’t help but mock, “Ryan is your nephew. He respects you, looks up to you, but you want to take the woman he used to care about for yourself. He’s bound to lose it. Aren’t you worried he’ll end up hating you?”


    Edward’s expression grew more serious. He stayed silent, just listening to me.


    “Edward, what we’re doing… it’s just not right,” I said quietly. “We can’t just pretend the rules don’t apply to us.”


    A flicker of pain crossed Edward’s face, but he quickly hid it.


    “Ryan knows what the Chambein family is really like, even better than I do. If he truly loves you, he should realize that without someone powerful to rely on, things won’t go well for you,” Edward replied after thinking it over.


    I widened my eyes. “You’ve talked to Ryan about me?”


    Edward said calmly, “No. Ryan’s pretty unstable right now. My dad and I are both worried he might do something stupid, so we’re careful not to set him off.”


    “He might do something stupid?” My heart sank.


    Edward caught the worry on my face, and his own expression soured. He let out a quiet scoff. “Jennings kids aren’t that weak. Rx, he’s not going to do anything drastic.”


    But I still couldn’t shake off my worry. I knew Ryan was the type to fight back— giving in and epting things would crush him. He must be struggling inside right now. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to find a way to break out of the cage he’s trapped in, to defy the rules holding him down.


    But this is reality, and in the end, fate always calls the shots.


    “We all have to face it,” I whispered painfully.


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    Edward frowned at me, trying to reassure me. “Don’t worry. Ryan will put the bigger picture first, as long as you stay away and don’t stir up his feelings anymore.”


    “It’s not like I can just see him whenever I want. Like you said before, if Ryan hadn’t fallen for me, our lives never would’ve even crossed. I believe that now.” I slumped over the table, my eyes burning with unshed tears, trying <i>to </ifort myself, telling myself to ept it—because fighting it would only bring more pain.


    “If you really want to see Ryan, I can make it happen,” Edward offered, surprisingly softening for once–maybe because my tears had finally gotten to him.


    “No, I don’t want to see him. There’s no point,” I said, shaking my head as the tears fell even harder.


    “Really? You won’t regret it?” Edward asked, his tone icy.


    “Stop messing with me. What would seeing him even do? Should I just sleep with him right in front of you?” I shot back recklessly, my wordsced with bitter


    sarcasm.


    Edward’s face turned even darker. He looked away, his voice cold. “Don’t even think about it.”


    I knew it deep down, Edward was a controlling, domineering man.


    Honestly, I was scared. If I really got involved with a guy like him, would I ever have the freedom to be with anyone else?


    He’d block every way for me to meet other men. I’d be his and his alone.


    Just thinking about it made me shudder. No way. I couldn’t let myself fall into his


    trap.


    “I’m finished. Mr. Jennings, would you mind seeing me out?” I changed the subject.


    Edward took a sip of his tea and stood up. “Let’s go.”


    I got into his car, and the driver pulled away. Once we hit the main road, I quickly


    15:12 Mon<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>8 B


    said, “Just let me off by the curb. I’ll get a cab myself…”


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    “Victoria, use me and then kick me to the curb–is that how you treat people?” Edward said, clearly annoyed.


    I felt a little awkward. Since he was actually trying to take me home, I really shouldn’t have hurt his feelings.


    “Thanks,” I said, genuinely grateful.


    But Edward’s expression didn’t soften. He stared out the window, lost in thought.


    Halfway through the drive, my phone started ringing.


    I nced at the caller ID and my heart skipped a beat. “It’s Ms. Lynn,” I blurted


    out.


    Edward just shot me a casual nce. “Go ahead, answer it.”


    “Isabelle Lynn,” I rified, just in case he didn’t realize who I meant.


    Edward didn’t hold back with the sarcasm. “Seriously? Look at you getting all flustered. There’s nothing going on between us, so what are you so nervous about?”


    His words got under my skin, and I immediately put the call on speaker. “Ms. Lynn, is there something you need?”


    曲


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