<b>Chapter </b>577


    :


    Everything about the Jennings family was like a nightmare to me.


    “Sorry, Mr. Jennings, I’m a bit busy…” I said.


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    “Victoria, I’m sorry,” Edward apologized. “I’m leaving the country after the New Year. If you don’t want to <b>see </b>me, we might never meet again.”


    I hesitated for a moment, then replied quietly, “Thanks for all your help, Mr. Jennings.”


    Edward’s voice grew hoarse. “No need to thank me. Compared to what the Jennings family owes you, what I’ve done is nothing.”


    “The Jennings family doesn’t owe me anything,” I replied, my heart giving a little jolt. ‘All I ever did was date Ryan, and honestly, he helped me out big time at work more than once. If we’re talking about favors, I’m the one who owes him, not the other way around, I thought to myself.


    “Ryan came to see me,” Edward said, his voice dropping. “He told me what’s going on with the Chambein family.”


    ‘My whole body went tense–I didn’t dare say a word,‘ I thought.


    Edward went on, “The Chambein family’s arrogancees from their new status–they’ve got the Jennings family by the throat right now. But that guy can only hold onto his position for three years, tops. So the Chambeins are jumping at the chance to push for a marriage alliance. Fiona’s been crushing on Ryan for years. As their little princess, her request is pretty over–the–top and risky, but her family’s happy to spoil her.”


    In my previous life, I’d seen plenty of rich girls cause trouble for their families just because they were spoiled. Fiona’s case is nothing special.


    She’s just head over heels for someone, and she hasn’t done anything truly bad. Maybe her family’s just rolling the dice.


    They’re betting that Ryan might fall for their girl after tying the knot.


    After all, once they’re married and spending every day together, it’s easy for feelings to grow between two young people living under the same roof.


    Everyone’s a gambler in this game—it’s just that we’re all betting with different stakes and chips.


    “Got it,” I replied softly.


    Edward went quiet on the other end, and the silence between us stretched across the line.


    “Wishing you all the best,” Edward said atst, then he hung up first.


    I listened to the empty tone for a while before putting my phone down. Just like that, things with the Jennings family were finally over.


    12:13 <b>Tue</b><b>, </b>Sep <b>9 </b>


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    Everyone’s got a bit of curiosity buried inside. Honestly, I kind of wanted to secretly spy on Ryan and Fioria’s married life.


    But then I thought, ‘Aren’t I just asking for trouble?‘


    With a patient still waiting for me at the hospital, I really didn’t have the time or energy to keep tabs on someone else’s happiness.


    I threw on a coat, grabbed a bag of clothes, and hurried off to the hospital.


    As I walked down the hospital corridor, I could hear voicesing from the room.


    Sally and Yvonne were the loudest, with Jared’s voice chiming in every now and then.


    I pushed the door open and saw Sally had whipped up a bunch of delicious food. Nathan was sitting awkwardly on the bed, eating, while Jared was sitting on the couch. Yvonne was standing at the foot of the bed, and Sally was eagerly pitching Nathan on a potential girlfriend.


    “Mr. Hallman, this girl is really great,” Sally was saying. “She just got back from studying overseas, she’s an only child, and honestly, she’s gorgeous…”


    But as soon as I walked in, Sally stopped mid–sentence.


    The next moment, the air froze and everyone turned to look at me.


    “Mom!” Yvonne dashed over and hugged my waist. “Nathan said Grandma Sally’s cooking is amazing, so I told him to have another bowl.”


    I reached out and ruffled the kid’s hair, then nced at Nathan–he was clearly out of his element.


    Jared stood up from the couch and said, “Victoria, let me stay here tonight. You’ve been running around all day–take Yvonne home and get some rest.”


    I: “…”


    Nathan: “…”


    Sally immediately nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Victoria. Jared told me you were just in the hospital not long ago. Your healthes first–don’t push yourself too hard.”


    Nathan turned his head to look at me, his gazeplicated, like he had something to say but just couldn’t get the words out.


    Jared looked at Nathan and said, “It’s true. Victoria just got over a pretty bad illness<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Nathan hesitated, looking like he wanted to speak, but stopped himself.


    I set the clothes down and said to Jared, “It’s fine. I’ll stay here tonight. You all go home.”


    Even with her sharp mind, Yvonne was totally stumped about whose side to pick. Her dark eyes flicked back and forth, quick as ever, checking each of our faces, trying to figure out what she was supposed to do next.


    12:13 Tue<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>9 </b>


    Nathan’s brows, which had been drawn tight, finally rxed when he heard me.


    Sally’s smile faltered for a moment.


    I could pretty much guess what everyone here was trying to do–they just didn’t want me and Nathan to have any time alone together.


    ‘Please. I’m not their daughter–inw anymore. Even if God himself walked in, tonight it’s still my turn to keep watch,‘ I thought.


    “Yvonne, go help Sally tidy up and then head home to get some sleep,” I said, sending her off.


    <b>AD </b>