NovelEnglishThat deep voice startled me, and my fingers, which had been reaching for the doorknob, jerked back like I'd
touched a live wire.
| pressed myself up against the door, planning to keep listening in on what was happening outside.
| heard Ryan drawl, “Uncle Ryan, did you really fly back in the middle of the night just to lecture me?”
“I don’t have a problem with you dating, but you can’t just be reckless about it. You said she just got divorced?
That's not going to do your future any favors,” the man said sternly.
“I want to make my own choices when it comes to relationships. Not everything in my life needs to be mapped
out by you,” Pyan shot back, sounding like a rebellious kid. “You've always tried to run my life.”
“It's all for the family. Everyone's doing their part, and none of us really get a say in this,” the man replied, his
voice heavy with resignation.
“You got married, got divorced, and even let your kid go with your ex. You already proved that path doesn’t
work-so why forcedown it too?” Ryan's voice was getting heated.
The man’s voice grew even heavier. “Just because | messed things up doesn’t mean you will too.”
“You're older, more experienced, and even more calculating than I am. If you couldn't handle it, what makes you
think I could do any better?” Ryan shot back, his words sharp and biting.
The man went completely silent.
| couldn’t hide my surprise-so Ryan’s uncle was divorced too? It felt like I'd just stumbled onto a family secret
while eavesdropping.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
I knew | shouldn't be listening, but | was hooked-I just couldn't tear myself away.
Just then, the door swung open, and there | was, bent over eavesdropping, my face almost pressed against
Ryan's chest.
Ryan glanced down at me, amused rather than angry, and just smiled. “Con out. I'll introduce you to my
uncle.”
| felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me, like I'd just been caught in the act.
Ryan shotan amused look and nodded toward the door, signalingto cout.
Awkwardly, | followed him out of the room and into a huge living room. The place was so fancy it was hard to
describe-like I'd stumbled into a castle by accident.
Brilliant crystal chandeliers cascaded down from the top floor, and even the sunlight pouring in through the
windows couldn't compare to the dazzling glow of those crystals.
That's when | spotted a man in his early thirties sitting on the couch. There was something about his look and
bearing that instantly remindedof Ryan.
Ryan grinned and introduced us, “Uncle Edward, this is Victoria. Victoria, meet my uncle-Edward, you know, like
‘grand banquet’
Edward.”
| gave him a polite nod. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Jennings.”
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09:26 Mon, 25 Aug
Chapter 389
80%
Edward studiedwith a slight frown before standing up. That's when | realized he was about the sheight
as Ryan, and his physique was just as impressive. Even in a plain white shirt, he had an air of authority that
made everyone else fade into the background.
He was basically what | imagined Ryan would look like in his thirties-mature, magnetic, and with that dangerous
edge lurking beneath his polished exterior that madewant to keep my distance.
“Ms. Murphy, I'm sure you overheard everything | just said to Ryan,” Edward said, his tone polite as he looked at
me.
| felt my face flush with embarrassment and nodded.
Edward didn’t beat around the bush. “Ryan means a lot to our family. Hope you get where I'm coming from.”
| shot Ryan a look, and his handsface darkened. He said, “Uncle Edward, seriously, Victoria's not my
girlfriend yet | haven't even won her over. Can you not embarrasslike this?”
Edward just gave him a calm, knowing smile. “Face is something you earn, not something others give you.”
It was obvious Edward didn’t wanthere, and he likedbeing close to Ryan even less.
Not wanting to make things more awkward, | quickly said, “Thanks for being upfront, Mr. Jennings. I'll leave you
be.”
Ryan panicked and grabbed my arm. “I'm coming with you.”
I shot him a look, telling him not to make a scene, but Ryan just turned to Edward and said, “If you want to go
snitch to Grandpa, be my guest. It won't change anything. And if Grandpa's not happy, I'll just cry a bit-he
always caves when | do.”
“You only get away with this because he spoils you. Don’t push your luck,” Edward said, clearly frustrated but
powerless to stop
him.
“You're all about business, but I'm headed for politics. Uncle Ryan, our paths were never the same,” Ryan said
with a smirk. “I remember Grandpa saying you guys were supposed to do whatever it takes to backup.”
Edward's face went stiff, but he nodded. “Fine, go ahead and enjoy yourself while you're young. Just hope when
it’s tto take responsibility, you'll still have the guts to charge forward!
Ryan shrugged, a roguish grin on his face. “People only get a hundred years-doesn’t matter how you live it, as
long as I'm happy,
that’s what counts.”
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