"Huh? I didn't say anything!"
Elizabeth finally realized—not only could she hear Edward's voice in her head, but Catherine could hear it too!
Narrowing her eyes, Elizabeth thought, I need to observe this carefully. This bizarre situation must be figured out.
She stayed silent, simply watching the two of them.
Edward coughed awkwardly. "Uh… Well, I… I've got something to do. Let's talk another day."
"Oh," Catherine forced a polite smile and nodded. "Alright."
"Hey, don't go! Chat for a bit!"
Elizabeth, ever the instigator, grabbed Catherine's arm and said to Edward, "Edward, I heard you're getting engaged to Victoria soon. Is that true?"
Edward wanted to strangle this meddlesome girl!
Why, Elizabeth? Why bring up the engagement in front of my ex-girlfriend? Could this get any more awkward?
[ Elizabeth, you are my ultimate nemesis. If you weren't part of Davis's harem, I'd have dragged you into a corner, stripped you down, and spanked you! ]
Both women looked shocked.
Elizabeth, knowing this was just Edward venting his frustration, wasn't angry. In fact, she was secretly amused.
But Catherine didn't take it well.
Her face darkened slightly. "Mr. Astor, congratulations."
Edward coughed, flustered. "No, no, it's not confirmed yet. You all know how much Victoria dislikes me."
Catherine smiled politely, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation. "Well, I'll let you two talk. I have something to attend to."
Edward quickly added, "Oh, oh, I'm busy too. Another day, then."
As Catherine walked away, Edward felt a wave of regret wash over him.
The memories of their childhood and their innocent love played in his mind.
It was a lie to say he didn't regret it. If he hadn't been so reckless back then, would he still have turned into the villain he was now?
[ It was my fault back then. I'm sorry. ]
[ I wish you happiness. Truly.]
Catherine wasn't far away, and Edward's heart word was heard loud and clear.
A wave of emotion hit her, and her eyes began to sting.
She stopped in her tracks and, almost instinctively, turned to look back at Edward.
In her gaze was sorrow, regret, longing, and melancholy.
Edward was also looking at her, his expression filled with helplessness and guilt.
As their eyes met, Edward quickly forced a smile and waved his hand.
Catherine smiled faintly in return, then turned and left.
Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. "What a shame. You two were so good together. We all admired you. But you, Edward, you ruined it all by being a scumbag, flirting with every woman in sight and breaking her heart."
Edward glared at Elizabeth. "I find, your word—"
At that moment, Sophia stumbled over, her face pale and eyes filled with tears. "Mr. Astor, I need time off!"
"What happened?"
"My mom… she's critically ill. The doctor said…" Sophia's voice broke as she sobbed. "The doctor said she might not make it!"
Elizabeth squinted her eyes. Edward froze in shock.
[ No way! Davis was supposed to cure her mom's illness. She shouldn't die—not yet, not before Davis intervenes!]
[ This wasn't supposed to happen!]
Edward tried to calm her. "Don't panic. Go to the hospital and stay with your mom. I'll find a way."
"Thank you, Mr. Astor!" Sophia turned and ran off, crying.
Elizabeth frowned. Why Davis? Is he some kind of god? I'm standing right here—if you need help, just ask me!
But Edward ignored her, dashing into the restroom. "No one come in!"
Inside, he activated the system. Ding!
"What's going on? What happened to Sophia's mom?"
{ "Oh, Host, you might not know this, but Sophia's mom has a rare illness, and now it's flaring up—" }
"I know about her illness! I'm asking why she's suddenly dying now!"
{ "Well, because her illness flared up, and now… she's dying." }
"Are you serious right now? Wasn't Davis supposed to cure her? They were supposed to live happily ever after!"
{ "Exactly! The treatment scene was supposed to happen today. But you sealed Davis away, remember? It's no big deal—Davis still has over 900 ways to woo Sophia." }
Edward's eyes widened. So because I sealed Davis for a day, Sophia's mom is going to die?
Does that mean I'm essentially responsible for her death?
Is the plot really going off the rails like this?!
"Fine! Unseal him right now! Let him save her!"
{ "Sorry, once the sealing card is used, it cannot be undone." }
"Come on, this is a matter of life and death! That girl was crying her eyes out!"
{ "People cry when their moms are dying. That's normal. If you find her crying annoying, just stay away from her for a while. Problem solved." }
"Normal my—!"
Edward was beyond frustrated. "You guys just wait!"
He quickly dialed Victoria's number.
"Hello," Victoria's voice was as icy as ever.
"Victoria, haha, it's me, Edward."
"I know. What do you want? Calling to flaunt your new girlfriend?"
"No." Edward's tone grew serious. "That guy, Davis—your former bodyguard. Do you have his number?"
"No."
"Come on, please. This is life and death. He must've filled out his contact information when he joined your company!"
"Not interested."
"This isn't about interest—it's about someone's life!"
"Whose?"
"One of my secretary's mothers."
"And what does that have to do with Davis?"
"Only he can cure this illness. Please, just find his contact information."
"Meet me in person. I'm on the 29th floor of your event hotel."
Victoria hung up.
Edward arrived on the 29th floor, where Victoria had dismissed her staff.
She was clearly still upset as she looked at him.
Edward grinned. "Busy? Did you find his number?"
"I did, but it's unreachable—his phone is off."
"Dammit!"
Edward was on the verge of breaking down. If Davis couldn't be reached, did that mean Sophia's mother's death would be on his hands? The plot couldn't go this way!
"I don't understand," Victoria said coldly. "Isn't your girlfriend Elizabeth famously skilled in medicine? Even my family's medical team comes from her corporation. Why go through all this trouble?"
Edward thought bitterly,
[ You don't understand the mess I'm in right now. That devil of a girl wishes I'd drop dead. She's scheming against me every chance she gets. ]
Victoria narrowed her eyes. She could tell Edward and Elizabeth weren't actually a couple—he was clearly doing this just to provoke her.
"Do you have Davis's home address, then?" Edward asked.
"I sent someone to check. He's not home, but I've stationed people outside his door."
"Okay, good, good."
At that moment, Anna walked in.
"Mr. Astor," she greeted with a polite smile.
"Mm.Hello"
"Boss Windsor, Boss Spencer's team is already in the conference room. The contract is prepared."
"Got it."
Victoria grabbed her coat and stood up. "Make yourself comfortable if you want. I have a business deal to sign."
"Wait!" Edward asked Anna, "Boss Spencer? Which Spencer?"
"David Spencer."
Edward froze. This is a disaster.
David Spencer was a villain—an outright antagonist. In the original storyline, he proposed a project to Victoria, lured her into investing, and was about to trap her when Davis intervened at the last moment, exposing Spencer's plot.
But now, Davis was sealed away by Edward himself. If Victoria signed that contract today, everything would fall apart!
Edward quickly stepped in front of her. "Victoria, how much do you know about David Spencer?"
"Not much. A businessman from out of town, reputable, and financially strong."
Sweat beaded on Edward's forehead. "Look, can you postpone signing the contract until tomorrow?"
"Are you joking? Is this some kind of game?"
"No! He—"
[ How could he explain this? If he warned her outright, Davis wouldn't have the chance to swoop in and save the day later. But if he said nothing, Victoria would fall right into the trap today. ]
[ I have to delay this signing until tomorrow. Tomorrow, Davis will be free. ]
Victoria's heart skipped a beat. Is there something wrong with this deal? How does Edward know? And why is he so sure Davis will step in to stop me?
If Edward was saying this aloud, she wouldn't have believed a word. But no one lies to themselves in their own mind.
This man had chased her for three years, and now, given a perfect opportunity to impress her, he was willingly handing it to someone else?
Victoria stared at Edward, waiting for him to explain.
Edward scratched his head. "I just think… today's not a good day. I saw a crow on my way here—bad omen. Maybe we shouldn't sign anything today."
Victoria snorted. "I don't believe in superstitions."
She grabbed her handbag and started walking out.
Edward grabbed her arm. "Victoria, don't go!"
Victoria glared at him. "Let go, Edward! You're being inappropriate!"
Edward quickly let go and gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry, sorry. But seriously, today isn't the day to sign contracts."
"Anna," Victoria said coldly, "inform Finance to prepare the transfer."
"Yes!"
Victoria walked ahead, and Edward trailed behind, mumbling, "Victoria, can't you trust me this once? Think about it—have I ever lied to you?"
Victoria turned back and gave him a sharp look. "What do you think?"
"Okay, fine, I've rarely—uh, almost never told the truth. But haven't I always had your best interests at heart?"
Victoria stopped and looked at him silently.
"Yes! I've always been selfish, but—ugh, why am I such a mess? I've done so many awful things that now no one believes me!"
Victoria couldn't help but smirk slightly before regaining her composure. "Are you done? If you're finished, stop wasting my time."
Her team walked past Edward, each person nodding politely as they went.
Edward didn't pay them any attention. His eyes were fixed on Victoria's back as she walked away.
[ Damn it! So David Spencer is a villain? Well, I'm a villain too! And my rank is higher than his! ]
[ Today, villain versus villain—let's see who wins! ]
[ Rules? Who cares about rules? I'm a villain! ]
Edward had made up his mind—he was going all in.