Just as Victoria's lips were about to touch Edward's, he couldn't hold it together anymore and dodged sideways at the last moment.
Muttering under his breath, he said, "So slow… I've lost the mood."
Victoria was stunned to realize an overwhelming sense of disappointment welling up inside her.
[ What am I doing?
Was I actually about to kiss Edward?
And now he doesn't want to, and I'm… disappointed?
This jerk! Am I really that repulsive to him?
For three years, just one smile from me could make him jump three feet high. And now he's acting so arrogant, bullying me every chance he gets! ]
She turned and saw Edward's back trembling slightly.
Victoria couldn't help but giggle.
[ This idiot, he's so nervous! Trying to act all tough, but deep down, he's a scaredy-cat. No wonder he's still single. ]
"Uh…" Edward fumbled, waving his hand vaguely. "Well… let's just leave it at that. I have something to do, I'm heading out."
He tried to maintain his composure, but in reality, he practically bolted out of the room. Outside, Jon approached him. "Mr. Edward, how did it go?"
"Shut up. Let's go!"
Behind them, Victoria strolled out nonchalantly and called out, " Edward!"
Edward froze in place.
"If you ever feel like kissing, just come find me."
Edward clenched his fists as he turned away from Victoria's calm and slightly smug expression.
[ Are you all here just to torment me? ]
"Got it." He spun around and walked off, almost fleeing the scene.
Victoria watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The onlookers, including Anna, were completely stunned.
[ Is… is our boss okay? Has she lost her mind? ]
Edward didn't make it to the elevator before the doors opened. A female police officer stepped out, flanked by several officers. She flashed her badge.
"Edward, right?"
Edward felt utterly defeated.
[ Oh, come on! Can't I catch a break today? Another female lead?
Davis, get out here! I promise I won't lock you in the basement anymore!
Unbelievable. You're off somewhere relaxing, and your women are taking turns tormenting me.]
This was Mary Taylor.
Back in school, she had been a constant thorn in Edward's side. If there was one person in the world who genuinely wished for Edward to drop dead in a ditch, it was Mary.
Unlike Victoria or Elizabeth, Mary didn't just dislike him—she hated him.
She despised his wealth, his arrogance, and his ability to bully others without consequence. In her eyes, Edward didn't deserve to exist in this world.
According to the original plot, Mary would uncover Edward's misdeeds, infiltrate his company to gather evidence, and eventually get caught by him.
Edward would plan something unspeakable, drug her, make love and prepare for her demise. But naturally, the hero Davis would swoop in at the last moment, defeat and kill Edward, and save Mary.
And what if Mary is poisoned by an aphrodisiac?
What a coincidence that Davis happens to be a man!
So, in a situation of no choice, no solution, no way out, no choice at all ...
Davis can only consider himself unlucky, self-sacrificing, endure a strong sense of guilt, heart unwilling, reluctant to ... grit his teeth ... reluctantly ... and she went to bed to make love in a The way to detoxify.
There should be applause here!
The point is, Mary got addicted to detoxing!
Since then, she has become obsessed with the process of 'detoxification', and feels that Davis is the only one who has the strongest, the best, the best detoxifier under the sun, and that she can't stay away from it anymore.
The plot was trash—utterly, undeniably trash. But readers loved it.
Edward knew better than anyone: Mary Taylor was the most dangerous of all the female leads. She was the one woman who could truly send him to an early grave.
He couldn't afford to slip up now.
"Wow, what a coincidence, old classmate!" Edward greeted her with an awkward laugh.
"Someone reported that the eldest son of the Astor family was publicly assaulting someone here—and even had a timetable set for it. That's not a false accusation, is it?"
Edward's mind raced.
[ This is bad. Mary hates me more than anyone. ]
[ And I'm in a hurry to save someone. If she takes me away now, Sophia's mom is as good as dead! ]
Mary raised an eyebrow. "What did you just say?"
"Ah? Oh, I mean, hey, we're old classmates! Cut me some slack here! Listen, that David Spencer guy? He's a scumbag. He drinks, gambles, bullies women, and thinks his money makes him untouchable. Oh, and he doesn't close the bathroom door—"
"We don't care about his bathroom habits. You assaulted someone. Come with me to the station."
Sweat trickled down Edward's forehead.
"Mary…"
"It's Officer Taylor to you."
"Alright, Officer Taylor. I'm begging you. I really need to save someone. A life is on the line! Give me two hours—just two hours! I'll turn myself in right after!"
"Edward, do you understand how the law works? The law doesn't bend to your schedule. You can resist arrest if you want—but that'll just add more charges."
With a metallic click, the handcuffs locked around Edward's wrists.
"Mary—no, Officer Taylor. I know you hate people like me. Honestly, I hate myself too. But I'm really in a hurry to save someone's life today. This is life and death! Look, every time you arrest me, I just post bail and walk free within hours, right? This time, let's make a deal. If we save her, we'll split the credit fifty-fifty!"
Mary wasn't one to follow standard procedures. She simply flipped Edward off, turned around, and walked away.
In the police car, Edward kept explaining, but it was no use.
Mary is really annoyed with Edward.
Mary wasn't like Victoria. Victoria, at the very least, had to consider the two families' relationship and Edward's pride.
But Mary? Mary didn't care at all.
Mary gave Edward no face at all. As he was being pushed into the police car, she even gave him two quick jabs.
Mary had been trained, and Edward, having been beaten by her plenty of times in childhood, now is left gasping for breath from those strikes.
Locked up in the police station, Edward clung to the bars and shouted, "Officer Taylor! Can I make a phone call? Just one phone call, alright?"
Mary walked over with a registration book and smacked Edward's hand gripping the bars. "Calm down! This is a police station, not your fancy villa!"
Edward blew on his stinging fingers. "Officer Taylor, I know you can't stand me, but this isn't about personal grudges—it's about saving someone's life! Please, just trust me this once. Let me make a call. If I'm lying, the worst that happens is I made a call. But if I'm not, you could save a life!"
Mary had never seen Edward in such a state or expression, and had seldom heard him beg bitterly. She had arrested him several times, and every time he had been utterly nonchalant—staying in private cells, eating premium boxed meals, and swaggering out within hours, always leaving her with some snarky comment.
Of course, Edward's crimes had always been minor, and he could legally post bail. On top of that, the people he had wronged often settled privately, which gave him the audacity to remain fearless.
But today, Edward was different. He looked genuinely desperate.
Mary frowned, locking eyes with Edward. His gaze was unwavering, sincere.
"Just one call. I'm begging you."
"I'll make the call. Give me the number."
Edward recited Elizabeth's number.
Mary dialed cautiously, and when the call connected, Elizabeth's unmistakable voice came through.
Expressionless, Mary held the phone near the bars.
Edward couldn't stick his head through, so he leaned as close as he could and shouted, "Dear Elizabeth? Are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here. What's up, handsome?"
"Hahaha, I actually need a favor."
"Go ahead."
Edward explained, "Do you remember my secretary, Sophia? The one who knelt for me in the lounge today?"
Mary rolled her eyes. To her, Edward's behavior was utterly despicable. Making his subordinates kneel? Scum!
"Yes, I remember. What about her?"
"Listen, her mother's condition has worsened. It's serious. You have to help her. Davis is nowhere to be found, and this should've been his responsibility, but he's not showing up today. Sophia's mother is in critical condition. Can you please check on her?"
"How?"
"You'll know once you see her mother's condition. It's rare, but you can treat it."
"Oh? Mr. Edward, so concerned about a mere secretary?"
"Miss, please stop teasing me. This is about saving a life!"
"No."
"No?!"
"I don't know her, and I don't treat just anyone. You know that."
"Then do it for me, okay? Save her mother, and I'll pay you double your usual fee."
"Do I look like I need your money?"
"Yes, yes, I get it. How about this: you help me this time, and I'll owe you a favor. I'll do anything to repay you—be your servant, your chauffeur, whatever you want!"
"Oh, so you're begging me now?"
"Yes!" Edward was about to lose his mind.
"I'm begging you! You're my grandmother, my great-grandmother, my ancestor! Please, I'm bowing to you right now!"
"Hahaha, I have no interest in being your ancestor. But if you're begging, at least do it properly."
"Can we discuss this after you save her? Please, just save her first."
"Promise me one thing, and I'll save her."
"Name it!"
"Transfer all your shares in the Ninth Pharmaceutical Company to me. Every single share. Not a penny in return."
Edward closed his eyes.
The Ninth Pharmaceutical Company was valued at over 30 billion, and his shares alone were worth 17 billion.
"Fine. I agree."
"You promise?"
"I promise, I promise!"
"Come sign the contract, then."
Edward exploded. "I'm in a cell! How am I supposed to come and sign anything? Just save her! Save her first, and you can have every single share—I don't care anymore!"
On the other end of the call, Elizabeth suppressed her laughter.
At that very moment, she was already in Sophia's mother's hospital room. The condition had been stabilized, and a surgery was scheduled for the following week.
Edward was the only one still panicking like an ant on a hot plate.
Sophia was stunned.
Seventeen billion?! Even if she sold herself a hundred times over, she wouldn't be worth that much!
That was more money than most people could earn in ten, no, a hundred lifetimes!
Would Mr. Astor really sacrifice all that… for her mother?
As if to torment Edward further, Elizabeth spoke slowly, "You're not very convincing, you know. For a mere secretary, you'd give up 17 billion? Are you serious?"
Edward was about to explode from frustration. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "Because I like her, okay? I love her! I want her! I plan to… bring her home and make her my wife. Is that good enough for you?!"
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Really?"
She glanced up at Sophia, who stood frozen in shock.