Christine hadn't expected to be lifted by a stranger in front of so many people. She instantly sprang away.
"Sorry-thank you," she murmured softly.
The smooth warmth that had slipped through his fingers vanished in an instant, leaving Edward with a faint pang of loss.
He raised an eyebrow, a subtle, ambiguous smile playing at his lips. "You're welcome."
Mathew beamed as he pulled Christine close. "Christine, I received your gift. You're so thoughtful-I adore it. You're far kinder to me than my ungrateful grandchildren ever are."
Several grandsons looked up at the ceiling with resentment. Why did they always end up being the ones getting hurt?
"By the way, Christine," Mathew added, "this gentleman is acquainted with your father. You should know him too, right?"
Christine's eyes snapped up, unexpectedly meeting the man's deep, intense gaze. Uneasy, she instinctively turned her head away.
"Grandpa Mathew, I. don't know him. Father had many friends back then. I've only heard his name-I don't actually know him."
Karl loved socializing, but he never forced his daughter to attend those glamorous banquets. He hoped she would always keep a pure heart-that was enough.
Edward's jaw tightened. His magnetic voice carried a subtle, seductive timbre. "Hello. I'm Edward Robinson. I have long admired Uncle Woods. So you are his daughter. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
The man who was usually the center of attention now adopted an unexpectedly humble demeanor, catching Mathew off guard.
Mathew chuckled softly. "Indeed. Karl always loved making friends. It's only natural you wouldn't know him, Christine. But now you do."
"Edward is in his thirties now, isn't he? Christine should address you as Uncle Edward."
By family seniority, Edward was the younger son of his old comrade-calling him Uncle was perfectly appropriate.
Edward's expression darkened. His lips pressed into a straight line. "Uncle Mathew, I am only thirty this year."
His blue eyes lingered on the woman nearly a head shorter than him, resting briefly on her fair face before his lips curved faintly. "Just call me Edward."
Christine's heart skipped a beat.
This guy was way too forward!
She forced a polite smile. "I'll stick with calling you Mr. Robinson."
Edward let out a light snort. "Fine. Whatever you say."
For some reason, Christine detected a hint of disappointment in his tone.
She shook her head inwardly. Snap out of it. A man like him was far out of her league.
Neil had gone to great lengths to get in tonight-just to see this man.
Christine wanted nothing more than to escape this whirlpool of trouble. Besides, the man standing next to Edward was clearly Mr. Thompson-the one she had hired.
She dreaded the moment Henry might speak to her. Fortunately, he hadn't addressed her once throughout the entire event. Even so, his meaningful gaze alone was enough to make her cheeks burn crimson, and she longed to leave as soon as possible.
*****
"Smack-"
A crisp slap echoed through the silent garden.
Vivian bit her lower lip hard, clutching the side of her face where her stepmother's hand had struck her.
"You've really made me proud today!"
"Vivian, remember your place," Victoria snapped. "Being allowed to live in the Barnes household is already a privilege. Don't covet what isn't yours, and don't think that just because your father married into this family, you've suddenly become part of the upper class!"
Vivian lowered her gaze, concealing the hatred festering in her heart.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I know I was wrong."
Victoria folded her arms, her eyes brimming with scorn. "Don't you remember how you came back to this country? Without me, you'd be someone else's plaything right now."
Vivian's palms turned red from how tightly she clenched them, yet her expression remained utterly unreadable.
"Yes. My return to the country is entirely thanks to you."
Victoria chuckled lightly. "Good. It's good you understand. Go home by yourself today. Save me the embarrassment of seeing you again."
After watching Victoria leave, Vivian's expression twisted into something almost grotesque.
A girl who had come out to look for her froze when she saw Vivian's face. "Vivian. are you okay?"
Why did Vivian look so terrifying? The gentle angel seemed to have darkened in an instant.
Vivian composed herself, pressing her lips together. "Mia, I'll head back now. We'll reschedule another time."
Truthfully, she never wanted to see that idiot again for the rest of her life.
"All right, all right!" Mia didn't dare insist. Vivian's sudden change in demeanor had sent chills down her spine.
So terrifying. Who would have thought such a sweet girl had this side to her?
*****
After receiving Mathew's concerned message, Christine quickly excused herself and fled the banquet.
But Sky Castle wasn't in the city center. The guests attending were either wealthy or influential, and she soon found herself unable to hail a cab.
Seeing that no drivers accepted her ride request on the app, she decided to walk instead.
The night was silent, shrouded in darkness. A misty drizzle fell, sending chills through her thin evening gown.
In the distance, headlights pierced the curtain of rain.
A black Rolls-Royce slowly approached and came to a stop.
The window rolled down. Henry waved. "Miss Wood, it's hard to get a cab here. I'll give you a ride."
Christine was startled. She hadn't expected Henry to be leaving early as well.
"No need, Mr. Thompson. I should be able to hail one if I walk a bit farther."
He remained firm, his gaze gentle. "No need for formalities, Miss Wood. I actually have something regarding your case that I'd like to discuss."
With him phrasing it that way, Christine had no choice but to agree.
"I have things in the front passenger seat," Henry added. "You can sit in the back."
As Christine lifted her leg to step into the backseat, she unexpectedly bumped into a solid shoulder.
She froze. How could someone else be sitting in the back?
As she took in his flawless features, she realized the man behind her was none other than Edward.
"Careful," his thin lips brushed past her earlobe, his breath scorching. "This is the second time."
Christine instantly lowered her head, her cheeks burning.
The memory of him catching her earlier surged back, flushing her face with embarrassment.
From the driver's seat, Henry watched the entire scene through the rearview mirror. His shameless friend had deliberately shifted outward before she even got in.
This bastard had done it on purpose.
Absolutely shameless.
"Where do you live, Miss Wood?" Henry asked.
Christine hesitated. Returning to the villa tonight would undoubtedly mean being driven insane by Neil and his entire family.
"Green Lake, please."
The three rode in silence.
Henry had merely used the case as an excuse to get her into the car; naturally, he didn't discuss it during the drive.
Edward sat quietly in the backseat, his expression unreadable.
Only Christine suffered in silence, desperate for the ride to end.
When they finally neared her destination, she let out a small sigh of relief. Her voice lightened. "I'm here. Thank you for today, Mr. Thompson."
Just as she prepared to step out, a lazy, deep voice sounded from behind her.
"I was friends with your Uncle Woods," Edward said. "Miss Wood, please leave me your contact information. If you ever need assistance in the future, you may reach out to me."
He handed her his phone.
Christine lowered her gaze to the softly glowing QR code and fell silent.
After a moment, she nodded. "All right. Thank you, Mr. Robinson."
Edward caught her unease and offered a faint smile. "You're welcome."
Watching Christine's retreating figure, Edward's lingering gaze refused to withdraw.
"Sir, may I drive now?" Henry asked, speechless.
Edward pulled his gaze away. "Go ahead."
Henry fumed inwardly. Hmph! You really do think I'm your chauffeur!
Edward absentmindedly fiddled with his lighter. "We should be home soon."
His gaze immediately fixed on his contacts list. When the adorable orange cat avatar appeared, the corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily.
"Got any pics of your cat? Send me one."
"What?" Henry unlocked his phone and tossed it to Edward in the backseat, puzzled. "Browse the album yourself. Didn't you say you didn't like animals?"
Edward quickly selected his favorite photo and swapped it out.
"I like them now."
