Edward's POV
“What’s wrong now? Can’t even let go of something worth less than five hundred?” I sneered.
Samuel’s face instantly darkened. “It’s not about the money. It’s about what the money represents. Wherever the money goes, the love goes too. Edward, if you want something, you should fight for it yourself.”
I gave a cold laugh. “That’s the first time I’ve heard someone dress up greed and call it noble.”
“No need to be jealous, Edward.” He stepped closer, voice low and cocky. “In the end, it still depends on who Miss Carrington chooses. As for these things, I’ll gladly accept them.”
He then pointed toward the top shelf of the cabinet and instructed, “That trophy looks nice. Take it down. We’ll bring that too.”
My breath caught.
That was my father’s trophy.
“Stop!”
I shoved past the movers, clutching it to my chest. But in the process, Samuel nearly got knocked over.
His face twisted with rage as he barked, “Edward! Over a stupid trophy, really? Do you really have to? It’s not like an actor like you would ever deserve one anyway! What does it matter if I take something Miss Carrington gave you? Take it from him!”
“Don’t you dare!” I gritted and raised my fist high.
Samuel’s face immediately went pale, and he threw his arms over his head. “Ah!”
“Edward!”
My wrist was suddenly seized in a firm grip. As I turned, I met Liana’s cold, disapproving stare.
A second later, her bodyguard flung me back, slamming me against the wardrobe.
“Miss Carrington!” Samuel cried out dramatically, throwing himself into her arms, shoulders trembling as if he’d been traumatized. She hugged him tight as well as if comforting him.
Then she glared at me and snapped, “Edward, it’s just a trophy! Why go this far?”
I looked up at her in disbelief. “Liana… what did you just say?”
Only then did her gaze drop to what I was holding, the last symbol of my father’s glory. The last gift he left me.
Back in those days when I couldn’t even afford a proper meal, I’d sold every watch and suit I owned. But not this. Never this.
Right then, her expression wavered, and she looked away from me. Her voice was now softer but still dismissive as she reasoned, “Samuel is your junior. He can’t really hurt you. There’s no need to be so extreme."
“Can’t hurt me?” I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “You mean, coming into my home and clearing out everything valuable, that doesn’t count as hurting me?”
Samuel blanched.
Finally, Liana seemed to notice. Nearly everything of value in the room had already been carried out under Samuel’s instructions.
“Liana,” I said, my voice like ice, “this man who won’t even spare a chain weighing less than five grams, you really believe he doesn’t care about your money?”
“Miss Carrington!” Samuel suddenly shouted. “If you believe him, then fine. I’ll put everything back right now. I’ll return every single thing you’ve given me!”
He then spun around as if to leave. But she grabbed his arm, stopping him.
His voice cracked with righteous indignation. “I wanted that gold chain because I know you gave it to him before! I’m not some saint. When the person I love gives another man something, even if it’s just a worthless scrap of paper, I get jealous! That's why I want it! But if you’re really going to believe him, if you think I’m just here to bleed you dry, then I have nothing else to say!”
I laughed, the sound cutting through the air like a blade. “So, you want to be both the whore and the saint. How convenient.”
“And you’re any better?” Liana suddenly whipped her head toward me, shouting the words like a slap across my face.
I froze.
Samuel finally stopped struggling. He leaned into her, letting her hold him.
She tightened her arms around him, her voice gentling. “Don’t argue with him. Please.”
I stared at her, my gaze burning.
