bChapter /bb665 /b

    My heart raced as I reached out to grab my phone back from Jared, anger bubbling up inside me.

    But he just grinned mischievously and held it high above my head, his tall frame making it impossible for me to reach

    without jumping.

    As I jumped, he suddenly pulled me into his arms, his voice low and teasing. “Who’s this ‘Fox‘? Sounds pretty intimate.”

    “Jared, quit messing around,” I snapped, my frustration boiling over.

    He finally handed the phone back to me, but not before ncing at the screen and chuckling. “They hung up.”

    As soon as I got my phone back, I realized I was still in Jared’s arms. I pushed him away angrily, my irritation spiking.

    Jared stepped back a couple of paces, his handsome face darkened with sadness.

    “Victoria, is that gentle side of you really gone?” Jared asked, once again reminiscing about the past.

    I froze for a second, still pissed off at him for messing with me. “That attitude is just for you. I can be just as gentle with other people.”

    Just then, Yvonne stirred awake, rolling over groggily and mumbling, “Why are you two still arguing in my dream?”

    Jared and I exchanged a quick nce, both of us falling silent immediately.

    “Get out!” I hissed, my voice low but firm.

    Jared gave me a helpless look before turning and leaving, closing the door quietly behind him.

    I clutched my phone, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me.

    Edward had just messaged me earlier, asking if Jared and I were spending the night together.

    And now he’d called, only for Jared to pick up. There was no way to clear up this misunderstanding now.

    I switched my phone to silent and set it down on the nightstand.

    That night, maybe it was because I was finally over my cold, or maybe it was because Yvonne clung to my arm and wouldn’t let go, making me feel a strange sense of belonging. Whatever the reason, I actually managed to sleep straight

    through till morning.

    Early the next morning, I heard Jared’s voice outside, talking on the phone. I crept out quietly and saw him sitting on the couch in his robe, aptop open beside him.

    Jared was working harder than ever, like he was on a mission to rake in cash.

    With the memories from his previous life, he had a serious advantage when it came to investing and making money. Now,

    he’d turned into a total workaholic.

    15:40

    b18 /bbSept /b

    828%2 28%3

    As he chatted on the phone, he shot me a look, those narrow dark eyes holding a teasing glint that was almost impossible to ignore.

    The old Jared wouldn’t have had a clue how to tease me like this.

    He was always so proper and distant, acting like he just knew I’d never walk away from him.

    But now, he was shameless as ever, giving me those flirty winks like some wannabe Casanova.

    I grabbed a bottle of water and took a sip. Jared finished his call and walked over. “Is Yvonne still asleep?”

    “Nope,” I said. Yvonne sleeps like a log–nothing short of an earthquake could wake her up.

    Jared grabbed a bottle of ice water and leaned against the cab beside me, giving me a intive look. “You still haven’t told me who this ‘Fox‘ is.”

    I paused mid–sip and shot him a frosty re. “Mr. Hob, it’s really rude to snoop into someone else’s private life.”

    Jared looked wounded, his expression genuinely stung. “Victoria, I’m just worried you’ll get yed. I’m a guy–I know exactly what guys are thinking.”

    I let out a smallugh. “Maybe you should save that lecture for your daughter someday. I’m good, thanks.”

    With that, bI /bturned and headed back to my room.

    But Jared yanked me back, gripping my arm tightly. “Is it one of those guys you came here to study with?”

    I stared at himb, /bgenuinely shocked. “Why would you even think that?”

    Jared shot me a look, a sarcastic glint in his eyes. “Word is, your group’s full of high–flying execs from your country. When grown men and women spend enough time together, feelings are bound to happen.”

    I snorted. “That’s your style, not mine.”

    Jared brushed off my sarcasm and said seriously, “Men are natural sweet–talkers. Even if you’ve outgrown some of your old, naive thinking, in my eyes, you’re still that same innocent girl.”

    I paused, realizing Jared had never really respected me–not even after I left behind being a housewife and started building my own career. He still saw me the same way.

    b2/2 /b