CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: EUGENE VAUGHN’S WARNING

Early the next morning.

Morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting mottled shadows on the room’s floor.

Victoria Sinclair felt tense and feverish, groggily opening her eyes.

The sight before her was Eugene Vaughn’s chest clad in white casual pajamas, the crisp scent of cedar lingered at her nose.

His left arm was under her neck while his right hand tightly encircled her waist, his sleeping face serene and handsome.

Memories gradually returned.

After Eugene forcibly brought her home last night, he held her on the sofa, saying many words to persuade her not to divorce.

She listened to all those confessions, but they couldn’t shake her resolve.

At this moment, she was more confused about why Eugene resisted intimate contact for two years if he had stolen a kiss when she was drunk?

Clearly having physical needs, yet unable to cross that emotional barrier.

What secret lay hidden behind that barrier?

Victoria stared at the ceiling in a daze for a long time, suddenly thinking of a potential breakthrough.

She gently moved her body, trying to extricate herself, but as soon as she made a move, she was tightly bound.

"Where are you going?" Eugene asked hoarsely with eyes closed, muscles in his arms tensed.

He had been on edge since last night, keeping her within sight except when she bathed, fearing she’d disappear if he let his guard down.

"Bathroom," she replied softly.

The hand around her waist hesitated for a moment before finally letting go.

Victoria got out of bed and went into the bathroom to freshen up.

She used the toilet, cleaned up, tied her long hair back, and stood before the sink, her haggard face reflected in the mirror.

During the week of her father’s serious illness, the dark circles under her eyes had deepened.

Knowing that her brother and caregivers were attending to things at the hospital, she decided to first resolve the issues with Eugene.

The door lock suddenly turned.

Victoria spun around in astonishment to see him.

Eugene entered brazenly, picked up a toothbrush, and glanced at her flushed cheeks in the mirror, "Wait for me here."

"What if you need to use the toilet?" Victoria wanted to leave.

"I don’t mind," Eugene said, holding her arm.

"I mind."

After a few seconds of stalemate, Eugene released her hand, warning, "Try running away if you dare."

Victoria looked down and left the bathroom, seizing the opportunity during the sound of running water to grab her phone and bag and hurriedly head out.

The usually gentle man had suddenly shown dominance, a faint possessiveness visible.

Leaving her somewhat confused.

In the ride-share car, Victoria dialed Ethan Vaughn’s number, asking him to meet up.

"Morning tea? Certainly!" Ethan’s voice suddenly heightened, "Where are you? I’ll just...."

His words were cut off by an incoming call from Eugene.

Victoria hung up on Eugene, sending Ethan the location of the restaurant.

In the reflection of the car window, her lips pressed tightly, pale.

Perhaps this brother-in-law was the key to uncovering the truth.

In a private room at the Phoenix Pavilion.

A pot of chrysanthemum tea, several servings of dim sum.

Victoria and Ethan sat facing each other.

Ethan had dressed up specially, his hairstyle heavily gelled, every hair strand meticulously arranged, with a strong perfume scent reaching her nose, a bit overwhelming.

"I never expected you’d ask me out for morning tea," Ethan’s eyes were bright, his face full of smiles.

Victoria forced a stiff smile, trying to appear more natural.

She sipped the fragrant chrysanthemum tea, lowered her eyes, feigned a deep demeanor, "My divorce case with your brother is about to go to court."

"I know," Ethan’s gaze was intense, his tone earnest, "I’ve been waiting for you to get divorced, Victoria, will you give me a chance?"

Victoria had anticipated he would say something like that, so she remained silent, pretending to look at him with expectation.

Ethan seemed to see hope, reaching out to hold Victoria’s hand, "Victoria, I promise I can make you the happiest woman in the world."

Victoria withdrew her hand, giving a bitter smile, "If your brother couldn’t do it, what makes you think you can?"

"Because I love you," Ethan stated firmly, "I’m not like him with psychological issues, and I don’t care about your past."

Victoria analyzed the meaning behind his words, seizing the breakthrough, and asked in a gambled attempt, "The affair, you and Eugene knew, right?"

Ethan’s pupils trembled as he looked at her, stunned for a moment before smiling faintly, dismissingly, "Yes, we both know, but my brother will keep it to himself for a lifetime and never confront it. He thinks if he pretends not to know, he can maintain the status quo with you."

Victoria’s hand clenched into a fist beneath the table, shaking with anger, her heart aching sharply.

So it really was a misunderstanding caused by mistrust.

Ethan sipped the chrysanthemum tea, raising his eyebrows with a smirk, "Someone like my brother, with such a severe cleanliness obsession, will always have a snag in his mind. He’ll never touch you, which is why I’m confident you’ll eventually divorce him."