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Novel Catalog
Chapter 45
Victor’s smile remained as he sensed the quiet tension between them. Eden’s words were layered, and he could feel the underlying uncertainty in her voice, though her calm expression betrayed none of it. He leaned back slightly, his gaze softening just a fraction as he considered her response.
“You don’t need to ask anything, Miss Bleu,” he said, his voice low and almost thoughtful, though there was still a subtle hint of amusement behind his words. “If you want answers, you can simply observe.”
Eden’s brows furrowed slightly, unsure of his meaning. Was he playing games? Or was there something deeper he was trying to hint at? She knew enough about Victor by now to understand that he wasn’t the type to speak plainly.
She tilted her head slightly, her lips still a faint curve. “I don’t like games, Mr. Alwynn. I’m not here for riddles.”
Victor’s expression shifted just a little. His usually cold demeanor was tempered by a quiet intensity, and Eden could tell he was trying to gauge her reaction, trying to see how far he could push her boundaries. He straightened, then, and for a moment, they both sat in an almost unspoken standoff.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever asked you to play one, Miss Bleu,” he replied smoothly, his tone returning to its usual calculated indifference. “But if you’re asking whether my family’s matters are your concern, then I’d say you have no obligation to worry about them.”
Eden glanced away, her thoughts flickering to the conversation with Mrs. Clement and Haven earlier. It was clear that Victor’s family had their own expectations of him, but where did that leave her? And why did it feel like she was being drawn into a conflict she didn’t want any part of?
She let out a quiet breath, then looked up at him again. “Then why am I still here with you, Mr. Alwynn? Why was I dragged into this conversation at all?”
Victor didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he stared at her for a moment longer, the hint of a deeper, more complicated answer simmering behind his eyes. Finally, he spoke, the words coming slower, more deliberate.
“Because sometimes, things happen unexpectedly, Miss Bleu. And sometimes, there are connections we can’t ignore, no matter how much we try to.”
Eden’s pulse quickened involuntarily, but she held his gaze steadily. She wasn’t sure if he was referring to the strange pull between them or the situation with his family, but the weight of his words hung between them.
There was a long pause before she broke the silence, her voice quiet yet firm. “I don’t need any complications in my life, Victor. I’ve had enough of that already.”
Victor’s expression softened, just for a second, before he masked it with his usual guarded demeanor. “I never meant to complicate anything. But sometimes, life doesn’t ask for permission before it complicates things.”
Eden wasn’t sure what to make of his words. For a moment, she wanted to argue, to shut down whatever game he was playing, but there was something about his tone—something raw and unspoken—that made her hesitate.
Victor, sensing her internal conflict, stood up slowly, his eyes lingering on her for just a moment longer. “I’ll let you enjoy your breakfast in peace. But remember, Miss Bleu, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.”
Eden watched him walk away, the weight of his cryptic words settling into her chest. She wasn’t sure what exactly had just happened, but she knew it wasn’t over. Something had shifted between them, but the direction it was heading, or where it would lead, remained uncertain.