Chapter 235

Vincent had barely taken two steps when he heard the door click shut behind him.

He turned around to see the door he had left ajar now closed, and whatever conversation was happening inside was muffled beyond his hearing.

A look of concern crossed Vincent's face, but it was too late for regrets now.

In the bedroom.

Gloria was propped up against the headboard. After taking her medicine and sleeping through the night, her fever had subsided significantly, and the flush on her face had faded.

However, her face was still pale, and her lips were dry, making her look quite frail.

"Mr. Windsor, please, have a seat." She looked at Sebastian with a calm expression.

Sebastian's gaze swept around the bedroom. He was about to sit on the couch when he noticed the blanket that hadn't been put away and the pillow that was askew.

Vincent's coat was still hanging on the nearby rack.

It was clear that Vincent had stayed here last night.

Moreover...

Sebastian glanced at the large dark blue bed Gloria was sitting on, his eyes darkening.

It was obvious this was Vincent's bedroom.

Last night, they had shared the same room.

The thought made Sebastian's mood plummet.

In the confined space, Sebastian's change in demeanor was palpable.

Gloria felt a slight tension in her mind.

Before she could speak, she heard Sebastian's mocking voice. "So, you and Vincent are pretty tight, huh?"

Gloria noticed his gaze on the couch and explained in a calm voice. "I had a high fever yesterday. Vincent just slept on the couch to take care of me."

Sebastian picked up the blanket from the couch, almost able to picture Vincent staying up all night, watching over Gloria as she slept.

Hearing Gloria's explanation, he couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Disgusted by the thought of Vincent sleeping on the couch, Sebastian threw the blanket back and walked over to the bed.

On the bed, Gloria looked up at him calmly, her face devoid of the usual guilt and panic.

This only made Sebastian more agitated. "So this isn't the first time, huh?"

Otherwise, why would Gloria so naturally explain for Vincent?

Gavin could do the same, Vincent could do the same, but he couldn't.

Thinking about Gloria's attitude towards these two men compared to her attitude towards him, Sebastian's brows furrowed with displeasure.

Gloria met his angry gaze and spoke calmly. "Vincent and I grew up together. Our relationship is like that of siblings. He was just worried about me, so he slept on the couch to make sure I was okay. Nothing happened between us. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

She paused before continuing, "And as for Mr. Miller, he initially wanted to use me against you and Ms. Jones. I'm sure you already figured that out. I stayed at the Miller Group because I genuinely love design, and the head of the design department is a senior from my college days who looks out for me. Other than that, there's nothing between Mr. Miller and me."

She explained her relationships with Vincent and Gavin to Sebastian, hoping that after today, he wouldn't cause trouble for them because of her.

As she explained, Sebastian's mood only darkened. "So you're saying what I saw at the prison gate was all fake? If Gavin just wanted to use you, why would he go to such lengths to arrange a family visit for you?"

For someone like Patrick, a high-level criminal, arranging a family visit was incredibly difficult.

Without Sebastian's intervention, Gloria might not have been able to see Patrick until he was released.

Gloria thought back to the inexplicable hug at the prison gate. In hindsight, it was easy to explain. "Gavin saw you and wanted to provoke you using me."

As for Gavin helping her see her father, Gloria furrowed her brows, unable to come up with a reasonable explanation.

She had been in prison and knew how complicated the visitation process was.

Gavin had also mentioned the complex procedures to her.

Sebastian seemed to notice her struggle to explain this, his eyes darkening. "Did you bring me in here just to tell me this? If so—"

Before he could finish, Gloria looked up at him again.

The emotion in her eyes made Sebastian's voice falter.

Gloria gave a light smile. "I just wanted to explain things to you clearly. But it seems you don't believe me. At first, I couldn't understand why, three years ago, you were indifferent to me when I was so passionate about you. Now, after everything that's happened, you should be avoiding me even more. But instead, you're determined to keep me at Windsor Villa. I think I understand why now."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. This question had been troubling him too.

Gloria's hand clenched lightly under the blanket, trying to keep her voice steady. "You just don't want to see the pet that used to revolve around you suddenly become indifferent and find a new owner. It's just possessiveness. But I'm not an object, and after these three years, I'm exhausted. I have no interest or energy to start a new relationship."

She had been hurt so badly by Sebastian, how could she have the courage to love another man?

Gloria felt the air in the room grow colder, her heart tightening, but she forced herself to meet Sebastian's gaze. "If you came here because of what happened last night, I don't blame you. Compared to the three years I spent in prison, it's nothing. My feelings for you three years ago were real. Looking back, I regret it, but I've never denied those feelings. I just ask that you give my feelings a decent ending. Don't make me regret them so much that I can't even acknowledge them in the future."

These were words she should have said to Sebastian long ago.

But she never found the opportunity, and the threat from her parents loomed over her, making her afraid to speak.

After what happened yesterday, Gloria had nothing left to fear.

Her identity was now public, and the Russell family was back in the spotlight.

Sebastian's reputation had also taken a hit.

She didn't believe Sebastian would dare to act against her parents now.

Gloria looked at him with sincerity and sadness in her eyes.

Being looked at like that, Sebastian couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart.

Possessiveness? Had he ever felt that way about Gloria?

But if not, he couldn't explain his actions over the past few months.

Only when Gloria was under his watch did he feel at ease.

Gloria's moving lips made him restless.

Sebastian frowned, wanting to interrupt her.

The bedroom door suddenly opened from the outside, and Vincent walked in.