Chapter 249

Chapter 249

This kiss carried an irresistible intensity and deep longing, passionate and consuming.

It was as if Liam wanted to pour out all the separation and torment of the past six months through this kiss.

After what felt like forever, just as Thalia felt she was running out of air, Liam finally loosened his grip slightly. But his arms still held her waist tightly, his forehead pressed against hers, breathing heavily, his burning gaze fixed on her flushed cheeks and slightly swollen lips.

"Thalia."

Liam's voice was extremely hoarse, with a barely noticeable tremor. "Don't leave Novaria so soon, okay? At least let's get back together, like before, okay?"

His tone was almost pleading. Those eyes that usually carried the calm composure of a business elite were now filled with undisguised longing and vulnerability.

Thalia's heart raced from his sudden attack and direct request, her cheeks burning hot.

She suddenly snapped back to reality, remembering there was someone else in the room. Embarrassed and annoyed, she pushed hard against him: "Liam! What's gotten into you? Let me go! There's someone else here!"

Someone else?

Liam's heated mind felt like it had been doused with cold water, instantly sobering up a bit. He instinctively followed Thalia's gaze and turned to look inside the room.

There on the living room sofa sat Victoria, holding a glass of red wine, relaxed and composed.

Her expression was calm as always, even with a hint of amusement like she was watching a show. Only her slightly raised eyebrow betrayed a touch of surprise and helplessness.

Victoria clearly hadn't expected to witness such an intense scene. The hand holding her wine glass paused, and she seemed momentarily frozen.

Looking at Liam's desperate yet affectionate appearance, then at Thalia pressed against the door, face red with embarrassment and anger, Victoria felt a dull ache at her temples.

Their eyes met. The air seemed to freeze.

Even with Victoria's composure, facing such an awkward situation, she couldn't help but clear her throat softly, trying to break the suffocating silence.

She gently placed her wine glass on the table in front of her with a crisp sound, then stood up, picked up her bag from the side, her tone calm and even, as if she hadn't seen anything.

"Well, since you and Thalia have things to discuss, I won't intrude. I'll be going now."

With that, she headed toward the door.

"Victoria! Don't go!"

Seeing this, Thalia forgot about being embarrassed. She quickly broke free from Liam's hold and grabbed Victoria's wrist, her face showing urgency and frustration. "Didn't we agree to have dinner together? Just ignore him! Let's talk, just us!"

Liam had fully come to his senses now too, a flash of awkwardness crossing his face. But seeing Victoria about to leave and Thalia trying to stop her, he steeled himself, thinking that since Victoria had already seen everything, there was nothing left to hide.

He stepped forward, still looking at Thalia with determination, his tone carrying a reckless energy.

"Thalia, don't change the subject! You haven't answered what I just asked! Are we getting back together or not?"

Thalia was so frustrated by his persistence that she stomped her foot, glaring at him hard, her cheeks crimson. Whether from anger or embarrassment was unclear: "Liam! Enough! Who wants to get back together with you? We broke up ages ago! Get it?"

"You're lying!"

Liam stared at her intensely, his tone certain. "When I kissed you just now, you definitely felt something! Your body's reaction can't lie! Thalia, I know you still like me! Why won't you give us both a chance?"

"You're talking nonsense!"

Thalia was both embarrassed and angry, wanting to find a hole to crawl into, especially with Victoria present. She felt like her face was on fire. "Victoria's still here! You're supposed to be the older brother. Can you be a bit more reasonable? Have some sense of propriety!"

Victoria, who had just been called out, felt completely innocent.

Watching this pair of "exes" tangled up before her—one pressing forward, one flustered and annoyed. The air thick with tension and chemistry.

Victoria really didn't want to stay here as the third wheel, much less get dragged into their complicated emotional mess.

She rubbed her throbbing temples, picked up her bag again, her tone carrying an undeniable weariness:

"Thalia, I really am tired. I've been on a plane for hours and haven't adjusted to the time difference yet. Let's do dinner another day, tomorrow lunch, my treat, you pick the place."

As she spoke, she had already reached the door, her calm gaze sweeping over Liam and Thalia with their varying expressions. "I won't interrupt your conversation. I'm leaving now."

With that, she didn't give Thalia another chance to stop her. She decisively pulled open the door, slipped out, and considerately closed it behind them.

"Victoria!"

Thalia tried to chase after her but was pulled back by Liam.

The door clicked shut, completely sealing off the tension, awkwardness, and conflict inside the room.

Victoria stood in the quiet hallway, let out a long breath, shook her head, and then walked toward the elevator.

She left that "battlefield" entirely to her deeply devoted and remarkably bold Liam, and the conflicted Thalia.

It seemed her first "welcome home dinner" after returning to the country was destined to fall through.

When Victoria dragged her small suitcase into the Gonzalez Villa alone, dusk had fallen. The villa was brightly lit but carried its usual air of distant luxury.

Her return was unexpected. The few people conversing quietly in the living room heard the noise, and all turned toward the entrance, showing varying degrees of surprise.

Hayden was sitting in his usual chair. Seeing Victoria, he froze for a moment, then quickly put on a smile that could be called warm, even ingratiating, and hurried to his feet.

"Victoria? You're back? Why didn't you tell us ahead of time? I could have sent the driver to pick you up!"

Hayden's tone was enthusiastic, with a deliberately crafted intimacy. "Have you eaten dinner? If not, I'll have the kitchen prepare something right away. Whatever you want—just say it!"

This performance was worlds apart from his cold, even scrutinizing attitude when Victoria first returned to the Gonzalez family months ago.

Clearly, Vico's identity and her relationship with Alexander had made this calculating father reassess Victoria's value.

Victoria's expression remained neutral. This belated "fatherly love" didn't move her much. She simply set her suitcase aside and casually named two light dishes: "Just make some stir-fried vegetables and steamed fish."

"Yes, yes, of course! I'll have them do it right away!"

Hayden nodded repeatedly and immediately instructed a nearby servant to relay the message to the kitchen.

Just then, Victoria keenly caught sight of Veda sitting on a nearby sofa, head lowered, hands tightly clutching her clothes. Under those downcast eyelids, a flash of intense, barely concealed resentment flickered like a venomous snake.

It seemed this plagiarism incident and the online backlash had made her truly hate Victoria.