Chapter 265
I was completely worn out and spoke in broken sentences. "No... nothing... I just feel like I can't fit into this circle."
Jason straightened. "Who said that?"
My eyes reddened. I wanted to run, but he held me in place.
"No... nobody. That's just how I feel."
Jason leaned down and kissed me. Only when I was completely out of breath did he let me go.
His deep voice sounded in my ear.
"You don't need to fit in. They need to fit in with you. Don't worry, honey. You have what it takes."
At the Scott family villa, after the party ended, Katya found her husband Dane Scott, frowning.
"Honey, what do you think of Ryan's girlfriend?"
Dane was reading a magazine and didn't look up.
"What can we do? That stubborn kid—when have we ever been able to stop him?"
But Katya wasn't satisfied.
"How is this the same? Before, when he wanted to be a food blogger, I let it slide. Our family has the money for him to spend."
"But now it's about marriage. We need to be careful. That girl called Lily, I had someone look into her. Her family is too ordinary. I'm not happy about it."
Dane finally looked up, his expression helpless "What does it matter if you're happy? You're not the one getting married. They'll live their own lives. Isn't it enough that he's happy?"
Katya's eyes widened in anger.
"Ryan is so disobedient now because you spoiled him!"
She raised her voice. "If Ryan really marries Lily, she won't be able to fit into this circle. That Cooper family's son married a girl from an ordinary family too, didn't he? I saw her at the party today. She was pretty, but she sat alone, and who knows how many people were talking about her behind her back."
"Do you want Ryan to be talked about like that? We're the Scott family, a prestigious household. Do we care about our reputation or not?"
Dane rubbed his temples.
He sighed, "So what do you want reputation, or Ryan’s happiness?"
"He's just blinded by love right now, That's why he thinks Lily is so great. Once I introduce him to a few suitable girls, he’ll understand."
Katya kept talking, ignoring Dane's attempts to stop her. She turned and left, still muttering, "I have plenty of good friends whose daughters are around Ryan's age. I'll ask them all."
Dane opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing.
---
Work at Polaris Company became busier and busier.
For several days, I worked overtime until late at night before going home.
Jason was clearly unhappy about it.
That night, after showering and getting into bed, Jason immediately came over and hugged me.
He nuzzled my neck, his voice carrying a hint of grievance, "Honey..."
I reached back and covered his mouth, "Not tonight. I’m tired. I just want to sleep."
My palm felt something wet.
After realizing what Jason was doing, my face flushed and I quickly pulled my hand away.
"Jason!"
"Honey, I've got some gossip for you. Want to hear it?"
This was the first time Jason had actively shared gossip with me.
I had been drowsy from a whole day of work, but suddenly I perked up.
I turned over to face Jason, "What is it?"
Jason pinched my face jealously, "Not tired anymore?"
I grinned, "Come on, tell me!"
"Mrs. Scott arranged blind dates for Ryan."
That one sentence shocked me so much I sat bolt upright in bed.
"Really? Does Lily know about this?"
"If she knew, wouldn't she have told you?"
Jason pulled me back down to lie down.
I was still shocked. "What's Ryan's reaction? Did he really go on the blind dates?"
I couldn't even imagine how hurt Lily would be if she found out!
"Mrs. Scott found families they have connections with. Even if Ryan doesn't want to, he has to go at least once for the sake of both families' reputations."
Jason stroked my head and continued, "Don't worry, Ryan's not that easy to change his mind. He's been so annoyed these past few days, dragging us out to drink all night. But Richard's been with him for the second half—I'm a married man, I need to come home at night."
I instantly understood.
No wonder I hadn't received much "harassment messages" from Jason these past few evenings when I worked late.
I thought he'd been more sensible lately.
Turns out it was because he was drinking with Ryan.
"But this is so wrong. Lily and Ryan are still dating, and Mrs. Scott is already setting up blind dates for Ryan?"
I frowned.
"Earlier Lily told me she felt the Scott family parents were too distant with her. I felt something was off then. Whether they're satisfied or not, whether they agree or not, they should at least say it clearly."
What's the point of dragging it out like this?
Keep Lily dating Ryan to keep Ryan stable.
Then once Ryan finds someone suitable through blind dates, kick Lily to the curb?
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.
If that's really what's happening, I can't imagine how hurt Lily will be!
Her genuine feelings shouldn't be humiliated and let down like this!
Jason held me in his arms and kissed my forehead.
"Alright honey, I didn't tell you this to make you angry."
I looked up at Jason.
"But I can't just let Lily take this loss! What if Ryan really falls for someone?"
"Then that means he's no good, two-timing like that - even less worth it."
Jason pressed my head against his chest and gently patted my back.
"Alright, bedtime talk is over. Didn't you say you were exhausted from overtime today? Go to sleep."
I opened my eyes wide and stared straight at him.
After hearing something so upsetting, how could I sleep?
"Honey."
"What?"
"Do you think Ryan and Lily can make it to the end?"
"Stop overthinking. Let them handle it themselves."
"Honey."
"If you don't sleep, then let's do something more interesting."
"Good night."
I was still torn about whether to tell Lily about Ryan's blind dates.
Then Lily called me first.
"Sue."
On the phone, Lily's voice had a heavy nasal tone—she'd clearly just been crying.
My heart immediately clenched.
"Lily, were you crying? Are you okay?"
Lily hiccupped from drinking and spoke unclearly, "I feel so awful, Sue. I'm at a bar right now. Can you come keep me company?"
"Send me the address, I'll come right away."
I didn't hesitate.
It wasn't even time to get off work yet, but I asked Ophelia for half a day off, quickly packed up my things, and drove to find Lily.
When I found Lily, there were already dozens of bottles piled up in front of her.
I was shocked. "How did you drink so much?"
Lily lifted her drunken, hazy eyes.
"Sue, I feel so awful. Why am I still so clear-headed? Would it be better if I got drunk?"
I took the glass from her hand and sat down beside her.
Although I had pretty much guessed the reason, I still asked gently, "What happened?"