Chapter 266

Chapter 266

After arriving at the hotel suite, Victoria used almost all her strength to get the tall and heavy Edward settled onto the soft king-size bed.

She took off his jacket and leather shoes, loosened his tie, unbuttoned a few shirt buttons, and carefully wiped his face with a warm towel.

After finishing all this, she sat by the bed watching his sleeping face. The warm glow of the night light fell on his features, and her expression unconsciously softened, her heartbeat racing faster and faster.

Her mind kept replaying that passionate kiss in the garden, and his words, "Don't reject me."

What did Edward really mean?

Were these feelings he'd hidden for a long time finally showing, or was it just the alcohol talking?

She bit her lower lip, doubting yet unable to stop herself from hoping, like she was stretching her hand toward a flame—knowing it would burn but still wanting to feel its warmth.

To take care of him, Victoria decided not to return to her own place. She grabbed a blanket, planning to make do on the suite's sofa for the night.

The night was unusually quiet.

In the early morning hours, Edward suddenly opened his eyes in his sleep. He wasn't fully awake, but his body seemed to be searching by habit for a scent that could help him relax.

He got out of bed and walked straight to the sofa.

Victoria was curled up on the sofa, sleeping restlessly. He bent down and picked her up along with the blanket, his movements so practiced it was as if he'd done this countless times before, then carried her back to the bed with long strides.

He gently tucked her into the covers, then lay down himself. Edward extended his long arm and pulled her into his embrace without question, his chin resting on top of her head.

He finally let out a breath, like someone who'd been tense for a long time and was finally letting go. The two held each other tightly and drifted back to sleep.

The next morning, blindingly bright sunlight leaked through gaps in the curtains that hadn't been fully closed, falling on the sheets.

Victoria woke up in an almost suffocating warmth. She groggily opened her eyes and first saw a bare chest, its muscles clearly defined.

She froze for a moment, immediately realizing something was wrong. She moved her gaze upward and looked directly into Edward's face.

Worse still, she was held firmly in his arms, with one of her legs draped over his waist—a position so intimate it was impossible to pretend nothing had happened.

Heat rushed to her face, and even her breathing became erratic.

"Edward!" she called out in panic, pressing her hands against his chest in an effort to pull away. "How did you... How did I end up here?"

Her movement woke him.

Edward's eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes suddenly became alert. He looked down at their tangled position, then at her flustered and shy expression, and his body instantly stiffened.

An unusual expression appeared on his typically stern face, and his ears quietly turned red. He seemed to want to let go but stopped halfway, his Adam's apple bobbing noticeably.

The air was thick with tension and awkwardness, so quiet that only their increasingly out-of-control heartbeats could be heard.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Edward's eyes. As the CEO of the Russell Group, he was used to being in control, but looking at Victoria in his arms like a startled bird, he was briefly at a loss for where to put his hands or what to say.

In the end, he didn't let go.

That powerful arm instinctively tightened a bit instead, pressing back her attempt to retreat and pulling her closer to his chest.

"Don't move," his voice carried the unique huskiness of morning, with a longing he himself hadn't realized. "Let me hold you a little longer, just a little longer."

Victoria froze, the redness on her face spreading all the way to her neck.

She should have escaped, should have pushed him away like she had countless times before.

But pressed against his chest, hearing his strong heartbeat and feeling his obvious restraint, she suddenly didn't want to hide anymore.

She slowly lifted her head, her gaze no longer avoiding but looking straight into his eyes.

"Edward," her voice was trembling, but her tone was more determined than ever, "last night... were you serious? What do you really feel for me?"

Edward looked at her earnest, almost stubborn eyes, as if gathering all his confusion. His expression became serious, even a bit careful.

He raised his hand and gently tucked the loose strands of hair by her face behind her ear, his fingertips pausing on her skin as if confirming she was really there.

"Victoria, I'm completely sober and completely serious," his gaze was burning, without evasion. "I like you—not because of alcohol, and not on impulse. I love you."

When these words fell, tears immediately welled up in Victoria's eyes.

Edward then held her hands, bringing her fingertips close to his lips and kissing them carefully and solemnly.

"But," he looked at her, his voice steady, "settling our relationship hastily in a hotel room wouldn't be fair to you. You deserve the best of everything in this world."

His gaze was affectionate and firm. "I'll give you a proper confession. I'll let everyone know that you are my only choice and the person I will treat seriously."

Victoria could no longer hold back her tears.

All those years of accumulated tension, restraint, and uncertainty between them seemed to be released by this one promise. She laughed through her tears and reached out to wrap her arms around his neck, pressing herself close to him.

The morning light fell on them as they embraced, letting the bitterness of the past transform into honesty and sweetness in this moment.

That evening, as night fell, Varellia entered its most enchanting hours.

Edward blindfolded Victoria and led her by the hand, step by step, toward a location he refused to reveal in advance.

The moment he removed the blindfold, she instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, completely stunned.

Below the dazzling Windwhisper Tower, Edward had reserved the entire plaza.

Massive bunches of specially flown-in white roses were carefully arranged into a pure white sea of flowers, shimmering in the lights like starlight fallen to earth.

Edward stood in the center of the flower sea, wearing a pure black custom suit, his figure tall and straight, his gaze focused only on her.

He held a pink diamond ring he had personally designed, named "Mono Eternity." Then he knelt on one knee before her and looked up.

"Victoria, be my girlfriend. Let me spend the rest of my life loving you and protecting you. Will you?" His voice echoed clearly in Varellia's night air, so sincere it was impossible to doubt.

Victoria's eyes filled with tears. She ran through the sea of flowers toward him, responding to his love without reservation.

"Edward, yes!"