Chapter 113
After her shower, Victoria slipped into her pajamas and stepped out. She glanced at William, who was sprawling on the bed in the living room, and pursed her lips.
"I'm crashing on the couch," she said, turning away without waiting for a reply.
William got up and headed for his own shower. When he came back out in a bathrobe, he saw Victoria on the couch, looking like she'd passed out from sheer exhaustion.
He walked over quietly, his fingers gently brushing her smooth skin, lingering for a moment.
Victoria's eyelashes fluttered as she sensed someone near. She slowly opened her eyes to see William's handsome face.
"Go sleep on the bed. I promise I won't try anything," William said, his gaze soft and a slight smile on his lips.
Victoria eyed him skeptically, hesitating.
William's smile grew. "Come on, it's more comfortable."
Still unsure, Victoria knew William's promises in these situations were often unreliable. What if he tried something while she was asleep?
William didn't push, just watched her with that same smile.
After a long pause, Victoria swallowed hard and slowly moved to the bed.
As soon as she lay down, a long arm wrapped around her waist. The strong scent of his cologne filled her nostrils, and his warm breath sent shivers through her, making her heart race.
Victoria lay stiffly, not daring to move, feeling the heat from his touch on her back. She gritted her teeth and growled, "William, don't even think about it!"
"Okay," he murmured, his voice restrained but compliant, not moving any closer.
Victoria sighed in relief and turned her back to him.
She thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but soon, exhaustion took over, and she gradually closed her eyes.
William held her close, his chin resting against her neck, inhaling her scent as he drifted off.
The next morning
When William woke up, Victoria was still asleep. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a serene glow on her delicate profile, making it hard to look away.
He watched her, a slight smile playing on his lips, feeling unusually content.
Victoria woke up groggily, her eyes meeting William's deep gaze. His intense stare made her feel exposed.
William propped his head on one hand, lazily gazing at her.
His features were sharp and refined, even in a casual pose, he looked dazzlingly handsome.
He had a playful and teasing smile as he looked at Victoria.
Victoria sat up abruptly, her face flushed.
William couldn't help but laugh, his eyes full of amusement. "Morning."
"Good, good morning," Victoria stammered, turning her head away awkwardly.
For some reason, she felt more uncomfortable with this intimate, non-sexual closeness than with physical intimacy. It made them seem like a loving couple rather than something more secretive.
She felt it just wasn't meant for her, and she didn't like this feeling.
"Not getting up? Expecting something?" William raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Victoria looked up, glaring at him before quickly lowering her gaze, muttering, "I'm not like you, ready to get frisky anytime, anywhere."
William laughed, flipping over to pin her beneath him.
Victoria panicked, struggling instinctively. "What are you doing? I haven't brushed my teeth, it's gross."
William laughed harder. "It's fine, I don't mind."
With that, he kissed her soft lips.
Victoria was stunned, momentarily forgetting to push him away.
After a long while, he reluctantly let her go, his voice hoarse. "If you don't get up, I can't promise I won't do something frisky."
Victoria felt something hard pressing against her, her face turning red with embarrassment and anger. She glared at him, pushed him away, and ran to the bathroom.
With a loud bang, she slammed the door shut.
William shook his head with a smile, feeling a strange emotion rising in his heart.
He suddenly thought that if life could always be like this, it wouldn't be so bad.
After breakfast at the hotel restaurant, William drove Victoria to the exhibition center before heading to the nursing home.
William's grandfather, Garth Scott, lived in a nursing home in the suburbs. It was spacious, elegant, and quiet, with top-notch facilities, perfect for recuperation.
When William arrived, Garth was exercising in the yard.
Seeing William, Garth's face turned cold, and he ignored him.
William didn't mind, standing quietly by.
When Garth finished exercising, William stepped forward.
Garth glanced at him, his tone unfriendly. "You've been gone so long, do you even remember you have a grandfather?"
William responded indifferently, "The company has been busy."
Garth sneered, clearly not believing him. "Busy dating your girlfriend?"
William remained silent.
Seeing his admission, Garth's anger flared. He struck the ground with his cane, shouting, "I didn't agree with you marrying Ella from the Garcia family. What are they compared to the Scott family?"
William frowned, patiently explaining, "Grandpa, the Garcia family is a prestigious family in Silvermist City. Marrying them is mutually beneficial."
"Mutually beneficial? They're just upstarts," Garth scoffed, disdainful. "But you're no better, canceling the wedding at the last minute, making both families a laughingstock. You embarrassed me in front of my old friends."
William said nothing.
Garth grew angrier, raising his cane to strike William.
William didn't dodge, letting the cane hit his leg.
Seeing William not avoiding, Garth hesitated, retracting his cane. He looked at William's stubborn, pain-enduring face, a hint of softness in his eyes. "You're still so foolish."
William pressed his lips together. "I was wrong, I shamed the Scott family."
"Enough," Garth sighed, shaking his head. "But if you canceled the wedding, why are you entangled with Alice Garcia, causing such a scandal? Your actions are inappropriate."
William frowned. "Grandpa, you know she suffered greatly for me. I wanted to marry Ella for her sake. Now that she's back, I must marry her."
Garth pondered, seemingly considering.
"Fine, I can't control you young people. Decide for yourself," Garth said, waving his hand tiredly. "But besides these sisters, I heard you keep a woman named Victoria?"