Chapter 216

William was caught off guard. The title that usually seemed so ordinary now felt oddly foreign coming from her.

His brief hesitation was like a needle, lightly pricking Victoria's heart, stirring up a wave of bitterness.

But she quickly pushed those feelings down, becoming even more composed and determined. "If you're not sure, don't mess with me."

"It's not that I'm unsure." William, surprisingly serious, paused before speaking slowly. "I'm just not used to it. When I think of you, all I remember are the intimate moments we spent together."

"Cut it out!"

Victoria's face flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly interrupted him, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness.

He smirked knowingly and let out a low chuckle. "It's just a title. It doesn't change anything for me."

He paused, locking eyes with her, and said deliberately, "Let's just call it girlfriend."

Victoria thought William had completely lost his mind.

Even though he had just asked her to be his girlfriend, she felt no joy at all.

Without thinking, she pushed him away forcefully and stumbled towards the door, her voice trembling. "Stop talking nonsense. There's no way we could ever be together."

William's deep eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice cold and hard. "Why not?"

Victoria's mind was in turmoil, and she shook her head desperately, her face full of resistance. "Don't ask me why. It just can't happen!"

With that, she practically fled, rushing out the door.

William stood in the hallway, his brow furrowed, his expression complex and inscrutable.

"Well, that was unexpected!"

A lazy voice reached his ears. William turned to see Eugene, raising an eyebrow slightly. "What brings you here?"

Eugene, reeking of alcohol, leaned casually against the doorframe, a mischievous smile on his lips. "I can't believe it, William. You confessed to Victoria and scared her off?"

William ignored him, his face expressionless as he walked into his room. Eugene, uninvited, swaggered in after him.

Watching William pour himself a drink and down it in one gulp, Eugene couldn't help but tease, "Drowning your sorrows in alcohol? That's not like you."

William leaned on the table, his usual cold and indifferent demeanor intact, but the faint mist in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

Eugene found it amusing and raised an eyebrow. "Did you really think she'd just agree because you asked her to be your girlfriend?"

William finally glanced at him, but it was a brief, impatient look.

"William! With all the things you've done to Victoria, is it any wonder she wants nothing to do with you? The way you treated her, the pressure you put on her-it's no surprise she rejected you."

William swirled the drink in his glass, his tone certain. "She has feelings for me."

"So what?" Eugene scoffed. "Having feelings for you is one thing, but resenting and hating you is another. Trust me, women can tell the difference."

William grew increasingly irritated, glaring at him. "Who invited you here?"

"You bought so many houses. I thought I'd help you make use of them."

"This place isn't exactly your style, Mr. Eugene Bailey."

"If you can lower your standards, why can't I?"

William didn't believe his excuse and spoke slowly, "I heard your fiancée showed up?"

Eugene groaned, "I don't even know when I got a fiancée! Apparently, it's an engagement my grandfather arranged before he struck it rich. The girl's family hit hard times, and now she's come looking for help. Can you believe it? She's like a bad luck charm, bringing misfortune to her whole family. Even if I didn't have feelings for Grace, I couldn't marry her."

"What does your family think? Do they want you to marry her?"

Eugene sighed again. "My mom's against it, but you know my dad. He's old-school and stubborn. Since it's a promise my grandfather made, he'd sacrifice me to keep it."

He laughed bitterly. "Can you believe arranged marriages still exist in this day and age?"

William nodded slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "Yeah, Mr. Bailey is quite the man of principle."

Eugene stared at him in disbelief. "Whose side are you on? I get it now-you can't be happy, so you don't want anyone else to be either!"

William raised his glass to him. "Exactly."

Victoria had been distracted these past few days. Hearing William ask her to be his girlfriend had stirred up her emotions.

But she kept reminding herself that it was impossible between them. She couldn't accept or love someone who had humiliated her so many times.

It felt like betraying her past self, who had suffered so much.

After dinner, Alvin called Victoria over.

"Where's Samuel been lately?"

"His father is sick. He's been busy at the hospital."

Alvin looked at Victoria calmly, with a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "As his girlfriend, you should be helping him through this."

Victoria opened her mouth but didn't know how to explain. She could only say, "I've been really busy with work and exams. I can't find the time."

Alvin gave her a long look before lowering his eyes and asking softly, "Do his parents not like you?"

Victoria couldn't tell Alvin the truth and quickly explained, "No, they like me a lot! I'm just really busy..."

"Victoria." Alvin interrupted, his voice steady. "If there's a problem, I can talk to his parents. I'll take the blame. Don't let them pick on you."

"That's not necessary!" Victoria firmly refused. She couldn't bear to let Alvin face such treatment.

They fell into silence.

After a while, Victoria spoke softly, "Dad, if the relationship requires you to humble yourself, it's not worth having."

Alvin lowered his head, full of guilt. "I'm holding you back."

Victoria smiled, trying to comfort him. "Dad, don't think that way! I've never felt you held me back. I'm grateful you've always been there for me, so I wouldn't be alone."

Her voice trailed off.

Alvin felt a pang of sadness. After a moment, he spoke seriously, "Even if it's not Samuel, it can't be William."

Victoria was taken aback and looked at Alvin. His expression was serious. "He's not right for you."

Victoria quickly composed herself, looking away. "I understand."

"And your mother..."

At the mention of Nora, Victoria frowned. "Has she been bothering you again?"

"It's about her surgery." Alvin paused before continuing. "She called, asking me to help find a kidney donor."

"She can't bear to use Bobby's kidney, but she almost tricked me into donating mine back then." Victoria's tone was calm, as if recounting someone else's story.

"So, I refused her." Alvin's response surprised Victoria.

His expression was indifferent. "I don't care how she treats me, but she shouldn't have treated you that way."

Victoria was at a loss for words.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Victoria opened it to find Samuel sitting on the steps, smoking. From behind, he looked exhausted, a far cry from his usual confident self.