He sighed, feeling a weight on his shoulders. "It's nothing, really. Just some family matters that I'm trying to sort out."Brenda's expression softened as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You know you can always talk to me about anything, right?"Edward smiled appreciatively at her gesture. "I know, and I appreciate that more than you can imagine. But it's just... complicated. This is something that I need to handle on my own for now."Brenda nodded understandingly, not wanting to pry any further. "Okay, just know that I'm here for you if you ever need me." Edward leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Brenda. You're amazing." Sophie chimed in, "You guys are so cute. I hope I find a guy like you someday, Ed."Edward chuckled at Sophie's remark, feeling a bit embarrassed but also flattered. "Oh, I'm sure you will, Sophie. You're smart, beautiful, and have a great personality. Any guy would be lucky to have you."Brenda smiled mischievously. "Or maybe you'll jus
Intrigued, Brenda's curiosity got the best of her. "What things, Ed?""I have some research to do," he said, his voice low and purposeful. "There's a certain someone I need to dig up some information on." Brenda's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why can't you just ask someone else for information?"Leaning in closer, Edward's voice dropped to a hushed tone. "Because, my dear, it's essential that no one else knows about my plans."Brenda's eyes widened with surprise and worry. "Just promise me that you'll be careful. I don't want to see you getting hurt."Edward smiled reassuringly. "I'll be fine. I know what I'm doing." With that, he gave Brenda a quick hug and made his way to his room. He nodded to himself, fully aware of the gravity of his intentions. He could not afford to let anyone else in on his plan to kill Stevan Petrovich. The consequences of such knowledge could jeopardize not only his mission but also his own safety. He needed to be discreet and gather information witho
Brenda nodded, her heart fluttering with excitement as Edward referred to her as his princess. She could not help but feel a surge of gratitude for having someone like Edward by her side. He smiled, and they made their way towards the garage where his Bugatti La Voiture Noire was parked. The evening sun bathed the luxurious car in a golden glow, accentuating its impeccable design and sleek lines. Brenda marveled at its beauty as Edward opened the door for her, a charming smile graced his face. She gracefully slid into the plush leather seat, feeling a surge of exhilaration mixed with a touch of disbelief at the opulence surrounding her.As the engine purred to life, they admired the impeccable craftsmanship and the powerful hum that resonated through the car. Edward expertly maneuvered the vehicle onto the road, smoothly accelerating to a moderate speed that matched the flow of traffic.Edward glanced at Brenda, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So tell me. What were your high sch
Edward felt a jolt of shock ripple through his body as Viktor uttered the name. Stevan Petrovich. The very man he was supposed to eliminate. The weight of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks, threatening to knock him off balance. How could this be happening? How could fate twist its cruel hand in such a way?Though unfamiliar with Eloise and her daughter, Ivy, Edward could not ignore the familial bond that tied them together. Questions swirled in his mind, demanding answers. Why would Ivy agree to this engagement? Was it driven by love, or were there hidden motives at play?Edward's confusion persisted, but he understood the gravity of the situation. He could not afford to make rash decisions or let his emotions cloud his judgment. So, he decided to investigate the circumstances surrounding the engagement, whether it was Ivy's decision, or that of the Windsor patriarch. His hands trembled slightly as he ended the call with Viktor, his mind racing with a torrent of thoughts. He
Brenda's mind whirled with a torrent of emotions, each one competing for her attention. Amidst this internal chaos, a pang of concern pierced her heart. It was not because she still harbored any lingering romantic feelings for Luke, but rather a fear of accidentally hurting Edward and creating unnecessary tension between them.As Brenda and Edward stepped into the grand ballroom, the opulence of the surroundings captivated her senses. The venue was a testament to luxury and elegance, adorned with cascading floral arrangements that seemed to defy gravity, and sparkling chandeliers that illuminated the space with a dazzling glow.Amidst the laughter and joyful chatter permeating the air, Brenda's eyes darted around the room, desperately hoping to catch a glimpse of Luke. She was eager to assess the authenticity of the rumors and prepare herself for whatever awaited her.Edward, who noticed Brenda's unease, furrowed his brow and tenderly squeezed her hand. His concern reflected in his ey
Edward's words hung in the air, causing the crowd to collectively catch their breath. They were captivated by Edward's confidence and the depth of his understanding. The initial murmurs of skepticism and amusement transformed into a hushed admiration. Whispers of "Who is this man?" and "What a profound perspective" circulated through the onlookers. Amidst the crowd, Brenda's friend, Carl, who had been silently observing the confrontation from the sidelines, suddenly burst into laughter. His booming laughter echoed through the ballroom, drawing the attention of those nearby. Rosie, Carl's girlfriend, turned to him with a puzzled expression."What's so funny?" Rosie asked, her curiosity piqued by his unexpected reaction.Carl struggled to contain his amusement, wiping away tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes. "Oh, honey, you should have heard what Edward just said. It was brilliant!"Intrigued, Rosie nudged Carl's arm gently. "Tell me! What did he say?"Carl was still hold
Meanwhile, Brenda and Edward were thoroughly enjoying themselves at the reunion event. The vibrant atmosphere of laughter and nostalgia enveloped them as they mingled with Brenda's old friends from high school. Brenda's closest friends from her teenage years eagerly approached her, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.Sarah, a bubbly redhead with an infectious smile, leaned in closer to Brenda and whispered, "Brenda, who is this charming guy you're with? You haven't even told us his name."Brenda glanced at Edward, her eyes sparkling with affection, before turning back to Sarah with a mischievous grin. "Oh, come on, Sarah. Where's the fun in revealing everything? Let's keep a little mystery for now."Lisa, a tall and graceful brunette, chimed in, "But seriously, Brenda, he seems like such a catch. What can you tell us about him?"Brenda's smile widened as she looked at Edward, their connection palpable. "Well, he's intelligent, charismatic, and has a great sense of humor. And most import
Edward was taken aback by the unexpected news. His brows furrowed as he processed the information. A mix of emotions washed over him—surprise, concern, and a hint of gratitude towards Josh for alerting him to the danger.However, Edward's initial surprise was quickly masked by a composed demeanor, and a cold smile played across his lips. He appreciated Josh's refusal to aid Luke Brown and immediately recognized the importance of having trustworthy allies, especially in times of crisis. In this treacherous world, alliances held immense value, so he decided to extend a helping hand to Josh, knowing that mutual support could prove invaluable in times of uncertainty."Thank you, Josh," Edward replied, his voice steady and measured. "It seems I owe you my gratitude once again. So I'd like to offer you my assistance in return. If there's anything you need, be it financial aid or support in your endeavors, consider it done."Josh's voice crackled with surprise and delight. "Thank you, Mr. Wi