Chapter 949 Vincent Better Not Fall into Liam's Trap
Avery's Place
Avery sat on the sofa with Lyanna across from her. Edgar stood nearby, his expression dark as he confronted Lyanna.
"We helped you get the Murray Group shares, and you turned around and sold them to Vincent? Playing favorites, aren't you?" Edgar demanded.
Lyanna glanced nervously at Avery, staying silent.
"I told her to sell the shares to Vincent," Avery said, kicking Edgar lightly. "Stop intimidating her."
Lyanna nodded quickly. "Avery, he's so scary. He looks like he'd be abusive. You shouldn't be with him."
"Get out of here," Edgar snapped.
Lyanna stuck out her tongue and darted into the bedroom.
"The Murray family is nothing but trouble," Avery explained. "The Cunningham family is already vulnerable enough. You're in the spotlight—better to stay out of this mess."
Vincent was capable. She had initially planned to sell the shares to the Raymond Group, but Ethan had suggested Vincent instead. Though Avery wasn't clear about Vincent's history with the Murray family, she trusted Ethan's judgment.
"Fine," Edgar conceded, sitting beside Avery and changing the subject. "Now that the Murray situation is handled, shouldn't we discuss our own matters? You can't let our child be born without a father. Let's get married."
Avery was quiet for a moment before shaking her head. "We'll see. There's no rush."
Edgar's face fell. "You don't want to marry me, do you? You're just using me, and once you have the baby, you'll leave me."
Avery nodded, employing her usual emotional detachment to push Edgar away.
Edgar sighed deeply, frustrated but determined. "Avery, I want to marry you." He dropped to one knee and presented a ring.
He knew she disliked public displays, so he'd chosen to propose at home, privately.
Avery couldn't deny feeling moved. But her mind was racing with practical concerns. The Cunningham family faced unprecedented challenges. If the Moscow black market infiltrated their operations, they might face more than just bankruptcy. If the Cunninghams fell, she needed to remain independent—not to abandon Edgar, but to be in a position to protect him and their child later.
"Edgar, marriage can wait," she repeated.
Edgar knelt there, disappointment evident in his forced smile.
"I'll take the ring," Avery said, seeing his hurt. "I'm not rejecting you. I just need more time, okay?"
She extended her hand, and Edgar quickly slipped the ring onto her finger before she could change her mind.
He'd learned not to question her plans. Avery was a strong-willed woman with her own agenda. But he admired her for it. She'd managed to eliminate Rhett and deal with the Murray family in record time. Edgar rarely respected anyone, but Avery had earned it.
Connor's Office
As closing time approached, the nurse glanced around, uncertain whether to leave with clients still present.
"You can go. I'll handle this," Connor told her.
"Dr. Hawthorne, those two guys always meet in your office. Are they secretly dating? Gay?" she asked curiously.
Connor shook his head. "No, they're just friends of mine."
They were the definition of straight guys.
"They're both so handsome," the nurse said with a shy smile before leaving.
Connor sank into the sofa, sighing. His office had become Vincent and Ethan's secret meeting place.
"Why are you working so late?" Tom appeared just after the nurse left. "No patients, but you're still here? I've been waiting downstairs forever."
Connor looked surprised. "What are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming."
"Wanted to surprise you and give you a ride home," Tom said, producing fruit skewers with sugar glaze from behind his back. "Got these from a street vendor. Ever had them?"
Connor paused. Fruit skewers with sugar glaze were a common childhood treat that nearly everyone had experienced—except him. His childhood had been nothing but nightmares.
"I tried the top piece. Not sour at all, pretty sweet. Try some," Tom offered the skewer.
Connor hesitated.
"I only bit off the very top," Tom explained quickly, thinking Connor was concerned about germs.
Connor took the skewer. "It's not that. I've just never had these before..."
"Well, try it!" Tom encouraged.
Connor took a bite and his face immediately contorted in surprise, then a frown.
It was incredibly sour! And Tom had claimed it wasn't.
Tom laughed at Connor's expressive reaction. "Just kidding. Green apples are always sour."
Connor couldn't help but smile, which was unusual for him. In the past, he might have been angry, but now he found himself amused by Tom's prank.
Vincent, opening the door, caught Connor smiling and rubbed his eyes in disbelief before retreating back inside. "What's going on? Connor's smiling out there," he said to Ethan.
Ethan gave Vincent a look. "This time, you owe me for arranging Lyanna to sell you the Murray family shares."
Vincent leaned against the doorframe. "What about the favors you owe me? I had to use my charm. I need therapy now."
"I let you take several projects from Liam, didn't I?" Ethan warned. "Stop stealing Liam's projects. He's becoming obsessed. He's practically ready to put a curse on you. Don't push it too far."
Liam was too rigid and inflexible. He now considered Vincent his number one enemy.
"It's fun to mess with him," Vincent waved dismissively. "You don't understand the joy of poking a cricket."
"Even a worm will turn," Ethan rubbed his temple. "Be careful you don't fall into Liam's trap."
Vincent laughed. "Me? Fall into Liam's trap? Not in a million years. He could train forever and still not beat me."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Don't be so cocky..."
One never knew when overconfidence might lead to embarrassment.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
