Edward landed in the capital at 3 PM three days later, and specifically asked Carol to pick him up.

The sky, originally sunny and clear, suddenly turned dark as heavy rain poured down like someone flipped a switch. The air felt suffocating, like being locked in a giant cage.

Carol stood by the window watching the rain: Great, just great. Clearly not a day to go out. But orders were orders-she had no choice.

She threw on a beige trench coat and drove toward the airport. Just as expected, the car gave up halfway-completely stalled. The rain had eased a bit, and she wasn't too far from her destination anyway, so she called for repair and another car before grabbing her umbrella and walking to the VIP gate.

The wind didn't do her any favors. Half her coat got soaked, and a passing car splashed muddy water onto her legs. Thankfully, she was only here to pick up Edward-not attending a gala or anything-so it wasn't a total disaster.

She stood at the VIP entrance, waiting. The heating there was barely working, and her damp clothes didn't help. She shivered.

After the plane landed, she waited another ten or so minutes before spotting Edward, sticking out like a sore thumb in a loud floral shirt-bold, cocky, and totally himself.

He didn't even glance her way, acting like she was invisible. Did she tick him off again, or what?

Just as she was about to speak, she saw the woman next to him, and even someone as composed as her froze for a moment.

A gorgeous, elegant girl had her arm looped around Edward's. Compared to Carol, who was clearly a mess from the rain, the other woman looked glowing, almost unreal.

It was obvious which of them was more in his world.

It felt like the noisy world suddenly shattered into icy silence around her.

Even after all these years, Carol recognized her in seconds.

Jessica Green, the Green family's precious daughter-and Edward's childhood friend. Back in high school, Jessica was one of the only girls in Edward and Jonathan's circle-spoiled and protected by all of them.

When Carol moved in with the Dawsons, Jessica's family had already relocated overseas, so they'd never really met.

Edward might treat most women the same, but Carol knew deep down he treated Jessica differently. Most of the women around him dressed flashy, scheming for his money. But Jessica-polished, graceful-wasn't one of those girls.

Carol stared at her face, overlapping it in her mind with the one she'd seen in the photo Edward kept in his pocket watch... They looked almost identical-especially the eyes. So that girl from his youth was Jessica?

Carol stood still, her legs rooted to the spot.

Jessica smiled gently, her eyes soft like shimmering moonlight. She stepped forward and held out her hand. "You must be Carol! Edward talks about you a lot. Hi, I'm Jessica."

Even Carol had to admit-Jessica was the definition of class.

Carol quickly gathered herself. She didn't want to seem out of place, so she reached out too. But her palm was still damp from holding the umbrella.

She hesitated for a split second, but Jessica didn't flinch. She warmly grasped Carol's hand, her smile full and genuine.

Carol forced a smile back. "Nice to meet you, Miss Green."

While the two of them talked, Edward's gaze briefly brushed over her damp coat, and his lips moved slightly like he wanted to say something.

"Come on, don't be so formal-since you're Edward's sister, that means you're my sister too. Just call me Jessica," Jessica said lightly.

Carol couldn't help glancing at Edward then.

He despised being called her "brother," even Jonathan had been warned off from calling him that.

But hearing Jessica say it? Not a flicker of annoyance crossed his face.

Yep. He definitely treated Jessica differently.The Green family was real old money-five generations of politics meant enough connections to shake up the whole capital. Jessica? A textbook elite. She and Edward were from the same world.

Carol? She was just a tagalong, barely able to catch a glimpse of that lifestyle thanks to Sophia Turner.

Jessica had it all. Carol had nothing.

Edward was never short on flings-she'd seen all types by his side over the years.

But this time... this time felt different. There was a sharp sense of threat creeping in. The gap between her and Jessica was brutally obvious, a canyon shaped by social class and birthright-something no amount of hard work could fix. If she wasn't wrong, Jessica was probably the woman Timothy had picked for Edward.

The Dawsons ruled in business. They needed the political muscle of the Greens.

So that's what Christopher had been about to say the other night.

And Edward's excuse of a "business trip"? A cover to go fetch Jessica from abroad. No wonder he didn't bring her along.

Now Edward was standing in front of her, squinting as he looked her up and down with that teasing grin of his. "What'd you do, fall into a ditch?"

She didn't answer.

Jessica stepped in smoothly, saving the awkward moment like a pro. "Some drivers clearly weren't taught manners. It's pouring and still they don't slow down. Carol, we're around the same size. I have a spare jacket-let's get you out of that wet one before you catch a cold."

She took a coat from her assistant behind her.

Carol wanted to refuse but paused. With so many eyes around, straggling behind them in that soaked, mud-stained coat would only make things worse.

People respect the way you look before they know who you are. Always have.

Fine. She'd already lost the upper hand. No point in making it worse.

"Thanks, Miss Green."

She took off her damp coat. Jessica didn't just hand her the jacket, she gently draped it over her shoulders and even tied the belt at the waist, her smile warm and soft like a big sister doting on her sibling.

Carol recognized the jacket brand-it was one of ten pieces worldwide. Limited edition.

At the parking lot, she and the driver loaded the luggage. He was used to the work, but she struggled.

As she was putting it down, her hand accidentally got caught under the luggage. Pain shot through her and she crouched down, trying not to cry out.

The driver looked worried. "Ms. Bright, are you okay? Need a hospital?"

She shook her head, forcing herself up. "I'm fine."

She went to open the backseat, but saw Edward and Jessica already settled in. Paused for a split second, then quietly shut the door and climbed into the passenger seat.

Jessica's gaze swept over her hand-subtle, but she noticed.

The whole ride, Jessica chatted away about those good old high school days with Edward.

He chuckled and nodded sometimes, clearly not minding the trip down memory lane.

Carol glanced into the rear-view mirror and met Edward's deep eyes. They were nothing like his usual playful gaze-there was something chilling about them.

It startled her. She looked away instantly.

Jessica turned to her. "Carol, where'd you go to high school?"

"Ravenscar Academy."

Jessica raised an eyebrow, surprised. "No kidding? Same school as Edward and me. What a small world."

Ravenscar Academy wasn't just any school-it was the best in the country, especially in the capital, packed with the kids of the rich and powerful.

It had taken a lot of effort on Sophia's part to get Carol in.

"Oh, you and Mr. Dawson were basically legends back then," Carol said with the kind of polite, distant smile people used for small talk.

Jessica gave her an easy smile. "Come on, Carol, don't be so formal. You're Edward's sister, aren't you? You should call him like that."

Carol just smiled without replying.

When she'd first moved into the Dawson house, she had called him that. Edward didn't like it. She assumed he just didn't want anything to do with her or Sophia.

Now, he grabbed a water bottle, twisted it open and took a big swig. "She can't call me bro," he said flatly.

Edward's offhand tone hit her like a blade to the chest.

Through the rearview mirror, Carol caught Jessica gently tugging at Edward's arm, her voice soft with a hint of coquettish reproach. "Edward!"

Jessica turned toward Carol, trying to smooth things over with a warm smile. "Carol, don't take your brother too seriously. He loves to talk nonsense."

A sting tightened her throat, like a sliver of glass lodged where she couldn't swallow. Carol clenched the fabric of her coat and forced a calm front, pushing back the ache in her chest as she spoke sarcastically, "Mr. Dawson's right. Knowing one's limits is a virtue, after all."

There was a bite to her words, a subtle defiance.

Edward stared at her profile, waiting for some trace of annoyance to sneak through. But there was nothing-just her usual calm, maybe even colder than usual.

The car felt suddenly cramped, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.

Jessica's gaze slid between the two of them before she smiled again, without missing a beat. "I heard Carol completed her bachelor's, master's, and PhD all at MIT-majored in business administration, financial management, and public relations, right? Staying by your side as a personal assistant seems like such a waste of talent, Edward. Carol, someone like you should totally carve out your own path. With skills like yours, there's no way Ravensburg wouldn't make room for you."

Of course, she'd thought about it.

But...

Before Carol could get a word in, Edward's disdainful grunt cut her off.

"She got everything thanks to the Dawson family. After all that fancy schooling, the least she can do is work at Dawson Group to show some gratitude. Starting a business? That's not her place."

His arrogance dripped with contempt, like he couldn't stand the sight of her. Carol hadn't expected him to go that far-not in front of Jessica.

She used to give in, feeling cornered with no way out. But the pride in her bones had never truly faded.

"I've always been grateful to Raymond for raising me. But let's not forget-I got into MIT on my own."

She had no family background, but she'd always attended the best schools and received the best education.

Back when she was young, she didn't understand how Sophia pulled it off.

Now, having been part of this world for years, she understood. No shame in that. You play the cards you're dealt. If beauty helped her get ahead, then it was just another asset she knew how to use.

Sophia made sure she learned every bit of etiquette, every social cue, every 'noble' sport. After Sophia married into the Dawson family, Carol had access to even more.

"I can't give you a prestigious name or status," Sophia had once told her, "but I can make sure you get an education that puts you on equal footing with anyone."

Even if Sophia had changed, Carol never forgot that.

Edward scoffed again, his face a mask of open disdain.

"Ravensburg's full of talent. What it lacks isn't smart people-it's connections. Without family assets passed down generations, your ceiling's already fixed."

Anger flickered in Carol's eyes. This time, she didn't hold it in like usual. "And what about those wasting their days in luxury, doing nothing? Without competence to match, even the richest bloodline runs dry eventually."

Edward lazily leaned an arm on the car door and undid the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a stretch of toned skin beneath-nonchalantly seductive, with an edge of danger. His gaze sharpened.

"That jab for me? Don't forget where you stand."

Tch.

Lost in the heat of the moment, Carol accidentally pressed down on her injured hand, and the sharp pain made her gasp.

Hearing her hiss in pain, Edward instinctively leaned forward. But just as quickly, a flicker crossed his eyes-he must've thought of something-then he nonchalantly leaned back into his seat again, lazily crossing his legs while sneaking glances at Carol now and then.

Jessica turned to Carol, full of concern. "Carol, are you okay?"

The driver chimed in to explain, "Sir, while we were moving the luggage, Assistant Bright's hand got accidentally crushed."

Edward's expression shifted in a flash, and he leaned forward, brushing everything else aside. "Let me see your hand."

Carol turned her face away and ignored him entirely.

Not wanting to hurt her, Edward didn't try to take her hand, just leaned in closer for a look.

Her hand was swollen, bruising already starting to spread.

He shot a cold glance at the driver. "Moving luggage is your job. Carol works for me-for the company-not to handle your tasks."

The driver kept his head down, not daring to speak.

Jessica's voice was soft, guilt-ridden. "It's my fault. I kept chatting with Carol and didn't even notice she got hurt."

Realizing he might've just let too much emotion show, Edward casually rolled up his shirt sleeves.

Carol responded quietly, "Miss Green, it's not your fault."

Just then, her phone buzzed.

Edward's sharp eyes caught sight of the name "Christopher" on her screen before she quickly locked it.

Jessica spoke up. "Still, we should get that looked at."

Edward seemed distracted, clearly still thinking about something else. He glanced at Carol, who wouldn't even give him the time of day, and suddenly his tone went cold. "If she still has the energy to text someone, then it can't be that bad. No need to see a doctor."

"Edward, she only got hurt because she was helping me with the bags. Don't be like this."

Jessica turned to the driver. "Take us to the nearest hospital."

When they arrived at the hospital entrance, the driver tried to make up for earlier. "Miss Bright, I can go with you."

"No need. I can manage." Carol didn't even glance in Edward's direction.

Edward frowned at being brushed off like that. He spoke to the driver, but his eyes kept drifting back to Carol. "One person going to the hospital, are all three of us supposed to just hang around and wait with her?"

Jessica kept her head down, staring at her phone in silence.

Carol pressed her lips tightly together when no one was looking. In Edward's world, Jessica always came first.

The driver, no amateur, glanced at the dynamics and suggested carefully, "Sir, maybe you could go in with Miss Bright? I'll drive Miss Green home. That'd work best for both."

"What do you mean, best for both? Do you even hear yourself? Look at who you're talking about. Why would I go with someone like her and leave Jessica behind?"

Carol didn't say a word, just undid her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

"You two go ahead."

Jessica finally spoke up, smiling faintly. "Edward, just go in there with Carol."

"Fine! If you say so." Edward agreed, as if the only reason he was going was because Jessica asked. "Let the driver take you home. Text me when you get there so I know you're safe."

He opened the door, and a cold wind whooshed through the car.

Jessica wrinkled her nose and frowned. Through the frosted window, she watched Edward catch up quickly to Carol, walking beside her.

He took her bag right out of her hands like it was nothing.

"Miss Green, let's head back."

"Thanks," Jessica replied breezily, though her tone held something else.

Offhandedly, she added, "Edward's really something. Carol's still his sister, no matter what. Does he have to treat her like some stranger? Even his words are a bit too harsh."

The driver didn't read too much into it. "Sir's usually not like this to her. Don't know what's gotten into him today."

Jessica's soft eyes darkened ever so slightly...

The hospital corridor was almost deserted, with the sharp smell of disinfectant lingering in the air. Carol sat on a cold bench, waiting.

The surgeon had just checked her hand-nothing serious. But Edward insisted on a scan, just to rule out any fractures.

He walked over with a bag, pulled her up from the bench, and started taking her coat off.

Carol jumped, startled. "We're in a hospital hallway! And my hand's hurt, remember?"

Edward let out a chuckle, half amused, half exasperated, giving her forehead a light flick. "Seriously, what's with your brain? Always spinning stories. You really think I'm that kind of guy?"

Carol mumbled under her breath, "If you're not that guy, then who is?"

"What was that? Come again?"

"Nothing. I didn't say anything."

Edward pulled out a white cashmere coat from the bag and took off the one she had on. "That jacket's no good. I had someone bring you this instead."

It was a one-of-a-kind, top-of-the-line custom design. As soon as it draped over her shoulders, warmth spread across her whole body-definitely better than the last one.

Carol lowered her gaze, silent, as Edward casually tossed her previous coat into the trash.

He took a seat beside her and dug a thermos from the bag, offering it to her.

"What's this?"

"Try using those eyes of yours."

Carol shot him a look before taking it. Inside the cup was a steaming blend of ginger and chamomile - soothing and warm.

She glanced his way. Edward leaned back like a king, arms crossed, messy hair partly covering his eyes.

"That Nathaniel guy seriously... I asked for a coat and he hands over ginger tea instead? Don't tell me he's got a thing for you?"

Carol huffed, "Would you stop overthinking every little thing?"

"Am I? So he can give you stuff, but I can't even question it?"

It was chilly. The tea came at just the right time.

Carol drank more than half, feeling significantly warmer.

They hadn't talked much since an argument the night before Edward's business trip. Now, silence filled the corridor, broken only by the occasional chime of a nurse's call button.

Edward was about to say something when the surgeon approached with her scan report.

"Mr. Dawson, here's the report. Miss Bright's hand is neither fractured nor cracked. She's totally fine."

"I'm not worried about her, I just don't want her hand injury to mess up her work." Edward yanked the medical report straight from the surgeon without waiting for him to finish. "Cut the crap. Just tell me how to treat it."

The surgeon adjusted his glasses, glanced at Carol with a bit of awkwardness, and replied, "Cold compress for the first twenty-four hours, then switch to warm compress. If there's bruising, she can take some medication to help with circulation. She needs to rest and avoid using the hand too much. Just to be safe, she can come back for a recheck in a week."

"Thanks, doctor."

As soon as they left the hospital, Edward brought an ice pack over and started pressing it on Carol's hand. "Try not to get yourself hurt again. Stop dragging me into your mess."

"I can go to the hospital on my own, take care of myself, and get home just fine. You chose to come along. Don't blame me for it."

Edward was already on edge. He was the one running around getting her an ice pack, and now she acted like it was a burden. "You think I wanted to be here? If Jessica hadn't asked me to come with you, do you think I'd have even shown up?"

Carol looked genuinely caught off guard. She had at least thought he cared a little. Never expected he was just doing Jessica a favor.

On the ride back to the apartment, the car sped past streets blurred slightly by a thin mist on the windows. Everything outside looked like it was viewed through a foggy filter.

Out of the blue, Edward asked, "Don't you have something you want to ask me?"

Ask him what? About Jessica?

How would she even phrase that? What was she to him that gave her the right to ask?

"It's funny-I really believed you were on a business trip. Turns out you were just picking up Miss Green."

The sarcasm didn't go unnoticed. Edward turned to her with a smirk, his eyes gleaming mischief despite their usual chill. "Jealous?"

Carol turned her head and looked at him seriously. "What do you think?"

He was used to her brushing things off, pretending not to care, but seeing her so straightforward for once threw him off.

His teasing grin faded fast.

"As if you'd be jealous. If you're gonna be jealous, it sure wouldn't be over me."

He had a habit of throwing out these random lines that made no sense, always keeping her guessing.

Carol changed the subject. "I heard the person in charge of the acquisition is being replaced?"

Edward's fingers froze on the steering wheel. "Who told you that?"

She didn't even hesitate. "Michael."

Edward ran his hand through his hair and gave a low laugh. "Carol, I know you. If it were only Michael, you wouldn't be asking."

There was no way she'd mention Christopher. The feud between Edward and Christopher wasn't exactly news.

But she'd underestimated Edward's sharp instincts.

"After I left for the trip," he said, "I heard Christopher dropped by the office-and stayed in my office chatting with you for quite a while."

Carol suddenly felt ridiculously naïve. Of course Edward would have people watching everything in the company. How could she have missed that?

"Carol, do you even get what that means to me?"

Edward's eyes were sharp and cold, like he'd bottled up a storm. "You and Christopher in my office? That's the same as me being in your bed with some other woman."

Carol's heart jumped. She forced herself to stay calm. "Don't try to drag me down to your level."

"Oh, really?" Edward narrowed his eyes, then suddenly smirked.

That smirk of his changed everything. One second he looked like he was gonna lose it, the next, all charm and confidence. It threw her off a bit.

The light turned green. Without warning, Edward slammed on the gas.

Quick turn of the wheel, then a sudden brake to the side of the road. The jolt sent Carol lunging forward before slamming back into her seat.

She broke out in cold sweat.

Then Edward pulled out a few pictures and tossed them right onto her. His eyes were sharp as blades. "Explain. What is this?"

Totally confused, Carol grabbed the photos. And her eyes went wide.

They were pics of her and Christopher outside the sushi place. In one of them, she was tripping into his arms. From the angle, though, it looked incredibly intimate-like they were kissing.

"You were spying on me?"

"Spying? Nah, I don't need to stoop to that."

So Edward didn't take the pictures. Then who did?

He jabbed a finger at them. "Don't care who snapped these. Honestly, I should thank them. Otherwise, I'd never know what you and Christopher were up to behind my back. I walk out and you run right into his arms. Seriously, Carol, are you that desperate?"

Carol stared at him, stunned beyond words.

"I'll make sure you remember exactly who you belong to."

Edward's lips curved into something between a grin and a threat as he started unbuttoning his shirt, moving like a predator eyeing its prey.

Carol felt her chest tighten. "What are you doing?"

He snorted, voice low and cold. "Come on, don't act so clueless. Don't pretend we haven't done it before."

Before she could react, the seat beneath her reclined fast.

Her seatbelt came undone. Then Edward was on top of her, tearing at her clothes, not holding back at all. That snapped her out of it.

"Edward! Stop it!"

He held her down with one hand, the other yanking his tie off. "Didn't we talk about this? Next time we'd try the tie."

He tied her hands over her head, careful not to touch her injured arm, locking her there. "Or maybe you can ride and show me yourself?"