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?"

Half of Edward's face was hidden in shadow, a craving lurking there that words couldn't quite capture. His thumb traced slowly from Carol's cheek down to her earlobe, voice laced with teasing. That lazy smile on his lips didn't hide the chill behind it.

Carol looked at him, a flicker of fear stirring in her chest.

Her face went pale, and she bit her lip. "Don't..."

The windows were shut tight, air thick and heavy. The space was small, and the leftover traces of their closeness clung to everything.

Edward slid an arm around her from behind. He wiped away the thin layer of sweat on her face with cold fingers, then paused at the corner of her eye where tears clung.

She felt like she was going to lose it.

Edward dipped his head, and it was as if he'd swallowed her tears, the soft laugh in his throat carrying that dangerous edge. "You know," he murmured, "you look really damn beautiful right now. What do you think Christopher would say if he saw you like this?"

A mist of tears still clouded Carol's eyes-left over from what he'd just put her through. Her red-rimmed eyes, her expression-it was like something from a painting, seductive and tragically stunning.

She tensed, panic flaring in her chest as she looked up at Edward. "What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing," he said casually.

She didn't buy it. Her voice soft, almost a whisper. "It was just a misunderstanding."

He smirked, scooping her collapsed body up with one arm, eyes gleaming with mischief. "A misunderstanding, huh? Then don't think about him anymore."

Carol blinked. She hadn't even been thinking about Christopher.

But it was like Edward had read her mind. He pressed a kiss on her bare shoulder, slow and deliberate. "I don't mean right now. I mean from this second on, just forget him. Got it?"

With the air in the car so thin, Carol didn't answer fast enough. He pinched her waist, not hard, but enough of a warning. "Answer me. Did you hear me?"

Her body jerked at the sudden motion, suspended for a second before dropping back down.

Her face went even paler. "Got it."

Satisfied, Edward pulled her tighter into his arms, chuckling softly. "You said it yourself. So if one day I find you're still tangled up with him..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but that silence hit harder than any threat. Carol's breath caught. Her spine turned cold.

Edward's smile could be scarier than his anger. The way he lounged lazily, all ease and charm, only made the pressure in the air more suffocating.

Back at the riverside estate, Carol was barely standing. Edward cleaned her up before heading into the bathroom.

The light in there was blinding. Steam fogged up everything, and beads of water slowly ran down the mirrored surface, splitting up his sharp reflection.

He was standing in front of the mirror, still holding that photo of Carol with Christopher. Droplets dripped from his wet hair, sliding down the curve of his neck and past his sharply defined Adam's apple.No one knew how long he'd been standing there until he suddenly tore those photos apart and flung the shredded pieces into the air. They fluttered down, scattered all over the floor - Carol and Christopher's picture-perfect moment now in ruins.

The image stayed frozen for a beat, fog still swirling in the air, before Edward finally stepped out from the shadows.

Carol was curled up under the blanket in a silky sleepwear, looking fragile. Her hair was spread out over the pillow, slightly damp. From above, Edward stared down at her - her brows were gently furrowed like her sleep wasn't restful. One of his fingers brushed the side of her neck, right over the mark he'd left there on purpose.

Her face was flushed more than normal, her breathing heavy and uneven.

Frowning, Edward reached out to feel her forehead. The moment his hand touched her, he jerked it back.

Burning hot.

He immediately pulled out his phone and called, "Nathaniel, get Brandon here, right now."

Nathaniel had worked with Edward for years. He read between the lines with ease and wasted no time bringing Brandon straight over to the property.

Brandon always showed up in a crisp suit, carrying a professional vibe. Though technically employed by the Dawson family, everyone knew he was really Edward's personal physician.

"She's burning up," Edward said tersely. "Check her out."

In the room, it was just them - three men and a burning-up Carol on the bed. Edward stood by her side, lean and tall, with just a loosely tied towel around his waist that looked ready to fall at any second.

Brandon set down his medical bag, giving Edward's bare torso a once-over. "Seriously, Edward? Maybe a shirt next time?" The implication hung heavy in the air. It didn't take a genius to figure out what had just gone down.

Edward casually dropped his eyes to himself - firm chest and defined abs, towel barely hanging on - and smirked, hands on his hips like a challenge. "Jealous much?"

Brandon checked Carol's temperature. "She's at 102. That's pretty damn high."

Obvious cause: intense activity, then catching a chill.

Edward's gaze darkened. "Get an IV going. Cool her fever down."

Brandon sighed like he'd heard this one too many times. "Edward, buddy, we gotta talk. Can you stop dragging me out here for every random fever? I'm a doctor, not your personal nurse. You've got people on payroll who can handle a drip."

Edward raised an eyebrow, unconcerned. "What, you don't know how to do it?"

"..." That taunt worked a little too well.

Brandon bit back a retort and grabbed Carol's hand to start the IV. Just as he held the needle over her hand, the sharp tip hovering right above the vein-

Edward suddenly questioned him. "Brandon, you sure you know what you're doing? If you don't, I can call someone else."

Startled, Brandon almost jabbed the wrong spot. "Of course I know what I'm doing!"

He huffed, picking up the syringe again with a steadier grip, when Edward spoke up - dead serious this time. "Go easy."

Brandon Lucas shot Edward an unimpressed look, silently thinking, "Now you decide to feel guilty? If it weren't for you, Carol wouldn't be like this."

Edward called for Mary Anderson to take care of Carol.

The IV dripped slowly. Carol stirred once halfway through, eyes hazy as she looked around. No sign of Edward, only Mary sitting quietly nearby.

Her lips were dry and cracked. She felt groggy all over. "What... happened to me?"

Mary hurried to hand her a glass of water. "Miss Bright, you've got a fever. Mr. Dawson asked me to look after you."

Carol pushed the glass aside, her voice a little hoarse. "Where is he?"

Mary hesitated. "I heard from Mr. Carter that... Mr. Dawson went to Royal Club."

Everyone knew about Edward's reputation - charming but unreliable. Seeing Carol's expression fall, Mary quickly added, "Miss Bright, maybe he had something urgent to handle."

There was barely any change in Carol's face, but her hand clenched the neatly made blanket until it wrinkled beneath her fingers. "What urgent matter could he possibly have there? Don't try to make me feel better, Mary. I understand exactly what kind of person he is."

Mary looked awkward but chose not to say more. This wasn't something she could step into.

It was nearly four in the morning when Edward finally came home. Carol hadn't slept at all. As soon as she heard the door, she shut her eyes.

The strong scent of alcohol mixed with perfume hit instantly - no doubt he'd just come from some woman's place.

Her fists tightened under the blanket, and her lashes trembled, betraying her despite herself.

"I know you're awake."

Since Edward called her out, she didn't bother pretending anymore.

He reached out to feel her forehead, but Carol instinctively turned away. Edward just laughed lazily. "Still mad?"

"No." Her answer was sharp and definite.

Propping himself up, Edward casually loosened his tie, voice flat. "You're sick. Rest today. Don't bother going to the office."

"Then don't go either. Stay here with me."

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Maybe it was the fever, or maybe just that heavy loneliness that sickness amplifies.

She rarely let her guard down like this. Even Edward was caught off guard for a second. Then he gave a snort of laughter, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Alright. I'll stay."

He took off his jacket and was about to climb into bed when his phone rang.

Carol caught a glimpse of the caller ID - Jessica.

Edward glanced at her, then still walked off to take the call.

Carol stared at him, couldn't make out what he was saying, but the hallway light lit up the shadow on his face. He looked tense.

"There's something I need to deal with over at Jessica's."

Carol felt like she'd swallowed something bitter. "What is it that can't wait till morning?"

Edward didn't respond.

She pressed on, desperate. "You're still going? But you just said... you'd stay here with me."