NovelOnline“Mr. Holcomb, did you need something?” | asked, putting on my best professional face and smiling.
Jared sighed, pulled up a chair, and sat down next to me. “Did you have a good ton your vacation?”
“Spending my ex-husband’s money and living in the house he bought me? Yeah, it was pretty great,” | said, just
to get under his skin.
Jared's face stayed calm, but his eyes lingered on me, deep and unreadable. “I'm glad you're happy.”
“You look like you've got a lot on your mind lately. What's up? Can't make a decision? Wantto break it down
for you?” | joked, trying to mess with him a little.
“Help with what?” Jared's eyes lit up, curious.
“You know, between Amy and Tracy, which one’s more wifey material for you?” | said, grinning.
“Victoria, don’t be so childish.” Jared's face darkened. “What kind of rumors have you been listening to?”
| shrugged, playing it cool. “I don’t have tfor gossip.”
Jared frowned. “I promised Yvonne | wouldn't get married again, so you really don’t have to worry.”
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With that, Jared stood up. “Yvonne's been growing up so fast lately. She even asked to sign up for sclasses
herself. If you have time, maybe you could hang out with her.”
| froze for a second, caught off guard. Jared lookedover again, a teasing glint in his eyes. “You're looking
more radiant than ever. Guess I've been a terrible gardener all these years, huh?”
| hadn't expected Jared to be in the mood for jokes. Keeping my cool, | shot back, “You pluckedand stuck me
in a vase, barely gaveany water. Of course, I'm not blooming.”
“Your sass game's gotten strong. When did you get so mouthy?” Jared grumbled, clearly not thrilled.
“I've been a doormat long enough. It’s about t| started being myself again,” | said with a smile.
“Just focus on your work. The hotel's your responsibility now,” Jared said as he opened the door to leave.
He didn’t even mention anything aboutand Ryan, like he trusted me, certain | wasn’t the type to get
involved in any .
That was just Jared, always playing the mastermind, acting like he’s got the whole gmapped out, seeing
through everything but never giving anything away.
He thought he had gotall figured out, but | was not his caged bird or his kite on a string anymore. If he was
hoping to keepon a leash or watchfrom the shadows, he could forget it.
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12:09 Thu, 21 Aug 9 (0
Chapter 265
“Ms. Murphy, are you free for lunch?” Amy walked over, smiling at me.
| looked into Amy's eyes, which screamed ambition, and asked, “Is this about work?”
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“Why do you always look so standoffish? We're colleagues now. Can't we be friends, too?” Amy said, sounding
sincere.
| nodded. “Sure, we can grab lunch.”
Amy booked a restaurant. When we got there and she finished ordering, she said, “Ms. Murphy, | actually
divorced Clint two years ago.”
| asked, “Really? Then how cyou two still seem like a couple?”
“Oh, we're not, really. We're just like old friends who hang out sometimes, nothing more,” Amy said with a shrug.
“We got divorced because | didn’t want kids, but Clint did. So, we ended things amicably.”
| nodded. “That's pretty progressive. Honestly, that kind of arrangement sounds pretty healthy.”
Amy leaned in, resting her chin on her hand, and sighed as she lookedover. “Ms. Murphy, someone as
gorgeous as you must have guys lining up to ask you out.”
| smiled. “Honestly, not that many.”
Amy grinned. “That's because most men feel out of their league around you. If a guy doesn’t have real
confidence or status, he wouldn't dare to just ask you out.
“Besides, Mr. Holcomb spoiled you. Now you've got that high-class vibe that makes you even more irresistible.”
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