Chapter 215

William didn't say a word as he swiftly took off his jacket and tossed it onto the couch.

"You coming in or what?"

He walked out of the kitchen, casually holding a glass of water.

Victoria shook her head firmly. "We should keep our distance."

No matter how she felt about Samuel, as long as she was publicly known as his girlfriend, she couldn't get too close to William. Coming here was already pushing it; she couldn't afford another mistake.

A hint of amusement curved William's lips as he slowly approached her. "I told you, I bought this entire floor. Even if something happens between us, no one will know."

Victoria's face turned pale with a mix of shock and anger. "If that's why you called me up here, then I was wrong about you!"

She turned to leave.

"So far, I haven't done anything to Alvin. Do you know why?"

As expected, Victoria stopped in her tracks and turned back, glaring at him. "William! If you dare harm my dad, I'll never forgive you!"

William crossed his arms, standing tall and unyielding, his face as cold and emotionless as a frozen mountain.

"What makes you think I would stop hating him for you?"

Victoria was momentarily speechless.

Exactly, what made her think that?

William took a step closer, his deep eyes locking onto hers as if trying to see through her. "I've never found an answer to that question."

She looked up at him.

He took another step closer, closing the distance between them until he could touch her cheek with a slight movement.

William's brows furrowed, his voice low and filled with visible struggle, which eventually turned into a helpless sigh. "But you were right to bet on it."

Victoria's heart skipped a beat, and she was momentarily flustered, staring at him in a daze.

William's deep-set eyes, usually cold and sharp, now seemed to hold a focus that made her feel like she was the only one in his world, making it hard to pull away.

"I don't want to deceive myself." William's voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. "I don't want to see any other man by your side. Only me."

If, at the hospital entrance, Victoria could still think he was just messing with her, now she couldn't.

William might act erratically at times, but deep down, he was proud. He would never use emotions to bind a woman.

Seeing her silence, William frowned slightly. "Do you understand what I mean?"

Honestly, even if he asked himself, he might not be able to clearly explain his feelings.

Victoria pressed her lips together and, under his almost stubborn gaze, finally spoke softly. "I understand."

But William wasn't satisfied. He stepped closer, their bodies almost touching, and she could feel his warm, rapid breath.

"So?"

Victoria turned her head, avoiding his intense gaze. "So, maybe maintaining the status quo is the best choice. Or we could just cut ties."

For a long time, William didn't respond. Victoria resisted the urge to look back, trying to keep her voice steady. "If there were no grudges between our families; if we hadn't been in such a degrading relationship, I think I would have fallen in love with you. But reality is what it is. I can't pretend the past never happened, or I would feel disgusted with myself."

William stood by the door, his figure hidden in the shadows, his eyes half-closed, making it hard to read his emotions.

When she said "disgusted," his eyelashes trembled slightly, and the turmoil in his chest seemed to freeze instantly.

Victoria finished speaking, her head lowered, her body trembling as she tried to suppress her emotions. "I can't be with you after all your forceful advances. I just can't."

William's Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak, but in the end, he remained silent.

"I'll break up with Samuel," she said softly. "But not for you. You're right. I tried, but I never truly loved him. So it's better to end it early and be honest with him. I don't want him to be torn between me and his family."

"Lastly," she looked at him with a complex expression, "thank you for not hurting my dad. I know, with your power, you could have dealt with him easily, but you didn't. Even though you sent him to prison, you also helped get him out on parole and saved his life in Xandria. So, thank you."

Her words sounded like a final farewell.

William pressed his tongue against his teeth and let out a self-deprecating laugh. "You said so much, but never got to the point. You could have just said one thing to make me back off."

Victoria looked at him, puzzled.

"You don't like me." He stepped closer, his chest almost touching her back. "Just say you don't like me, and I won't bother you anymore."

Victoria's face turned red with visible panic. "I..."

"Too late. It's too late to say anything now."

A barely noticeable smile appeared on William's lips as he watched her struggle to explain.

He mercilessly pinched her cheek, stopping any words he didn't want to hear.

"Victoria, I gave you a chance."

Victoria's eyes widened in disbelief. She had said so much sincerely, yet he still didn't understand.

William suddenly grabbed her waist, pulling her close, their foreheads touching, his breath hot on her face. His voice was low and seductive. "If it's not dislike, then it's like."

"No-"

Before she could finish, William leaned in to kiss her fiercely.

Victoria's eyes widened, her mind exploding like thunder, and the world seemed to lose all sound.

She struggled desperately, and in her panic, she bit him hard!

William winced, frowning as he let go of her. He wiped his lip and saw the blood on his hand. He suddenly laughed. "Is it that hard to admit you like me?"

She was both angry and flustered, her face red. "I don't like you at all!"

He shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of defiance in his eyes. "I don't care."

William pinched her cheek again, his mood seemingly lifted, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"From now on, you stay by my side. You're not going anywhere."

Victoria bit her lip, trying to stay calm. She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. "So, am I your girlfriend?"