Still You Still Me Still Falling novel Chapter 142

Edmond continued, "Back then, he was just a broke kid stepping into the Rhodes household, with zero foundation and zero backing—and keep in mind, the other brothers in that family all had prominent maternal connections. For Cecil to drag them down and take the head seat himself, do you really think he relied on luck?"

Sheila frowned. "So what?"

How Cecil carved a bloody path to the top, and whatever ruthless methods he used to get everything he had today.

What did any of that have to do with her?

In her mind, Cecil was just the boy next door. He was good to her, they grew up together, and that kind of bond wasn't easily replaced or smeared by anyone.

Edmond stared at her. "Aren't you afraid he'll use those same exact methods on you?"

"No," she replied plainly.

"You are unbelievably..." His jaw tightened, and he spat out, "Stubborn!"

"Are you going to keep talking about Cecil, or are we going to discuss your condition?" she asked. "I'm done eating. If you aren't going to tell me, I'm leaving."

"Don't you dare." Edmond's voice was low. "Take one step and see what happens."

He knew he had her cornered because she was the one in his debt.

She really couldn't just walk away.

"Then hurry up and tell me," she urged.

"You should have anticipated the consequences when you called me," he said. "But you made the call anyway."

"I thought you wouldn't pick up," she admitted. "And even if you did, I thought you'd turn me down."

"With such a perfect opportunity to get you in my grip, why on earth would I refuse?"

She was entirely baffled. "We're already broken up. What's the point of holding this over my head? Is it just because of what happened in the past... you're holding a grudge?"

"Holding a grudge..." Edmond repeated the phrase, a dark chuckle escaping him. "That's actually very accurate."

"Let the past stay in the past. People have to look forward. What's the point of obsessing over everything that happened? If you feel like our breakup was messy and made you lose face, I can apologize to you."

She thought for a moment and added, "You can even call all your friends over, and I'll apologize to you right in front of them."

She felt like she had fallen straight into a trap.

And the worst part was, she had dug this pit for herself.

"Since you haven't figured it out yet, I'll head back," she said. "Let me know when you do. As long as it's within my power, I'll agree to it."

He stood up. "I'll take you home."

"There's no need—"

He cut her off. "Who knows, maybe I'll figure it out on the drive back."

He was already stringing her along before he had even named his terms.

On the ride back, she leaned against the car door, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible.

She had originally wanted to sit in the passenger seat, but a bodyguard was already occupying it.

Even though they were sitting on opposite ends of the spacious backseat, his intense presence still constantly washed over her.