Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Restraint

“Huh?” Jessie Sterling still didn’t understand why Victor Morgan’s friend needed to apologize to her.

“The KTV you went to tonight is one of his properties,” Victor explained. “His security staff’s failure to find the scissors Shawn Stuart was carrying on him right away was a dereliction of their duty.”

Worried that Jessie didn’t know much about Xavier Warren, Victor quickly added, “He owns a number of leisure and vacation spots, as well as The Caldera Resort.”

When Jessie heard the words “hot spring,” her eyes lit up.

She really couldn’t stand the northern winters. Even with heating at home, the dry weather was completely different from Southaven, which was so close to the sea. She had to slather on three layers of body lotion after her shower every day just to keep her skin hydrated.

The chance to soak in a hot spring would be absolutely perfect.

“Are they natural hot springs?” Jessie asked.

’If they’re artificial, then what’s the point?’

Before Victor could speak, Xavier Warren, who was still on the other end of the line, grew frantic.

’You can question me as a person, but you can’t question my entertainment empire! No way!’

In all of Aethelburg, when it came to leisure and luxury, who didn’t know the name Xavier Warren!

“Jessie! I guarantee The Caldera Resort’s springs are one hundred percent natural! We have tons of pools! And every villa is built right near a springhead—we don’t pipe the water in. I guarantee it’s pristine and all-natural. The grounds are absolutely incredible. You’ll see when you get here,” Xavier Warren bellowed through the phone.

Victor: “…”

Jessie: “…”

“He’s just a little unpredictable,” Victor explained, his tone full of disdain.

Jessie couldn’t help but laugh.

She had met a few of Victor’s friends at their wedding. They had all seemed so distinguished and impressive then; she never would have guessed one of them was such a character in private.

“Okay,” Jessie nodded. “I’m free anytime. I’ll follow your schedule.”

After all, her work schedule was the most flexible, so she could easily accommodate Victor and his friends’ plans.

Xavier, having heard Jessie’s voice over the phone, immediately said, “Great! How about tomorrow, then?”

“Tomorrow’s no good,” Victor answered first. “She’s busy for the next few days and can’t get away.”

Upon hearing that, Xavier mumbled something before saying he’d look into it and they could all discuss it in their group chat later.

Jessie waited until Victor hung up before asking, “Why not tomorrow?”

Victor took her hand as they walked along the path back to their courtyard. Because Jessie was afraid of the dark, the yard was brightly lit. A strip of lights ran through the grass at their feet, illuminating the bluestone path with perfect clarity.

“Don’t you have your website’s annual event tomorrow and the day after? What, are you not going anymore?” Victor asked.

And in fact, Jessie was planning on not going.

Victor was surprised. He had seen how excited and eager Jessie was about it before.

“Is it because of what happened tonight?” Victor asked. “Don’t worry about it. He won’t be getting out for at least three to five years.”

This counted as attempted murder. Even if it didn’t, Victor’s legal team would make sure Shawn Stuart paid dearly. And even after he was released, Victor would have him monitored to ensure he never got a single chance to get near Jessie again.

Victor didn’t want Jessie to be left with any emotional scars from this.

“No.” Jessie tilted her head back and smiled at the man beside her. ’I’m not that fragile.’ “I just ran into Ivan Hudson at dinner, and now I feel like there’s no point in going tomorrow.”

Jessie pursed her lips, looking thoroughly displeased with Ivan Hudson.

Those were her online personas, but Ivan Hudson had no concept of the wall between the online world and real life. He actually blew her real-life cover in front of her online friends, which just sucked all the fun out of it.

Although Victor didn’t quite understand what Jessie meant by “sucked all the fun out of it,” if she didn’t want to go, then she didn’t have to.

“Okay, then we’re in no rush to go to Xavier’s resort. We can go after you’ve rested for a few days and feel up to it,” Victor said.

Jessie was a bit clingy that night. He wondered if she was still a little shaken.

After they got ready and climbed into bed, she was like a little kitten, smelling faintly of milk, as she continuously nuzzled and burrowed into Victor’s arms.

With the soft, fragrant bundle in his arms, Victor—who certainly didn’t consider himself an ascetic—quickly found himself worked up by Jessie’s nuzzling.

He lowered his head, his lips kissing the crown of Jessie’s hair, while his large hand slid from her waist and gave her firm bottom two pats.

“Still squirming?” Victor had decided to let her off the hook for the night, considering she’d had a scare and wasn’t up for any strenuous activity before bed. But clearly, Jessie hadn’t gotten the memo and was still rubbing against him. “Don’t want to sleep tonight?”

Jessie quickly shook her head. “Of course I do!” But even after saying that, she didn’t settle down, instead reaching out to poke Victor’s chest.

“What is it now?” Victor’s tone was one of resignation, but he still asked patiently, without a hint of irritation.

Jessie: “You need to rein that thing in.”

It was very uncomfortable. Who could sleep with a hard log pressing into them? Could that possibly be comfortable?

Victor: “…”

’If she hadn’t been squirming in my arms like a restless little animal just now, would I be like this?’

At that moment, Victor felt a real urge to teach Jessie a proper lesson. But when he looked down and met the sparkling, innocent eyes of the woman in his arms, he sighed to himself, let her go, and sat up in bed.

Jessie immediately grabbed the back of his pajama top. “Where are you going?” Before Victor could answer, she was already mumbling, “I tell you not to get so worked up, and now you’re going to sleep in another bed?”

She was genuinely complaining, but her voice was also undeniably coquettish.

If Victor had truly intended to sleep elsewhere, he knew that the moment he heard her voice, any such thought would have vanished completely.

Turning back, Victor caught the wrist that was tugging on his pajamas. He rubbed it gently a couple of times, then suddenly bent over, scooped Jessie right off the bed, and settled her onto his lap.

He lowered his head and silenced her chattering little mouth with a kiss.

Jessie let out a little “Ah!” but before she could react, Victor had captured her breath.

Her gasp of surprise was all but swallowed by him.

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