The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In novel Chapter 740

Chapter 740 Must Stay by His Side

The way Victor held her so tightly, if the juice spilled, it would drench them both.

In the end, Tessa’s timid wriggling stopped, leaving her breathless and at his mercy.

Finished

Only when her chest rose and fell too quickly did he finally release her, lips curling. “Not bad. Sweet. Tastes like oranges.”

Her checks flushed crimson.

If not for her inconvenient timing, she was sure this man would have already torn her again.

apart

Victor’s hand squeezed her thigh, his warm breath brushing her neck as his voice dropped to a husky whisper. “I’ll deal with you in a few days.”

“Four,” she blurted.

Victor: “…”

“Yesterday was the first day,” she added quickly.

The moment the words left her mouth, her face burned hotter. Oh god–why had she said that out loud? It sounded like she was anticipating it herself.

Heaven knew she wasn’t…

Somehow, she had already grown used to Victor, forgetting that all of this had begun as a transaction.

Maybe because when it came to this, he was always so overbearing.

“I… can I call Marie?” she mumbled, desperate to change the subject.

Victor arched a brow. “And tell me–are you more worried about Marie’s anxiety, or your mother’s safety?”

Tessa faltered. The answer was obvious.

Of course she cared more about her mother’s safety.

But Marie… “It just feels wrong, using her like this,” she muttered.

Victor let out a low chuckle, eyes softening with amusement. “Morality? That’s a word my world’s never had.”

1/3

17:04 Thu, Sep 18 J

Chapter 740 Must Stay by His Side

She bit her lip. “But this is using Marie.”

Finished

She understood well enough: the more chaos in the Ashen Pact, the safer her mother might be.

Marie’s frenzy pinned the organization down, giving Diana precious time.

But leaning on Marie’s care for her–Tessa felt it was immoral.

“And won’t Marie be in danger?” she asked quickly, before he could answer.

If Marie really was at risk, she would tell her everything and beg her to leave.

As for her mother, she could go to the Ashen Pact herself, stall them if she had to.

“No danger,” Victor said calmly. “No one in the Ashen Pact dares touch her. She’s the Dawson family’s true–born princess. Unless they want to be erased from existence, they won’t lay a finger on her.”

After all, wasn’t Madam Evelyn striking at them now precisely because Dan had once hurt Marie?

Hearing this, Tessa’s heart finally eased.

Victor’s eyes lingered on her. “But you–going to the Ashen Pact? You wouldn’t stall them. You’d hand them the perfect leverage to threaten your mother.”

Ashen Pact was tearing the world apart searching for Diana.

And when she vanished, she’d taken something they had long sought above all else.

If Tessa went to them now, she’d be no more than bait, a bargaining chip to force Diana’s hand.

“So all I can do is hide?”

Her voice broke on the word.

Wasn’t it ironic? The Ashen Pact was her blood kin, yet because of them, she had no right to live openly beneath the sun.

He felt the sting in her words.

This time, his kiss was softer, gentler.

Tears slid from her eyes, unbidden. She had never imagined her life would end up like this.

He caught each tear with his lips, murmuring against her skin. “Not hiding. Living at my side.”

213

17:04 Thu, Sep 18 d..

Chapter 740 Must Stay by His Side

The words were tender, yet powerful.

They carried a certainty, a shield of safety so strong she couldn’t help but lean into it.

He was right. She wasn’t hiding. She was simply bound to stay at his side.

59

Finished

With Victor’s comfort, Tessa finally quieted, letting his wings close around her.

Meanwhile, the Ashen Pact fell into greater disarray.

Madam Evelyn’s tactics were ruthless, her assault overwhelming. In just a single day, her forces had seized control of two–thirds of Cyren Mines.

Two–thirds–practically stripping the Ashen Pact of sovereignty over it.

Inside Black Mountain’s study, a crash echoed.

“Bang-!”

“Clatter-!”

Even outside the doors, the sound of shattering objects rang clear.

Dale stood amid the wreckage, rage consuming him, the entire desk swept clean with a single violent strike.