His Plaything Became the Heiress He Can't Touch

Edward's offhand tone hit her like a blade to the chest.

Through the rearview mirror, Carol caught Jessica gently tugging at Edward's arm, her voice soft with a hint of coquettish reproach. "Edward!"

Jessica turned toward Carol, trying to smooth things over with a warm smile. "Carol, don't take your brother too seriously. He loves to talk nonsense."

A sting tightened her throat, like a sliver of glass lodged where she couldn't swallow. Carol clenched the fabric of her coat and forced a calm front, pushing back the ache in her chest as she spoke sarcastically, "Mr. Dawson's right. Knowing one's limits is a virtue, after all."

There was a bite to her words, a subtle defiance.

Edward stared at her profile, waiting for some trace of annoyance to sneak through. But there was nothing-just her usual calm, maybe even colder than usual.

The car felt suddenly cramped, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.

Jessica's gaze slid between the two of them before she smiled again, without missing a beat. "I heard Carol completed her bachelor's, master's, and PhD all at MIT-majored in business administration, financial management, and public relations, right? Staying by your side as a personal assistant seems like such a waste of talent, Edward. Carol, someone like you should totally carve out your own path. With skills like yours, there's no way Ravensburg wouldn't make room for you."

Of course, she'd thought about it.

But...

Before Carol could get a word in, Edward's disdainful grunt cut her off.

"She got everything thanks to the Dawson family. After all that fancy schooling, the least she can do is work at Dawson Group to show some gratitude. Starting a business? That's not her place."

His arrogance dripped with contempt, like he couldn't stand the sight of her. Carol hadn't expected him to go that far-not in front of Jessica.

She used to give in, feeling cornered with no way out. But the pride in her bones had never truly faded.

"I've always been grateful to Raymond for raising me. But let's not forget-I got into MIT on my own."

She had no family background, but she'd always attended the best schools and received the best education.

Back when she was young, she didn't understand how Sophia pulled it off.

Now, having been part of this world for years, she understood. No shame in that. You play the cards you're dealt. If beauty helped her get ahead, then it was just another asset she knew how to use.

Sophia made sure she learned every bit of etiquette, every social cue, every 'noble' sport. After Sophia married into the Dawson family, Carol had access to even more.

"I can't give you a prestigious name or status," Sophia had once told her, "but I can make sure you get an education that puts you on equal footing with anyone."

Even if Sophia had changed, Carol never forgot that.

Edward scoffed again, his face a mask of open disdain.

"Ravensburg's full of talent. What it lacks isn't smart people-it's connections. Without family assets passed down generations, your ceiling's already fixed."

Anger flickered in Carol's eyes. This time, she didn't hold it in like usual. "And what about those wasting their days in luxury, doing nothing? Without competence to match, even the richest bloodline runs dry eventually."

Edward lazily leaned an arm on the car door and undid the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a stretch of toned skin beneath-nonchalantly seductive, with an edge of danger. His gaze sharpened.

"That jab for me? Don't forget where you stand."

Tch.

Lost in the heat of the moment, Carol accidentally pressed down on her injured hand, and the sharp pain made her gasp.

Hearing her hiss in pain, Edward instinctively leaned forward. But just as quickly, a flicker crossed his eyes-he must've thought of something-then he nonchalantly leaned back into his seat again, lazily crossing his legs while sneaking glances at Carol now and then.

Jessica turned to Carol, full of concern. "Carol, are you okay?"

The driver chimed in to explain, "Sir, while we were moving the luggage, Assistant Bright's hand got accidentally crushed."

Edward's expression shifted in a flash, and he leaned forward, brushing everything else aside. "Let me see your hand."

Carol turned her face away and ignored him entirely.

Not wanting to hurt her, Edward didn't try to take her hand, just leaned in closer for a look.

Her hand was swollen, bruising already starting to spread.

He shot a cold glance at the driver. "Moving luggage is your job. Carol works for me-for the company-not to handle your tasks."

The driver kept his head down, not daring to speak.

Jessica's voice was soft, guilt-ridden. "It's my fault. I kept chatting with Carol and didn't even notice she got hurt."

Realizing he might've just let too much emotion show, Edward casually rolled up his shirt sleeves.

Carol responded quietly, "Miss Green, it's not your fault."

Just then, her phone buzzed.

Edward's sharp eyes caught sight of the name "Christopher" on her screen before she quickly locked it.

Jessica spoke up. "Still, we should get that looked at."

Edward seemed distracted, clearly still thinking about something else. He glanced at Carol, who wouldn't even give him the time of day, and suddenly his tone went cold. "If she still has the energy to text someone, then it can't be that bad. No need to see a doctor."

"Edward, she only got hurt because she was helping me with the bags. Don't be like this."

Jessica turned to the driver. "Take us to the nearest hospital."

When they arrived at the hospital entrance, the driver tried to make up for earlier. "Miss Bright, I can go with you."

"No need. I can manage." Carol didn't even glance in Edward's direction.

Edward frowned at being brushed off like that. He spoke to the driver, but his eyes kept drifting back to Carol. "One person going to the hospital, are all three of us supposed to just hang around and wait with her?"

Jessica kept her head down, staring at her phone in silence.

Carol pressed her lips tightly together when no one was looking. In Edward's world, Jessica always came first.

The driver, no amateur, glanced at the dynamics and suggested carefully, "Sir, maybe you could go in with Miss Bright? I'll drive Miss Green home. That'd work best for both."

"What do you mean, best for both? Do you even hear yourself? Look at who you're talking about. Why would I go with someone like her and leave Jessica behind?"

Carol didn't say a word, just undid her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

"You two go ahead."

Jessica finally spoke up, smiling faintly. "Edward, just go in there with Carol."

"Fine! If you say so." Edward agreed, as if the only reason he was going was because Jessica asked. "Let the driver take you home. Text me when you get there so I know you're safe."

He opened the door, and a cold wind whooshed through the car.

Jessica wrinkled her nose and frowned. Through the frosted window, she watched Edward catch up quickly to Carol, walking beside her.

He took her bag right out of her hands like it was nothing.

"Miss Green, let's head back."

"Thanks," Jessica replied breezily, though her tone held something else.

Offhandedly, she added, "Edward's really something. Carol's still his sister, no matter what. Does he have to treat her like some stranger? Even his words are a bit too harsh."

The driver didn't read too much into it. "Sir's usually not like this to her. Don't know what's gotten into him today."

Jessica's soft eyes darkened ever so slightly...