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2024-10-29 19:42:56As Ryan and Jenna walked towards the gate, he decided to have an important discussion with her before he left.
"Jenna," he began, his voice gentle but firm, "have you ever thought about living on your own?" She looked up, surprised. "What do you mean? I’m fine here." "I know," he replied, stepping closer. "But... you are smart and capable. It might be good for you to think about having your own place someday, maybe very soon, since you've gotten yourself a big job. It could give you some freedom and particularly a chance to really figure things out for yourself." She bit her lip, considering his words. "I don’t know... it is just so comfortable here with dad and the family." "I get it," he said, nodding. "But comfort is not everything. Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow." She stared at him for a long moment, as if trying to read his intentions. Finally, she nodded. "I will think about it." "Good," he smiled. "That’s all I ask, and it is for your own good." He then exchanged goodbyes with her and stepped out into the cool night air. The walk home was quiet; the sound of his footsteps was the only thing breaking the silence. His visit to Lee's family replayed in his mind, especially his discussion with Jenna. He hoped she would take his advice seriously because he was certain that it would be a deal-breaker and the mark of a turning point for her and her family if she did. As he rounded a corner, a voice cut through the stillness. "Nice shirt." He looked up, surprised to see a woman leaning casually against a streetlamp. Her presence was immediately striking—tall, elegant, with an effortless grace that seemed out of place in this quiet part of town. It was Sarah. She lived in the same neighbourhood as Mr. Lee and was Ryder's former neighbour when he was living in the area. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as they flicked over his shirt. "Namibian blue diamond buttons, right? It must have cost you a few million." He froze. His hand instinctively went to his collar, brushing against the small, inconspicuous buttons. "Uh, it is just a shirt," he mumbled, trying to downplay it. She laughed softly. "Yes, just a shirt that only the wealthiest people in the world would own. Come on, you expect me to believe you are just some humble skewer seller?" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I sell skewers. That’s all." She had been suspicious of his identity ever since he helped her solve a difficult university-level mathematics equation. It was the exact reason he distanced himself away from her. She raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Sure, and I am the queen of England." "I like nice things, but that does not mean I’m rolling in money," he replied. She tilted her head, studying him for a moment before giving a small nod. "Fair enough. Simplicity is nice." Her gaze softened slightly. "But it will be hard for someone who recognises you wearing something worth more than most people’s houses to consider you just a skewer seller, just like I am," she added. He shrugged. “Everyone knows me as the guy who sells skewers. I’ve been doing it for five years, so I don’t get why you've been so convinced I am something else.” “Alright,” she laughed. “If that is true, you might want to work on how you come across. Especially around women.” He arched his brows. "What do you mean?" "You know what I mean, Ryan. I don't need to spill out everything to you." She retorted. "I'm not trying to impress anyone or pretend to be someone I'm not, Sarah. I just like getting what I want, and that's it," he reminded her. She smiled. "But not every woman will find that appealing. Sometimes, you need to present yourself at the level to which you actually belong." "Okay, I will keep that in mind," he said, to end the conversation. He was relieved by how he handled the situation. "That will be better," she said with a wink. Then, without another word, she turned and started walking down the street, her figure gradually blending into the shadows. He watched her go, a swirl of emotions tugging at him. He was not sure what to make of the encounter. She saw right through him, and she didn't seem to buy his story. “That was close,” he muttered, hoping he could keep his real identity hidden for as long as he needed. He then continued his walk home, thinking about the new life that awaited him the next day.
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The constant knocking on the door dragged Ryan out of sleep the next morning.Groaning, he stumbled towards the door, still in his undershorts. Yesterday had been exhausting, and he had stayed up late. But when he opened the door, his eyes widened in surprise—it was Jane. She looked just as startled, clearly not expecting him to be so unprepared on their big day.“Have you forgotten the significance of today for us?” she asked, frustration edging her voice.He quickly apologised, promising he would be ready in just a few minutes. He invited her in and hurried off to get prepared.When he walked out of his small bedroom, she was taken aback by how good he looked.Even though he was just wearing a simple white shirt with black stripes and black trousers, he looked handsome enough to make any woman turn her head."No wonder he has a reputation for attracting women," she thought inwardly.Still, even though he was exactly her type, she did not feel any romantic interest in him."This i
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The morning air was still cool when Ryan's phone buzzed. Groggy and annoyed, he answered it to hear Jane’s voice on the other end."I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to pick you up as promised. I’ve got an emergency meeting out of state," she said, her tone brisk."What about your driver? Can’t he come and pick me up?” He asked, his irritation seeping into his voice."No,” she responded sharply. "You will have to find your own way to my house.”Before he could protest, she hung up. A few moments later, his phone pinged again—this time, it was a text with the address and some money for transport.He stared at the credit alert, his annoyance growing. "She is such a rude asshole,” he muttered, pocketing his phone. Even though they had agreed to keep things strictly business, he had hoped she would show a bit of common courtesy. Instead, it felt like she was going out of her way to make things difficult.“I guess that is what I will have to deal with for the next three years,” he sighed
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As Ryan drove back to the estate gate, he stopped as the security guard approached the car before opening the gate to let him out. Ryan rolled down the window, smirking as the guard's eyes widened in shock at the sight of him in the sleek car.Ryan scoffed, locking eyes with the guard. "What, you think I stole it because I’m too poor to own something this nice?"The guard struggled to find words, his mouth opening and closing uselessly."Open the gate and let me out of here, you lowlife," Ryan snapped.He chuckled as he watched the guard trudge back to the gatehouse."It’s always the ones with nothing who look down on others when they get a taste of the good life," he muttered to himself.Once the gate was open, he drove forward a bit and stopped in front of the gatehouse."Is there... is anything wrong, sir?" The guard drawled."Sir?" Ryan chuckled.He leaned closer, his voice dripping with mockery. “Don’t worry, I won’t report you to your employer. Your job is safe... for now.”A s
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As the officer approached the scene, the young man ran to him."Mr. Jackson!" The officer recognised him instantly."Thank God you are here." The young man—Mr. Jackson said."You see that scumbag over there?" He pointed towards Ryan, who was still standing with the girl. "You won't believe he humiliated me. Me, of all people!" A smirk crossed his face as Ryder's gaze locked with his.The officer quickly apologised to Mr. Jackson, assuring him that he would handle the situation, and then approached Ryder.After asking Ryder what had happened, which Ryder explained in detail, the officer informed him that he would need to come down to the station on charges of intentionally causing traffic and assaulting Mr. Jackson.Ryan scoffed, already predicting how things would unfold. "Intentionally causing traffic? Did you even listen to what I said caused all of this? Since you're clearly choosing not to believe me, why don't you ask the witnesses around?"But to Ryan's surprise, no one spoke u
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For a long, tense moment, neither Ryan nor Jane spoke. The silence between them was suffocating as each second stretched out like an eternity. His eyes locked onto hers, searching for answers she wasn’t ready to give. His fists tightened at his sides as he struggled to keep his anger in check. He exhaled quietly, deciding to break the silence. “Jane?” he whispered. "What’s this slap about? What did I do to deserve it?” She scoffed in disbelief, taking a step back. "How can you even ask me that after what you have done? You’re unbelievable.” “I honestly don’t know what you are talking about. I’m completely in the dark here,” he replied, his voice calm, though anger simmered beneath the surface. She shook her head, frustration clear in her eyes. “I thought you were different, someone who wouldn’t abuse their change in status. But I guess I was wrong. Maybe people are all the same after all.” But Ryan was still clueless. “I don’t understand what all this is for. Just e
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"Shouldn't you at least tell me where we are headed?" Ryan asked Jane as they drove toward the destination she had mentioned earlier.He was sitting beside her. "You will find out when we get there," she replied sternly, without making an attempt to look at him. The drive continued in silence until Ryan's phone rang, breaking the quiet.It was Rose."I thought you were dead," she joked as soon as Ryan answered. "Yeah, your call brought me back to life," he replied, and they both laughed.For the first time since the trip began, Jane glanced at him, surprised and curious about who was on the other end of the line."I was really worried, Ryan. I thought you had been imprisoned, and I couldn't make it to the station because of what you told me." Her voice was filled with concern. "I'm sorry," Ryan apologised, explaining that he was released the same night."How? Where are you, anyway? Everyone is freaking out, even Mr. Lee. He said he has not been able to reach you, and you have not
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Ryan was about to say, "I used to sell skewers on the street before I got into construction. I now own a construction company." He wanted to test if Jane's family, especially her grandmother, only cared about money and status. He figured dropping this information would show their true colors. "He is the CEO of a construction company." Jane cut in. "Will you shut up this instant?!How dare you speak on his behalf when he is here?! Can't he speak?" The grandmother growled. Jane apologised, and Ryan agreed with what she said, realising he didn't need to stick to his original plan anymore. The grandmother scoffed, "The CEO of a construction company? Who is your family?" He chuckled. "Actually, I'm an orphan. I don't have a family, and my adopted mother has passed away." "Besides the construction company, what other businesses do you own and run?" He already knew where the conversation was headed and confirmed that she was materialistic. He chuckled. "That is the only
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As Ryan stepped out of the sleek, black Mercedes-Benz S-Class that Jane had granted him to use as his, heads turned. His Versace suit screamed wealth. The vendors barely recognised him, assuming he was just another wealthy customer until he removed his sunglasses, revealing his face."Ryan?" Someone muttered.A gasp rippled through the crowd. People immediately gathered around him, their surprise evident. Some whispered to each other in disbelief, while others simply stared. Ryan stood there, his eyes scanning the crowd with an air of superiority.Mr. Lee, the man who had known him the longest, pushed through the group. "Ryan, where have you been all this while?" His voice was laced with concern. "Do you know how worried everyone has been, not hearing from you?"Ryan smirked, his lips curling up mockingly. "Well, as you can see, I'm alive and healthy."Mr. Lee glanced at the car, the suit, and then back at Ryan. "What is going on? What is with the car and the clothes?""That is b
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Chapter Sixty
Ryan had always found a way around every obstacle, but this time, it felt like he had hit a dead end. No amount of thinking or even a smoke break could help him figure out a way forward without exposing his true identity. Frustrated and angry, he decided to leave the house the night after the break-in. Staying any longer meant facing her, and that was something he just could not do without getting annoyed at her.He sat in the car, ready to start the engine, when a knock on the window made him pause. It turned out to be Jane. "What's going on, Ryan? You've been avoiding me since... since yesterday," she said as he rolled the window down. Earlier, Lauren had seen Ryan walking through the living room with a travel bag in hand. Sensing something was off, she went straight to Jane. "It looks like he's leaving for a while," Lauren told her. "With the travel bag, I’m pretty sure he’s not coming back anytime soon.""So why are you asking me when you know I have?" Ryan scoffed, his face
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Chapter Fifty-nine
Lauren's face was pale, fear still flickering in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she stammered, "It was some men... they were wearing masks... they broke in and attacked me."But that did not concern Ryan."What did they take?" he asked her swiftly, his mind racing.He was devastated when she broke the news to him that it was a document from his room they took as the implications clawed at his chest. A man who introduced himself as the head of the estate security team stepped forward."Sir, be rest assured that the culprits will be arrested. We are already on it. The gates are locked, and no one’s leaving." He assured Ryan.Ryan scoffed, disbelief etched on his face. "You're assuring me? If your team had done the necessary thing instead of following a useless protocol when I reported it, none of this would have happened!" He scowled."I'm sorry about that. I've been briefed on it, but you can't really blame the person since it's the protocol, and it can't be violated. But don't worr
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Chapter Fifty-eight
Two days after Ryan received the proposal, Jane's grandmother unexpectedly invited him and Jane to a family meeting, catching them off guard after everything that had happened the other day. "What about the offer from Hyeom Group? Have you signed it?" the grandmother asked Ryan as soon as the meeting began, after making him and Jane wait for a long time.Ryan chuckled in amusement when she asked him why he was yet to sign it and submit it to the company. "Why are you suddenly concerned about it? Didn't you want me to reject it two days ago?" he replied. She leaned back on her chair. "I need answers, boy. I need to know your decision on it, whether you've chosen this family over the offer or the other way around."He scoffed. "Is this family worth it?"Everyone's eyes widened in shock, including Jane's. She had begged him before they left home to be on his best behaviour, but he was done pretending she had any real say over their lives—especially his. "What are you doing, Ryan?" S
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Chapter Fifty-seven
The moment Ryan's uncle stepped into the boardroom, he muttered a brisk "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," as he acknowledged the board directors and shareholders gathered for the emergency meeting he had called to set things straight. After settling into his chair, he let his gaze sweep across the room, taking in each face one by one. A small smile tugged at his lips seeing that everyone was present, just as he wanted.Mr. Cho, whose face has been scrunched in fury, leaned forward.“Where is he?” he asked, his voice cutting through the room like the crack of a whip. “Where is the chairman? We believe that the reason for this meeting is for you to finally reveal who the chairman is to us, as we've demanded."Murmurs of agreement echoed from several of them, some nodding, and others staring expectantly at Ryan's uncle.With an unreadable expression but a faint smile, he announced, his voice carrying the weight of control. “Yes, part of this meeting is about the chairman."Curiosi
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Chapter Fifty-six
Ryan had arranged to meet his uncle at the unfinished building where he interrogated Chris. To get there, he disguised himself and hired a taxi to prevent being followed.Ryan laughed hysterically, much to his uncle's surprise, when his uncle explained in detail to him how drastic the meeting with the directors and shareholders ended. "What's funny?" His uncle asked him with a furrowed brow. "It is uncle. I'm surprised it is the reason you demanded we meet urgently," he replied.“You know this is all your fault, right?” He added, realising that his uncle's silence was a request for clarification.His uncle's brow furrowing in confusion. “What? How?” Ryan let out a scoff. "How is it your fault?” he repeated mockingly. “It is the way you’ve been handling them with levity, Uncle. From the way you described Director Cho—is that his name?” His uncle nodded in affirmation.“From the way you said he acts and speaks condescendingly to you like you are beneath him says a lot, uncle. it sa
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Chapter Fifty-five
The joint meeting between the board of directors and the shareholders was nearing its end in the boardroom when Mr. Cho suddenly cleared his throat to draw every gaze to him. "Before we round up this meeting,” he began, his lips curling into a smug smile, "I’d like to bring to notice something important that needs to be discussed.” Ryan's uncle, seated at the head of the table, leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze locking onto Mr. Cho. "Go ahead," he said curtly, motioning for him to continue. Mr. Cho adjusted his tie and straightened his suit jacket like he had all the time in the world before scanning each face in the room. "It is concerning the Managing Director of the construction company,” he declared. "It has been weeks since the position became vacant, and I think it’s time we discuss who should take over the role.” Several shareholders and directors nodded in agreement, some more eager than others, while a few muttered their support under their breaths. Rya
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Chapter Fifty-four
Mr. Grant's sleek, black sedan pulled up in front of a sprawling mansion illuminated by golden lights that belonged to Mr. Alfred Cho, one of the most influential directors of the Hyeon Group.Mr. Grant is a senior manager of the Hyeon Group. "We are here,” Mr. Grant said as the driver stepped out to open the doors. Ethan gave him a curt nod, his mind buzzing with strategy as he adjusted his tie.As they approached the double doors, a maid opened them, bowing politely. “Mr. Cho is expecting you.” Inside, the grandeur was overwhelming—polished floors, an extravagant chandelier, and artwork that screamed wealth and status. Mr. Cho was seated on a leather couch in the living room, flanked by his wife and his daughter.Ethan stepped forward, flashing a polite smile at Mr. Cho after Mr. Grant and Mr. Cho had exchanged greetings."Mr. Cho, it’s an honour to meet you. I’m Ethan Lin, the heir to the Lin Empire."Mr. Cho barely nodded, his expression unreadable."The heir? I thought the fi
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Chapter Fifty-three
The car cruised through the quiet streets, the hum of the engine the only sound between Ryan and Jane. She sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her arms folded tightly as she replayed the heated confrontation between Ryan and her family in her head, her chest tightening at the memory of her grandmother’s words—"You better talk some sense into him, or you will be the one paying most of the prices." A storm was brewing, and she knew it would not take long before it reached them.Ryan broke the silence first. “You’ve been quiet, Jane. What’s on your mind?”“You know… it’s not too late to go back,” she replied.He shot her a quick glance before returning his eyes to the road. “What?!”“We shouldn’t have left like that,” she continued, choosing her words carefully. "We should have stayed, heard her out, and left on better terms. Even if we didn’t agree with her, at least we would not have pissed her off.”He exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. “Pissing her off w
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Chapter Fifty-two
Jane’s family remained in silence as Ryan drove away with Jane.The grandmother finally spoke up, calling everyone’s attention."Alright, everyone, I need you all to focus. I think it’s best we talk about this now, while that brat isn’t here, like he suggested," she said firmly."Exactly, Grandmother!" Ethan shot up from the couch, pacing restlessly."We need to do something about this, and fast. I can’t believe this is happening."She ordered him to return to his seat, but he hesitated until she raised her voice at him."How will pacing around solve this? Just sit down, and let's discuss this properly."Even as he sat back down, his nerves would not settle as his legs bounced restlessly, shaking with anxiety. “Does anyone have anything to say about the offer?” the grandmother asked.The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone mulled over it until Noah finally broke it with a chuckle.“I’m still trying to wrap my head around why I’m the only one who doesn’t think this is a big dea
