2023-09-29 18:08:57
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The Revenger's System 105. Sit Ups and the Likes
That afteroon, in their new home, Violet saw Ryan by the side of the pool.It was one of the defining feature that made her want to have this particular estate as a home. A swimming pool on the second floor, right beside the patio she loved so much. She could see the beach and vast sea in front of her, soft waves rushing here and there like a romantic painting.Turning her blue eyes from that dreamy sight,Violet looked around them and back at him again. “Anyway, what are you doing here, laying like a lazy seal?”Ryan averted his gaze away, a bit shy. “I’m, ugh…”Fine.He was embarrassed.Must he say it in front of her?Violet looked down at him, waiting with an impatient tap of her foot against the floor.He sighed and looked at the soft current of the swimming pool that overlooked the Orchard beach, spreading wide in front of them.Ryan never thought he'd say something alon
The Revenger's System 106. Can't Take A Breath
Ryan laid back with his hands behind his neck and took a deep breath. He pushed his upper body off the floor until he was at eye level with Violet. She looked at him with an impassive face, but the grounding hold of her hands felt warm around his ankles, making him wonder if–He laid back and once again took a deep breath before he pushed himself off the floor for the second time. Her face became so close to him, and she glared at him, daring him to do something funny.“I’ll dump you to the floor if you touch me, you hear me?”“I know,” Ryan said before he laid back again.But she told him, “Don’t lay there.”“I wans’t.”“Don’t let your back touch the floor and get back up again.”Ryan tried to do that. He held his breath as he extorted his abdominal muscles to prevent his back from touching the floor. He could hold out for a few seconds, but it
The Revenger's System 107. Side by Side with You
The sky was blue. Vast, with floating white clouds saying hello to the people of the Earth.And Ryan had no damn care for that.His sight was full of black spots. He could still see the spots mocking him behind if he closed his eyes. Sadly, that wasn't the only problem he had."Hah!"The air seemed to refuse, filling his lungs fast enough. He couldn't breathe. Ragged, with his heart pounding in his chest, constricting wildly to pump the blood through his veins.He couldn't move a muscle."Oh, my…"Violet peered at him from her sitting position by the pool. Her feet were inside the water, leaving her knees dry. She leaned back on her palm and once again mocked him with her eyes."You're so done already after five repetitive sit ups? Come on, talks about getting stronger and you can't even catch up with my daily exercise yet?"Ryan let her be.Well, what choice did he have anyway? Even breathing was hard, let
The Revenger's System 108. One More Time
Dimn ballroom with overhead lights casting the runway in a cold, bluish color. The midnight blue curtains part for each model. A Strobe of lights danced on either side, matching the background's slow beat.Pretty people in fancy clothes sat on the chairs along the runway's sides, perhaps celebrities and the riches. He might not be able to name even one of them, but Ryan could tell that none seemed friendly. He had proved it by saying hello to the woman sitting next to him with big busts and overly-done ginger hair. She didn't even bat an eye, preferring to look ahead with a perfect smile on her heavy makeup face.Sighing, Ryan did the same. The models on the runway were as tall as a lamp post, with long legs and curvaceous bodies. He didn't think three hours were enough to do their hair alone, let alone apply some of their bold makeup. Here, he wasn't talking about bright red and gold eyeliners but more like black lipstick and dark blue around their eyes.He won
The Revenger's System 109. The Name of Our Production House
The sky was still bright, with lazy floating white clouds high above, and salty breeze from the open sea in front of them. Ryan brought his folded arms on the edge of their private pool, mirroring Violet who was in the same position as him. They shared this comfortable silence for once, feeling relaxed even when they were still in the middle of a shitstorm. Just for this while, they forget about all of the rioting media out there, choosing to enjoy this moment while they can. Because, like it or not, they must be back in the public eye. It was something they couldn’t escape from, except for a short respite. The pool’s water was cool against their skin. Soft, small currents from the bottom of the pool made them sway with buoyancy. Today was especially hot, so hanging out here felt the best. Furthermore, so with his wife by his side. “So… I have several names for our production house,” Violet declared, picking Ryan’s attention. He glanced at her with a smile on his face, “That’s qu
The Revenger's System 110. Wild Crown
The name of their production house. Ryan never thought they’d talk about this in the first place. Hell, he never thought he’d share a pool with Violet and look at the beach and open sea in front of them from their own house on top of a hill. Not even once had he ever imagined it would be reality. But here they were now. Floating on the edge of their private pool, enjoying the sunny afternoon with such a blue sight in front of them. Ryan couldn’t be any happier. Yet, he expected their happiness would grow even more from here on. Starting with naming their production house. “Fire Crowne, you said?” Ryan hummed, repeating that name again in his head before he nodded, “I’m fine with that.” However, unlike what he thought earlier, Violet was troubled by it. Somehow. “Well, I’m not.” He frowned, not following. “But you’re the one who suggested it.” “Yes, and you didn’t protest.” He really could not follow her trail of thoughts. “You want me to protest?” “Yes. Just, tell me of you
The Revenger's System 111. Parents Running Away
A sudden ring from a certain phone broke the contentment they both felt. They both swam to the side of the pool and got out of there. Violet picked up her phone while Ryan fetched two towels from the room beside the pool. It was a short trip, but when he came back, Violet looked like she was seeing a ghost. Or hearing what a ghost sounded like right in her ear. “What is it?” Ryan asked her, frowning ever so slightly. He dropped the towel on her shoulders while wearing his own with his baggy t-shirt still on. Violet didn’t answer right away. She looked at him and accepted the towel, troubled. Something big weighted heavily on her mind, that was for sure. Then, when he contemplated whether he should ask her again in case she didn’t hear or if he should just ignore it for its probably unimportant feel, Violet grabbed the sleeve of his towel. She said, “Mom leaves home.” Ryan blinked, yet confused again. “Ugh… sure?” Clicking her tongue, Violet crossed her arms in front of her che
The Revenger's System 112. Before the Meeting
Ryan got on the plane after he had breakfast with Violet. There was some small change in the ceremony. Or whatever people call it, this handling of the company he didn't want. He only needed less than three three-hour drive if Ashford Group's headquarters was still in Lancaster. But, through all of his disappearance in the last ten years, he didn't think that Howard would move the company's headquarters halfway through all the States. Located in Seattle, it was basically on the other side of America. Then, after a few hours of flight, the plane was ready to land. Ryan watched for a moment as other people around him were getting ready to board off the plane. Looking back out the window, Ryan wondered if he should ask Violet to accompany him. She might say yes, and they might explore Seattle for some time. Although, he would leave the next day, so he'd prefer to get some rest any other way. Exiting the small loading bridge from the plane, he was relieved when he stepped on solid fl
Latest Chapter
156. Signing His Death Sentence
Ryan struggled to stay awake as he stared blankly at one of the bare white walls around him.The hum of the bright fluorescent lights above him flickered occasionally, breaking him in and out of his trance. There were no windows except for the small one at the door, which barely showed into the hallway.He had long lost count of the hours he had been held inside this room since he arrived. He felt tired and broken in more ways than one, but he was managing, and that is all he could do right now.He just needed to hold out a little longer.Just a little longer.Shifting his gaze at the paper before him, it did not take long to realize that no one here was ever on his side to begin with. Telling the truth did not matter. Everyone believed he was a murderer. He was guilty the moment he was arrested, and they made that very clear after trying to repeatedly beat him into signing the confession, making sure to avoid his face. Anything that his prison uniform did cover, they beat until they
155. Turning Table is Not that Simple
The interrogation room was well air-conditioned, it was supposed to be cold. Yet, Ryan couldn’t feel anything but stifling heat from deep within his chest. He felt rage, more than fear or puzzlement at this point.There was only one person who could and would frame him, but getting everyone to believe was hard. Almost impossible, even.Leaning back in his chair, Detective Pierce continued, "Let me tell you the short version of what I think happened. You murdered Jorge and left Edric for dead. You left straight from the party to the airport, trying to flee the scene of the crime.""That's ridiculous.""Why else would you leave Seattle in such a hurry? Were you planning to leave the country next?"Glaring, Ryan griped out a resounding, "No, I simply went home. If I wanted to run, I'd go anywhere but there, wouldn't you think?""It's not far-fetched for you to gather your things and prepare to disappear for good. You wanted revenge for your father's death and you wanted to take down the
154. Murder Interrogation
Still in shock, Ryan asked the police officer who told him to step forward. "Can I make a phone call?""You're not allowed.""What about an attorney?""The police will contact one on your behalf once you've been transferred.""Transferred?"The officer sighed, pushing him to move forward after a moment. "To Seattle's police jurisdiction. Now stop talking and walk."Following the orders to move, Ryan was taken to a small check-in station where an officer forcefully dipped each of his fingers in black ink, printing each digit on a white paper document.Once they were finished, he was escorted into another area, which was equipped with a digital camera and a large backdrop against the wall that was marked with varying heights. He inwardly sighed as he was given a small blackboard with his name to hold up.An officer instructed him to stand up straight and look towards the camera. He flinched as the flash sounded and wa
153. Arrested in Cuffs
Opening the door, Ryan was alarmed at finding a couple of police officers standing on the other side. Glancing at the police car in the driveway, his face drained at wondering what the hell was going on."Are you Ryan Wilder?" one of the officers asked."…Yes."One of the men immediately took his hand and placed a handcuff around his wrist, pulling his other arm behind his back before adding another cuff.Another officer said, "Ryan Wilder, you are hereby under arrest on suspicion of murder."His mouth fell open in complete disbelief. "What?""You have the right to remain silent," the officer continued. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?"His knees felt weak. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. If this really was a dream after
152. Running Away Together
Everything was a blur as Ryan rushed down the hall and burst through the door where they had last left Violet and Edric.What he had found on the other side was his worst nightmare realized.Kneeling down as he pulled Violet limply into his arms, he shakily touched the side of her draining face and gently shook her, finding no response. Choking out her name through cracked whispers over and over, he couldn't stop the sudden tears blurring his vision.Never in his life had Ryan ever felt so hurt and broken as he did now."G-God, no…" he whimpered. "Violet, please… please wake up."Every silent second that passed felt like eternity as his chest began to heave with broken sobs. His throat burned and his eyes clenched in anguish.Weakly picking himself up to see her face, he brushed back her bangs and froze when her blue eyes slowly fluttered open. Everything around him grew still like he was viewing a dream
151. Fight Against Luck
Violet was ready to fight him. She had trained in several martial arts and mastered them for self-defense against harmful men like him. Rendering Edric useless was an easy task. She had almost done that months ago, when he was still playing with his old dog. Come to think of it, where was that old dog of his again? Violet’s blue eyes were focused as she shifted into a defensive stance, her lithe frame ready for action. On the other hand, Edric appeared remarkably nonchalant, sitting at a table with a book and a wide grin on his face as if he knew something Violet didn’t. The first move came from the infamous actress. Her movements were swift and precise, as she had aimed a roundhouse kick at Edric’s head. The red dress with high open slit at her tight created a beautiful motion picture, if one were to enjoy it. Sadly, the circumstance was not fit for such approval. However, just as Violet’s foot was about to connect with Edric’s head, a stack of books toppled over, and he stumble
150. The Outbreak
"Pick it up," Edric haughtily repeated. Violet couldn't believe what she had done - even if he did deserve it. Her reputation was already in the mud lately, so it wasn’t her concern. She just didn’t believe that she punched Edric because of Ryan, the fucking scum. To hell with people still watching her nude scenes. She had made that choice in her younger days, so she didn’t want to regret it right now. However, to insult and humiliate Ryan for having such wife, crossed her line. Oh, how her world had turned upside down because of him. Not responding fast enough for his liking, as she stood frozen in place, he roughly grabbed her arm and nearly pushed her towards the floor before Ryan had cut in between them. "Don't you ever touch her again," Ryan furiously spat. "You'll fucking regret it." Before Edric could retort, the Head Butler of the Ashford family, Jorge, wedged between them, gently pushing them back by the shou
149. To the Fundraiser
Right after breakfast, Thomas knocked on the penthouse door and asked if they were ready. Once they were, they left with Thomas, who had been waiting in the living room. He had been instructed to chauffeur them around Seattle today to find appropriate attire for the company's black tie fundraiser tonight.Although they were being forced to attend, Ryan surprised himself by enjoying their time together shopping for the event. Maybe it was because he got to see Violet try on dresses, or maybe it was just nice to do something normal. Before they return to the penthouse, Violet wants him to buy her a car. She would never ask him for such a thing, because even with all the wealth he had acquired, Violet could afford a car herself. Besides, she was too proud to ask for one. So, when she did ask him, Ryan easily agreed, and they bought one. Too bad, Violet didn’t let him see what the car she bought either, saying it was a surprise for him. Once they returned back to his penthouse after t
148. His First Kiss
Street lamps flickered on one by one as Thomas drove him about an hour south from the Ashford Gorup's building headquarters to the city's international airport.As the car rolled to a stop, Thomas turned back from the driver's seat and said, "I'll go wait for Ms. Crowne and escort her here, Mr. Wilder."Already unbuckling his seat belt, Ryan lifted a hand up for him to remain in place. Opening the door, he said, "Not necessary. Just stay here and wait for us.""But-"Slamming the door shut, he reached into the inside of his suit jacket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. He felt like an idiot wearing them, but they had helped with shielding his eyes from any sudden camera flashes. He doubted it would somehow cover his identity, but it served as a kind of protection from meeting someone's eyes directly.Familiar with where to go, Ryan placed his hands in his pockets and walked towards the terminal she would be arriving from.Once he heard Vi
