09:31 Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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As soon as Doris walked into the hotel today, her colleagues‘ eyes were drawn to her, which made her feel uncomfortable.
In the locker room, they gathered around her curiously. “Doris, those snowflake earrings are gorgeous! Where did you get them? How much were they?”
“I didn’t know,” said Doris..
“You’re wearing them, and you don’t know?” one girl asked incredulously. “Are those real diamonds? They must have cost a fortune.”
Doris responded with a faint smile.
“Doris, did you make up with Mr. Watson?” someone speculated.
“No way,” Doris quickly denied.
“Then someone’s chasing after you?” another girl chimed in.
“No,” Doris said before fleeing the conversation, overwhelmed by their probing questions.
Later, Lola, who had caught wind of the chatter, came over to see Doris‘ diamond earrings. Known for her wealthy background and familiarity with fine jewelry, Lola immediately recognized the earrings as extraordinary.
“Doris, where did you get these earrings?” Lola asked.
“My husband brought them back for me from Biscuit while he was on a business trip,” Doris replied. Lola was the only one at the hotel who knew Doris was married. “Are they really that expensive? How expensive are we talking?”
“I couldn’t find an exact match, but I’m sure they aren’t cheap,” Lola said confidently. “Did your husband strike it rich? This is quite the extravagant business trip gift.”
“Who knows? Maybe he’s just a reckless spender,” Doris replied with a nonchalant shrug.
Before her shift ended, Doris received a call from Jeremiah.
“Ms. Reed, are you free tonight? Mr. Watson asked me to inform you that he’ll meet you at 8 p.m. in Room 1806 at the Hampstone Hotel. He’ll only have thirty minutes. If you miss it, the opportunity’s gone.”
‘He wants to meet at a hotel? And not just any hotel, my workplace, no less. Everyone here knows we broke up, and now he’s engaged to Leia. If my colleagues see us, what will they think?‘ Doris wondered.
But Ryan held all the cards, leaving her no room to refuse. Even if Ryan was setting her up, she had no choice but to walk into the trap with her eyes wide open.
Doris told Lewis she’d be working late at the hotel and would come home later than usual.
At 8 p.m., Doris arrived at Room 1806. She pressed the doorbell, and after three rings, Ryan opened the door.
He stood there in a light blue shirt paired with beige slacks, looking fresh and effortlessly handsome.
“You’re right on time,” Ryan said with a pleased smile, stepping aside. “Come in.”
Doris hesitated for a moment before stepping inside with steady strides.
They moved to the living room. Ryan settled into the sofa, then looked at Doris, who was still standing. “Take a seat,” he said.
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Chapter 64
Doris sat down in a single armchair, her bright eyes meeting his. “Ryan, let’s get straight to the point.”
“No rush,” Ryan replied, picking up a bottle of red wine from the table and pouring it into a wine glass. He filled it to about a half–inch and handed the glass to Doris. “This is a good wine. Give it a try.”
Doris didn’t reach for it, shaking her head slightly. “I don’t drink.” Her alcohol tolerance was poor, and drinking even a little. would make her lose control.
Being alone in a hotel room with Ryan, especially given their history as ex–lovers, required her to stay vigilant. Drinking was definitely not a smart choice.
“You won’t drink something I give you?” Ryan asked, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile. “Are you afraid I’ve put something in it?”
Doris remained composed on the surface. “Of course not. You’re overthinking it.”
But internally, she thought, T’m absolutely afraid. Better safe than sorry!
Their breakup hadn’t been amicable, and there were lingering
ces between them.
Ryan let out a bitter laugh. “Doris, to be honest with you, during our three years together, I had thoughts about sleeping with you. I had countless opportunities to make you
mine.
“But I didn’t, because I respected you, cared for you, and valued our that you think I’d resort to something as despicable as drugging you?”
elationship. And yet, in your mind, I’ve sunk so low
Doris‘ thoughts had betrayed her slightly, showing faintly on her face. Ryan could see it, and to him, it was a grave insult.
“I may not be a saint,” Ryan said coldly, “but as the son of the Watson family and the head of Watson Group, do you think I lack options when it comes to women?
Without me lifting a finger, there are already plenty of women dying to get into my bed.”
His voice sharpened, laced with frustration. “Doris, you seriously underestimate me. And don’t think too highly of yourself, either.”
Ryan took back the wine glass, raised it to his lips, and downed the small amount of wine left in one decisive motion. Setting the empty glass lightly on the coffee table, he fixed Doris with a piercing gaze, his eyes never leaving her.
Doris remained calm, her expression indifferent. Ryan’s harsh words didn’t seem to rattle her. After all, she was simply trying to protect herself. There was nothing wrong with that.
Ryan reached for the wine bottle to pour himself another glass, but before he could, a knock at the door interrupted them.
He stood up to answer it. A hotel staff member from the room service department handed him an unopened bottle of wine. “Mr. Watson, here is the wine you requested. Is there anything else you need?”
Lily Brown, the staff member, immediately recognized Doris as one of her colleagues. Surprise flashed in her eyes, quickly followed by a flicker of jealousy.“You may leave,” Ryan said dismissively, not even sparing her a glance.
Before leaving, Lily cast a long, pointed look at Doris, her gaze tinged with hostility. Doris felt the weight of that glance and the subtle animosity behind it.
After Lily left, silence returned to the room.
Ryan placed the new bottle of wine on the table and pushed it slightly toward Doris. “If you want to talk business, start by drinking. Otherwise, there’s no discussion.”
Doris stared at the bottle, inner conflict swirling. Ryan held all the power in this negotiation; she had no leverage to bargain.
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“T’ll drink Doris saud resolutely she opened the boule herself, poured a small amount into a glass, and raised it with both hands. Her bows knitted together as she downed it in one go.
Ryan leaned back against the sofa, his posture relaxed, with one leg crossed over the other. “Doris, that’s not nearly enough
to show your sincerity!
Doris poured another small amount and drank it quickly. Ryan’s lips curled into a faint smile, his expression suggesting that her effort still wasn’t good enough.
Reluctantly, Doris poured a third round and drank it as well. She looked at Ryan, her voice steady but firm. “Ryan, three times is enough You know I can’t handle much alcohol.
So she couldn’t drink anymore. She would get drunk.
“That’s your problem, not mine, Ryan replied, his tone unapologetic. He grabbed the bottle and filled the glass to the brim. “Doris, you should know by now. Nothing comes without a price,
“If you want something, you have to give something in return. We’re adults; I shouldn’t have to explain this to you.”
He pushed the full glass of wine toward her,
Doris‘ gaze fixed on the dark red liquid. Her throat tightened as she swallowed hard. “Ryan, don’t push me too far.”
“Doris, you’re the one asking me for a favor, Ryan said with a mocking smirk. “If you hadn’t broken up with me, you wouldn’t be in this mess now,
“The Reed family could’ve basked in the Watson family’s glory, becoming the envy of everyone. I could’ve made your entire family live a life of prestige and privilege,
“But look at you now. It seems like your husband is pretty useless. He can’t even protect his own wife. Why bother coming to me? Blame that incompetent husband of yours.”
Doris‘ eyes burned with defiance, “Ryan, you are not allowed to insult my husband like that.”
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09:31 Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter 65
