Chapter 65
+13)
Doris stood her ground, fiercely defending her husband. “Sure, he doesn’t have your wealth or status, but he understands me. and respects me. He does everything he can to make me happy.
“If he has 50 dollars, he’ll give me 49. Meanwhile, you have 3 grand and still give me 49. Do you think that’s the same? I’m happy and content with him, and I don’t regret marrying him one bit.”
A genuine smile of pure happiness spread across her delicate, refined face.
Ryan’s eyes darkened as a wave of resentment washed over him. He didn’t want to hear about how happy she was without him. His fingers twitched, itching to wipe that radiant smile off her face and crush it beneath his feet.
“Doris, I know you’re here because of your family’s million–dollar debt to me and Rupert losing his job,” Ryan said, his voice calm yet menacing.
“Let me offer you a deal. Divorce your husband, and I’ll ensure the Reed family stays out of trouble. It’s a win–win for you.”
Doris chuckled softly, her eyes brimming with disdain. “Ryan, you’re giving me too much credit. I’m not the saint you think I am. Do you honestly believe my good–for–nothing brother is worth me sacrificing someone important to me?
“Dream on. I’m not divorcing my husband. Whoever borrowed your money should pay it back, and whoever lost their job should find another one. None of this is my problem. And as for your games, Ryan? I’m done playing.”
She stood up, ready to leave. Ryan panicked and quickly stepped in her way.
His expression was controlled, but there was a storm brewing beneath. “Doris, if you walk out of this room today, don’t expect me to be this patient the next time you come begging.
“Even if you don’t care about the Reed family or Rupert, at least think about your husband. You wouldn’t want him to end up like Rupert, would you? Think carefully about the consequences.”
Doris hesitated, fear flickering in her eyes. She couldn’t let her selfishness drag innocent Lewis into this mess.
She wondered, ‘He works at Hartman Group, and being trusted enough to go on business trips with the CEO is such an honor.
I can’t ruin his future. Ryan might not have any direct authority in Hartman Group, but he could bribe someone greedy enough to harm him indirectly.
The thought tightened a knot in Doris‘ chest. “Ryan, if you dare lay a hand on him, I’ll make sure you regret it,” she threatened.
“Doris,” Ryan said coldly, narrowing his eyes, “I’m giving you one last chance. Divorce him and come back to me, and I’ll spare the Reed family and him. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
This was Doris‘ last chance.
Doris responded with a sharp laugh as though he were some sort of twisted joke.
“What’s so funny?” Ryan demanded, his voice icy.
“It’s quite funny, isn’t it? Ryan, are you so obsessed with me that you’ll do whatever it takes to trap me by your side? You’re doing this out of love? That would explain everything.”
Doris sneered, her eyes mocking. “I never realized how hopelessly devoted you are.”
Ryan’s face darkened as if she’d struck a nerve. “Doris, don’t flatter yourself. Me? Love you? Don’t make me laugh. Leia is
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sweet, obedient, and always puts me first. Why would I abandon a perfect fiancée like her for someone like you?
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“You’re nothing but a married woman now, completely unworthy of me. I just want to crush your little fantasy of happiness. Trapping you by my side is purely for my own satisfaction and revenge.”
“You must be crazy.” Doris spat, her voice dripping with disgust.
She had no intention of engaging in his childish games any further. To her, the only way to win was not to play at all.
“Ryan, I’m done with all of this. Step aside.” Doris decided she wouldn’t involve herself in Rupert’s problems anymore, even if her father tried to guilt her into it.
Ryan, however, wasn’t ready to let her go so easily, though he had no valid reason to make her stay.
“Ryan, let me go!” Doris repeated firmly, her tone a warning.
Ryan seemed possessed, suddenly grabbing her shoulders and forcefully pushing her onto the sofa.
Doris winced in pain. “Ryan, what the hell are you doing?”
He loomed over her, pinning her wrists to the back of the sofa to stop her from getting up. His eyes burned with a dangerous, bloodshot intensity.
He roared. “Doris, don’t think you can wash your hands of this so easily. I lent your parents that money, and I let Rupert into Watson Group all because of you. How dare you act like it has nothing to do with you?”
He shoved all the blame onto her shoulders as if trying to justify his actions.
Doris winced as Ryan’s grip on her wrists grew painfully tight. “Ryan, let me go!”
Ryan chuckled darkly, leaning in close to her ear, his voice dripping with malicious intent. To an outsider, it might have seemed like an intimate whisper, but the words were chilling.
“Doris, if I destroy you, do you think he’ll still want you? No man would be okay with being cheated on. Whether you want the divorce or not, you won’t have a choice,” he warned.
“You’re completely insane.” Doris spat, horrified by his twisted logic. “If you dare touch me, I swear I’ll bite you to death.”
“One time is all it takes,” Ryan murmured, moving to kiss the sensitive spot just behind her ear.
Her entire body stiffened, every cell screaming in rejection of his closeness.
At the very last moment, a loud knock on the door shattered the tense atmosphere. The sound was followed by the insistent ringing of the doorbell and repeated pounding on the door, the visitor clearly unwilling to leave without an answer.
Ryan’s face darkened with frustration, his unwillingness to let Doris go evident in his glare. But the knocking persisted, relentless and demanding his attention. Begrudgingly, he yanked Doris upright and dragged her to the bedroom.
“Stay put and behave yourself,” he warned, slamming the door shut before she could respond.
As Ryan opened the front door, he didn’t even have time to speak before Leia stormed inside, fury etched into every feature.
Leia rushed into the living room, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor. Just as Doris tried to slip out unnoticed, the two women locked eyes. Both froze in their tracks, the air between them brimming with tension.
Leia’s face twisted in rage as she spotted Doris. Without hesitation, she grabbed a glass of red wine from the coffee table and hurled it directly at her.
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Doris instinctively raised her arm to block, but it was too late. The wine splashed across her face, soaking into her hair and staining her pale yellow blouse with vivid crimson. The blotchy mess made her look utterly disheveled.
“Doris, you shameless little tramp! You already broke up with Ryan. Why are you sneaking around trying to seduce him behind my back?” Leia shouted, her fury spilling out like the wine she’d just thrown.
Ryan followed Leia into the room, slamming the door shut behind him. “Leia, what the hell are you doing?” he snapped, clearly annoyed.
“What am I doing? Should I just stand by and clap while you and your ex–girlfriend sneak around behind my back? Maybe throw a party to celebrate?” Leia’s voice dripped with sarcasm and venom as she glared at him.
Doris grabbed a tissue from the table and calmly dabbed the excess wine from her face. “Ms. Martin, let me be perfectly clear. I’m not interested in Ryan. I have absolutely no taste for trash.”
Trash? That’s what she thinks of me?‘ he wonered. Ryan’s expression turned even darker, a flicker of anger flashing in his
eyes.
If Ryan’s trash, then what am I? The trash can?‘ she thought. Leia’s face turned an equally unpleasant shade.
“Doris, you think you’re so much better? Seducing my fiancé? How desperate for a man can you be? Honestly, you’re worse than garbage!” Leia shot back with a biting retort.
Doris, unwilling to back down, smirked coldly. “If you treasure your fiancé so much, then keep a tighter leash on him. Tie him to your waist if you have to, but don’t let him out to harass me.”
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