The housekeeper tapped lightly on the door. "Young master, would you like something to eat?"


    Ryan groaned, shoving a pillow over his head, hoping it would somehow block out his thoughts along with the noise. He just wanted the world to leave him alone.


    But half an hourter, another knock came-this time, it was Cole.


    "I can''t find Ms. Bradford anywhere, so I had toe to you," Cole called through the door. “There''s a really important document that needs your signature."


    Ryan dragged himself out of bed and opened the door. Cole stood there in his immacte suit, looking every bit the workaholic. Ryan couldn''t help but let out a dryugh.


    "Do you have any idea what time it is?"


    Three in the morning, and this guy was still hustling. The Bradford Group might as well change its name to "Bradford 24/7," he thought bitterly.


    Cole adjusted his sses and walked right in. "This contract is urgent. I''ve been trying to reach Ms. Bradford, but she''s not picking up. No one''s home at her ce either. Do you know where she went?"


    Ryan''s mind raced. He was tempted to say ra had gone on vacation, just to keep Cole from panicking and maybe even calling the cops. But when he looked down at the file in Cole''s hands, the words caught in his throat.


    It was obvious-this was a huge deal. The kind of contract only ra, as CEO, was supposed to sign.


    ra had been running herself ragged to save thepany. She''d taken risks, invested in new projects, even signed a couple of artists to shake things up. Now, this contract was from a major internationalpany-one that wanted a long-term partnership with


    Bradford''s electronics team. This


    could change everything.


    Ryan''s grip tightened on the document, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You want me to sign this?"


    His voice was shaky. He held the papers so tightly his knuckles turned white.


    This was about the future of thepany. Whoever signed this would be setting the direction for years. It was supposed to be ra''s call.


    "Mr. Ryan, didn''t Ms. Bradford ever tell you?" Cole said gently. "When she''s not around, you''re in charge. She''s noticed all the effort you''ve put in. She told me herself-she believes you''re the one who''ll carry on the Bradford name."


    Ryan pressed his lips together, feeling numb as he moved to the side. "Doesn''t


    she worry I''ll screw it up? Or that I''ll just... take everything from her?"


    Cole waved a hand in front of his face, as if to snap him out of it. "You know, when you were in trouble, the press went wild. Ms. Bradford had thepany issue a public apology, donated five million overnight, and basically turned the ce upside down to save your reputation. Even when you had to give up your shares, she didn''t take them. She set up a trust no one can touch those shares until you''re ready. Not even her. She couldn''t sell them if she wanted to. Bradford Group still belongs to you. You''re just... not ready yet."


    Ryan went pale. He remembered that time—how he''d lost everything, how he''d


    been shut out. He''d honestly thought ra had abandoned him for good.


    And then there was ra getting close to Justin. That had hurt more than anything.


    All this time, he''d believed she only cared about thepany. But after everything she''d done, she never even took the shares for herself.


    Why didn''t she ever tell him any of this...?