I looked at the woman’s fierce expression, just as strong as any man’s. Then I nced at Ryan and saw the same fierce energy in his brow.


    “This is my grandfather,” Ryan said, showing me a photo of an older man in a suit.


    Looking at the whole family, none of them seemed easy to deal with. My heart sank, and I suddenly felt like I shouldn’t get too close to Ryan.


    “Your family doesn’t look like ordinary people,” I said with a smile.


    Ryan nodded. “Yeah, they’re all pretty powerful.”


    “What about you?” I asked.


    Ryan raised his brows a bit. “I’m just average.”


    Iughed. “Don’t be modest. With a family like yours, you might have met a lot of people. I don’t get why you like me.”


    Ryan paused flipping through the album. “I don’t know. At first, I just wanted to get to know you. Then I told you I was in debt, and you wanted to help me pay it off. You also protected me. That felt gentle.”


    My eyes stiffened. He was a kid starved for love. Small kindnesses hit him deep. “Ryan, have you thought maybe this isn’t love, but just missing affection?” I sighed.


    “I’m not missing love,” Ryan said clearly. “My grandpa and mom both love me a lot. I just like the gentle vibe you give off.”


    took the album from him and flipped through it myself. One photo stuck with me, a picture of Ryan around thirteen or fourteen, wearing a suit.


    His short hair was slicked back, and his brows showed a sharp, decisive look. He seemed mature beyond his years. I stared at that handsome face. It was hard to imagine what kind of cunning thoughts hid behind it.


    I became even more convinced Ryan was impossible to figure out. Maybe his sweet and obedient side was just a mask to please me.


    I couldn’t believe such drama was happening. I couldn’t understand Jared, and now Ryan was even more secretive. I didn’t want to deal with it anymore. I decided to give up.


    (23)


    At dinner, it was just Ryan and me eating. Ss didn’t join us; he ate in the kitchen. My heart. skipped a beat. Ryan’s family seemed to have strict rules and clear social ranks.


    “Thanks foring to dinner with me,” Ryan said quietly.


    “You came to lunch at my ce, so I’m just returning the favor,” I said with a smile.


    Ryan nodded. “I like returning favors. Victoria, have you thought about moving to Braylin


    someday?”


    I answered right away, “No, I haven’t. I’m probably going to Shaville. That city appeals to


    me more.”


    Ryan smiled. “That’s good. Shaville’s great too, lots of business opportunities.”


    “Are you nning to stay in Braylin after you graduate?” I asked, thinking he should stay.


    “We’ll see,” Ryan said, a bit worried.


    After dinner, we took a walk around the neighborhood to help digest. Ryan looked up at the sky. The moonlight was beautiful. “Victoria.” I was walking ahead, lost in thought, when! suddenly heard Ryan call my name.


    I turned around and saw he was several feet behind me. Ryan came up beside me, sounding annoyed. “What were you daydreaming about? You left me behind and didn’t even notice.”


    I smiled, “I was thinking about work. If you’re behind, why didn’t you catch up yourself?”


    Ryan asked with jealousy, “Were you thinking about work or men?”


    “Do 1 even need to think about men?” Haughed. “They’re everywhere.”


    Ryanughed in frustration. “Then focus on work first. Leave men alone, okay?”


    “You want me to wait for you?” I asked him straight up.


    “Would you wait for me?” Ryan asked.


    “No,” I said inly.


    08:39 Fri, 22 Aug


    Ryan sighed. “Now you know why I like you?”


    I was speechless. Ryan said, “When I ask another girl if she is free, she always says yes. But when I asked you to wait, you said no.”


    1 froze and then teased, “Sounds like you like being tortured.”


    Ryan exined, “You probably don’t know, but deep down, men have a submissive streak. I like being controlled. Even though it’s rough, I secretly enjoy it.”


    I said, “Oh, I see. So what’s the difference between that and being a pushover?”


    Ryanughed out loud. “Okay, it’s being a pushover.”


    “That’s your kind of man’s drive to win. It has nothing to do with love or liking. Ryan, don’t get it twisted. You don’t like me. You just like conquering.” I said it directly to snap him out


    of it.


    Ryan blinked. When he saw me start to walk away, he hurried to catch up. “How about this? You keep teasing me so I can never conquer you, and I’ll stay a pushover forever.”


    AD