Backlit by the sun, I saw a tall figure dash toward me–it was Ryan.


    His bodyguards jumped out and took off after the guy who attacked me.


    “Are you hurt?” Ryan helped me up from the grass, but my legs gave out and I slumped against his arm.


    “He made me smell something weird…” I mumbled, feeling awful.


    Ryan scanned me anxiously, then scooped me up in his arms. “You’re safe now. I’ll get you to a doctor.”


    80%


    Normally, being swept up off the ground would scare me, but right now, Ryan’s warm, solid embrace made me feel like I’d been given a second chance at life. I couldn’t help but cling to him.


    I kept my eyes shut, my breathing in short, panicked bursts. What just happened was the darkest, most terrifying moment I’ve ever faced.


    Maybe it’s because I grew up sheltered, always thinking viins only existed in movies and TV. I never imagined I’d actuallye face to face with real evil.


    The guy lurking in the tea garden was clearly waiting for me–he was prepared. If Ryan hadn’t shown up out of nowhere, I would’ve ended up dead in the worst way.


    The car door swung open, and Ryan gentlyid me down on the back seat. Then he circled around and slid in beside me.


    “If you’re not feeling well, just lean on me,” he said, moving closer. My head, still spinning, just sort ofnded on his shoulder.


    “Thank you,” I managed to say, still shaken.


    “I’m just d you’re okay. If I’d been a secondter…” Ryan trailed off, not needing to finish. We both knew how bad it could’ve


    been.


    I asked in a quiet voice, “Why did youe here sote?”


    Ryan finally answered, “I waited downstairs at your ce for over an hour. When you didn’te home, I came to your office to look for you.”


    Some of the panic in my heart faded. Maybe fate really does work in mysterious ways–Ryan came looking for me, and when he couldn’t find me at home, he even went to the office. It was like we were meant to cross paths tonight.


    He showed up and saved my life.


    “Thank you foring to find me,” I said, my voice full of emotion.


    Ryan reached out and held my fingers. “Your fingers are freezing.”


    I was still trembling, unable to stop myself after the fright. Seeing I was still shaken, Ryan gently wrapped his arm around me.


    Ryan answered a call in the car–it was his bodyguard. They’d found a sketchy–looking guy by the dumpsters out back and had already called the cops.


    Ryan showed me a photo. “Do you recognize this guy?”


    25 Aug EG.


    80%


    I looked at the face, twisted in a snarl after being caught, and shut my eyes. “He’s one of the new sales guys we just brought on.”


    Ryan’s expression grew cold. “I bet he’s got a rap sheet. Let’s wait for the cops to confirm.”


    “Okay,” I said, thinking back. I was the one who hired him. He always seemed so decent, real polite. It’s honestly scary if it really


    was him.


    Ryan took me to his ce. Soon, a doctor came by to check me over. After some rest, the dizziness and weakness faded away. My legs and arms were scratched up by the branches, but it was nothing major.


    Iy in bed, listening as the doctor stepped out to talk to Ryan. After that, the ce fell quiet again.


    Ryan came back in and said, “The doctor says you’re okay. Do you want me to get a therapist toe talk to you?”


    I shook my head. “No need. As long as I’m not dead, I’m fine.”


    Ryan’s handsome face showed a flicker of surprise, then he sat down at the edge of the bed and looked at me. “From now on, try to have someone with you when you’re going to and from work. There are a lot of creeps out there.”


    I’m definitely going to be more on guard after this, I thought. “I will.”


    Then I nced around. When I first walked in, I realized this ce was massive–way bigger than anywhere I’d ever been. This wasn’t just some fancy house, it was on a whole other level.


    “Where are we?” I asked.


    Ryan walked over to the window, slid it open, and with his back to me, said, “This is Uncle Ryan’s vi.”