<b>Chapter </b>442


    89%


    I clutched my phone and turned around, only to see Ryan standing in the doorway with the spat in his hand.


    I strode over, snatched the spat from him, and hurried into the kitchen–only to find some of the dumplings stuck to the pan, their filling bursting out everywhere.


    Ryan stood off to the side, looking like a kid who’d just gotten caught doing something wrong. He watched me and asked, “They were fine just now. How did they all fall apart?”


    I let out a helplessugh. “What do you think?”


    Ryan mumbled, “Sorry, I’ve never done this before.”


    “It’s fine,” I said softly, grabbing a te and piling the dumplings on it. I whipped up a sauce for him on the side.


    Ryan pulled up a chair next to me, then suddenly burst outughing.


    “What’s so funny?” I asked, shooting him a puzzled look.


    Ryan just shook his head, not saying a word.


    I stared at him, waiting for an answer.


    Ryan finally spoke up, his voice soft. “You know, my family was always super strict with me growing up. My childhood wasn’t as easy as you’d think. If I messed up, they’d reallyy into me. But just now, you brushed it off with a gentle ‘it’s


    fine‘–like it was no big deal.”


    I nked out for a second, staring at him. “That’s just something anyone would say.”


    Ryan looked at me, a smile in his eyes. “I know, but I like hearing it from you. Back when I worked for you, if I screwed up, you’d always say it in that same gentle way.”


    Iughed too. “Alright, didn’t <i>you </i>say you were hungry? Go ahead and eat. I’ve got to get changed for work.”


    Ryan suddenly asked, “Did my uncle say something harsh to you just now?”


    I paused, not looking back, and replied softly, “He warned me not to get reckless about having your kid.”


    “That’s just how my uncle is–always careful. Don’t let it get to you,” Ryan reassured me.


    1 let out a smallugh. “I’m not bothered. Honestly, he’s not wrong.”


    “Don’t let my uncle’s cold, stone–faced vibe fool you–he wasn’t always like that. Back in the day, plenty of women tried to seduce him, hoping to have his baby. One even had the guts to drug him,” Ryan suddenly spilled all these secrets about Edward, and I felt a chill run down my spine.


    “Seriously?” I was a little freaked out, but my gossip–loving heart was practically racing. “Did she actually pull it off?”


    “My uncle had her thrown straight into jail,” Ryan snorted. “She messed around and paid the price.”


    09:09 Fri, 29 AugWO


    I couldn’t help butugh. “So, did she actually seed? Your uncle, he…”


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    +38


    “Of course not. My uncle went straight to the hospital and got a shot,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “Good thing she didn’t get away with it–otherwise, she’d have been in for hell.”


    I nodded. “Yeah, no matter who you are, you’ve got to look out for yourself when you’re out there.”


    Ryan smiled. “Your values are pretty solid. So, what was going on between you and that Nathan guy right after your


    divorce?”


    The smile on my face froze in an instant. Ryan had always seemed a little jealous of Nathan.


    “I don’t know. Maybe I was feeling lonely, and he just happened to be around…” I replied.


    “If you ever feel lonely again, are you going to go back to him?” Ryan’s handsome face suddenly turned serious.


    I shook my head. “Of course not. It’s not like I’m that easy.”


    Ryan let out a sarcastic snort. “Oh, so you could just hook up with him without a second thought, but when ites to me, suddenly you’re all reserved?”


    I waspletely speechless.


    I left for work first, and only after I was gone did Ryan finally head out too.


    As night fell, Nathan called out of the blue. “Victoria, thepany’s crisis is sorted. The Chancellor family just called–they


    want back in.”


    Honestly, i kind of saw thising. Still, I didn’t expect Ryan to handle it so fast.


    “So, did you let the Chancellor family invest?” I asked.


    “I didn’t say yes,” Nathan said. “But I couldn’t just shut them outpletely, so I gave them a small piece. You still want


    in?”


    “Hell yeah!” I shot back.


    “Oh, and Mr. Hob reached out too. He wants to put in a billion,” Nathan added. “Did you ask him to help out with


    this?”


    Jared’s a big yer in the investment world, and he’s always super cautious with his money. Clearly, he’s got his eye on


    the big prize here.


    “I talked to him. So, are you going to let him invest?” <b>I </b>asked softly.


    Nathan dropped his voice. “Honestly, now that the Chancellor family isn’t blocking me, there are tons of people wanting to invest in mypany. I’ve <i>got </i>options–I don’t have to take Mr. Hob’s money, But it’s your call. If you say yes, I’ll team up with him.”


    I caught my breath for a second–Nathan was acting like an obedient little wolfdog, and I couldn’t help but think he might just be my future moneymaker.


    09:09 Fri, 29 Aug WO


    “It’s your call. Jared’s reliable enough–you can trust him,” I said.