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Chapter_55
Ryan was stunned for a moment, but then his voice grew firm and resolute. “I won’t hand her over, so don’t waste your energy trying.”
Lionel’s expression darkened at Ryan’s defiance. His eyes turned cold, his displeasure evident.
Ryan, however, did not back down. He met Lionel’s glare head-on, unflinching. It was a silent battle of wills—neither willing to give in. Yet, beneath Ryan’s composed exterior, a bitter smile tugged at the corners of his lips, betraying the turmoil within him.
This wasn’t the first time Lionel had treated him this way. Since childhood, Ryan had known that his father’s affections were conditional. If Ryan refused to follow his wishes, Lionel would simply turn distant, treating him like a stranger. Even when they sat together at the same table, there was always an invisible chasm between them.
His existence had been an inconvenience from the start. Lionel’s marriage had been purely political, and Ryan’s birth had shattered any lingering hope of rekindling an old love. No one had anticipated his arrival—except for Jaiden.
During Ryan’s early years, Jaiden had been overseas for medical treatment. His absence had allowed Lionel to bring home the illegitimate child he had fathered with his first love. Had Jaiden not returned in time, Ryan might have been cast aside, and the Lewis family’s heir might have been someone else entirely.
Ryan had long since grown numb to Lionel’s indifference.
“Ryan, you need to understand that everything you have now comes from the Lewis family,” Lionel said, his tone sharp. “Do you realize the consequences of offending Daniel over a girl? Your grandfather is still recuperating, and he cannot afford any stress. If you don’t hand her over, I’ll call him. You know full well what that means.”
Ryan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He had always known Lionel was ruthless, but to go so far as to use Jaiden’s health as leverage—it was a line he never thought his father would cross.
For the first time in a long while, Ryan felt truly cornered.
If he revealed Yvette’s name, she would undoubtedly face difficulties. If he stayed silent, Jaiden’s health might suffer.
Caught between two impossible choices, Ryan clenched his fists. In the end, he let emotion overrule logic and quietly murmured, “It’s Yvette Zeller.”
Between Yvette and Jaiden, he had chosen Jaiden.
If he had a choice, he wished he had never been born into the Lewis family. But he didn’t. He never had.
Without another word, Ryan walked past Lionel and headed upstairs, his heart heavy with regret.
Lionel, unbothered by Ryan’s distress, immediately instructed Lucas to call Daniel’s secretary and pass on Yvette’s name.
—
The night was calm, the moon casting a soft glow over the city. A gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers, rustling the leaves in the trees. The world seemed at peace.
At Argrol University, the library remained brightly lit, the only building still open at this hour. The campus was never short of dedicated students, each working tirelessly toward a better future.
Andrew nudged his friend. “Jeremiah, is that Yvette at the entrance?”
Jeremiah, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the top buttons undone, glanced toward the entrance. His tall, lean frame stood out even in the dim light. Narrowing his eyes, he looked past the shifting crowd until his gaze landed on a familiar figure.
There she was.
Dressed simply in a black T-shirt and pants, Yvette stood quietly, her presence effortlessly striking even in the night’s shadows.
Something about her felt different tonight—something was off.
Jeremiah extinguished his cigarette and strode toward her, Andrew following closely behind.
“Have you eaten?” Jeremiah asked, his voice calm yet intent.
Yvette looked up at him, her expression unreadable. As if his sudden appearance was nothing out of the ordinary, she simply replied, “No.”
As Jeremiah drew closer, he caught a faint scent lingering around her—sweet, reminiscent of the candy she had once given him.
Andrew, on the other hand, was shocked. “What? You haven’t eaten yet, Yvette? It’s already late—”
Before he could continue, Jeremiah cut him off. “What do you feel like eating?”
Yvette remained silent for a moment. Her long lashes fluttered as she glanced at him. It seemed she had unexpectedly found a dinner companion.
Jeremiah’s warm breath brushed against her hair, making her slightly uncomfortable. She tilted her head away before finally answering, “Pierogies.”
Andrew blinked in disbelief.
Pierogies? Of all things?
He was almost certain that Jeremiah wouldn’t eat them. The man despised flour-based foods—he wouldn’t even touch bread during Christmas dinners. He had been a picky eater since childhood.
“Um, Yvette, why don’t we get someth—”
Jeremiah interrupted him once again. “Let’s go.”
—
Seated at a small street-side stall just outside campus, Andrew’s expression was one of pure defeat.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
The moment Yvette was involved, Jeremiah’s usual habits and preferences completely vanished. The man who normally couldn’t stand the sight of flour-based food was now sitting at a table full of pierogies.
Andrew grumbled internally as he stabbed at his plate with his fork. So this is what it feels like to be ditched for a girl. Unbelievable.
Jeremiah, however, seemed unbothered. He took a tissue, carefully wiped a fork, and handed it to Yvette.
Yvette glanced at him briefly before accepting it. Without another word, she focused on her food, seemingly indifferent to the two men sitting beside her.
Jeremiah, meanwhile, simply watched her, showing no interest in eating.
Andrew, trying to ease the tension, spoke up. “Yvette, why are you hanging around outside the library so late? Were you looking for Jeremiah?”
Jeremiah tensed slightly.
He had faced countless challenges in his life, yet never had he been this anxious.
Andrew, oblivious to Jeremiah’s unease, continued teasing, “No way—did you actually come here just for him?”
Jeremiah lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable.
Yvette, meanwhile, sniffled lightly, the steam from the pierogies adding a misty sheen to her lashes. Looking up, she met Jeremiah’s gaze.
His reflection was captured in her clear, bright eyes.
“No,” she said softly. “I was just wandering around.”
Jeremiah’s expression flickered—disappointment flashing across his face for the briefest moment.
Yvette noticed. She wasn’t sure why, but for some reason, he seemed… let down.
Andrew, now regretting his earlier words, tugged at his collar awkwardly. Why do I always talk too much? He quickly decided to stay quiet and focus on his food.
A few moments later, Yvette placed down her fork and got up. “Thanks for the pierogies. Goodbye.”
Jeremiah gave a slight nod but said nothing.
Andrew, however, was baffled. How is she so calm?
As they watched Yvette disappear beyond the campus gate, Jeremiah silently pulled out his phone and stepped aside to make a call.
Andrew overheard a familiar name—Emmett.
His stomach dropped.
Emmett was coming to Seacrity in three days.
The moment Jeremiah hung up, Andrew rushed to confirm the news. Once Jeremiah gave a subtle nod, Andrew immediately began plotting his escape.
He knew exactly what was coming.
If Emmett was involved, Andrew’s days of peace were over.
After all, he had a history with Emmett’s cold-blooded and ruthless personal assistant—one he would rather not revisit.
