Chapter 357

The night was already captivating, but with Ryan suddenly showing up, it felt even more intense.

After working all day, I was exhausted, but seeing him made all my tension melt away. I walked over with a smile and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to pick you up after work,” Ryan said, glancing at the hotel entrance under renovation nearby. “Jared must really trust you, giving you another project like this.”

I replied lightly, “It’s just because the last one went well. If it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be so lucky.”

“Still, it’s because you’re good at what you do,” Ryan said with a smile.

“And I couldn’t have done it without your help,” I said. If you hadn’t pulled some serious strings to get that state-owned partnership for me, the hotel wouldn’t be where it is today.

Ryan glanced down, and when he smiled, there was something unexpectedly captivating about him.

“I just didn’t want Jared to look down on you. No matter how talented you are, I figured if I could give you a little push, you’d always find a way to rise higher,” Ryan said softly.

My heart fluttered. I hadn’t known this guy for that long, but he’d already done so much for my career–it honestly surprised me.

“Thank you. I really owe you a big favor,” I said.

“Alright, let’s drop it. I’m not asking for anything in return,” Ryan said, giving his car door a casual tap to lighten the mood. “How about I take you out for dinner?”

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Relax, it’s somewhere decent,” Ryan said, raising an eyebrow playfully.

I remembered what Jared had told me last time–he wanted me to keep my distance from Ryan, to avoid seeing him if possible. I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy about it.

“Ryan, …I already have plans tonight. Maybe some other time?” I said, letting my head win out over my heart as I turned him down.

“You’ve been working all day. Aren’t you tired? Evenings are meant for relaxing,” Ryan said, looking genuinely let down by my refusal.

“I’m not as chill as you are. You’ve seen how much pressure I’m under with this project. I’m putting everything I’ve got into it every single day,” I said, using work as my excuse.

Ryan looked even more disappointed. “Is it because Jared would get jealous? Is that why you’re keeping your distance from me?”

“That’s part of it,” I nodded.

Ryan stared at me in a daze, looking hurt and stunned.

“You’re still a student, so you should focus on your studies. You come from a good family, but I think you need to become strong on your own, too,” I said, looking at him and unable to help feeling concerned about the challenges he was facing.

Ryan’s eyes flickered with a sharp light, and he lowered his voice. “Did you find out about what’s going on with me?”

At that point, Ryan glanced around. “There are six bodyguards following me not far away. Are you worried that being around me might get you into trouble?”

I immediately glanced at the two Cadillac SUVs parked behind him. They looked heavily customized, with pitch-black, mirrored windows–definitely not your average family cars.

“Ryan, I don’t want to dig into your secrets, but please understand–I’m just someone who values my own life and safety,” I said, laying it all out for him.

Honesty was crucial in any relationship, and it helped avoid unnecessary complications.

Ryan stared at me, stunned. In that moment, it felt like I had ruthlessly shattered his heart in my hands.

From stunned to shaken, Ryan finally settled into a calm. He nodded, restraining himself. “Alright, I get it.”

With that, he bent down and got into his car.

His car pulled away, and those two blacked-out SUVs zoomed after it–one in front, one behind, guarding his ride like a VIP escort.

That sight totally shocked me.