That sudden kiss made me uncomfortable, and I instinctively reached out, trying to put some distance between us.

But Ryan wasn’t as gentle as before. He seemed to expect my resistance, and his big hands caught both of mine, holding me so I couldn’t fight back.

Taking advantage of his height, he pressed in, his long legs boxing me in against the door. I was pinned, and his kiss grew even more aggressive.

“Ryan!” I gritted my teeth, calling his name, frustration bubbling up inside me.

That’s when he seemed to realize what he was doing. For a couple of seconds, he just stood there, his eyes darkening. Then he let go of my hands and stepped back.

“What about that birthday gift you promised me? I’ve been waiting for you all day and night,” Ryan complained, sounding a little hurt.

I was stunned–I’d totally forgotten about that.

“I had to go back to Hachester for something. Sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” I said. I’d already promised, and it’d be lame to go back on my word now!

“What was so important that you had to rush back?” Ryan asked, his gaze intense and unwavering.

My mind was a mess. My relationship with Nathan had started up again, and I wasn’t about to hide it from Ryan.

“Nathan’s company ran into trouble. I was worried about him, so I came back,” I said honestly.

Ryan’s eyes went cold for a moment. After a few seconds, he gritted his teeth and said, “Why didn’t you just lie to me?”

I met his gaze, honest. “I don’t want to lie to you, Ryan. I’m getting back with Nathan.”

It was like I’d stabbed him right in the heart. His eyes were full of pain and disbelief–he couldn’t accept it, but he knew it was true.

“Victoria, you’re such a liar,” Ryan shot back, anger flaring in his voice.

I turned and walked toward the living room, my back to him. “I’m sorry, Ryan. I never wanted to hurt you.”

Ryan finally spoke after a long silence, his voice eerily calm. “Are you just pitying him?”

I turned to look at him, and Ryan let out a mocking laugh. “Women are just born with too much sympathy. His company tanks, his IPO flops, he cries in front of you, and you just run right back to him because you feel sorry for him, isn’t that it?”

I couldn’t even find the words.

Ryan’s frustration boiled over. “I always thought you had a good head on your shoulders, but turns out you’re just as impulsive as ever.”

I stood there ramrod straight, just taking the scolding without a word.

Ryan took a deep breath, his voice suddenly unfamiliar–almost businesslike. “You’re just scared his company’s about to go bust, right? Are you seriously thinking about dumping your own money in to bail him out?”

“Wait, what?” I blurted out.

Ryan’s gaze locked onto me, cold and sharp like a spotlight. “Haven’t you learned to be smarter yet? I’m trying to help you climb higher, but you just want to toss your cash into a bottomless pit. Victoria, that’s not what kindness is for.”

Everything Ryan said was reasonable, but I had my own perspective.

In my previous life, Nathan was known as Nathan Wallace. His technology was used in military and aerospace—one of the most powerful industries out there.

I was willing to bet big on him, because I knew his tech was rock solid.

Back then, the Chancellor Family put up the money, he brought the tech, and both sides came out on top.

This time, his technology is still top-tier, he’s just short on funds. I happen to have some cash, and I think it’s a rational move to invest part of it.

Big rewards come with big risks, and besides, I’ve seen Nathan reach the top before.

“Don’t pity him. Wasn’t the whole drama with the Chancellor Family his own fault?” Ryan was trying to drill some cold logic into me.

I stared at him, a bit dazed.

Ryan stepped right up to me, his eyes glinting with a strange light as they swept over my face. Finally, he locked eyes with me. “Victoria, don’t let yourself crash and burn.”

“Life’s just one big gamble–winning and losing is part of the deal. Thanks, Ryan. I’ll play it smart,” I murmured, genuinely grateful.