Chapter 771

“H-How is Tommy?” For a moment, Abellyn forgot her anger toward Ryder. Tommy wasn't Ryder's child, but he was her own flesh and blood. Even tigers wouldn't eat their cubs, let alone her!

“You wicked woman! If anything happens to Tommy today, I will kill you! Get out of here!” Ryder forcefully shoved Abellyn away.

Abellyn fell to the ground, panicked and trembling. After a while, she rushed into the house to check on her son.

Just as they entered, a Maserati sped to the entrance. Emmanuel leaped out and rushed inside. “Ryder, how is Tommy?” he asked anxiously. He treated Tommy like his own son; their bond was profound.

Barging into the house, he saw Abellyn.

“Emmanuel, you’re here! Hurry, examine Tommy. He seems to have eaten something bad or been poisoned. He’s been vomiting and sweating profusely!” Ryder explained, glaring fiercely at Abellyn, clearly suspecting her involvement.

Abellyn trembled, unable to argue.

Emmanuel glanced at her but remained silent. He rushed to Tommy’s side. “Tommy, how are you? Can you speak?” Getting no response, he quickly checked Tommy’s pulse and examined his eyes. After a thorough examination, he frowned at the vomit on the ground.

Tommy clearly had a worm inside him. While Emmanuel had some knowledge, he wasn't an expert and couldn't identify the type of worm.

“Emmanuel, what’s wrong with Tommy? Is he in danger?” Ryder implored, rushing over.

“Don’t worry, Ryder. Tommy will be fine!” Emmanuel reassured him, hoping to ease his cousin’s mind. The perpetrators hadn't intended to kill Tommy; they must have another purpose. He was confident he could save him.

“Alright. Do you need silver needles, Emmanuel? Save Tommy like you saved me!” Ryder pleaded.

Emmanuel nodded, but his gaze darted to the window. No one was there, but a gust of wind seemed to have stirred up dust.

“Emmanuel, what’s wrong?” Ryder asked nervously.

“It’s nothing. Help me open the window for some fresh air.”

“Okay!” Ryder opened the window.

After another glance outside, Emmanuel picked up his silver needles and began acupuncture.

Chapter 771: He's Really Something

Outside the window was Blake, who thought, Could Emmanuel have discovered me? No wonder Magnus hasn't been able to kill him. He's really something! He decided to leave before interfering with Emmanuel saving his son.

After nearly an hour of acupuncture, Tommy’s complexion returned to normal, and his fever and sweating subsided. Emmanuel, drenched in sweat from exertion, finished the treatment.

“Emmanuel, is Tommy alright now?” Ryder, who had stood nervously aside, afraid to disturb the treatment, asked.

Behind him, Abellyn stared at Emmanuel in awe. If Ryder had half his cousin's looks and a tenth of his skill, I wouldn't have cheated on him. Humph! He's useless!

Emmanuel was unaware of their thoughts. “He should be fine. Ryder, make some chicken soup for Tommy.”

“Alright.” Ryder, relieved, turned and saw Abellyn, his anger resurfacing. “Say it, Abellyn! Did you do something to make Tommy sick?”

Abellyn instinctively stepped back, her large rear end hitting the door handle and getting stuck. “Ryder, d-don’t accuse me! Tommy is my son! Why would I harm him?”

“Humph! You’d better not!” Ryder warned. “If I find proof, I won’t let you off!”

“Y-you’re crazy!” Abellyn trembled. “If I have any grudges, they’re against you, you stud! Why would I have grudges against my son?”

Enraged, Ryder swore, “What did you call me?”

Abellyn tried to step back, but the door handle remained lodged between her buttocks.

“Humph! Stop it! Tommy is my son! He’s not yours anymore. Get out!” Ryder angrily shooed her away.

Abellyn bit her lip. “Ryder, don’t bully me! I’m not afraid of you! I brought Tommy’s biological father here today!”

Ryder was thunderstruck. He hadn’t believed her before, but now…?

Emmanuel stared at Abellyn. Her expression seemed genuine. If she had proof Tommy wasn't Ryder's son, Ryder might struggle to accept it.

“Blake, where are you? Come meet your son and tell this useless old man he's raising someone else’s child!”

No one appeared.

“Alright, crazy woman, get out of my house!” Ryder grabbed Abellyn, opened the door, and dragged her out. Abellyn called for Blake, but he never showed, even after Ryder threw her out.

“How strange! That sshole specifically asked me to bring him to see our son, but he didn’t show up! The black Corolla is gone too—he abandoned me again!” she said, puzzled.

Emmanuel ignored Abellyn. Ryder made chicken soup while Emmanuel observed Tommy. Who planted the worm? Who was at the window? The trouble was escalating. He needed help to protect his family.

Chapter 772: The Trouble is Getting Bigger

Chapter 773: Ruby Wants to Talk

Emmanuel's phone rang; it was Alessandra.

“Hello, Mom?”

“Emmanuel, where are you?”

“At Ryder’s. Tommy had a small accident.”

“What? What happened? How is he?”

Emmanuel reassured her, “It’s nothing serious. He ate something bad, but he’s fine.”

“That’s good!” Alessandra breathed a sigh of relief. “Bring Ryder and Tommy home. Ruby is here!”

Emmanuel was surprised. Ryder overheard.

“Yes, they came to apologize. Ruby even said… she said…” Alessandra hesitated.

“What did she say?” Emmanuel pressed.

“She said… she really likes Ryder. She said…he must be very hardworking and physically fit. S-She really wants to… talk to him!”

Ryder, testing the congee, nearly sprayed it on Emmanuel. Hardworking and physically fit? Emmanuel felt goosebumps.

“Mom, let me discuss it with him.”

“No need. Bring them over.” Alessandra insisted, hoping to help Ryder with his marital status.

“Emmanuel… can you give me a ride?” Ryder, respectful of his elders, agreed.

“Tommy?”

“I’ll ask a neighbor. He’ll be fine, right?”

“He should be.” Emmanuel added, “Since you want to meet Ruby, I’ll go with you. Be prepared. She’s not a good person!”

Ryder nodded; he also wanted to end things with Ruby as he liked Tia.

Emmanuel drove them to his family's house. He was shocked to see Ruby in a short plaid skirt, black stockings, and twin tails, looking far younger than her thirties.

Chapter 774: She Will Do It

Ruby sighed seeing the Maserati. If I get Ryder, I can demand 50,000, a car, and a house!

“Ryder, you’re finally back!” Ruby greeted him coquettishly.

Ryder was stunned by her appearance and transformation, admitting it appealed to him. His regret at not going to college and experiencing youthful romance made Ruby's image suddenly alluring.

Roselynn almost vomited seeing the scene. Emmanuel quickly ushered Ryder inside. Ruby clung to Ryder’s arm.

“Manny, hello!”

Emmanuel frowned. “Call me Emmanuel. We’re not close.”

“Okay, Manny!” Ruby said sweetly.

Ryder pushed Ruby away, but she clung to him. It was his first experience with such brazenness.

Roselynn whispered to Emmanuel, “She taught Milani to pursue you. Now, she’s after you. Get rid of her!”

“An exorcist?” Emmanuel asked wryly.

“Your love advisor!” Roselynn reminded him.

Emmanuel called Rhea.

“It’s easy,” Rhea said excitedly. “Call Tia and ask her to pretend to be your cousin’s girlfriend. Two birds with one stone!”

“What if she refuses?”

“Trust me. She will agree! And if not… you still have me, right?” Rhea said confidently.

Emmanuel took it as a slip of the tongue. He didn't know Rhea’s cheeks were burning. Why did I say that? I like him!

Chapter 775: Are You Dating Someone?

“Stop clinging to me!” Ryder pushed Ruby away.

Belinda and Alessandra approached, apologizing insincerely. Roderick smiled; he only cared about the bride price.

“You were not wrong. I am ugly and unworthy of your daughter…” Ryder began.

“I don’t mind!” Ruby interrupted, hugging his arm. Ryder’s self-control is weaker than Emmanuel’s. I’ll use my body!

Roselynn felt nauseous. Alessandra was pleased.

“Ryder, are you rejecting me because you think I’m not worthy?” Ruby asked.

“No!”

“What then? Are you dating someone?” Ruby pressed, her parents sneering.

Chapter 776

Emmanuel intervened, “That’s right! My cousin has a girlfriend, Ruby. Stop bothering him!”

The Zimmermans were shocked. Alessandra was overjoyed. Emmanuel said Tia agreed to date Ryder and was visiting.

Ryder was shocked. The Zimmermans were speechless.

“Really? Great!” Alessandra exclaimed.

“Hmph, we’re leaving!” Roderick stormed off. Belinda followed, cursing.

Ruby refused to give up. Roselynn prepared snacks.

Ruby said to Emmanuel, “You’re testing me! I like your cousin. Let us marry!”

Emmanuel rolled his eyes. Ruby said, “Ryder, date me. If you don’t fall in love with me in two weeks, we break up.”

Tia entered.

“Ah, Tia, you really came!” Alessandra exclaimed.

Ryder was petrified. He realized Emmanuel's plan.

Chapter 777: Expose Her

“You’re lying!” Ruby accused. “Emmanuel called you to pretend!”

Tia insisted, “No, I’m his girlfriend.”

“H-How could I not like you?!” Ryder exclaimed.

Tia blushed. Even Ruby felt awkward.

“See? Divorcing Abellyn was the best decision!” Roselynn commented.

Ruby cried, “Why would I pretend? You asked me for a blind date!”

Alessandra apologized.

“I want to be friends with Ryder!” Ruby insisted, determined to expose the “fake couple.”

Roselynn went to her room.

“I’ll go cook. You two chat!” Ruby said, wanting to expose Tia and Ryder.

Emmanuel and Alessandra left.

Only Ryder and Tia remained.

Chapter 778: The Angle Is Just Right

Tia kept her head down. Ryder felt nervous. He tried to move closer but hesitated.

Ryder cut his thumb peeling an apple. Tia tended his wound. Emmanuel appeared with a bandage.

Tia helped Ryder. A call from the kitchen interrupted. Ryder went to help.

Ruby was inspecting the gas tank, her posterior facing Ryder, in a revealing pose.

Chapter 779

Ruby turned around. Ryder, flustered, turned away.

“Ryder, are you okay?” Ruby asked, feigning obliviousness.

“N-nothing!”

“Why your back to me? Afraid?” Ruby smirked.

Ruby wiped Ryder’s smeared face. Ryder, nervous, pushed her too forcefully. She deliberately fell, Ryder caught her, and she hugged him.

“Zimmerman, are you okay?” Ryder apologized. Tia entered, silently observing.

Ruby nipped Ryder’s earlobe. Roselynn stormed in, “Shameless woman, get out!”

Roselynn tried to drag Ruby out. Ruby cried out.

Emmanuel was helpless.

Chapter 780: Pick Up the Wifey!

Alessandra asked Emmanuel to take Ruby home. Ruby was thrilled.

Ruby tried to seduce Emmanuel. He coldly pointed to a taxi.

Ruby smirked. She had learned Ryder and Emmanuel were different.

Emmanuel was considering going home. I’ll pick up wifey!

Mackenzie was exhausted from work. Lexi offered peaches. Mackenzie asked to go home early. Terence Group faced internal and external challenges.