<h4>Chapter 617: Abandoned</h4>


    Alice and Ryder left the mansion together with Shu. They entered the helicopter that was standing inside the Mansion premises.


    The helicopter started flying, taking the group of three to the airport where the private jet was waiting for them.


    ...


    "It has been half an hour. Where is he?" The Goddess of Destiny was getting impatient, standing outside the headquarters of Divine Corporation, which was owned by Ryder.


    They were waiting for his arrival, but he didn’t arrive even now.


    "Maybe he’s runningte. That happens sometimes. Let me call him again," Itsuki said, picking up the phone.


    He called Ryder again.


    ...


    The helicopternded at the airport. Alice and Ryder stepped out of the helicopter, following Shu. They were escorted to the private ne.


    Ryder’s phone started ringing.


    "Excuse me for a minute."


    Ryder moved away from all the noise and picked up the call.


    "Yeah, Itsuki. What’s up?"


    "Where are you? It’s been close to an hour," Itsuki reminded Ryder.


    "Ah, yeah. I apologize for that. Actually, I’m runningte. An emergency came up. I’ve finished it. Now I’ming straight to the office. Give me another hour. I’ll be right there," Ryder replied before quickly disconnecting the call.


    Ryder walked back to Shu to make an excuse. He didn’t n to leave the city in the first ce either.


    ’I’m extremely sorry, but something important came up. I can’te with you two right now. I’ll only be free tomorrow. You two leave. I’ll join you a dayter," he informed Alice and Shu.


    Shu already knew that Ryder wasn’t going toe, but it came as a surprise to Alice. "Again?"


    "I can wait for a day as well. I’lle with you," she told Ryder.


    "Don’t be stupid. Just go there now. It’ll be useless even if you stay here since I’ll be busy at work. I won’t be at home. In any case, you won’t be with me. Instead, it’s better if you go there first and arrange everything," Ryder said, not letting her stay behind.


    After a thorough convincing, Alice ultimately agreed to go with Shu before Ryder.


    Ryder watched the two of them enter the private jet, which soon took off.


    He walked back to the helicopter that was waiting behind them. He sat inside the helicopter, which started flying back towards his office.


    It was time for him to meet the Goddess of Destiny. He was prepared for the consequences, because he still had the power of time reversal. He wanted to see what they wanted from him and if he could fool them before deciding on what to do.


    He didn’t forget to inform Janus about the appearance of the Goddess of Destiny, but he hasn’t received a response that made him think that Janus had abandoned him.


    He was asking Janus’ help for over an hour, but there was no response. He believed that Janus was just with Ryder for his brother, and now that his brother was free, he didn’t need to stick around.


    Ryder felt abandoned. He realized he couldn’t depend on anyone at the moment. He needed to solve this mess himself.


    His helicopternded on the roof of the building he owned. He stepped out of the helicopter and went downstairs to his office before calling Itsuki.


    "You cane inside. I’m in my office."


    ...


    "He’s inside. That helicopter right now must be his," Itsuki told the Goddess of Destiny, who was invisible.


    She and Itsuki stepped inside the building.


    Itsuki informed the receptionist that he was here to meet Ryder.


    "He already informed me that you’ll be arriving. He’s waiting for you. Please go ahead," the receptionist answered as she sent Itsuki to Ryder’s office.


    Itsuki stepped inside Ryder’s office, apanied by the Goddess of Destiny, who was invisible.


    "Wee, Mr. Yamada. I’ve been wanting to meet you for so long. It’s really great to finally meet you," Ryder greeted Itsuki.


    "Yeah. Same here."


    "I can’t tell you how surprised I was when you called to inform me about your desire to sell yourpany. It was really surprising," Ryder said.


    "I contacted you? What are you saying? You talked to me about buying mypany, almost forcing me when you talked about Itsuki’s death in an ident," Itsuki eximed.


    "Itsuki’s death? Ah? Aren’t you sitting before me? Why would I tell you about your death when you’re alive? Are you drunk or something?" Ryder asked, stunned.


    He acted as if it was his first time hearing this.


    Itsuki couldn’t believe what Ryder was trying to say. "What nonsense are you speaking! Why are you acting as if you don’t know what I’m speaking! You’re the son of God of Time! The person who can manipte time!"


    "You know there were two Itsuki’s; one was the son of a god. You took that Itsuki, and he never returned! Then you said that he died in an ident!" he further added, reminding Ryder. "You even sent the video of that ident!"


    "God? Manipte time? Ah, Mr. Yamada, I think you’ve been watching too many movies. What you’re saying sounds like the story of a Revengers movie. All this nonsense about gods. Do you really expect me to believe it?" Ryder asked, still acting innocent.


    "I never called you. It was you who called mest week with the proposal of selling yourpany to me! I think you’re really not in your right mind. You need a doctor. I know a perfectly good psychiatrist. He can really help you. You must meet him! Let me give you his number," he further said.


    "Nonsense! Why aren’t you epting the truth?! You video called me! I have proof!" Itsuki firmly stated, bringing out aptop. He opened the video call app and checked the history of all calls.


    "Alright. Let me check," Ryder said, standing up. He approached the side of Itsuki to see for himself.


    "What? How is that possible?" Shock appeared on the face of Itsuki as he checked the history. It didn’t show any call from Ryder. Instead, it showed him that he was the one who called Ryderst week.


    "See? Do you remember now? I never called you. It was you who called me," Ryder said, sighing. "Don’t worry, buddy. The doctor I suggested will really help you."


    "This is a lie! I’m not crazy! You called me! You’re the son of the Lord of Time! You said it yourself! You definitely used some trick to hack my system! I’m sure of that!" Itsuki yelled.


    "Ah, Mr. Yamada, your conspiracy theories are getting worse with each passing second," Ryder muttered, smiling wryly.