Be walked as fast as she could to the underground parking lot.


    “Ms. Brown! Ms. Brown! Anna!”


    Ryan ran after Be and grabbed her thin wrist.


    She turned around suddenly and looked at him with distant, watery eyes.


    “Let go of me.”


    “What’s wrong? Is it because of Justin?”


    Ryan’s throat tightened. He spoke gently, with a hint of guilt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he would


    show up here. If I had known, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”


    Be thought of the box that Justin handed her and felt a slight pain in her heart.


    She thought, ‘Compensation? I don’t want it!’


    “Here, take it back.”


    Be bowed her head slightly, took off the ne from her slender neck, and handed it to Ryan.


    Thank you for the gift, but I’m sorry, I can’t ept it.”


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Ryan’s body trembled for a moment. “Were you using me?”


    “I’m sorry.” Be’s eyes were filled with sorrow.


    Even though he was being used, Ryan did not feel angry. On the contrary, he felt sorry for her.


    Apart from feeling distressed, Ryan felt disappointed. That was because he could see that she still had


    some feelings for Justin. She still needed time to get over Justin.


    Although Ryan did not know how long it would take, he was willing to wait.


    “It’s okay. At least you didn’t ept Justin’s gift either. I feel better now.”


    Ryan waved his hand nonchntly and took the ne from her.


    “Mr. Hoffman, you’re a good man. You can see things more clearly than Justin can. Although you seem


    frivolous, you’re attentive and know how to care for others. You deserve a better woman, so you should


    save your precious time for someone in the future who is worthy of your efforts.” Be still felt a little


    guilty for using him, so she was much gentler with him.


    “I’ve already found a better person worthy of my love. It’s you!” Ryan stared at her with bright eyes. His


    chest was heaving with anticipation.


    “Thanks for your recognition.”


    Be smiled, turned around, and left with grace.


    Ryan froze on the spot. He felt helpless and unwilling.


    Did she just reject his confession?


    Probably…


    That night, at ACE Club Lounge, Justin was in a very bad mood, so Ryan ordered the manager to clear


    the lounge, which was exclusive to the two of them for the night.


    Justin was sitting at the bar by himself. His chilling vibe made the bartenders flinch away from him.


    In front of him was a ck velvet jewelry box.


    Justin had been carrying it with him these past few days, thinking of giving it to Anna as soon as he had


    the chance. However, he did not expect the woman to reject him without even looking at it. How


    humiliating!


    He shook the ss of iced whiskey and kept thinking about Ryan putting on the ne for Anna


    earlier that day. Anna smiled brightly at Ryan, and they even left together.


    ‘In the past, Anna only smiled at me like that. But now, she smiles so brightly at every man but me!


    Anna, you’re nothing without me. You’re just dropping your own value!’


    Justin exhaled angrily and gulped down the whiskey.


    The bartender was stunned. It was dangerous to drink such strong liquor like water.


    Justin poured another ss, picked it up, and wanted to down it again when a strong hand reached


    over and covered the ss.


    “Justin, you shouldn’t drink such strong alcohol like that. It’s bad for your liver.”


    Justin narrowed his drunken eyes and saw Ryan beside him. He gritted his teeth andughed. “So


    what if it’s bad for my liver? It’s much better than having my best friend steal my girl!”


    “I didn’t steal your girl!”


    Ryan was not in a good mood either. He sat beside Justin and said to the bartender, “Give me what


    he’s having.”


    “Ryan, Anna is not a woman you can touch,” Justin said in a cold voice.


    “Why not?”


    “She is already with Asher.”


    Ryan raised his eyebrows and asked teasingly, “Is it because she’s with Asher or because she is your


    ex


    -wife?”


    Justin’s throat felt dry, and his chest was so tight that it was about to explode.


    “If it’s the former, I don’t care. If it’s thetter, I don’t give a fuck about that.”


    Justin was provoked by his words and emboldened by alcohol, so he finally let out his pent-up


    emotions.


    He knocked over the whiskey ss and suddenly grabbed Ryan’s cor. His eyes were bloodshot and


    murderous.


    “Ryan, as long as I’m alive, don’t even think about getting your hands on her!”