“At this hour?” Gregory looked at the time and frowned. “He should know that Justin isn’t home, and it’s


    almost dinner. Why did hee at-”


    “Oh, Greg. Ryan doesn’t pay us a visit every day. Don’t read too much. into it. Ryan could be here for


    Bethany, for all we know.” Shannon clung to Gregory’s arm.


    “Shannon, are you saying that Bethany and Ryan are…” Gregory was surprised.


    “You’ve been too busy with work to pay attention to your daughter. doubt you know what’s going on


    with Bethany.”


    Shannon poked her husband on the arm and said with a pout, Bethany has always had a crush on


    Ryan.”


    Gregory was shocked. “So Bethany likes Ryan? I couldn’t tell at all.”


    “Girls can be shy. It’s not something she’ll talk about openly.”


    Shannon looked abashed for her daughter.


    “It’s not something to tread lightly on. Bethany’s marriage is essential to our family’s future.”


    Gregory turned solemn. “Bethany is my first daughter and the apple of my eye. It’s imperative that she


    marry into the right family. She must pick one of the finest men in all of Savrow.”


    Shannon said, “The Hoffmans belong to a handful of the rich and powerful in Savrow. Plus, Ryan is


    Logan’s only grandson. Even thought


    Ryan has an uncle, the man is too old to have children. It’s only a matter of time before the family


    business is passed down to Ryan.”


    She had everything figured out. “Besides, Ryan is close with Justin. Our families will be brought closer


    with Bethany marrying into the Hoffmans.”


    Gregory eased his frown as Shannon convinced him.


    Although Ryan had a reputation for being a yboy, he was just ying the field, just like most guys


    do, especially when they were used to getting whatever they wanted.


    Gregory had been there and done that. Ryan would focus on family life when he had enough of


    following the teenage ybook. Bethany and Ryan were in the same social ss. When they married


    each other, the Salvador family could keep Ryan in line, away from his wandering eyes.


    Ryan sat in the living room.


    He had ydates with Justin at Tideview Manor when he was a kid, so he felt very much at home.


    Ryan went ahead and poured himself a drink instead of waiting for the maids.


    “What brings you here today, Ryan?”


    Gregory and Shannon came to wee him, even though Gregory did not usually show his face.


    However, after a conversation with his wife, Gregory felt he should be there.


    “Sorry for the spontaneous visit, Uncle Greg.” Ryan appeared close to


    Gregory, seeing that they were on a first-name basis.


    “We were just getting ready for dinner. Why don’t you join us?” Shannon extended the invitation.


    “I won’t be staying for dinner.”ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Ryan declined and added, “Is Bethany home? I need a word with her.”


    Gregory and Shannon exchanged intriguing looks.


    Upon learning of Ryan’s presence, Bethany could not wait to see him.


    Nevertheless, her mother once reminded her to y hard to get, so she resisted meeting Ryan


    recently.


    It never urred to her that the approach worked, and Ryan came to her house to see her.


    Bethany walked into the room with her heart pounding out of her chest.


    “You wanted to see me, Ryan?”


    Ryan clutched his ss and took a sip nonchntly. “Yeah.”


    “What’s the matter?” Bethany sat across from him coyly, looking rather shy.


    “Do you have anything to say for yourself about the incident at ACEst night?” Ryan fixated on her


    coldly and cut straight to the chase.


    Bethany’s heart dropped. “What happenedst night?”


    “Carrie doesn’t leave her home. How did her teddy end up dumped at ACE?”


    Ryan mmed his ss, his eyes piercing. “You went too far with your little fun and games. You were


    out of line yesterday, Bethany.”


    Bethany turned as white as a sheet, apprehension washing over her.


    “I think you got the wrong idea, Ryan.” Her eyes welled up in fear. Using tears as a weapon, she yed


    the victim.


    “Carrie didn’t even shed a tear, even when you yed her. What are you crying about?”


    Ryan could not even look at Bethany because those were simply crocodile tears. “I came here to tell


    you two things. One, stop picking on Carrie. I’ll have her back from now on. Think twice before you try


    to pull another stunt on her, Two, stay away from my sister. She’s an innocent girl. I don’t want you to


    be a bad influence on her.”


    The man stood up and walked away without looking back.


    Bethany stared vacantly as the door mmed shut, her body sliding to the ground from the sofa..