ire was nearly driven to madness. Her mind was in turmoil as she struggled to find the right words.


    Ryan, who was always an obedient son, became unfilial and rebellious after a few days of absence, all


    because of this foolish girl.


    “Ryan! You know Mom’s health is not good. How can you upset her like this?” Zoe supported ire


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    and changed her approach. “Ryan, how many women have you fooled around with since you were


    young? You change women like you change clothes! Your quarrel with Mom over Carrie is just a


    momentary whim! Once you’ve had your fill of ying and you recall the hurtful words you spoke to


    Mom today, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”


    Carrie stood quietly behind Ryan, clutching a teddy bear.


    Hearing these words, a sharp pain struck her heart, and she trembled, taking a step back.


    Her delicate, longshes fluttered as she gazed at the man’s broad shoulders, sturdy waist, and


    handsome figure.


    Although this man provided her with a sense of security, for some unknown reason, she felt uneasy,


    confused, and fearful.


    “Mom, I’ve never asked you for anything or made any demands since I was young. Whatever you and


    Zoe wanted me to do or have, I have unconditionally fulfilled them or helped you achieve it.” Ryan


    clenched his hands tightly, his voice strained and hoarse.


    He said bitterly, “I’ve lived for 28 years. I want nothing but to be with


    Carrie. Can’t you…”


    “No, you can’t.” Before Ryan could finish his sentence, ire roared at him, “Unless I’m dead, you can


    forget about being with her… Forget about letting this mentally challenged woman marry into the


    Hoffman family!”


    Ryan’s eyes turned crimson. “Mom!”


    “You’re my only son and the hope of the entire Hoffman family! If you get involved with such a woman,


    how can I face your father after I die?”


    ire was fuming. Her carefully maintainedposure was on the verge of breaking. “Shannon and


    Bethany both plotted against Zoe! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! If her mother is like that, this


    girl is probably no good either. She’s just pretending to be innocent to deceive you!”


    Zoe feigned concern on the surface, but inside, she wasughing maniacally.


    “Mrs. Hoffman, you said that Ms. Salvador was a fool earlier. How can a fool deceive others? She’s


    only in a position to be deceived Yasmin could not stand it anymore and retorted with indifference.


    “Who do you think you are? Shut your mouth!” Zoe pointed her sharp finger at Yasmin.


    Zoe had long found Yasmin annoying, as thetter was always trailing behind her brother. Now was the


    perfect moment to vent her frustrations.


    “I don’t need you to tell me what kind of person Carrie is.” Ryan took a deep breath, no longer willing to


    engage with them. “Whatever you say or do won’t change my decision. I only want Carrie.”


    This statement sent ire’s blood pressure skyrocketing again.


    “Mr. Hoffman! Ms. Salvador has disappeared!” Yasmin whispered urgently, scanning the surroundings


    for any sign of Carrie.


    “Carrie… Carrie?!” Ryan’s face turned ashen. Without looking back, Ryan sprinted away.


    “He’s gone mad… Ryan is absolutely mad!” ire covered her heaving chest, struggling to catch her


    breath.


    “Mom, we can’t give up because of this!” Zoe watched Ryan’s retreating figure, her teeth biting down


    with determination.


    “He doesn’t even care about me, his own mother. What else can we do?” ire’s eyes were full of


    disappointment.


    “What about Grandpa? Can he ept such a granddaughter-inw?” Zoe’s gaze darkened. Her


    scheming mind had alreadye up with a n for a long time. “As long as we find an opportunity to


    make Grandpa see that this woman is aplete fool, he will definitely intervene.”


    “Zoe, will it really work like this? Your elder brother is so stubborn, I’m afraid your grandfather…”


    “It will work.” Zoe spoke with unwavering conviction and a cold, calcting expression on her face.


    “Ryan hase this far to gain Grandpa’s approval and bring honor to our father. He wished to secure


    the entire Hoffman Group. If he offends Grandpa, everything Grandpa has given him will be taken


    back, and the one to control the group in the end will be Uncle Liam. Dad raised Ryan to be better than


    this and ced high expectations on him. Ryan would be letting Dad down if he gave up control of the


    Hoffman Group.”


    Ryan notified his bodyguards to search for Carrie’s whereabouts, so everyone scattered in all


    directions.


    The pitch-ck night sky was adorned with glistening white snow, falling gracefully like scattered


    petals. It was a picturesque night, but Ryan was not in the mood to appreciate it. His only concern was


    Carrie’s safety.