It was alreadyte at night when Ryan arrived home.


    Yasmin was on her way out of theundry room with a basket of clothes, when she noticed that Ryan hade back. She quickly set aside her work to greet him.


    "Where''s Carrie? Is she asleep?" Ryan took off his suit jacket and tossed it to her. His face was flushed with excitement.


    "Young Madam is already asleep."


    "Oh..." Ryan felt slightly disappointed but quickly smiled again. "Well, I''ll let her know in the morning then."


    Yasmin blinked and asked, "Young Master Hoffman, is there good news?"


    "Grandpa agreed." Ryan''s charming eyes sparkled brightly, his voice trembling with excitement.


    "Grandpa agreed for me to marry Carrie!"


    "Really?!" Yasmin felt a surge of happiness, tears glistening in her eyes. "Congrattions! It''s like a dreame true for you and Young Madam. This is just amazing!"


    "On the way back, my mother also called me and said she could also agree to ept Carrie, but on the condition that Zoees back." Ryan''s gaze turned cold.


    He said, "How absurd. When did my sweet mother learn to negotiate? Does she really think that I won''t marry Carrie if she doesn''t agree?"


    Yasmin nodded in agreement. ire often struggled to make clear decisions on important issues. Since Finn passed away, Ryan has been the main support for the household. Otherwise, Liam would have long taken over.


    Ryan''s expression turned serious. "But the only reason Grandpa agreed is because Liam put in a few good words. We need to keep an eye out for whatever schemes that guy is plotting."


    "Liam is always looking out for his own interests. You must be careful," Yasmin said as her expression turned cold and serious.


    Ryan took a quick shower and then slipped into bed, contentedly lying next to Carrie. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, unable to fall asleep.


    He quietly snuggled closer to her warm, fragrant body. Initially, he just wanted to be close, but that soon turned into a desire to hold her. This embrace ignited a fire within him, and he couldn''t resist lifting her nightgown, his hands wandering over her soft curves.


    Carrie suddenly woke up, opening her sleepy eyes and hugging Ryan. "You''re back..."


    "Sorry for waking you up, darling." Ryan felt a little guilty, but he did not want to let go of her.


    "Ryan... Do you want it?" Carrie had be so sensitive and considerate under his care that she could read his desires easily.


    He sighed and simply hugged her waist tightly. "No, or else you won''t get any sleep tonight."


    "You seem happy." Carrie closed her eyes and listened to his strong heartbeat. "Your heart is beating so fast, and I think I heard youughing while I was asleep... What are you so happy about?" Ryan took a deep breath and gently kissed her forehead, feeling overwhelmed with love.


    "Carrie, I''m finally going to marry you. I want the world to see you as the wife of the Hoffman Group''s CEO. I want everyone to know how much you mean to me."


    Carrie looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes.


    Ryan spoke each word deliberately. "Within the next couple of days, I''m nning to take you to meet your father. I want to formally ask for your hand in marriage."


    Carrie looked stunned, her mouth slightly agape. Her lips were trembling, and tears welled up in her eyes.


    Although Ryan lovingly referred to her as his "wife" every day, she had always thought of it as just a nickname.


    She never imagined that he would actually propose to her. Especially after her mother was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, Carrie had never dared to think about marrying him for real. Simply being by his side quietly was enough.


    "Ryan... You, you don''t have to force yourself...”


    "Force myself? You think I''m forcing myself?" Ryan''s voice broke with urgency, his intense emotions threatening to overflow like moltenva, engulfing the small woman in his arms. "No, Carrie, this is not forced... Marrying you is my lifelong desire, my greatest wish."


    After several days of getting everything ready and picking the ideal day, Ryan led his lovely wife by the hand as they arrived at Tideview Manor.


    "Mr. Hoffman? Ms. Carrie?! You''re here!" Paul, the secretary, was the first to greet them.


    "Hello, Uncle Paul, how are you?" Carrie linked arms with Ryan, her smile as radiant as the warm sun.


    "I''m great. I feel even better after


    seeing you, Ms. Carrie," Paul said as he carefully observed Carrie''s healthy and glowing face, appreciating how she had


    blossomed under Ryan''s atter el


    care. He felt relieved knowing that Ryan was taking good care of her, and atst, his worries were eased.


    "Uncle Paul, is Chairman Salvador home?" Ryan asked with a warm smile, holding Carrie''s hand tightly. "I need to talk to him about something really important."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Seeing Carrie''s blush, Paul had already guessed the nature of their visit and couldn''t hide his happiness. "Chairman Salvador is home. I''ll go up and-"


    "Carrie, you''re back." Before Paul could finish speaking, Gregory''s voice came from behind.


    Ryan and Carrie both looked up.


    Dressed infortable loungewear, Gregory made his way downstairs.


    Bethany followed closely behind, dressed much more modest than before. Ryan barely recognized her.


    Was this even the same person? The former ostentatious peacock now looked almost subdued, looking like Rosalind when she had returned from abroad. "Daddy..." Carrie squeezed Ryan''s hand, bing visibly nervous.


    Gregory''s expression softened slightly as he nced at his daughter, then darkened again when he looked at Ryan.


    "Oh, sister, you''ve finally decided toe home." Bethany forced a friendly smile. "It''s been so long since I''ve seen you. I''ve really missed you."


    "Carrie." Gregory''s mood shifted, and


    he spoke with a serious tone. "Since you''re back home now, please don''t leave again. You''re part of the Salvador family, not some reckless wild child without anyone to care for you Does it set a good example to always be away and never at home?"


    "Yes, little sister." Bethany furrowed her brow, her face filled with concern. "You''re only in your early twenties How does it look to be living with a man at such a young age? If this gets out, your reputation will be ruined. It''s not a big deal for M. Hoffman, but you''ll be the one who suffers."