On the way back, Dean drove, while Yasmin sat in the passenger seat. Ryan was sitting in the back.


    "Mr. Hoffman, we must be on guard from now on."


    Yasmin spoke cautiously, "Christopher is the owner of Pivotage. With themotion we caused tonight, he''ll definitely hear about it. I''m worried he might use tonight''s incident toe after you." "It doesn''t matter. He''s nothing but a pale, beardless coward."


    Ryan''s voice remained sharp and arrogant, but it was hoarse, burning with intensity. "I got what I wanted. Liam had someone injure your leg, so I cut off his arm. We''re even now. As for the rest, who cares?" "Thank you for avenging me, Mr. Hoffman." Tears filled Yasmin''s eyes, and her voice choked with emotion. "But I hope this is thest time you''re doing something like this. From now on, I can avenge myself. I don''t want you getting into any more trouble because of me."


    Ryan pressed his pale lips into a thin line, remaining silent.


    "Mr. Hoffman, are you heading home now?" Dean asked, ncing at the resting Ryan through the rearview mirror.


    "Home... Pfft, do I even have a home now?"


    Ryan coughed heavily, as if swallowing the bitterest gall in the world, making it almost unbearable to speak. "From the moment Carrie left me, I have had no home. I dare not even return to Willow Creek Vi anymore."


    These days, he had nowhere to go and had been staying in the presidential suite of a hotel.


    With his wealth, buying ten more vis would not be a problem. However, he dared not live alone in those empty houses.


    Every ce resembling his home would stir up a deep-seated longing for Carrie. Every corner reminded him of the happy times they once shared.


    The longing was more agonizing than physical torture. He could barely endure it any longer.


    "Yasmin, give me a cigarette," Ryan said with his hoarse and broken voice.


    Yasmin tried to suppress her heartache and earnestly advised, "No, Mr. Hoffman. You''ve been smoking too much these days. The doctor said smoking and drinking are harmful for your health. You bear a heavy responsibility, so you mustn''t copse. Please don''t harm your body anymore!"


    Before Yasmin could finish speaking, Dean suddenly mmed on the brakes, jolting the car.


    "What''s going on?" Ryan''s phoenix-like eyes widened slightly.


    Dean''s forehead beaded with sweat as he frantically honked the horn. "M-Mr. Hoffman, we''re in a standoff with another car ahead. They''re refusing to give way."


    Yasmin noticed that although the car was not as luxurious as Ryan''s, it had a distinctive ck-and-white license te.


    In Savrow, only privileged individuals or high-ranking government officials drove such vehicles.


    Yasmin reluctantly said to Dean, "Let''s reverse and make way for them."


    "Just drive forward," Ryan ordered coolly.


    Yasmin hesitated. "But Mr. Hoffman, that car..."


    "He was driving the wrong way. He should''ve made way for us. If he doesn''t understand the rules, why show him any courtesy? Crash into him."


    Dean did not dare to disobey Ryan''s orders. He shifted gears and stepped on the gas pedal.


    With a resounding crash, the hood of the opposing car flew up.


    The other driver stormed over, ready to argue with them. Dean was equally prepared to teach him a lesson. "Are you blind? Did you not see the license te before daring to bump into us? You''ve got some nerve!"


    The driver barked, emboldened by his backer. "Can you take responsibility if the person inside gets hurt?"


    In the re of the headlights, Yasmin saw the man sitting in the back seat. Upon realization, she was stunned. "Mr. Hoffman, that''s Mayor Solloway''s son, Jason Solloway!"


    Ryan''s long, narrow eyes widened. His gaze was like sharp arrows piercing through the car with a bone-piercing chill. He opened the door and got out, with Yasmin quickly following behind him.


    Across the car, Jason also recognized Ryan. Apanied by his bodyguards, Jason leisurely stepped out of his car.


    The two men faced off, one with eyes as cold as a brewing storm and the other with a mocking smile.


    Compared to the feigned politeness at the recent Iverson family banquet, this was pure disdain and ridicule.


    Jason said, "Mr. Hoffman, you might need to rece your driver. His driving skills are horrible."


    Yasmin clenched her fists in anger.


    Despite being the son of the mayor, Jason acted with the arrogance of a petty man.


    "Are you blind? Can''t you see the lines on the road?" Ryan did not bother with subtlety, immediately snapping back at Jason. Upon hearing Ryan''s words, Jason frowned.


    "Even a good dog knows not to


    block the way. The people you keep


    are worse than dogs." Ryan''s


    smile


    ovel.ne


    was cold and dangerous, like a handsome devil in the night.


    "Perhaps your dogs are just


    reflecting what kind of person you afe."


    "You...!"


    Jason was furious. He wanted to punch Ryan, but he feared he would not win the fight.


    Taking a deep breath, Jason suddenly curled his lips into a sinister smile that seemed out of ce with his status. "Hehe... Mr. Hoffman, I won''t take your anger to heart. After all, a gentleman doesn''t hold grudges against petty people."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Who are you calling petty?" Yasmin stepped forward, eyes ring at Jason.


    The Solloways'' bodyguards immediately moved to protect their boss.


    Jason continued smiling, "I won''t get mad at you. But as a fellow man, I understand that a breakup can be quite painful, especially when you watch the woman you love


    have to w


    marry someone else. That feeling


    must be worse than being skinned


    alive, huh?"


    Ryan felt his heart sink, and he gritted his teeth. "Who is getting married?"


    "Haha... Did you not hear about it yet, Mr. Hoffman? Since we''ve run into each other today, I''ll save you the trouble of receiving an invitation."


    Jason stepped closer, leaning into


    Ryan''s ear. His lips curled into a chilling smile as he said, "I''m getting engaged to Carrie Salvador. She''ll be mine soon."