Chapter 20

‎Claire shook her head, a fond smile playing on her lips as she watched her silly friend disappear down the hallway toward her room.

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‎Cleo didn’t waste any time. She hopped in the shower for a quick rinse, then slipped into a pair of snug, high-waisted shorts that hugged her curves and stopped mid-thigh. She barely had time to run a brush through her damp hair, let alone put on makeup. With a glance at the clock, she grabbed her purse and called out a rushed goodbye to Claire, who was now busy clattering around in the kitchen.

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‎"Are you coming back tonight?" Claire asked, stepping out of the kitchen into the living room just as Cleo reached the door.

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‎"I don’t know yet," Cleo replied with a mischievous grin, tossing her a wink before heading out.

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‎"Naughty girl," Claire muttered under her breath, watching as the front door closed behind her friend.

‎In Ryan’s place, after ending the call, he quickly sent his home address to her. With a calm but purposeful stride, he made his way downstairs to the living room, where he intended to contact his bodyguard. The dim lighting cast long shadows around the spacious room as he sank onto the plush couch, the cool leather pressing against his bare skin.

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‎“Call me the gate security,” Ryan instructed, his voice steady yet carrying an edge of urgency. He didn’t bother to put on a shirt, the defined muscles of his torso exposed under the soft glow of the chandelier.

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‎Thomas, his trusted aide, glanced at him with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. It wasn’t often that Ryan appeared so casual and unguarded at home, especially without a shirt. Still, Thomas said nothing, knowing better than to question his boss’s mood or habits. He quickly left the room to make the call.

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‎Moments later, the gate security arrived, stepping inside the house with a respectful nod. “Sir, you called for me?” he asked, his eyes flickering briefly over Ryan’s bare upper body, clearly caught off guard by the rare sight of his employer so exposed. The muscles, the scars, the quiet strength all on display, it was a side of Ryan not many got to see.

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‎Ryan didn’t break eye contact. “There’s a lady coming to find me,” he said, pulling out his phone and showing the guard a picture of her. The security guard studied the image carefully, committing every detail to memory so he would recognize her immediately upon arrival.

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‎It took the man a moment to gather his thoughts, his gaze shifting between the picture and Ryan’s face. The woman was undeniably beautiful, and the guard could sense something deeper behind the coldness in Ryan’s tone. A small, knowing smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

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‎“Okay, sir,” the security guard said, awaiting further instructions.

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‎Ryan’s voice turned colder, more commanding. “Don’t forget to inform the estate security as well,” he added, his eyes narrowing slightly but unfazed by the guard’s subtle smile.

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‎“And when she arrives, tell Thomas to bring her straight to my room. You’re free to leave after that,” he finished, his tone brooking no argument.

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‎“Yes, sir,” the security guard replied, turning on his heel and heading out. On his way, he found Thomas and relayed the message exactly as Ryan had instructed.

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‎“Thomas,” the security guard said quietly, “the boss said a lady is coming to see him. You’re to bring her to his room.”

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‎Thomas’s face betrayed a flicker of surprise, the cold mask he usually wore cracking just a little. He knew Ryan’s reputation well enough, his penchant for women was no secret, but he had never seen his boss bring anyone home before, let alone someone under these circumstances.

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‎After delivering the message, the guard didn’t linger any longer. He returned promptly to his post at the gate.

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‎Meanwhile, Ryan headed back upstairs to his bedroom, his mind already racing as he waited for her arrival. The silence of the house enveloped him, the quiet anticipation hanging heavy in the air.