30Behind Closed Doors Ryan pushed through the crowded club, one hand buried in his pocket. Heads turned instantly, whispers rippled, eyes widened. Women drifted toward him, hungry hands reaching, but he swatted them off with sharp claps of irritation. His glare froze them in place, yet their eyes still glittered with excitement.They knew his reputation. If luck was on their side and his mood aligned, he’d pick one, fuck her senseless, and send her back with a story that made the rest ache for their turn. That was enough to keep them circling.But tonight, Ryan wasn’t in a mood. His thoughts were a storm.He made his way to the private lounge reserved for him, his friends, and the occasional client. Dropping into the leather chair, he sprawled his legs wide, jacket unbuttoned, shirt clinging like a second skin. His head tipped back, jaw tense, and eyes closed.A waitress in uniform approached, biting her lip as her gaze devoured him. She smoothed her skirt, cleared her throat softly
29The Weight of a NameRyan strode into Smith Corporation, his secretary and personal assistant trailing closely behind. Conversations hushed the moment he stepped through. Heads dipped in respect as the employees parted to let him pass. His face was a mask, cold, unreadable, except for the faint trace of irritation that clung to him like a shadow.Inside the elevator, silence reigned. When the doors slid open on the top floor, Ryan stepped out without hesitation, his stride confident, unyielding.The women in the lobby lifted their eyes, their gazes lingering on him. Admiration burned in their stares, though none dared approach. They wished he would look at them, just once. They wished he would choose them, even if only for a night. The fantasy of being with Ryan Smith was enough to drive them into desperate measures, plunging necklines, short skirts, perfume strong enough to choke the air. All for a fleeting glance.They envied Ronda. They despised her for being close to him. She w
28A Choice to Stay“The young master is at the table. You can go serve his food,” Lilly informed Tessy.Tessy picked up the last dish and walked into the dining area. Her eyes met Ryan’s briefly, he looked dangerously handsome, his shirt clinging to him, the jacket tossed carelessly over a nearby chair.She snapped her gaze away immediately and moved to his side, dishing his food with practiced ease. When her hand brushed against his arm, sparks flared through her skin. His warmth seeped into her, a cruel reminder against the cold air of the mansion.Tessy jerked her hand back at once, forcing herself to stay composed. Her face remained tight and unreadable, her eyes never daring to meet his. She finished serving, then stepped aside, standing at a respectful distance where she could see him clearly.Ryan began eating reluctantly, his jaw set and his movements stiff. Tessy fixed her gaze on the floor, lost in her thoughts, wondering if she had truly made the right choice being here.A
27The Young Master's Fury When Ryan first opened his eyes and saw Tessy, he thought it was another dream. He sighed, frustration nipping at him. Tessy haunted him day and night, even in sleep. Strange, really, the power she still had over him, even after she had shattered him with her words and left when he needed her most.He had drowned himself in drinking, clubbing, and fleeting pleasures. Even Ronda, annoying as she was, became a distraction he clung to, because at least she was there.But Tessy? Tessy never left him alone. She tormented him in visions, in memories, in the way he spiraled every time he thought of her. Margaret had tried to pull him out of it, and though he cut back, the habits never fully left. The girls, the liquor, the reckless nights, they only grew worse. At least, to keep Margaret’s scolding at bay, he stopped bringing women into the mansion.Groaning, he rolled onto his back, glaring at the ceiling. “Get out of my head,” he muttered. His voice was rough, t
26The Young MasterTessy lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind a storm of thoughts. The time read 5:45 a.m. She was supposed to be up by six, but she had already been awake since four, tossing and turning, replaying everything.How had she gotten here? And what was she going to do now?Should she run? Should she slip out before anyone noticed, vanish back into the city, and pretend this never happened?But where would she go? She had no place to stay. Maybe she could use some of her savings to rent a tiny room and find another job. But in Haven City, jobs were scarce, and without connections… her chances were slim.And she couldn’t go back to the town either. What would she do there? Spin in the same endless cycle, no growth, no future.No. She had to make this work.Last night, after calling Grams over and over with no answer, she had finally given up and called Patty and Bruno. They had talked for hours, and she hadn’t breathed a word of what she had gotten herself into.
25The Return Trap Haven City was beautiful, nothing like the small town Tessy had grown up in. Yet as her eyes swept over its glittering streets, only bad memories rose to the surface. Memories that should have been buried long ago. Memories of her childhood, of the orphanage, of pain she never wanted to relive.She had always dreaded coming back here. But maybe this time, she needed to. Maybe coming back would help her understand something. Haven City was vast, and her scars came from only one part of it. As long as she never set foot near the orphanage, she told herself, she should be fine.By the time her train pulled in, the evening sun was already sinking, casting a golden-orange glow across the city. Dragging her small rolling luggage behind her, Tessy stepped out of the station and toward the roadside. Grams had promised someone would be waiting to pick her up, but she had also given Tessy a number in case they were running late.Well… rich people always had more important th