Without realizing she was still leaning against Ryan's chest, Vanessa remained there, surprisingly at ease, as though she had forgotten she was sitting beside the family's servant.
Gently, Ryan stroked her arm in an effort to comfort her. He knew they were both in the same position, forced into this arrangement for the sake of the people they loved most.
The moment Vanessa realized she was in Ryan's embrace, she quickly lifted her head and scooted away.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"It's all right, Mrs. Johnson. How about we have a drink first? Then we can... get started. We don't have much time. Mr. Johnson only gave us two hours," Ryan interrupted as he poured a glass of beer.
"Sorry, I don't drink beer," Vanessa replied, shaking her head.
"Just try a little. It's not as bad as you think. I don't like drinking too much either. Two glasses at most, just enough to warm me up. But if you don't want any, that's fine. I'll be the one keeping you warm anyway," Ryan said innocently.
Vanessa rolled her eyes at his remark.
She glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was already seven-thirty.
Richard had given them until nine o'clock, which meant they still had an hour and a half before the deadline.
For a brief moment, Vanessa found herself studying Ryan's face.
Tonight, there was an undeniable confidence about him. The servant she saw every day around the house wasn't nearly as plain-looking as she had always assumed. She watched him casually finish a glass of beer as if it were nothing more than water.
"Would you like some, Mrs. Johnson?" Ryan asked when he noticed her staring. "Don't keep looking at me like that. You're making me embarrassed. If you want one, I'll pour it for you."
After thinking it over, Vanessa decided there was no harm in trying a little.
Maybe the alcohol would help calm her nerves before they had to go through with Richard's plan.
"All right. Just a little, though. Not too much."
Ryan smiled and poured her only a quarter of a glass.
Vanessa accepted it, though she still hesitated.
She lifted the glass and caught the sharp smell of alcohol, instinctively turning her face away. She wasn't used to drinks like this.
"Wow... that smells awful," she muttered with a grimace.
Ryan chuckled.
"That's how it is, Mrs. Johnson. Just take it one sip at a time. You'll get used to it."
Vanessa slowly raised the glass to her lips again.
The smell was still overwhelming.
Holding her breath, she prepared to take her first sip.
Meanwhile, Ryan watched with an amused smile as his employer cautiously tried drinking beer for the first time.
He couldn't help finding it strange. A sophisticated socialite like Vanessa had never developed a taste for alcohol.
Slowly, Vanessa lifted the glass again.
Closing her eyes and holding her breath, she forced herself to take a small sip.
The instant the beer touched her tongue, a bitter taste spread through her mouth.
"Cough!"
She immediately spat it out, spraying beer all over Ryan before she could stop herself.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" Vanessa exclaimed, staring at Ryan's now-soaked shirt as she hurriedly wiped her mouth with a tissue. "I didn't mean to. It tastes awful!"
"It's all right, Mrs. Johnson. I understand," Ryan replied calmly.
Looking down at his soaked shirt, he reluctantly took it off.
When Ryan's shirt came off, Vanessa froze.
She hadn't expected his physique to be so well built.
'Oh my God... he's just a servant, but he's in incredible shape. Richard, on the other hand... well... She quickly caught herself. Ryan looks much stronger than I ever imagined.'
She immediately shook the thought away.
'No. What am I thinking? A servant is still a servant. No one could ever replace Richard. Besides, how am I supposed to have this man's child? What if the baby ends up looking like him?'
Scolding herself for letting her thoughts wander, Vanessa looked away.
Ryan, meanwhile, removed his wet trousers as well so they could dry. Time was limited, after all.
Vanessa's eyes widened.
"Ryan... why are you taking your pants off too?" she asked, quickly turning her face away.
Ryan was now dressed only in his underwear.
Standing there, his athletic build was impossible to ignore.
Vanessa swallowed nervously before forcing herself to avert her eyes.
Ryan answered as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"We don't have much time, Mrs. Johnson. We should take things slowly instead of rushing. I don't want you to get hurt. I'll do everything I can to make this as comfortable as possible for you."
His earnest, matter-of-fact explanation left Vanessa staring at him in surprise.
"You really thought this through, didn't you...?" she muttered, growing increasingly flustered.
Ryan smiled again and took a few steps toward her.
"If there's anything that would help you feel more comfortable, just let me know. I'll do my best."
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