Bella walked as fast as she could to the underground parking lot.
âMs. Brown! Ms. Brown! Anna!â
Ryan ran after Bella and grabbed her thin wrist.
She turned around suddenly and looked at him with distant, watery eyes.
âLet go of me.â
âWhatâs wrong? Is it because of Justin?â
Ryanâs throat tightened. He spoke gently, with a hint of guilt. âIâm sorry. I didnât know he would
show up here. If I had known, I wouldnât have brought you here.â
Bella thought of the box that Justin handed her and felt a slight pain in her heart.
She thought, âCompensation? I donât want it!â
âHere, take it back.â
Bella bowed her head slightly, took off the necklace from her slender neck, and handed it to Ryan.
Thank you for the gift, but Iâm sorry, I canât accept it.â
Ryanâs body trembled for a moment. âWere you using me?â
âIâm sorry.â Bellaâs eyes were filled with sorrow.
Even though he was being used, Ryan did not feel angry. On the contrary, he felt sorry for her.
Apart from feeling distressed, Ryan felt disappointed. That was because he could see that she still had
some feelings for Justin. She still needed time to get over Justin.
Although Ryan did not know how long it would take, he was willing to wait.
âItâs okay. At least you didnât accept Justinâs gift either. I feel better now.â
Ryan waved his hand nonchalantly and took the necklace from her.
âMr. Hoffman, youâre a good man. You can see things more clearly than Justin can. Although you seem
frivolous, youâre attentive and know how to care for others. You deserve a better woman, so you should
save your precious time for someone in the future who is worthy of your efforts.â Bella still felt a little
guilty for using him, so she was much gentler with him.
âIâve already found a better person worthy of my love. Itâs you!â Ryan stared at her with bright eyes. His
chest was heaving with anticipation.
âThanks for your recognition.â
Bella smiled, turned around, and left with grace.
Ryan froze on the spot. He felt helpless and unwilling.
Did she just reject his confession?
Probablyâ¦
That night, at ACE Club Lounge, Justin was in a very bad mood, so Ryan ordered the manager to clear
the lounge, which was exclusive to the two of them for the night.
Justin was sitting at the bar by himself. His chilling vibe made the bartenders flinch away from him.
In front of him was a black velvet jewelry box.
Justin had been carrying it with him these past few days, thinking of giving it to Anna as soon as he had
the chance. However, he did not expect the woman to reject him without even looking at it. How
humiliating!
He shook the glass of iced whiskey and kept thinking about Ryan putting on the necklace for Anna
earlier that day. Anna smiled brightly at Ryan, and they even left together.
âIn the past, Anna only smiled at me like that. But now, she smiles so brightly at every man but me!
Anna, youâre nothing without me. Youâre just dropping your own value!â
Justin exhaled angrily and gulped down the whiskey.
The bartender was stunned. It was dangerous to drink such strong liquor like water.
Justin poured another glass, picked it up, and wanted to down it again when a strong hand reached
over and covered the glass.
âJustin, you shouldnât drink such strong alcohol like that. Itâs bad for your liver.â
Justin narrowed his drunken eyes and saw Ryan beside him. He gritted his teeth and laughed. âSo
what if itâs bad for my liver? Itâs much better than having my best friend steal my girl!â
âI didnât steal your girl!â
Ryan was not in a good mood either. He sat beside Justin and said to the bartender, âGive me what
heâs having.â
âRyan, Anna is not a woman you can touch,â Justin said in a cold voice.
âWhy not?â
âShe is already with Asher.â
Ryan raised his eyebrows and asked teasingly, âIs it because sheâs with Asher or because she is your
ex
-wife?â
Justinâs throat felt dry, and his chest was so tight that it was about to explode.
âIf itâs the former, I donât care. If itâs the latter, I donât give a fuck about that.â
Justin was provoked by his words and emboldened by alcohol, so he finally let out his pent-up
emotions.
He knocked over the whiskey glass and suddenly grabbed Ryanâs collar. His eyes were bloodshot and
murderous.
âRyan, as long as Iâm alive, donât even think about getting your hands on her!â