Chapter 10

After dropping Eudora off, Ryan drives straight to a bar, where he's arranged to meet his best friend. His mind is a jumbled mess, and he's drowning his sorrows in one strong drink after another. Radley, watching him, can't bear it anymore and snatches the bottle away, trying to stop Ryan from drinking himself into oblivion.

“Whatever's bothering you, just talk about it,” Radley says. “No one's forcing you to drink.”

Ryan turns away, refusing to respond. Radley, seeing Ryan's stubborn silence, shrugs and lets it go. He knows his friend well – when he's in a bad mood, he'll clam up, no matter how much you try to get him to open up.

“Alright, let's forget about everything for now. I've got some good news – I just booked a bunch of really hot models. They're coming soon, so you can have a good time and forget your troubles," Radley says, a smirk playing on his lips.

Ryan turns to face Radley, his eyebrows furrowed in clear displeasure.

Radley scratches his nose, confused by Ryan's attitude.

“I know you're not into this kind of thing, but haven't you already made up your mind? The models tonight are all stunning, you wouldn't be able to book them normally. Surely they're better than that nightclub waitress from the other night?”

Radley has been hearing whispers about Ryan being smitten with a beautiful girl at a nightclub, and he thinks his friend has finally seen the light, abandoning his monk-like lifestyle. He's secretly happy, thinking he and his best friend will finally have more in common.

Right then, a group of four gorgeous girls, all decked out in the latest fashion, stroll over to their table, chatting away.

“Hey Radley, long time no see! We thought you'd forgotten about us,” they say.

Radley is all smiles as he welcomes them. “How could I forget? Come on, sit down. Let me introduce you, this is Ryan, my friend.”

Unlike Radley, who loves the thrill of the entertainment industry, Ryan keeps a low profile and rarely shows up in the media. But his name is still big in New York's elite circles. The girls' eyes light up when Radley introduces him.

Looking at those beautiful faces, all heavily made up, Ryan suddenly feels a wave of boredom wash over him.

One of the young models, unable to hold back her eagerness, immediately starts chatting him up.

“Ryan, is something bothering you? Come on, have a drink with us. Let's forget about whatever's bothering you,” she says, gracefully pouring him a drink.

Unfortunately, Ryan isn't the type to appreciate beauty or care about appearances. Feeling utterly bored, he abruptly stands up and leaves.

“Ryan, where are you going? Ryan!” Radley calls out, but only gets a cold shoulder in response.

The model who had initiated the conversation suddenly feels awkward. Seeing this, Radley quickly comforts her.

“He gets like this sometimes, don't mind him. Have a good time tonight, girls. I'll take care of everything,” he says.

As soon as he finishes speaking, the atmosphere instantly becomes lively again.

As for Ryan, after leaving the bar, he just drives around the city aimlessly. He drives around for a while, and then, like something takes over him, he tells his driver to pull up in front of the apartment building where he put Eudora up.

He doesn't even try to pretend otherwise. He just follows his own desires and goes inside to see if she's staying home like he told her to.

But this day is destined to be a bad one for Ryan, because what awaits him is an empty house with no sign of life.

The alcohol rushes to his head, and Ryan, like a wild animal, goes crazy, flinging open the doors of each room, searching for Eudora.

Eudora doesn't dare stay out too long. She manages to ask Dr. Christian to help her find someone to look after Donna while she's away, then she gives her daughter some instructions and reassurance before rushing back home. But when she opens the apartment door, she sees the bright lights in the living room, and her heart sinks.

Ryan is sitting on the sofa, looking like he owns the place, his eyes as cold as ancient ice.

“Where were you?”

He doesn't raise his voice, but the low, deep tone that comes from his lips carries a chilling intimidation that makes Eudora tremble.

“I... I didn't go anywhere,” she stammers.

He obviously doesn't believe her and immediately asks again, “Where did you go?” He finishes speaking and slowly stands up, moving towards her.

Ryan's wild, animalistic eyes make Eudora extremely uneasy. She shakes her head repeatedly, her feet instinctively taking a step back.

“What are you hiding? Or are you secretly messing around with some guy behind my back?”

“No, I'm not,” Eudora repeatedly denies.

“If you're not, then answer me. Where did you just come from?”

“I... it's none of your business. You just need to know that there's no guy here,” she says, her voice strained.

Ryan chuckles softly, a sound filled with mockery and self-deprecation. “You think I believe you?”

He closes the distance between them, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close.

“It seems like I need to teach you a lesson, or you'll just ignore my words like the wind. Let's see what I can do to punish a woman as vile as you.”

He narrows his eyes, his dark pupils flickering with madness, making Eudora tremble in fear.