Ryan Ray

4

Susan's POV

His handshake was firm, and his eyes were sharp, as if he was dissecting every detail about me. I forced a polite smile, trying to mask my unease. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Ray.”

“Please, call me Ryan.” He gestured to a nearby seating area, and we took our seats. His gaze never wavered, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny.

"So we meet again," Ryan said, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. "Tell me, who are you really?"

I arched a brow, mustering as much confidence as I could. "My name is Susan Davidson. I believe you already know that."

Ryan leaned forward slightly, his posture still imposing even in his seat. I resisted the urge to lean back, holding his icy stare. "Don't play games with me. I know you're hiding something," he hissed.

My hands grew clammy as I remembered our strange encounter on the plane. What did he want from me? Anger and irritation bubbled up inside me. I had no time for his mind games.

"I have nothing to hide," I replied coolly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have an important meeting to attend." I moved to stand, but he subtly shifted his position to block my way.

"Not so fast. I have some questions for you first."

I gritted my teeth, fighting to stay calm. "And what questions might those be?"

Ryan's eyes swept over me appraisingly, as if sizing me up. My skin crawled under his gaze.

“So, Ms. Davidson,” Ryan began, leaning slightly forward. “I couldn’t help but notice that you have a child with you. Is that…?”

My stomach tightened. “What about it?”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a frown forming on his lips. “I’m just curious. Does the child have any connection to me?”

The question hit me like a punch. My fists clenched under the table, and I felt my teeth grind together. How dare he pry into my personal life so casually?

“I think you might be mistaken, Mr. Ray,” I said, my voice icy. “If you think you have some sort of connection to my daughter, you should consider visiting a fertility clinic. That would be a more productive use of your time.”

Ryan’s expression darkened. “Are you saying that there’s no chance she’s mine?”

His attitude was infuriating—so smug, so self-assured. I arched a brow, keeping my expression neutral through sheer force of will.

I could feel my patience wearing thin. “I’m saying that your assumptions are not only inappropriate but also entirely unfounded. My daughter is not your concern.”

Ryan leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes were cold, and I could see a flicker of irritation in his gaze. “If you’re so sure, then why not prove it? If there’s even a slight chance that she could be mine, you owe it to me to take a paternity test.”

A surge of anger bubbled up inside me. The audacity of this man was astounding. How could he mix such personal matters with business? My jaw tightened, and I felt my fists clench tighter.

“I have no intention of discussing my personal life with you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the growing rage. “If this is how you handle your professional relationships, then perhaps you should reassess your approach.”

Ryan’s brows furrowed, and he leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine with a steely intensity. “I’m just trying to clarify things. If you’re going to be involved with the Ray Consortium, you need to be open and honest.”

My face flushed with frustration. I could feel sweat forming at my temples, and I struggled to keep my composure. “My involvement with your company has nothing to do with my personal life. I’m here to discuss business, not to entertain your baseless inquiries.”

Ryan’s lips twisted into a disdainful smile. “You might want to reconsider your attitude. If you’re not willing to cooperate, then perhaps you should find another partner for SY Technologies.”

The condescension in his voice was unbearable. I could feel my patience snapping. I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “This conversation is over. Your unprofessionalism is unacceptable, and I have no intention of working with someone who handles business with such arrogance.”

The room had gone silent, all eyes on us. Ryan’s expression shifted from irritation to surprise, but I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I turned on my heel and marched toward the exit,

my heart pounding with a mix of anger and adrenaline.