Chapter 153

Ryan leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "So... she’s not lying to me? Everything she’s said about the family hating her, mistreating her it’s all true?"

Kendrick hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. "Yes, it’s all true. She’s been through a lot, Ryan, but she stayed because of you."

Ryan’s expression softened. He wanted to believe his father, wanted to believe that Iris had been acting out of love for him.

But something still didn’t sit right."I need to talk to her," Ryan muttered, standing up. "I need to hear it from her."

"Of course," Kendrick said, his voice tight. "But please, Ryan... don’t let this tear you apart. We all want what’s best for you."

Meanwhile, across town, Mrs. Rose stormed into her office, fury radiating off her in waves. She had just received word that Jessica had disappeared without a trace from the hospital where she had been held.

Her carefully laid plans were beginning to unravel, and she couldn’t allow that.

"How did this happen?" she