Wendy was preparing lunch when she heard about Evie's banishment from the showbiz.
She stopped chopping and exclaimed, "Really?"
"Yes!"
Wendy's presence these last few days had worked wonders on Ryan.
He could finally sleep five or six hours a day, which made him feel more energized and calm at the
same time.
He was in a better mood and less irritable than ever.
He rolled up his sleeves and got to work, helping Wendy wash the vegetables.
"Such behavior won't be tolerated in the filming industry."
"Oh! And what about Wesley?"
"He and his wife got a divorce."
"They did? So soon?"
"Word is he didn't want to go through with the divorce at first." Wendy's interest was piqued.
"What made him change his mind?"
"I heard he was in a car accident driving home after work one day.He could have died right then and
there and that scared the shit out of him.The very next day he signed the divorce papers," Ryan said.
His face was serious as he carefully placed the now washed vegetables on the chopping board.Wendy
was left speechless.The car accident...Such a convenient timing!
"Well, I can't say he didn't deserve it.Violence seems to be the only thing that scumbag understands, so
there's no better way to knock some sense into him."
"He got nothing out of the divorce, you know." Wendy was impressed.
"Go, Tara! That woman is an inspiration for wronged women everywhere."
‘Everything Wesley owned, Tara had handed to him.So in a sense, she just took back what had always
been hers’, Wendy thought to herself.
A sudden movement from Ryan dragged her out of her reverie.He suddenly stretched out his hand,
reaching for her face.The gesture made Wendy strangely nervous.
"What...What's is it?"
Ryan gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
His fingertips slid across her face, light as a feather.
Wendy closed her eyes, enjoying the shivers his touch was sending down her spine.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Her heart began pounding like crazy.
There seemed to be something different about Ryan these days.
He used to wear that terrifying, cold look on his face all the time, but now, his expression had changed
into something resembling indifference.
He still seemed kind of distant, but at least he didn't scare people senseless anymore.
But more importantly, he no longer shied away from physical contact.
This was one of the many times he had touched Wendy's hair these past few days, but she still hadn't
gotten used to this.
She was so nervous that she asked, "Is...Is everything okay with you?"
"Of course.Why do you ask?"
"Lately, you seem a bit...Different."
"Do I, now?" Ryan said, squinting at her.
His voice was so alluring, it made Wendy's heart race.
‘There it is again!’ Right there! Sometimes she wondered if...If maybe he knew the effect he had on her
and he was actually flirting with her.Wendy touched his forehead gently with the back of her hand.His
temperature seemed normal.Ryan took her hand and held it tightly to his chest.His palm was warm,
sending heat all over her body.She tried to pull away, but he held on tight.
"I, I..." Wendy stuttered.
"Is there something you have to tell me?" Wendy nodded, still feeling a little dizzy from his touch.
"I do."
"You know you can tell me anything."
"Thank you.Thank you so much." she said, her cheeks bright red.
"I know that if it weren't for you, I would still be in that mess. So, thank you for everything."
"And?"
And what?
"And thank you for all your help with my sister."
Ryan had assigned Reese's case to the best lawyer in the Oliver Group.
Wendy didn't even know what the lawyer had used against Flynn, but according to their divorce
settlement, Reese was getting half of everything Flynn owned.
Reese was shocked.
She had been sure that she would be leaving that marriage with nothing but the clothes on her back.
She had thought Flynn and his mother would make sure of that.
These people valued money and power more than life itself.
That was what made this settlement such a surprise.
The lawyer had a huge smile on his face as he had a talk with Flynn about a video proving his many
illicit affairs, as well as numerous instances of domestic violence.
Two hours later, the settlement was all done and signed.
Reese had been delighted.
She had been holding the agreement close to her chest, crying and laughing at the same time.
Thinking about the happiness written on Reese's face and the way the sisters had hugged tightly,
letting their sorrows slip away, Ryan was glad he had helped.
If it were Wendy alone helping her sister, things might not have gotten so smoothly.
Sure, Reese would still get a divorce, but any money would have been out of the question.
"And?"
And what now? Wendy racked her brain but she couldn't think of anything else.In a daze, he said,
"What else is there?"
Ryan's face turned cold all of a sudden.His jaw was clenched as he decided to let everything he
thought spill from his fips, "You said you wanted to thank me...Is this how you are going to do it? Just a
few words and it's done?"
Wendy stood there in silence for a moment.When she finally spoke, her voice was low but clear.
"You know, there is a saying that goes like. Do everything with a good heart, expect nothing in return,
and you will never be disappointed..."
"It's just a saying.Not everyone can be that selfless."
"What is it you want from me?" Ryan approached her slowly, purposefully.
Wendy's throat felt dry all of a sudden and her heart skipped a beat.
For each step he took towards her, she took a step back, until...
Until her back hit the wall.
There was nowhere to go now.
Ryan just stared at her and she was lost into his enchanting, dark eyes.
Then he leaned forward, closing the space between them...
Bang! The door crashed open right then and Wendy immediately pushed Ryan away.
"Wendy, dear.Do you need help in here?" Reese said, as she walked out of her room.
"No, no, I got this!" Not daring look at Ryan, Wendy rushed to the stove, her heart still beating
erratically.
Her mind was whirring.
‘Oh, God...Ryan...He...He tried to kiss me!’ She caught herself stirring the food sloppily, nearly spilling
the contents of the pot.
‘What now?’
She was supposed to stay with the man for another six months.
How could she manage that if she melted in a puddle every time he looked at her with those intense,
dark eyes? Meanwhile, Eris was fuming.
When she learned about Evie's banishment, Eris went in a rage.
"That moron! Completely useless.Instead of taking down Wendy, she went and ruined her own career."
"Eris, what should we do now?"
"What should we do? A public apology, of course."
Eris said through gritted teeth, "Okay, Kate.Use my account to make a post.Just say that the previous
one about Wendy was a mistake.We can even tell people my account had been hacked.And then, post
a long and sappy apology to Wendy, in a post of course.We need everyone to see it.
And make sure it sounds sincere."
Kate nodded, "Wendy was really lucky.She could have been ruined by all this."
Well, they couldn't try anything else now, could they? It was all Evie’s fault.
That idiot screwed up big time.
When she was finished with the post, Kate turned to Eris and said cautiously, "Try not to mess with
Wendy in the future, Eris.She is so well connected in Glory Media, it would only get you in trouble.You
know, I heard something..."
"What is it?" Eris looked at her agent expectantly.
"There is a rumor flying around.Some people say that the board of the company has strict orders to
keep Wendy from harm at all costs.Glory Media has many artists and celebrities under its wing,
including true superstars.So everyone wonders what it is about Wendy that deserves such special
treatment.Really suspicious, don't you think?"
Eris mind was reeling with all the possibilities.But then she settled on the best course and smiled
sardonically.
"Eris?"
"Shh"
Eris raised a finger on her lips to hush Kate and said, "Now that Evie's gone, I'll have to find someone
else to take down Wendy.And this time...I'll make sure she stays down!"
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