When the Dream Finally Died

There was no need to think twice about who had done it.

Ryann bit her lower lip so hard that the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth before she finally let go.

Her eyes stared blankly at the news on her phone.

With this incident, there was no way Charlee would ever get out of the psychiatric hospital. All her previous efforts felt wasted again.

She wiped her tears and slapped herself hard. "Pull yourself together, Ryann. Colby just wants you to bow and apologize. What's more important than your brother's life?"

She carefully reapplied her makeup before getting up and heading out.

Willis Group CEO's Office

Ryann pushed the door open.

Suzanne was perched on Colby's desk, her shirt unbuttoned at the top, hair slightly disheveled, cheeks flushed—a clear sign of an intimate encounter just moments ago.

All three of them locked eyes.

The air hung heavy for a few seconds.

Suzanne reacted first. She slowly buttoned her shirt, slid off the desk, and stepped onto the carpet barefoot, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Well, Mrs. Willis, what brings you here?"

Ryann ignored her and fixed her gaze on Colby. "The news about Charlee. Did you do it?"

Colby placed a blanket on the sofa and looked calm. "He got himself into trouble. What does that have to do with me?"

"He's locked in a psychiatric hospital. Nobody would let him out. There's no way he could, except for you. Who else could it be?" Ryann's voice trembled.

"Maybe the hospital staff were negligent," he replied coolly.

Colby sat behind his desk and picked up a file. "I have work to do. You should go."

"Colby!" Ryann slammed her hands on his desk, stepping closer. "What do you want from me? You want me to kneel and beg? Fine, I'll kneel—"

"Ryann," Colby raised his eyes, impatience flickering in them. "Stop making a scene here."

"Making a scene?" Ryann laughed, tears spilling as she did. "Colby, if anything happens to Charlee, I will never forgive you!"

"Really?" Suzanne's voice cut in, light and mocking. "When Charlee tried to hurt me, did he ever think about whether I'd forgive him?"

Ryann spun around, eyes blazing. "Suzanne, you know perfectly well he never touched you!"

Suzanne tilted her head, stepped close, and whispered so only Ryann could hear, "Yes. I framed him. But so what? Do you have proof? Even if you do, would Colby believe you?"

Ryann's pupils constricted sharply.

The next second, she swung her hand violently at Suzanne's face.

But her wrist was grabbed mid-air.

Colby had stood up silently, gripping her wrist with a force that nearly felt like it could crush bone.

"Ryann!" His voice was low and cold. "Have you lost your mind?"

Ryann's eyes were red as she looked at him. "She just admitted it! She admitted she framed Charlee!"

Suzanne immediately cowered behind Julian, tears streaming, voice quivering. "Yes, yes, it was me! I framed your brother! I shamelessly seduced Colby! It's all my fault, okay?! Are you happy now, Ryann?"

Crying, Suzanne's face streaked with tears, Colby instinctively stepped in front of her, shielding her with a protective arm. His gaze toward Ryann was full of disappointment.

"Suzanne has a good heart. You've pushed her to the point of risking her own reputation, admitting to things she didn't even do. Ryann, what more do you want? You want to save Charlee? I'm telling you, it's absolutely impossible!"

Ryann opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

The man only cast a cold glance at her before taking Suzanne and leaving the office.

The door closed.

Ryann stood frozen, her body shivering from the cold.

She slowly sank to the floor, hugging her knees and burying her face.

There was no sound of crying.

Only her shoulders trembled.