When the Dream Finally Died

Colby had just rushed into the hospital lobby with Suzanne in his arms when the atmosphere exploded. What should have been a quiet space instantly turned chaotic.

Reporters appeared out of nowhere, cameras and microphones raised, swarming him in seconds.

Flashbulbs fired nonstop, blinding and relentless.

He was still holding the "frail" Suzanne, completely unprepared for the ambush. His face darkened instantly.

"Mr. Willis! Are the leaked photos of Miss Price working in nightclubs real?"

"Mr. Willis, Miss Price is suspected of fabricating evidence to frame your wife's brother. Were you aware of it? Did you help cover it up?"

"Willis Group is being investigated for massive tax evasion. Was that money used to fund Miss Price's extravagant lifestyle?"

"Miss Price, was your miscarriage staged? There are reports saying you were never pregnant at all!"

The questions came like knives, microphones nearly shoved into Suzanne's face.

She let out a shrill scream and buried her face into Colby's chest, trembling violently. "Colby… I'm scared… make them leave… please make them leave…"

Colby's mind buzzed.

He hadn't even looked at his phone on the way here. He had no idea the world outside had already turned upside down.

Hearing the accusations, he snapped instinctively, "Absolute nonsense! Who gave you the nerve to spread these lies?!"

Only then did the bodyguards react. It took everything they had to push the reporters back and force a path open, escorting Colby into the elevator.

Once inside the VIP ward, Suzanne collapsed onto the bed and burst into hysterical sobs.

"Colby, it was Ryann… it had to be that bitch!"

she cried, clutching his sleeve. "Those photos were all photoshopped! She's jealous you care about me. She wants to destroy me! She even pushed me, she tried to kill our baby!"

Her tears streamed down her face, pitiful and frantic. Colby's anger flared higher and higher.

To him, Ryann was still just acting out. Now she was using such vile, shameless tactics.

"Don't be afraid," he said darkly, patting Suzanne's hand. "I'm here. I'll take care of everything. And I'll make her pay."

After calming her down, Colby walked out of the ward, his face stormy. He pulled out his phone and dialed Ryann's number.

This time, he was done being lenient. He would punish the siblings properly. He would even send Charlee somewhere far worse.

But—

"Sorry, the number you've dialed does not exist."

The cold mechanical voice echoed in his ear.

Colby froze for a second, convinced he had misheard.

He dialed again. Still, this number did not exist.

His heart sank. A sharp sense of unease crawled up his spine.

He immediately called the villa, and the servant answered.

"Put Ryann on the phone," he roared.

The servant's voice came back shaky and frightened. "Mr. Willis… the madam and her… her brother, they're gone. The rooms are empty. Everything's been cleared out…"

Colby's grip tightened around the phone, his knuckles turning pale.

She ran?

After throwing him into chaos, after ruining Suzanne, she actually dared to run?

"Find her!" He slammed the phone to the ground, the screen shattering instantly. "Turn the city upside down if you have to. Bring her back! When I get them, I'll break that idiot's legs and make Ryann kneel and apologize!"

His mind was consumed with one thought—dragging them back and making them pay.

As for regret?

He felt none. He only hated himself for being too merciful to Ryann in the first place.