Chapter 3

• Red wine slides down her throat, but Alyssa feels bitter.
• "Bang!
• A loud noise interrupted Alyssa's thoughts. She looked back and saw a large man surrounded by a group of people in the corner of the ballroom.
• "What's going on? "Alyssa asked the waiter next to her.
• The waiter lowered his voice. "I think someone accidentally broke Mr. Custer's favorite antique vase."
• "Mr. Custer?" Alyssa gasped, then realized she was talking about Ryan.
• She walked quickly over to see Ryan in the crowd, his face heavy and his body exuding a powerful sense of oppression. A young waiter was on his knees, shaking and kowtowing repeatedly: "I'm sorry, Mr. Custer, I didn't mean to, please forgive me..."
• Lane didn't say anything, just looked at him coldly.
• The people around him were afraid to show their faces for fear of getting into trouble.
• Alissa's heart was in her mouth. She knew Ryan's temper. The waiter was going to be in trouble.
• "That's enough," she said. "Alyssa began, not very loudly, but clearly in everyone's ears.
• All eyes were on her.
• Ryan looked at her with a flash of surprise in his eyes.
• Alyssa walked over to the waiter and helped him to his feet. "Are you okay?"
• The waiter looked at her gratefully. "Thank you, thank you, miss."
• Alyssa turned to Ryan. "Mr. Custer, he apologized. He has to be treated kindly."
• Ryan looked at Alyssa with a mixed look. "Are you pleading for him?"
• "I just don't think it's necessary to ruin a man over a vase." Alyssa looked straight at Lane.
• Ryan was silent for a moment, then broke into a smile. "Okay, I'll give you that."
• He waved and motioned for the waiter to leave.
• The waiter rolled and crawled away as if he had been given amnesty.
• As the crowd dispersed, Ryan walked up to Alyssa. "You were always so kind."
• "I just did what I thought was right." "Alyssa said flatly.
• "It's not nice to be kind." Lane's voice is low.
• "At least, it's better than being cold and heartless." Alyssa is not backing down.
• Lane gave her a deep look and said no more.
• The next day, when Alyssa arrived at work, she received a huge bouquet of red roses.
• "Wow, Alyssa, another one from your suitor?" Colleagues crowded around, admiring.
• Alyssa knew who the card was from without having to read it.
• She sighed helplessly and set the flowers aside.
• Over the next few days, Alyssa's life was completely enveloped by Lane.
• Each day brings a different surprise: flowers, gifts, a fancy lunch...
• Even, Lane would be waiting in front of the office in her limited edition sports car at the end of her shift.
• "Alyssa, get in the car." Ryan rolled down his window and gave her a charming smile.
• Alyssa has said no many times, but Ryan has a way of making it impossible.
• "Alyssa, you can't keep doing this," Ryan said. My best friend Anna couldn't stand it. "You've got to give him a hard time."
• "How?" "Alissa asked miserably.
• 'Refuse him! Refuse him completely! ' 'Anna said firmly.' Let him know you're not something he can get easily. '
• Alyssa hesitated. "But..."
• "No buts!" 'Anna interrupted.' You can't keep being passive. You have to take control. '
• Alyssa is persuaded by Anna and decides that the next time Ryan approaches her, she must reject him explicitly.
• However, plans can't catch up with change.
• One day, Alyssa is in trouble at work.
• A project she was working on was in trouble because her partner suddenly pulled out.
• "Alyssa, if this project isn't completed on time, you could be fired." The manager's words made Alyssa's heart sink to the bottom.
• Her heart sank and she tried all kinds of things, but she could not find a solution.
• Just when she was on the verge of despair, Lane appeared.
• "Need some help? "Ryan stood in front of her with a confident grin.
• Alyssa looked at him as if she saw a savior.
• "You... Can you help me? ' "She asked uncertainly.
• "Absolutely." Ryan says, with understatement, "To me, it's a small thing."
• "He made a phone call, and within minutes, the problem was resolved.
• A new investor came along and the project was resurrected.
• Alyssa looked at Ryan with gratitude: "Thank you, Ryan."
• "You're welcome." Lane looked at her with a soft eye. "I told you, I'll fix everything for you."
• Alyssa's heart, again, wavers.
• In the evening, Ryan takes Alyssa to a fancy restaurant.
• "Alyssa, be my girlfriend." Lane holds her hand and looks at her lovingly.
• Alyssa's heart raced as she looked at Ryan, her mind blank.
• "I..." "She didn't know how to respond.
• "I know you're still undecided." Lane didn't push her, "but I'm sure you'll come around to me one day."
• Alyssa doesn't speak, looking down at her plate in front of her, her mind in turmoil.
• When dinner was over, Lane walked Alyssa home.
• The car was parked below Alyssa's house, and Ryan did not leave immediately.
• "Alyssa." "He said suddenly.
• "Huh? "Alyssa turned to look at him.
• Ryan looked at her with a strange glint in his eyes.
• He suddenly reached out and pulled Alyssa into his arms.
• Before she knew it, he was hugging her tightly.
• "Ryan, you..." "She struggled to push him away.
• "Don't move." Lane's voice was low and raspy, "Let me hold it for a minute."
• "His embrace was warm, with a reassuring power.
• Alyssa's body, slowly relaxing.
• She leaned into Ryan's arms and listened to his heartbeat, a strange emotion welling up in her.
• Suddenly, Ryan looked down and kissed her on the lips.
• Alyssa's eyes widened and she tried to push Ryan away, only to find herself limp.
• Ryan's kiss, overbearing and passionate, made her irresistible.
• Her mind went blank and she had to let him kiss her.
• After an unknown amount of time, Lane finally let go of her.
• Alyssa's cheeks were flushed and her breathing was short.
• "Alyssa, I love you." Lane looks at her with deep affection.
• Alyssa's heart, beating violently.
• She looked at Ryan, not sure what to say.
• "I'll wait for you." Ryan said, kissed her lightly on the forehead and turned to walk away.
• Alyssa stood where she was, watching his back for a long time without moving.
• A gust of wind blew and she felt a chill.
• She reached out and touched her lips, which seemed to still have a whiff of Lane.
• Suddenly, she saw something on the ground, glinting in the light of a street lamp.
• She went to it and picked it up. It was a ring.
• It was a strange shaped ring, set with a blood-red stone.
• Elisa's heart sank suddenly.
• She recognized the ring. It was Lane's ring.
• He wore it all the time. He never wore it.
• Why did it end up here?
• Alyssa held the ring and felt a strong sense of unease.
• She looked up in the direction Lane had left, out of the night, empty.