Chapter 1870
Justin had a prior engagement with Bella. He was supposed to head home early to try out her new dish.
Since Ryan asked and needed his company, Justin could not say no to him.
The pair arrived at their usual restaurant.
The food and drinks were served in the private room. However, Ryan did not have the appetite. He fiddled with his food and downed one drink after another.
"You have stomach issues. You should refrain from drinking." Justin put his hand over Ryan's glass.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
"No one else cares about me apart from you." Ryan flung his back to his seat and laughed.
Justin sounded concerned. “She's not with you, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care about you. Your reckless disregard for yourself will only hurt the people who care about you." Ryan felt a stab in his heart, his trembling fingers nearly dropping his drink. "Is Carrie doing well?"
"I came here to talk to you about this. Carrie will not be marrying Jason Solloway."
"Really? Carrie isn't marrying him anymore?" Ryan's eyes lit up, and life returned to them. "I knew Carrie wouldn't turn her back on me. Her heart belongs to me. She wouldn't marry anyone else." Justin took one long look at him and shook his head. "Gregory set Carrie up with Jason and pressured her to go through with the wedding. Carrie won't and can't defy Gregory. She is only too considerate of others for her own good. Madam Mila and Ralph were the ones who caused that marriage to fall apart.”
"Ralph?" Ryan nearly crushed the glass in his hand.
"You're my best buddy. I don't want to keep things from you. Carrie only got out of the marriage with the Solloways because Bella interfered, and the interference was Ralph."
Justin gave Ryan an account of what happened at the Solloways' party.
"B-But Bella helped Carrie get rid of the Solloways. Madam Mila and Ralph were only putting on a show." Ryan's hopeful gaze fell on Justin's face. "Bella had been there when Carrie and I were together. She supports us, right?"
"Bella came up with this idea to give you and Carrie another shot." Justin swirled the glass in his hand. "But the problem now is that Madam Mila and Ralph are taking the whole thing seriously. That night after the party, Mrs. Mila gave her long-time favorite bracelet to Carrie. It's clear that Madam Mila loves Carrie as a daughter-in-law. That's not the only thing. Chairman Thompson is aware of the matter too. He's flying back from Meridan to get his son hitched with Carrie."
"Fuck! Are you taking advantage of me because I'm without a father and a mother?" Ryan jolted to his feet in a panic. Justin was taken aback.
Ryan held his burning head. "No... I mean, I have a mother. I mean, they are taking advantage of the fact that I don't have parents to fight for this marriage on my behalf. They are trying to steal my woman! This can't be happening. Jason is gone, but here comes Ralph. At this rate, Carrie is going to be your sister and sister-in-law."
Ryan took strides out.
"Where are you going?" Justin stopped him.
"I'm going to Madam Mila or to Meridan to meet Chairman Thompson." Ryan heaved heavily as the frustration threatened to take over his sanity. "You guys gave me a fighting chance. I can't miss another shot with Carrie."
"But Carrie broke up with you. Even if Madam Mila wants to set Ralph and Carrie up together, there's nothing you can do about it." Justin furrowed his brows and laid down the facts. "Your problem isn't between Ralph and Carrie. It's between you and Carrie, Ryan."