Chapter 193 Would You Be Willing to Be My Girlfriend?

Chapter 193 Would You Be Willing to Be My Girlfriend?

"Ms. Marie."

A familiar male voice came from the elevator entrance. I turned around to see Ryan walking toward me in a tailored black suit.

Only then did I remember—Ryan had come specifically to drop off a gift he'd prepared in advance.

I had almost completely forgotten about it.

Jade's tone was stiff, her expression clearly displeased. "What are you doing here?"

Ryan scanned the room, his face unreadable, his gaze settling steadily on Jade.

"I'm here to drop something off for Eleanor. Why are you here?"

His voice gave nothing away—he sounded exactly like his usual self.

But Jade was clearly intimidated by Ryan. She immediately became flustered, wrinkling her nose as she struggled to hold her ground.

"Stay out of my business! The elders of the Marie family specifically told you to look after me while I'm in Silverlight City. You can't treat me like this..."

"I asked you a question."

Ryan's tone was flat, carrying a quiet authority that left no room for argument.

Jade quickly pulled herself together, softening her attitude and putting on a deliberately sweet, coy voice.

"I just came to have a quick chat with Ms. Russell. Is that not allowed?"

Ryan's eyes dropped to the bloodstains on the floor, then shifted back to Jade. He held her gaze without blinking, until the unease inside her became impossible to hide.

"Why do you keep staring at me? If you have something to say, just say it. Stop trying to intimidate me!"

Ryan raised an eyebrow slightly. "So you're done?"

"I'm done."

Jade's guilt was eating at her. Even though she was afraid of Ryan, she couldn't stand the suffocating tension. Her temper flared all at once.

"You're just as unbearable as Alvin! You're both ganging up on me, pushing me around! Once my parents get to Silverlight City, I won't be afraid of either of you anymore!"

She rushed through the words and stormed off in her heels, each step ringing out sharply against the floor.

After Jade left, Ryan looked at the mess by the door and frowned slightly, then immediately called building maintenance to come clean it up.

Once everything was taken care of, he turned to me with a helpless smile. "Sorry I got here so late. Were you scared?"

"Honestly, I was a little startled at first." I relaxed and answered him openly. "I don't do well with blood, but I quickly realized she was just putting on a show, so I played along and kept things simple."

I smiled and invited Ryan inside, pulling out a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and handing them to him. "Have you had dinner yet? I've got fresh ingredients—want to stay and have some Mexican food?"

"Perfect timing, I haven't eaten yet." Ryan rubbed his hands together, his expression warm, his voice easy and gentle. "Her father currently runs the Marie family, and she's always done whatever she wants back in Regal City. Try not to get into a direct confrontation with her—it's not worth it."

"Doesn't the Marie family keep her in check at all?"

I was genuinely puzzled. Even Jane knew how to keep up appearances in public. The Marie family was one of Regal City's top families—they should care about their reputation and how their children behave.

"Whatever she wants, her adoptive parents will do everything they can to make it happen." Ryan took the water I handed him and let out a quiet laugh. "That should explain where all that confidence comes from."

It clicked immediately. I gave a small nod.

The Marie family didn't just let Jade do as she pleased—they backed her up unconditionally, no matter what.

A quiet sadness settled over me.

When my parents were alive, they would have done anything for me too.

But our lives turned out so differently. After I lost them, I got through the hardest times completely on my own. Jade wasn't even born into the Marie family, yet her adoptive parents spoiled her beyond measure and gave her everything she ever wanted.

The gap between people's lives—it's always been this cruel and this real.

I rolled up my sleeves and headed toward the kitchen to start on the ingredients, when Ryan suddenly called out to me and rolled up his own sleeves.

"Let me handle it. The open flame and steam in the kitchen can really do a number on your skin."

"That's really not okay."

I stepped forward to stop him right away. There was no way I was letting a guest cook in my kitchen.

I had even almost forgotten that Ryan had come over specifically for this visit. I had only planned a few simple dishes for him, which felt far too casual and rushed.

Ryan turned back with a warm smile. "We don't need to be so formal with each other. Let me throw something together—think of it as a chance to try my cooking."

He wasn't taking no for an answer, so I gave in. "Alright, I'll leave it to you then. I've already done the prep work on the ingredients, so they're ready to go—just cook them however you like."

Ryan nodded and headed into the kitchen.

A moment later, he came back out and opened the fridge to grab a few sides. "Nothing too complicated—just a simple meal is fine."

Before I could say another word, he had already turned back and gone into the kitchen.

Before long, a rich, savory smell drifted out from the kitchen.

He had also made a spicy side dish. He remembered that at the housewarming party, I had mentioned I liked spicy food.

After dinner, he cleared the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen on his own, moving with calm, easy efficiency.

I leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching him work under the light, and said with a teasing smile:

"I have to wonder—does the woman you like have a husband who's anywhere near as good as you? Capable, decent, easygoing, and he can cook. Someone like you is genuinely hard to come by."

His hands kept moving, but the corners of his mouth slowly curved into a small smile. "Am I really that good?"

"Absolutely." I nodded, completely sincere. "Out of every man I know, you're the one with the best all-around character."

That was exactly what I thought.

"If I'm really that great, then would you be willing to be my girlfriend?"

Ryan turned around suddenly, his clear eyes landing directly on me, a quiet brightness flickering in them.

The question came out of nowhere and I froze on the spot, my mind going completely blank.

It had never once crossed my mind that there could be anything romantic between us.

From our university days to when he came back to the country, I had always thought of him as one of my closest friends.

We had been through similar things in life and understood each other completely. I had spent years stuck in a painful relationship; he had spent years quietly carrying feelings that went nowhere.

We knew each other's struggles better than anyone, and being around each other was easy and uncomplicated.

I never saw this coming.

"Ryan, I..."

I fumbled, completely at a loss for words.

"Look at you." Ryan let out a low laugh, his eyes clearly amused. "I was just joking around. A little thing like that and you're all flustered—that doesn't sound like the Eleanor I know. You were just saying such nice things about me. Don't tell me that was all just talk?"

"Those are two completely different things." I let out a long breath, scratched my head, and laughed. "You caught me totally off guard. I wasn't ready for that at all."

That was the honest truth.

I hadn't even finished the divorce yet, and starting a new relationship was the last thing on my mind.

Besides, I had always known he had feelings for someone else. Being around him, the thought of romance had simply never entered my head.

"Let me ask again then." His expression was gentle, his eyes steady on mine. "Did you mean what you said about me just now?"

"I mean every word. There's no pretense at all."

"In that case, I'll return the favor and show you something."

He dried his hands and came out of the kitchen, walked over to the entryway, and opened the envelope he had brought with him.

"Once you see what's inside, I think you'll have even more reason to think well of me."