Chapter 179: Ryan’s Secret
"Based on your age, you must be her daughter," Ryan said, closing the book. "Dean Worth mentioned in his letter that the ring was left by your mother. That means Madeline was your mother."
A massive sense of absurdity washed over Evelyn. She had grown up in an orphanage, eating charity food and wearing donated clothes. She had scrubbed dishes just to afford a few dollars for paint. Now, someone was telling her she was the long-lost bloodline of the elite Lawrence family?
"This is ridiculous." Evelyn shook her head. She tried to laugh, but tears fell first. "If I’m a Lawrence, why was I left to grow up like a weed?"
"Because Madeline was stripped of her inheritance. The price she paid for love was poverty and a life on the run." Ryan walked around the table and cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. "But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are a direct Lawrence descendant. Once that gets out, Marcus will lose his mind."
"Is he afraid I’ll take his money?"
"He’s afraid I’ll use your status to take over the entire family." A flash of ruthlessness appeared in Ryan’s eyes. "I’m an adopted son. To the elders, I’ll always be an outsider. But if you are my wife, and you are Madeline’s heir, we have the absolute legal right to the inheritance."
Evelyn froze. She looked at Ryan and suddenly understood what he meant by "tearing the family apart." This wasn't just revenge. It was a high-stakes gamble for power and bloodline. And she was his biggest trump card.
"Don't be afraid," Ryan whispered, kissing away her tears. "As long as I’m here, this ring is your shield, not your curse."
However, Marcus moved faster than they anticipated. The next afternoon, as Evelyn finished a fabric selection meeting, a black Bentley blocked her path. The window slid down to reveal Marcus’s withered, lizard-like face.
"Get in, Sophia. Or should I say... Miss Lawrence?" Marcus gave a cold, toothless smile. "I think we need to discuss your 'great' mother."
Evelyn signaled her bodyguards to stand down and got into the car. They drove to a private estate on Long Island. Inside the study, Marcus showed no family affection. He sat in a high-backed velvet chair, inspecting Evelyn like a piece of merchandise.
"So this is the traitor’s brat," Marcus sneered, tossing a cigar onto the table. "Just like your mother, you have a face that’s easily fooled by men."
"If you're here to insult me, don't waste your time," Evelyn shot back. "I have no interest in the Lawrence family mess."
"Really? Not even in a twenty-billion-dollar trust fund?" Marcus leaned forward, greed dancing in his eyes. "Evelyn, I don't like playing games. Madeline was a disgrace. A bastard with traitor's blood shouldn't be allowed through these doors. But I can give you a chance."
He pushed a document toward her. "Sign this. Renounce all claims to the Lawrence inheritance and testify that Ryan Lawrence used illegal means to embezzle family assets."
Marcus tapped the desk. "Send Ryan to prison, and I’ll recognize your identity. I’ll give you five hundred million dollars to take that kid to Europe. you'll live a life of luxury for ten lifetimes."
Evelyn looked at the document and felt a wave of nausea. This was the reality of the elite. Blood and family meant less than a piece of scrap paper when money was involved.
"You've got one thing wrong." Evelyn stood up, picked up the document, and slowly tore it in half right in front of him.
The sound of the paper ripping was sharp in the quiet room.
"I don't need your money. And I will never betray Ryan," Evelyn said, tossing the scraps into the trash. "Keep your dirty deals. I'm not Madeline, and I'm not Ryan. I won't run, and I won't be bought."
The smile vanished from Marcus’s face. He glared at her as if he wanted to shred her with his eyes. "You have spirit," Marcus hissed. "Too bad spirit won't save your life or your love."
He pressed a bell to dismiss her. Just as Evelyn reached the door, Marcus’s voice rang out, poisonous and low.
"Do you really think Ryan is being honest with you?"
Evelyn stopped.
"You think he met you by accident? Helped you by accident? Fell in love by accident?" Marcus let out a cackle like a night owl. "Wake up, child. A beast like Ryan, raised among wolves, doesn't know what pure love is. He knew who you were from the start."
"He got close to you, pampered you, and protected you only because you are Madeline’s heir. You are his only tool to take the family away from me legally."
Evelyn spun around. "Shut up!"
"Are we getting angry?" Marcus spread his hands innocently. "Go back and ask him. Ask him if he was already investigating that ring before he even met you. Ask him if he would still 'love' you like this if that ring didn't exist."
"Once you’re no longer useful, he’ll toss you aside like trash. Just like Damian did."
Evelyn felt as if a hand had tightened around her heart. She wanted to argue, to tell Marcus he was lying. But her mind involuntarily flashed back to the way Ryan looked at her when they first met, and the look of confirmation on his face when he saw the ring last night.
He had admitted it. He knew the secret of the ring long ago. He had been investigating it before they were even together.
Was his "love" based on compassion, or was it a calculation?
Evelyn didn't say another word. She pulled open the door and ran out. The sunlight outside was blinding, but she couldn't feel any warmth. Once the seed of doubt is planted, it takes root. Even the strongest trust can begin to crack.