Deception in Love: A Game of Hidden Missions novel Chapter 4

I was taken aback. “Had Ryan discovered something?” I could’t help thinking.

Seeing my silence, he started speculating aloud, “Or you are just playing hard to get, aren’t you?”

His words eased my anxiety, revealing that Ryan wasn't as perceptive as I had feared. Clearly, he hadn’t uncovered the true mission assigned to me by the game system.

Still, I pretended to be embarrassed, turning my head away.

Ryan scoffed, “I’ve seen all your tricks before. Save your efforts.”

With that, he seized my wrist again and tossed me into the car. “Emma Carter, I’m not going to let you complete your mission easily. I want you to stay by my side and watch me fall for someone else.”

I sneered, “Do I have some deep grudge against you? Why go out of your way to hurt me just to satisfy yourself?”

Ryan fastened my seatbelt with deliberate slowness, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Everyone who has ever hurt me must pay the price. You should understand that better than anyone.”

He wasn’t wrong. Every visible enemy and traitor who had crossed him had faced dire consequences.

I retorted, “Even if my feelings for you were fake, my help has been genuine. This is pure ingratitude!”

Perhaps my words hit a nerve because Ryan’s expression turned even colder. “You’ve used my money for everything, from your food to your housing. Isn’t that repayment enough?”

“I don’t need it! Just let me complete my mission and go. I’d be grateful enough!”

I don’t even belong to this world of the game; his arguments are utterly meaningless to me.

I wanted to argue more, but as I glanced out the window, I suddenly remembered that Ryan had asked me to come because he was too drunk to drive.

But he had a chauffeur with him—was it just a ploy to humiliate me in front of those unsavory people?

How cruel and unfeeling Ryan’s heart was! Had all my eight years of effort been for nothing?

“I drove myself here; my car is still parked over there!” I erupted, all my anger concentrated in those words.

I swallowed the urge to hurl more insults. Changing Ryan’s mind with a few words was impossible. After all, despite my eight years of dedication, nothing had changed. He is still the dark and stubborn him.

Ryan hadn’t expected me to lash out about the car. He stared at me in surprise before yelling, “What are you making a fuss about? That old car won’t disappear. No need for you to worry!”

The reflection in the window made it hard to read his expression or his thoughts.

Ryan stared at me for a long moment before speaking, “Next week, come with me on a business trip. There’s an important contract to sign.”

What?

When Ryan spoke, I had imagined many ways he might embarrass me. But instead, he brought up a contract.

This contract was likely the final step of my mission.

Once he secured it, a significant part of his career would be stable, and the female lead would soon appear.

The obsessive CEO would meet and focus on the female lead and would try to win her heart. Whatever unfolds afterward would be irrelevant to me.

Therefore, I reminded myself to focus on the mission. I shouldn’t dwell on his attitude towards me anymore. All past affections should be forgotten.

From now on, Ryan and I would have no further connection.