Ryder spent hours meticulously planning a "chance" meeting with Noah, reviewing every detail of Noah's schedule for the next few days.
He had hired a discreet private investigator to track Noah's business events and, after some digging, learned that Noah would be attending a high-profile business gathering filled with elite entrepreneurs and investors.
Ryder smirked to himself, convinced that this would be the perfect opportunity to stage an encounter. He chuckled at how silly it all felt—he wasn't usually one to go to such lengths, but Noah had been avoiding him for too long. This time, Ryder was determined to get in his space, no matter how ridiculous his plans seemed.
The event itself was hosted at an extravagant hotel ballroom, the kind where the walls shimmered with gold accents and the chandeliers sparkled like diamonds. Businesspeople mingled in groups, glasses of champagne in hand, discussing deals, mergers, and opportunities.
