The instant Tryson stepped out of the room, Riley found herself standing completely still, unable to say even one word.
Her thoughts became empty, and a feeling of regret began to settle in like a visitor she didn't want.
Was it possible that Tryson had discovered the true reason for her return? Did he already understand why, after everything that had taken place, she had come back to him?
It was a fact—she truly wanted her business to thrive once more.
However, she realized that she could not proceed without her father's consent.
The only way to gain that approval was to persuade him that she had discovered a man who could provide her with a child before he passed away.
Tryson was the only person she could turn to in this situation. Therefore, she decided to tell a lie.
She said to him that she really needed him.
Yet, deep inside her heart, not everything she said was untrue.
She had returned to make things right for the hurt she had inflicted on him. She wanted to express to him once more just how deeply she loved him.
Her goal was to win him back into her life.
Yet, ever since the day she came back, she had felt something strange and disturbing—Tryson's focus was no longer directed towards her.
Instead, it was directed towards Angel.
Initially, she was completely unaware of what was going on between them. But the moment she discovered the truth, a deep sense of desperation gripped her tightly.
She knew she had to get rid of it, regardless of the cost. It didn't matter if that meant showing who she really was or if it involved letting the Bliss family see her true motives.
Fortunately, they bought into her deception completely.
They decided to send Angel away, removing her from Tryson's life for good. Yet, despite that, something inside her felt uneasy.
The Bliss family gave off a strange vibe. There was an unexplainable gap between them and Tryson that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
She had come back to win back her love, yet now she couldn't help but feel like something was not quite right.
It seemed like there was a hidden truth that the Bliss family was keeping to themselves.
Riley had made attempts to ask Rachel about it, but all she found was the woman's strong dislike for Angel, which was the only advantage she had to push her rival away from Tryson.
Still, much like Riley, Rachel didn't grasp what had changed in Tryson.
How was it possible for him to suddenly tell the press that he was engaged to Angel—only two months after he had just gotten engaged to her?
"Ma'am."
Riley was pulled back to reality by the soft voice of Ana.
"Ma'am, is everything okay?" Ana inquired, worry showing on her face.
"You noticed how he just treated me, right?" Riley spoke with a clear and steady tone as she stared directly at Ana.
Ana paused briefly, taking a moment to process the situation before giving a small nod in response.
"And you still have the nerve to ask me if I'm alright?" Riley's voice grew louder, filled with anger.
Ana winced, feeling her body tense up at the unexpected shout. "I—I truly apologize, ma'am," she said nervously, bowing her head in a gesture of remorse.
Riley let out a quick breath, her feelings of frustration reaching a peak. Just the idea of facing Tryson head-on made her feel a cold shiver run down her back.
She simply could not allow him to view her as a difficult woman—one who enjoyed stirring up trouble and chaos wherever she went.
Instead, she needed to approach the situation with more thought and intelligence than that.
Taking a big breath, she took a moment to calm down and then spoke in a more relaxed voice. "You know what? Please go and grab my bags from the car and bring them to Tryson's room," she directed.
Ana nodded eagerly, not hesitating for a second as she waved to the other maids.
They all moved together, making their way to the compound to collect Riley's things.
Meanwhile, Riley's gaze remained fixed on the elevator doors—on the place where Tryson had disappeared moments ago. The scene replayed in her mind, disbelief gnawing at her insides.
This wasn't supposed to be happening.
He belonged to her.
So why did it feel like she was losing him?
Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she whispered under her breath, "I've said it before, Tryson—everything is fair in love and war. And I promise you…I'm going to get you back."
The words left her lips like a solemn vow. But deep inside, as she stared at the empty space Tryson had left behind, she couldn't ignore the hollow ache growing in her chest.
She was losing him. And for the first time, that reality felt terrifying.
*
Tryson strode through the dimly lit halls, his footsteps firm yet filled with unspoken hesitation. He was headed toward Angel's room, each step burdened with the weight of what he had to say.
As he reached her door, he raised his hand to knock—but froze mid-motion.
Doubt flickered across his face.
If he walked in now, he would have to explain everything. The situation with Arthur. The mess Riley had created.
And worst of all, he would have to face Angel's anger. He wasn't sure if he could handle that.
With a frustrated sigh, he turned on his heel, deciding to leave.
But just as he took his first step away—
A sharp scream pierced through the air.
His blood ran cold.
"Angel!" Tryson's voice rang with panic as he spun back around.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward, gripping the door handle and twisting it open. The door swung wide, and his breath caught in his throat as his eyes landed on the scene before him.
His chest tightened. His pulse thundered in his ears.
"Angel," he choked out, his voice hoarse and trembling.