Chapter 14 Chapter 14 After work .
Doris hadnt expected to cross paths with Ryan and several CEOs from other companies dining at the hotel .
She instinctively averted her eyes , lowered her head , and tried to slip away unnoticed .
But Ryan deliberately blocked her path in full view of her colleagues , who , knowing about their past relationship , eagerly observed the unfolding scene .
Doris , Im thirsty .
Get me a glass of water , Ryan said , lounging on one of the plush sofas in the left corner of the hotel lobby .
Doriss expression didnt so much as flicker .
Sorry , Mr.
Watson .
Im off duty .
If you need assistance , feel free to ask another staff member .
Is that the level of service your hotel offers ? Ryan arched a brow , his tone carrying a note of condescension .
Doris , its just a glass of water .
Or is that worth filing a complaint over ? Clamping down the surge of irritation rising in her chest , Doris silently fetched a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table in front of him But as she turned to leave , Ryan stretched his leg out just enough to trip her .
Doris stumbled forward , landing awkward ! near his feet , the scene unfolding as though shed purposefully thrown herself at him .
She scoffed internally .
So this is his game making me look desperate , so my colleagues think Im still not over him ? Is this his way of forcing me to get back together with him ? Ryan leaned down , using the moment to clasp her arm in a mock gesture of concern .
Doris , its been days .
Have you missed me ? She jerked her arm free and straightened herself , fixing him with a glare .
Ryan , youre engaged .
You have a fiancée .
Show some respect for yourself and for her Respect ? Ryan let out a low chuckle , his gaze tightening on her like a predator savoring its prey .
And what if I dont feel like respecting boundaries ? This is a hotel , Ryan , Doris said , her voice dropping to an icy whisper .
What are you trying to do here ? Cant we just part ways peacefully ? She knew exactly what the scene must look like to her colleagues like she couldnt let go , that she was clinging to Ryan in a pathetic attempt to win him back .
No amount of explanation would clear her name from their judgmental whispers .
a sm * Part ways ? Ryans lips curved into a smug grin .
Doris , I never agreed to break up .
You dont get to walk away from me .
Her fingers curled into tight fists at her sides , barely holding back the urge to punch the self satisfied smirk off his face .
If not for the growing number of curious eyes around them , she might have done just that .
What do you want , Ryan ? she hissed through gritted teeth , on the brink of losing her composure .
Simple , he replied , his voice silky smooth .
Come back to me .
Doriss reply was as sharp as a blade .
Ive already told you never .
Ryans gaze darkened , though his smirk remained .
Fine .
Then be ready for the surprise Ive prepared for you , With one last lingering look at her , he rose to his feet and strode away .
The moment he disappeared .
Doris exhaled a shaky breath , her body finally relaxing from the tension coiling in her muscles .
She couldnt fathom why he wouldnt just leave her alone .
As if her encounter with Ryan wasnt already a disaster , her phone buzzed just as she stepped out of the hotel .
Seeing Jimmys number on the screen sent an ominous shiver down her spine .
1/4 K87 % 87 % 世 Chapter 14 Get your ass home right now ! Jimmy barked before slamming the call shor When she arrived home , Jinny was puring the living room like an enraged bull .
The fury on his face only grew as he tossed a document in her face .
Take a good look at this he spat Doris scanned the contents of the letter , her heart sinking as she read the words .
It was a formal notice from Ryans lawyer , stating that Jimmy and Peyton owed him one million dollars .
If they didnt repay the amount within a month , Ryan would take them to court .
Jimmy roared , his face twisted with anger , This came from Mr.
Watsons lawyer just now .
He said if we lose , the court will enforce repayment by freezing our assets our savings , the house , the car .
Everything ! He jabbed a finger at Doris , his voice dripping with accusation .
I dont care how you do it , but you have to convince Mr.
Watson to drop the lawsuit .

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Were your parents .
And hes your ex boyfriend .
This debt is yours to settle Doris stood frozen in shock , unable to form a response .
Dad , back then , you took advantage of my relationship with Ryan , hoping to squeeze some benefits out of him .
You asked for a ridiculous amount one million dollars .
And what did you do with it ? You turned around and bought Rupert a new house and had it renovated .
Now he and Claudia are enjoying their luxurious life in that house , and youre asking me to repay this debt ? If anyone should pay it back , its Rupert .
A million dollars is more than I could ever make in a lifetime .
How can you put this on me ? Have you even thought about what this means for me ? Deep down , Doris already knew the answer .
Her father never thought about her feelings .
Yet , the bitterness and injustice stung all the same .
Jimmy showed no remorse , his face hardening as he laid the blame squarely on her .
If youd just agreed to stay with Mr.
Watson , none of this wouldve happened .
Youre the one who made him angry , so its your mess to clean up .
Why should we or Rupert have to take the fall for your mistakes ? Rupert is our youngest .
Hes your little brother .
As his sister , youre supposed to make sacrifices for him .
Doris scoffed inwardly , What a twisted version of reality .
Their greed created this mess , and now they want me to take the fall ? Peyton took a different approach , her tone soft and pleading , hoping Doris would sacrifice for their family .
Doris , think about Rupert and Claudia .
Theyre about to get married .
We cant afford to let something like this ruin things for them .
If Claudia finds out we owe Mr.
Watson a million dollars , she might call off the wedding .
You wouldnt want that to happen , would you ? And surely , you wouldnt want to see your father and me end up in jail at our age .
Would you really be that heartless ! Doriss heart ached with frustration , but she refused to waver .
Youre my parents , and I owe you for raising me .
Ill honor that debt by taking care of you .
But I dont owe Rupert anything , and I wont pay a single cent for him .
Jimmy and Peyton had always coddled Rupert, enabling his every whim .
But Doris was done with their favoritism and refused to indulge him any longer .
Peyton quickly latched onto Doriss words , her tone turning wheedling .
Yes , you dont owe Rupert .
But were your parents .
For our sake for the sake of the whole family Doris , just find a way to get that million dollars and help us out of this A million dollars ? Doris repeated , her face a mask of disbelief .
Where on earth would I even get that kind of money ? She genuinely had no idea where this absurd expectation was coming from .
I dont even know that I have so much money .
What kind of ridiculous rumor is this ? she wondered .
2/4 13:05 Wed , 26 Feb EL EL FL Chapter 15 Jimmy leveled a finger at Doris , his voice sharp with accusation .
Stop pretending .
Dorns .
You think I dont know ! After you broke up with Mr.
Watson , his mother gave you one million dollars His tone was laced with certainty , bolstered by the hints dropped earlier by the lawyer Doris couldnt help but laugh , though anger simmered beneath her smile .
Oh , so thats what you think ! Yes , Mrs Watson did come to see me , but she didnt give me one million dollars She offered three hundred thousand dollars .
I didnt take it .
My love and devotion in this relationship isnt something money can buy .
Jimmys face turned a furious shade of red , his chest tightening up .
Three hundred thousand dollars ? Do you k many years youd have to work that dead end job of yours to make that kind of money ? know how And you just threw it away ? Youre too proud for your own good .
Whether you took it or not doesnt matter .
Youll pay the debt .
One million dollars ! Keep dreaming : Doris sneered , her voice icy .
Jimmys temper exploded .
Doris , you think youve grown up now , huh ? Got your own wings , dont need your parents anymore ! Thats why you can be so cruel , so selfish .
Youd stand by and watch your parents lose everything even face a lawsuit without lifting a finger to help ? Say whatever you want .
Doriss voice was flat , her patience worn thin .
Shut up .
Jimmy roared , his fury filling the room like a storm ready to break .
Doris inhaled deeply , trying to steady herself .
The defiance in her chest burned brighter , but her fathers overpowering presence pressed down on her like a weight .
Judging from the look on his face , she could already see what was coming next , and it twisted her stomach into knots .
Ever since they were kids , only Doris and her big sister , Laura , faced punishments when they did anything wrong .
Laura , the obedient daughter , lived to please Jimmy even to the extent of marrying someone he handpicked .
Jimmy was satisfied with Lauras compliance and rarely made things hard for her .
القال But Doris had a rebellious streak .
She refused to bend to his every whim , and that had made her his target time and again .
By now , she had grown used to it .
How long are you going to punish me this time ? Doris straightened her back , meeting his gaze with unwavering defiance The answer came swiftly a sharp crack as Jimmys cane lashed across her back .
The sting was instant , the pain spreading like wildfire across her skin .
Her body instinctively hunched forward , but she bit her lip hard , refusing to make a sound .
Her silence was her shield , her stubborn refusal to let him win .
Peyton , watching from the side , clutched her hands nervously .
Seeing how pale Doris looked , Peyton pleaded , Doris , be a good girl .
Just apologize to your father .
If you do , hell go easier on you .
Why make it harder for yourself ? Apologize ? For what ? Ive done nothing wrong .
Doris shot back , her voice unwavering despite the pain .
She knew even if she gave in , it wouldnt earn her any mercy from Jimmy .
Jimmys face twisted into a scowl .
Lets see how tough you really are .
The cane came down again , another sharp blow .
The sound echoed in the room , and the pain left Doris gasping for breath .
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