Chapter 5 88 % Ryans outrageous demands left Doris utterly speechless , her rage fueled by his audacity .
She couldnt comprehend how he could utter something so selfish and repulsive with such nonchalance .
A cold laugh escaped her lips , sharp and biting .
Ryan , what do you take me for ? Do you seriously expect me to become the other woman in your life ? I may come from a humble background , but Im not so lowly that Id stoop to something so degrading .
If you truly loved me , youd never make such a shameless request .
Ryans expression twisted into one of wounded indignation as he scrambled to defend himself .
If I didnt love you , why would I even bother trying to make you stay ? Oh , so I should fall to my knees , overwhelmed with gratitude , and cry tears of joy ? Doris shot back with a mocking sneer .
His brow furrowed deeply , frustration simmering in his eyes .
Doris , must you speak to me like this ? Her voice was calm , yet firm , each word cutting like shards of glass .
Ryan , I will get married one day .
I will have children and build a happy home .
But it wont be with you .
From now on , lets go our separate ways .
She rose from her seat with an air of quiet determination , her clear , wide eyes radiating a glacial serenity .
As she walked past Ryan , his deep voice drifted to her ears .
Doris , theres something you need to know .
Not long ago , your parents came to me begging for a loan .
One million dollars .
If you insist on breaking up with me , well need to settle this debt .
One million dollars ? she thought .
The sheer figure rendered Doris momentarily speechless , a wave of disbelief washing over her .
Ill speak with my parents to get to the bottom of this .
Once I confirm its true , Ill pay you back every penny .
Ryans lips curled into a smirk , his businesslike demeanor surfacing .
Doris , one million dollars is no small sum for your family .
How exactly do you plan to pay it back ? With your measly salary ? Itll take you a lifetime .
Im not running a charity Doris earned about four thousand dollars a month , half of which went to support her parents .
What little remained barely covered her expenses , leaving her with hardly any savings after years of scrimping and saving .
Ryan leaned back in his chair , his voice dripping with condescension .
Doris , be sensible .
If you agree to stay with me , I wont pursue the matter .
And when your brother gets married , Ill throw in a generous sum as a wedding gift , ensuring your family can host a grand celebration .
Doesnt that sound like a fair deal ? Shame on you , Doris hissed , her fury bubbling over .
Without a second thought , she grabbed the lemonade from the table and flung it into Ryans face .
The icy liquid splattered across his perfectly groomed features , leaving him stunned .
Doris , he growled , his voice low and dangerous as her name slipped through clenched teeth .
He hadnt anticipated this fiery side of the usually gentle and composed girl .
Doriss eyes blazed with fury .
Ryan , you can keep dreaming if you think Ill ever do as you say .
As she turned to leave , Ryans hand shot out , gripping her wrist with a force that betrayed his mounting anger .
The veins on his temple throbbed , his temper on the brink of exploding .
Doris , dont you dare walk away from me like this , he snarled.

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Dont push me .
Doris didnt flinch .
Instead , her tone was laced with disdain , every word a dagger aimed at his pride .
Have you no shame , Ryan Her eyes bore into his , unwavering .
Let go of me .
Or Ill call the police .
Their argument had already drawn quite a bit of attention in the restaurant .
The weight of curious gazes pressed down on 1/4 13:03 Wed , 26 Feb FF FR Chapter & them , making Ryan reconsider his stance .
Making a scene in public was the last thing he wanted .
Reluctantly , he released Doriss wrist .
Doris , youll regret this , he declared with the kind of overconfidence that only served to aggravate her further Doris didnt dignity him with another word .
With her head held high , she turned and walked away , her every step brimming with quiet resolve .
The moment she stepped outside , Lola stood up and rushed over , her brows furrowed with concern .
Did he lay a hand on you ? she asked , scanning Doris for any signs of distress .
Not at all , Doris replied with a shake of her head , her voice light and almost anused .
If anything , I gave him a taste of his own medicine .
I poured a drink on his face .
Lolas eyes widened briefly before she let out a delighted laugh .
Serves him right , she said , her tone dripping with satisfaction .
Lets go , Doris said , looping her arm through Lolas and steering her away from the scene , As they strolled down the street , Lolas gaze flitted over to a sleek Rolls Royce parked nearby .
She tugged on Doriss arm , her excitement bubbling over .
Did you see that car ? Its a Rolls Royce ..
And the license plate sa over the family business .
H.
Thats the Hartman familys car .
Rumor has it , their heir is finally back in the country to take Doris didnt even blink at the information .
So what ? she replied , her voice indifferent .
Lola stared at her in disbelief .
So what ? Last night , werent you saying youd marry the Hartman heir if you had the chance ? Hes back now , so heres your big opportunity .
Heat rushed to Doriss cheeks as she recalled her tipsy bravado from the previous night .
I was joking , she said , feeling a little mortified .
Doris , dont chicken out now .
If you snag the Hartman heir , not only would you be set for life and make me proud , but even Ryan would have to bow down to you .
Imagine the look on his face .
Lola teased , giving Doris a playful nudge .
Lola then added , Besides , Im dying to see what this mysterious heir looks like .
Doris rolled her eyes , not in the mood for gossip .
Whats there to see ? Two eyes , a nose , and a mouth .
Same as everyone else .
Youre no fun , Lola huffed , her curiosity unabated .
I just want to know if hes ridiculously handsome or unbearably ugly .
Why else would he hide from the public eye for so long ? Doris shrugged .
Maybe hes just low key .
As the two friends crossed the street , they happened to pass right in front of the Rolls Royce .
Inside the car , the driver glanced in Doriss direction and immediately leaned toward his boss .
Mr.
Hartman , thats Mrs.
Hartman .
Lewiss eyes lifted from the phone in his hand , landing squarely on his wife .
I see her , he murmured , his voice as smooth as velvet .
Doris , unaware of the attention , walked with an effortless grace .
Her casual low ponytail swayed gently as she chatted and laughed with Lola , her vibrant energy lighting up the otherwise ordinary street .
Her slender neck and natural beauty made her seem almost otherworldly , as if shed stepped out of a painting Wed , 26 Feb Chapter 5 Lewiss gaze lingered on her , captivated by the way her every movement radiated life .
She was like the first bloom of vivid and full of vitality .
His eyes followed her as she made her way toward Hampstone Hotel .
spring .
Once back at the hotel .
Doris threw herself into her work , entirely unbothered by the unpleasant lunch with Ryan .
Her focus was sharp , her productivity unwavering But when her shift ended and she returned home , an unexpected problem awaited her .
Standing outside her parents place , Doris fished out her keys and tried to unlock the door , but no matter how many times she twisted the key , the lock wouldnt budge .
Frowning , she stepped back and double checked the number on the door 701 .
She hadnt gone to the wrong place, but she just couldnt unlock the door .
Doris knocked on the door , her voice tinged with confusion .
Mom , Dad , open the door .
Inside , Peyton sat on the couch , her expression conflicted as she glanced at Jimmy , who was puffing away on a cigarette .
After a tense moment .
Peyton spoke up hesitantly , Jimmy , maybe we should let Doris in first and talk about this later .
Jimmy crushed the cigarette in the glass ashtray with a sharp twist , his jaw tightening as he turned to glare at Peyton .
With a heavy sigh , he pushed himself up from the couch and strode to the entryway .
Behind the cold , hard door , he yelled , Doris , I just got off the phone with Mr.
Watson .
He told me he spoke with you at lunch today .
Hes willing to break off his engagement and marry you as long as you stop being so difficult and insisting on breaking up .
But what do you do ? Instead of appreciating the opportunity , you throw a drink in his face .
His words came out in clipped , furious bursts .
Youre an adult now , Doris .
How can you still be so reckless and irresponsible ? Doriss eyes widened with a mixture of disbelief and indignation .
Her voice trembled , barely masking the outrage bubbling beneath the surface .
You actually believe Ryan when he says hell marry me ? Hes engaged .
Everyone at my office knows he booked the Hampstone Hotel for his engagement party .
What are you expecting me to do ? Humiliate myself and become his mistress ? Jimmys scowl deepened , and his tone turned icy .
Doris , why must you be so stubborn ? Mr.
Watson cares about you .
Does it really matter what title you hold ! Youd only have to put up with a little discomfort before securing a future full of happiness .
His words dripped with insincerity , every syllable crafted to manipulate .
Tm doing this for your own good .
Why cant you see how much your mom and I have sacrificed for you ? Doriss lips curled into a bitter smile as she retorted , exposing his hypocrisy , No , youre doing this for the one million .
dollars Ryan lent you .
The accusation hung in the air , sharp and unyielding Jimmys face darkened , and without a word , he opened the door and delivered a resounding slap across Doriss cheek .
The force of the blow snapped her head to the side , her vision momentarily swimming .
A searing pain radiated across her face , burning hot and relentless .
Tears welled up in her eyes , spilling over as she stood there , stunned and silent .
You ungrateful brat ! Jimmy spat , his voice rising with fury .
We raised you , fed you , gave you everything .
And now its your turn to repay | Doris barely had a chance to recover when Peytons voice , soft yet insistent , broke through the storm .
Doris , you know how small this apartment is .
We cant keep everyone here forever .
Rupert and Claudia are getting married soon , and theyll need their own place .
13:03 Wed , 26 Feb AFA Chapter 3 Claudias parents expected us to buy them a home .
We didnt have that kind of money, so we had to borrow from Mr.
Watson.
88 % Her tone grew almost pleading , but there was an undeniable edge of favoritism in her words Rupert is your little brother .
As his sister , its only right for you to help him out .
Hell be grateful to you for this Peyton moved closer , her expression softening as if trying to coax Doris into agreement .
Mr.
Watson is a decent guy .
Stop fighting this , Doris .
Make peace with him .
Its whats best for everyone .
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