Chapter 67 How Could He
Have Been So Reckless
Ray’s frantic outburst lingered in Renee’s mind, leaving a sense of unease that she couldn’t shake. But when she finally stepped back into the hotel suite and saw Ryder waiting, a slight sense of relief washed over her.
“Mr. Chadwick,” she greeted him quietly, trying to push aside the tension that had
settled in her chest.
Ryder didn’t press her for details about where she’d been. His gaze briefly flicked to the shirt she was wearing-clearly a man’s-and after a small pause, he said, “Why don’t you go change your clothes? I’ll order some food for you.”
Renee almost responded that she wasn’t hungry, but the reality of the situation hit her: she was wearing William’s shirt. A sudden, inexplicable pang of panic shot through her. She couldn’t explain why it bothered her, but it did.
As she turned toward the bedroom to change, Ryder’s voice stopped her. “Renee.”
“Yeah?” she replied, turning back to face him.
Ryder stepped closer, his fingers gently adjusting her collar. Whether it was intentional or not, his cool fingers brushed against her neck, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
But after a brief moment, he stepped back, his gaze shifting away, and his voice softened. “We’ll wrap things up tonight, right? Once this mission is over, we’ll head back to Oclya. How’s that?” Ryder said softly, his voice steady but carrying a hint of finality.
After a pause, Renee nodded. “Alright.”
Back in her room, as she changed, she caught sight of the hickeys on her neck. Ryder must have noticed them earlier. He likely also realized who had left them.
Irritated, Renee took her time picking out an outfit, finally settling on a shirt that would at least hide some of the hickeys.
It had been three years, and William had changed so much! How could he have been so reckless? Was he some wild, uncontrollable force, or what?
She changed quickly and walked out, finding that the meal Ryder had ordered was already waiting. As they sat down to eat, Renee’s thoughts wandered back to Felix. As a mother, it tore at her heart that he was suffering in the hospital, and she couldn’t even be by his side. She had always felt indebted to him, having selfishly brought him into this world but unable to give him the love he truly deserved.
Ryder’s voice cut through her thoughts. “He’s recovering well. The fracture in his lower leg will take some time to heal, but everything else is fine. And, there’s something else you need to know.”
His tone shifted, and Renee’s concern deepened. “What is it?”
“Your father… Nixon showed up at the hospital. He wanted to see Felix, but I didn’t let
him.”
Renee’s face immediately hardened. “How did he find out about Felix?”
“The news of Felix being kidnapped spread quickly,” Ryder explained. “Even though his identity was kept under wraps, some people still saw you that night. I guess Nixon just
wanted to confirm it.”
“And you…” Renee’s voice was tight with tension.
“I told him Felix was my son.” Ryder nodded, pausing briefly before adding, “He probably didn’t believe me though.”
Renee’s anxiety didn’t ease. She wasn’t afraid of Nixon discovering the truth about Felix, but the mission tonight weighed heavily on her. She couldn’t afford any complications, not when so much was at stake.
“Did he say what he wanted?” she asked, her voice laced with frustration.
Nixon knew she had returned to Tofral. Big deal. What did it matter now? They had severed ties years ago. What was his purpose now?
“He mentioned he wanted to see you,” Ryder replied.
“I’m sure he’s got some hidden agenda,” she muttered.
No matter what, she couldn’t bear the thought of seeing anyone with the surname Carter again. It would be ideal if she never crossed paths with them for the rest of her
“I looked into it. Nixon’s company seems to be facing some trouble lately, and your stepmother…”
Just the mention of Sally gave Renee an instant headache. That woman was manipulative and skilled at hiding her true nature-difficult to deal with in every sense.
Ryder pressed on, adding, “She’s pregnant, and it looks like she’s about to give birth
soon.”
Renee sneered. “Nixon’s got himself a January chick.”
“That’s not necessarily the case,” Ryder said with a knowing smile. “Who’s to say he’s actually the father?”
