Colby stiffened for a brief moment.
The woman in his arms was so thin, so light, sobbing like a child.
Memories surged back. Years ago, Ryann had cried like this too, clinging to him after they lost their first child. Back then, she had treated him as something more important than life itself.
Instinctively, he tightened his arms around her, patting her back gently.
"That's enough…" His voice softened. "Stop crying."
Ryann looked up at him through tear-filled eyes. They were swollen and red, her nose flushed, looking fragile and pitiful.
"Colby…I was wrong…" she choked. "I won't make trouble anymore. I'll behave. Just… please let Charlee go, okay? I can divorce you… or not divorce you… whatever you want. I'll do anything. I'm begging you."
Something in Colby's chest loosened slightly.
"I never considered divorce," he said, his tone noticeably gentler. "As long as you stay with me and don't stir up trouble, Charlee will be fine."
Ryann nodded frantically. "I won't… I really won't…"
Colby raised a hand and wiped her tears away. It wasn't tender, but he did hold back his strength.
A thought flickered through his mind—maybe this wasn't so bad.
Ryann was too stubborn. Without suffering a little, she would never bend.
And now, she was finally showing that familiar dependence again.
He even found himself enjoying the moment—her softness, her obedience, the way her eyes held only him.
"Let's go home, " Colby said. "Take a bath and get some sleep."
Ryann nodded obediently, letting him guide her into the car.
---
Over the next few days, Ryann became noticeably more "well-behaved."
She stopped mentioning divorce, stopped asking to see Charlee, and even ignored Suzanne's repeated provocations.
Colby was pleased and finally agreed to bring Charlee home to recover.
Ryann let out a quiet breath of relief. The moment Colby left for the office, she made a discreet phone call.
At the banquet that night, someone had secretly slipped her a business card—Cason Moore, Colby's biggest competitor.
"Mr. Moore," Ryann said softly, "it's me. I have evidence of tax violations across five Willis Group subsidiaries over the past five years. I also have full audio recordings and transfer records proving Suzanne bribed witnesses and fabricated psychiatric reports."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"Your terms?" the man finally asked.
"Help me get my brother out. I've already finalized the divorce papers and prepared fake identities. I just need you to get us out. And... " Ryann paused, ""Before 3 p.m. tomorrow, release the evidence in stages. Especially Suzanne's part. I want her completely ruined."
Carson chuckled, "You hate her."
"Yes," Ryann admitted it without hesitation. "But I hate Colby more. That said… right now, I just want to leave."
"Deal," Carson replied. "Give me thirty minutes to mobilize my people. Send the files now. Stay reachable. My car will be at the back gate of the Willis residence within half an hour. Once you're gone, I'll release everything."
"Thank you."
"No need," Carson said. "Mutual benefit."
After hanging up, Ryann sent the encrypted files, then deleted every trace.
She waited quietly. Colby had promised to bring Charlee home today, but she hadn't expected Suzanne to arrive before they did.
Suzanne strode into the living room, chin lifted. When she saw Ryann, she curled her lips into a sneer. "I heard Colby's bringing your brother over today?"
Ryann ignored her.
Suzanne wasn't satisfied. She stepped closer. "I suggest you know your place. When Charlee gets here, he'd better kneel and apologize properly. Otherwise... "
