Chapter 1116:
Whatever was said on the other end seemed to deepen his anger. Sensing movement, he turned—and his usually composed face was tense and fierce, like a cornered animal. It was a side of Deandre Rylie had never seen: raw, intense, and undeniably dangerous.
Recognizing her, Deandre instantly softened. He ended the call and rushed over, carefully lifting her away from the broken glass. “Watch your step! You almost walked right into it. What if you’d cut your foot?”
Rylie didn’t hesitate. “Is this about Melany?” she asked directly.
Deandre’s eyes narrowed. He lowered his head slightly, anger still simmering beneath the surface.
“She’s still young,” Rylie said gently. “In life experience, I mean. She doesn’t fully understand your world. She grew up sheltered, so you have to be patient with her, Deandre.”
His voice dropped low. “I wanted to protect her innocence. That’s why I kept so much from her. But even so, she chose to betray me.”
Rylie’s brow furrowed. “Deandre, she wouldn’t betray you. I know Melany well enough—at worst, she’s looking for a way out, not a way to hurt you.”
His sister’s words only stoked his frustration. Despite being surrounded by women, Deandre realized he had rarely tried to understand them deeply.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. He guided Rylie to the couch and signaled a servant to bring her a glass of warm milk.
“Have I failed her?” Deandre murmured, his voice tight. “I’ve given her everything she’s ever asked for. Enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life.”
𝗧𝗁𝗲 𝗺oѕ𝘵 𝗽𝗈𝘱𝘶𝘭𝖺𝗿 no𝘷𝖾𝗅𝘴 oո 𝘨𝗮𝘭n𝗼𝘷e𝗅ѕ.𝖼о𝘮
Rylie’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And yet, isn’t that exactly how you’d treat a plaything?”
Deandre froze, his brows drawing together. “A plaything? I’ve never treated her like that.” He trailed off, frustration mounting.
He ran a hand through his hair and began pacing the study, his expensive shoes crunching lightly over the scattered glass.
“All I wanted was for her to live freely and happily. She loves design, so I set up an apartment and a studio where she could work. She wants to travel, and I send her anywhere by private jet. Isn’t that caring for her? Is that what you call treating someone like a plaything?” His voice held confusion and a rare hint of hurt.
Sensing Deandre’s genuine feelings for Melany, Rylie held the warm milk and asked quietly, “Then why did you describe her that way to other people?”
Deandre’s face changed. Hurt flashed in his eyes. “When…?” He stopped, staring at her. “You’ve met her? She actually said that?”
Rylie nodded slowly. “Does it sound familiar?”
Deandre’s expression softened, his brows easing. “So because I said that to others, she got angry and lashed out at me?”
Rylie leaned forward slightly. “That whole ‘plaything’ idea must have been a misunderstanding, don’t you think, Deandre?”
Deandre answered quickly, his tone firm. “Of course it was. That was only because…”
Deandre answered without hesitation. “Absolutely. Those older men, despite their polished appearances, would stop at nothing for money in secret. Kidnappings, blackmail, threatening loved ones—it was all standard procedure for them. They constantly probed, trying to figure out if anyone important was close to me, measuring me with every sentence.”
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