Chapter 628 Are You So Cheap?
When you really looked at Ryder, you could see he had this delicate vibe, almost gentle, which you don't see much in guys. His eyes had this soft blue tint that really stood out.
Usually, he'd come off as super approachable, but the big scar on the left side of his face, against his pale skin, was hard to miss and kinda shocking.
On top of that, he was really skinny, with cheeks that looked a bit hollow. His hostile stare, mixed with the scar, turned what should've been a friendly look into something pretty intimidating.
Aurora accidentally locked eyes with him, and his stare sent chills down her spine. She quickly looked away, breaking the eye contact.
"Ryder, we've brought in tons of doctors for you before, but you never cooperated or trusted them. This time, it's a medical student who hasn't even graduated yet, but she's also studied psychology," Tristram said, sounding sincere.
"She can treat your legs and help with your mental health. So this time, you gotta cooperate. Ever since your accident, our dad's health has been bad too. Please, take your treatment seriously and stop stressing him out," Tristram pleaded.
"You've really gone all out for my illness, huh?" Ryder's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"You're my brother, of course I care. Just cooperate with the treatment and stop causing trouble," Tristram said gently. Just as he finished, his phone rang. It was a call from his company. He hung up and turned to Aurora. "Ms. Ryan, I'll leave my brother's treatment to you. I have to head to the office. If anything comes up, call me anytime."
"Alright, Mr. Rivers, take care," Aurora replied.
Aurora watched Tristram leave. Eva was still cleaning downstairs, so it was just her and Ryder on the second floor. The atmosphere was tense, and Aurora didn't dare to look directly at him because of his intimidating gaze.
In the heavy silence, Aurora tried to think of something to say, but before she could, Ryder spoke, his tone even more mocking and disdainful than before.
"How much did Tristram pay you?"
"Two hundred thousand dollars," Aurora answered honestly. He had offered three hundred thousand, but she had firmly refused and only accepted two hundred thousand.
Hearing the amount, Ryder laughed derisively. "You're that cheap? You're the cheapest doctor he's ever hired for me."
Cheap?
His tone and attitude were incredibly off-putting. How could someone be so detestable? He was even worse than people like Kelly and Jade.
He had no respect for others, trampling on them just because he had money, saying the most degrading things!
She had met plenty of wealthy people before. Alaric and her uncle were far richer than him, yet they were all cultured and upright, never disrespecting others like this.
"Mr. Ryder Rivers, I was hired by your brother to treat you. Please speak with some respect," Aurora said firmly."You were paid by him, not me," Ryder snapped back. "And he hired a student who hasn't even graduated yet to treat me. Isn't that a sign of his desperation? Besides, he's sick. He couldn't have kids with either of his ex-wives, and despite all his affairs, he still couldn't father a child. He's infertile. Why don't you go treat him?"
His tone was dripping with mockery. Aurora was fuming. How could someone be so shameless?
Even if Tristram was infertile, it was a private matter, and Ryder was broadcasting it everywhere. It was beyond low!
"Your name is Ryder, right?" Maybe it was her anger that gave Aurora the courage to look him in the eye. "I sympathize with what you've been through. Anyone would have psychological trauma after such an ordeal, and it takes time to heal. But that doesn't give you the right to hurt others, especially your brother. He genuinely cares about your illness. Even if you can't—"
Before she could finish, Ryder picked up a book and hurled it at her, hitting her neck and narrowly missing her face. He had thrown it with considerable force.
"Who are you to meddle in our family affairs? Who do you think you are to lecture me?" Ryder was furious, his gaze murderous, his tone icy. "Get out!"
Seeing Aurora frozen in place, his tone grew even harsher. "Didn't you hear me? Get out!"
Ryder then called down to Eva, "Eva, get up here and clean this study. I don't want to see this mess anymore!"
"Coming, Mr. Ryder Rivers," Eva called back, hurrying up from the first floor.
The mansion was huge, and all the other servants had been driven away by Ryder's temper. Eva was left to clean the entire place by herself, enduring his bad temper. It was a tough job.
Before Aurora arrived, Tristram had warned her about Ryder's temper. She had mentally prepared herself, but the reality was worse than she had imagined.
Eva began picking up the books scattered on the floor. Ryder spoke again, "Organize these books and put them back on the shelves. If you don't do it right, I'll be very unhappy."
"But Mr. Ryder Rivers, I can't read well, let alone categorize these books. You're asking too much of me," Eva said.
"I ordered you to do it, so do it right. If you can't, keep doing it until you get it right!" Ryder snapped.
Eva had known him since he was a child, like Mia with Stellan. Wasn't that relationship akin to a mother's? Even if there was no affection, she was old enough to be his mother, yet he spoke to her so harshly.
"I'll help you," Aurora said, bending down to help Eva pick up the books and start organizing them.
Ryder watched, his eyes narrowing in displeasure. He wheeled himself towards the door, and Eva quickly cleared a path for him.
Aurora continued sorting the books, ignoring him. As Ryder wheeled past her, he stopped.
Aurora looked up at him. His eyes were truly beautiful, and she couldn't help but think it was a waste for such lovely eyes to belong to someone like him.
"Once you're done, get out. If I see you again, it won't be just a book I throw at you. Understand?" His words were threatening and hostile. With that, he wheeled out of the study.
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