Chapter 298 Ace
Afternoon.
Ryder and Sarah left the hospital.
Sarah rubbed her head, exasperated. "I can't believe this happened! I'm so worried!"
Ryder tried to comfort her. "Babe, it's okay. The doctor said it's not too serious. With the right treatment and rehab, there's a good chance he'll recover."
Sarah nodded. "I know, but it just feels so unfair for my dad! He's been so patient and decent his whole life. Even if he didn't contribute much, he was a good father and husband. And my mom's behavior is awful. She even betrayed him! Now everyone knows, and I can't imagine what they're gossiping about behind his back."
Ryder felt helpless too.
As the saying went, "you have to be on guard against the guy next door."
It really made sense!
After a pause, Ryder said, "We'll deal with that later. Right now, we need to focus on why he's paralyzed. I think it might have something to do with your mom and brother. We just can't prove it yet. Maybe we'll find out once he can talk again."
Sarah's eyes reddened, and she turned to Ryder, pouting. "Ryder, do you think I'm useless? My family's a mess, always making you feel helpless and dragging you down."
Ryder gently stroked her head, speaking softly. "Don't think like that. You're the only one I care about. I'm more worried that your family's issues will stress you out."
Hearing this, Sarah blushed with happiness and hugged Ryder tightly.
She buried her head into his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "Ryder, it's so good to have you! I don't want to leave you."
Ryder, smelling her hair, felt a bit tempted.
He whispered, "If that's the case, shouldn't you give me a little reward?"
Sarah blinked. "What kind of reward?"
Ryder swallowed and chuckled. "Last time you helped me with your hand. Can we go a step further this time, like with..."
Before he could finish, he felt a sharp pain in his waist!
Sarah pinched him hard. "Ryder, you're getting worse. All you think about is sex, huh?"
Ryder grimaced and quickly explained. "Babe, let go! Don't get mad! It's normal for a guy to think about these things. You wouldn't want me to have no interest in sex, right?"
Sarah thought for a moment and let go, her eyes twinkling. "You have a point. Since you're so eager, I might reward you, but there's a condition. I'll ask you a question, and you have to answer it honestly."
Ryder's eyes lit up. "Just ask!"
Sarah squinted. "Tell me, during the three days you and Barbara were missing in the woods, did you do anything to betray me? And did you ever have any impure thoughts about Barbara?"
Ryder fell silent.
A tough question to answer!
Meanwhile, at the Johnson family mansion, everyone felt like a dark cloud was hanging over their heads, casting a shadow over their hearts.
The blow from the press conference was too much!
Grandma Johnson hadn't eaten much since she got back, just sipping water.
How bad was it for the Johnson family now?
First, there was the $110 million investment from Phoenix Real Estate. Roy ran off with the money, making Phoenix Group's execs furious. They canceled the deal and sent people to get their investment back!
Second, this mess caused all their partners to pull out, leading to massive losses for the Johnson family.
Lastly, Matthew and Andy were still at the police station!
Now, there were barely any core members left for family meetings!
Lawrence tried to console Grandma Johnson. "Mom, don't be so upset. You need to eat, or your body will suffer!"
Grandma Johnson weakly rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'm as heartless as you? If this keeps up, our family will be wiped out in Houston! We won't get another chance to rise!"
Lawrence pouted. "What can we do? Who could've guessed Ryder is the president of Maple Real Estate and has so many powerful friends in Houston? We can't mess with someone like him!"
"Regret is useless now!" Grandma Johnson murmured, tears streaming down her cheeks.
If she had known Ryder's true identity, she would've treated him like a god! The Johnson family would be thriving now!
But who could've imagined this turn of events?
It was all Karen's fault. She always badmouthed Ryder, calling him useless, which made Grandma Johnson think the same. So, she never took Ryder seriously!
Otherwise, she might have noticed something special about him.
Lawrence said, "Mom, what's the use of regretting now? Sarah and Ryder see us as enemies! There's no way to reconcile!"
Grandma Johnson nodded helplessly.
Sandra lit a cigarette, her eyes cold. "Mom, don't worry. I said I'd bring down Ryder and Sarah, and I will!"
Lawrence was skeptical. "You said that before, but the result..."
Sandra shot him a glare. "I underestimated Ryder before, but now that we know his identity, I know what he's capable of! Don't worry. I have a plan!"
Grandma Johnson asked suspiciously, "Sandra, are you talking about the marriage alliance with the provincial family? Annie won't agree!"
Sandra shook her head. "Whether Annie agrees or not, the marriage alliance must proceed! As for dealing with Ryder, we don't need a big backer right now. I still have an ace up my sleeve in Houston! Once I play this card, it will hurt him deeply!"
The rest of the Johnson family looked hopeful.
At that moment, Abigail, who had been putting on makeup, stood up and walked towards the door.
Lawrence asked, "Abigail, where are you going?"
Abigail replied, "Just going out for a walk! I won't be back tonight!"
As she turned, a seductive smile appeared on her face. She murmured softly, "A bunch of fools. Instead of befriending the wealthy Ryder, they only know how to oppose him. I'm much smarter."