One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

After work. Doris hadn’t expected to cross paths with Ryan and several CEOs from other companies dining at the hotel.

She instinctively averted her eyes, lowered her head, and tried to slip away unnoticed. But Ryan deliberately blocked her path in full view of her colleagues, who, knowing about their past relationship, eagerly observed the unfolding scene.

“Doris, I’m thirsty. Get me a glass of water, Ryan said, lounging on one of the plush sofas in the left corner of the hotel lobby.

Doris’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. “Sorry, Mr. Watson. I’m off duty. If you need assistance, feel free to ask another staff member.”

“Is that the level of service your hotel offers?” Ryan arched a brow, his tone carrying a note of condescension. “Doris, it’s just a glass of water. Or is that worth filing a complaint over?”

Clamping down the surge of irritation rising in her chest, Doris silently fetched a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table in front of him

But as she turned to leave, Ryan stretched his leg out just enough to trip her. Doris stumbled forward, landing awkward! near his feet, the scene unfolding as though she’d purposefully thrown herself at him.

She scoffed internally. So this is his game–making me look desperate, so my colleagues think I’m still not over him? Is this his way of forcing me to get back together with him?”

Ryan leaned down, using the moment to clasp her arm in a mock gesture of concern. “Doris, it’s been days. Have you missed

me?”

She jerked her arm free and straightened herself, fixing him with a glare. “Ryan, you’re engaged. You have a fiancée. Show some respect for yourself and for her

“Respect?” Ryan let out a low chuckle, his gaze tightening on her like a predator savoring its prey. “And what if I don’t feel like respecting boundaries?”

“This is a hotel, Ryan, Doris said, her voice dropping to an icy whisper. “What are you trying to do here? Can’t we just part ways peacefully?”

She knew exactly what the scene must look like to her colleagues–like she couldn’t let go, that she was clinging to Ryan in a pathetic attempt to win him back. No amount of explanation would clear her name from their judgmental whispers.

a sm

*Part ways?” Ryan’s lips curved into a smug grin. “Doris, I never agreed to break up. You don’t get to walk away from me.”

Her fingers curled into tight fists at her sides, barely holding back the urge to punch the self–satisfied smirk off his face. If not for the growing number of curious eyes around them, she might have done just that.

“What do you want, Ryan?” she hissed through gritted teeth, on the brink of losing her composure.

replied, his voice silky smooth. “Come back to me.”

reply was as sharp as a

the surprise I’ve prepared for you,” With one last lingering look at her, he rose to his feet and strode away.

Doris exhaled a shaky breath, her body finally relaxing from the tension coiling in her muscles. She couldn’t fathom why he wouldn’t just

stepped out of the hotel. Seeing Jimmy’s number on the screen sent an ominous shiver

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Chapter 14

Jimmy barked before slamming

Jinny was puring the living room like an enraged bull. The fury on his face only grew as he tossed a document in her face. “Take a

the letter, her heart sinking as she read the words. It was a formal notice from Ryan’s lawyer, stating that Jimmy and Peyton owed him one million dollars. If they didn’t repay the amount within a month, Ryan would take

roared, his face twisted with anger, “This came from Mr. Watson’s lawyer just now. He said if we

a finger at Doris, his voice dripping with accusation. “I don’t care how you do it, but you have to convince Mr. Watson to drop the lawsuit. We’re your parents. And he’s your ex–boyfriend. This debt is

then, you took advantage of my relationship with Ryan, hoping to squeeze some benefits out of him. You asked for a ridiculous amount–one million dollars.

with it?

Claudia are enjoying their luxurious life in

Rupert. A million dollars is more than I could ever make in a lifetime. How can you

about

remorse, his face hardening as he laid the blame squarely on her. “If you’d just agreed to stay with Mr. Watson, none of this would’ve happened. You’re the one who made him angry, so it’s your mess to

youngest. He’s your little brother. As

reality. Their greed created this mess, and now they want me

a different approach, her tone soft and pleading, hoping Doris would sacrifice for their family. “Doris, think about Rupert and Claudia. They’re about to get

finds out we owe Mr. Watson a million dollars, she might call off

see your father and me end up in jail at our age. Would

and I owe you for raising me. I’ll honor that debt by taking care of you. But I don’t owe Rupert anything, and I won’t pay a

always coddled Rupert, enabling his every whim. But Doris was done with their favoritism and refused to indulge

latched onto Doris’s words, her tone turning wheedling. “Yes, you don’t owe Rupert. But we’re your parents. For our sake–for the sake of the whole

face a mask of disbelief. “Where on earth would I even get that kind of

no idea where this absurd expectation was coming from. ‘I don’t even know that I have so much money. What kind of ridiculous rumor is

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Chapter 15

“Stop pretending. Dorns. You think I don’t know! After you broke up with Mr. Watson, his mother gave you one million dollars”

smile. “Oh, so that’s what you think! Yes, Mrs Watson did come to see me, but