Your Love Is But a Dream

Rose instinctively leaned back and tried to withdraw her hand, but Ryan was faster. He quickly placed his other hand over hers and held it firmly in his grasp.

"It's an honor to meet you today, Ms. Sutton. I hope I wasn't a disappointment." A faint smile played at the corners of Ryan's lips as he lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss on the back of Rose's hand.

It was purely out of courtesy, with no intention to offend her.

Rose stared at him in a daze. At that moment, her heart suddenly started racing. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she took in the handsome face that was just inches away from hers.

She wasn't some naive girl sheltered from the world. She had dated a few foreign boyfriends while living abroad. They were passionate, outgoing, and unreserved in their affections. When they pursued her, they did so boldly and made their admiration clear without hesitation.

So, while Ryan's forwardness and hand-holding surprised her, she didn't find it particularly offensive. In fact, his assertiveness and enthusiasm began to make her a little flustered. Ryan was somewhat different from what she had expected.

Rose stole a glance at him. She actually hadn't expected much from him before coming here, and she only showed up because she couldn't go against her parents' wishes. Her initial plan had been to just show up and get it over with.

Before meeting him, she had assumed Ryan would be stoic and serious like the men from Dennis' generation. But to her surprise, not only was Ryan good- looking, but he was also rather interesting.

Ryan caught Rose stealing glances at him, and it left him with a sense of disdain.

Rose-privileged and confident about themselves-were actually more innocent and

Rose herself, but

food and

stroll with him. Although Ryan

some time and had

to return

having dinner

BUMS

...

courthouse for another half an hour. She grabbed her bag and stood up

the drafted

tension in the conference room was palpable as Zachman Group's

their words carefully. They were afraid that a single misstep

only one in the room who knew what was going on, was especially uneasy. She