Bella saw Ryan walk over. His handsome face looked worn out.
"Oh my, Ryan, what's up with you? Were you trying to dig a tunnel in your room last night?" Bella
teased him.
"I... Sigh. Don't mention it." Ryan sighed gloomily.
How should he say it?
If he complained about Bella's brother in front of her, Ryan would put his best friend in a difficult spot.
Bella could sense that there was something on his mind, but since he did not want to say it, she
stopped pressing further.
"Do you want to eat? I'll make another portion for you if you want." Justin turned back to look at him, his
hands not stopping the work. "I don't have an appetite. I'll skip breakfast."
Ryan walked to the refrigerator and opened it, taking a bottle of iced water and then downing it in one
go after twisting off the cap.
Then he crumpled the empty bottle and took a deep breath. "Bella, Justin, I want to get married to
Carrie today."
The couple were stunned. "What? Today?!"
"Yes. Today."
Ryan's gaze was intense, and his voice was deep and hoarse. "I've thought about it. Dragging things
would only bring more trouble. I don't care if my family agrees to it or not. I'll get my marriage license
with Carrie first, so we will be legally married. She will be my wife and the Hoffman Group's lady boss.
Even if my grandfather disagrees, there's nothing he can do about it. I'll compensate Carrie with a
grand wedding of the century after I get a hold of the Hoffman Group. Carrie will understand my
decision."
Justin frowned slightly, forgetting to flip the eggs in the pan. They end up burned.
"Justin, my documents are at home, so I'll return home to get them later. Where's your family's
register? Can you get it today?"
"Ryan, what are you planning? You're acting weird today." Bella's eyes narrowed.
"Why? I just want to marry Carrie. Why are you two looking like that? Shouldn't you cheer for me and
give me your support?" Ryan's brows furrowed anxiously.
"Ryan, you've been dating Carrie for a while, and you've always been able to wait. Why did you
suddenly become so restless?"
Justin turned off the stove and looked at him worriedly. "Also, our family's register is with Gregory. If
you randomly ask for it, he definitely won't give it to you. After all, you embarrassed Gregory for Bella
during the last banquet. He's petty and holds a grudge. Now that you need something from him, he'll
have leverage over you. If you anger him, he might just try to arrange another marriage for Carrie. The
Hoffman Group is still in a mess because of Zoe, and Gregory doesn't want any association with you
guys."
"I..." Ryan clenched his fists.
"Also, have you dealt with your family's internal affairs?"
Bella's expression was serious and stern, as if she and Justin were Carrie's parents. "Do your
grandfather and your mother agree to this marriage? If you act without their knowledge, aren't you
afraid that your grandfather might withdraw your position in a fit of anger? Aren't you afraid your uncle
would take the chance to drag you down? Logan only has one grandson, which is you, and he
treasures you greatly. How will he see Carrie, then? Do you want Carrie to never be able to hold her
head up in the Hoffman family?"
"Carrie is my wife! My lover! Who would dare look down on her?!" Ryan's eyes reddened, refusing to
take in Bella's words.
They made it sound as if he were useless.
Bella shook her head. "Ryan, I have no doubts about your love for Carrie. But you haven't thought it
through yet. What do you want? What kind of life do you want to provide for Carrie? The situation now
is that you cannot have both the Hoffman Group and Carrie. If you fail to acquire the Hoffman Group,
you will undoubtedly disappoint your father's expectations. If you want to be with Carrie, you must be
prepared to be excluded from the center of power. Are you willing to let go of something within your
grasp?"
"Why can't I have both? I want the Hoffman Group, and I want Carrie even more!" Ryan's sharp brows
twitched, his eyes widening.
"Nobody's saying you can't be together. You have to keep your cool now. Victory is within reach, so
don't sabotage yourself."
Bella stared at him suspiciously, sizing him up. "What happened between you and Carrie last night?
Stop holding it in and let experienced people like us advise you. Don't keep it to yourself and end up
depressed."
"Most importantly, we're worried you'll do something stupid." Justin's thin lips parted, bringing a plate of
breakfast to Bella.
Justin was more skilled at this job than Wilma was. He even enjoyed it.
"It's not that good. Eat while it's hot."
Justin's handsome and cold face had a heavy contrast with the apron he wore.
A sweet smile bloomed from the corners of Bella's eyes. She suddenly stood up and hooked her arm
around Justin's neck, pecking him on the cheek.
"A reward." She tipped his chin up with her fingertips.
Justin's thick, long eyelashes fluttered, and he eagerly responded to her kiss, savoring the sweetness.
Ryan slumped by the table like a deflated ball, feeling down in the dumps, as if his house had been
stolen.
"I have a love rival."