Ryan held Carrie and got into the backseat of his car while Yasmin got into the driverâs seat. The luxury
car pulled out of Tideview Manor.
Ryan continued to hold Carrie in the car, gently stroking her cool, silky hair. His heart ached for her. He
originally came to find Justin for a drink, but he unexpectedly walked into such a commotion as soon as
he entered the door.
Ryan recalled Linnyâs words with a heavy heart as he looked at the scars on Carrieâs arm. His eyes
were filled with anger. The blood in his veins appeared to solidify into icy, sharp blades that pierced his
lungs, causing vivid and intense pain throughout his body.
The pain he felt was truly unprecedented.
His past emotional trauma with Bella left him deeply hurt. However, that pain was nothing compared to
the heartache he felt at that
moment.
Ryan took a deep breath to calm himself and rested his chin on
Carrieâs head. He slowly closed his eyes, which were reddened with
anger.
He thought to himself, âCarrie, I said I would protect you, and I have always kept my promises.â
âMr. Hoffman, where are we heading next?â Yasmin asked softly, looking at Ryan through the rearview
mirror with her beautiful eyes.
The question appeared to have caught Ryan off guard and left him. lost in thought.
Even though he had just told Bethany that he was going to take Carrie away, it was not possible for him
to take this respectable young woman home. Justin would skin him alive if he found out.
âCarrie, should I take you to Justin? Or should I take you to see your sister-in-law? You can stay with
her tonight.â Ryan asked softly, lowering his long lashes.
Carrie furrowed her brow and reached to cover her left ear, not giving
any response.
âCarrie? Carrie?â Ryan called her several times, but she was
unresponsive, as if she had not heard him at all.
She kept crying out, âIt hurts⦠It hurtsâ¦
âWhere does it hurt?â
Carrie raised her eyes slowly, Bethanyâs palm print still visible on her
cheek.
When their eyes met, her doe-like eyes, soaked with tears, shimmered
with a captivating radiance that stirred something in him.
âRyan, Iâm sorry⦠I realize you are speaking to me, but Iâm sorry, I
canât hear youâ¦â
âCanât hear? What do you mean you canât hear me?!â Ryan asked
urgently.
Carrie slowly opened the hand that had been covering her left ear in
front of him. There was a trace of blood in the center of her palm.
Ryan inhaled sharply. He felt a spasm of pain seize his chest, and his
Change
thoughts were completely scrambled. âYasmin, go to the hospital
right away!â
374
Back in Crescent Bay, Justin was led to the room where he used to
reside.
Nigel, Matt, Bella, and the personal doctor were all there, including
lan, who had already gotten off work for the day.
lan had hurried over without even changing out of his pajamas in the bitter cold after learning that
Justin was injured.
The scene became increasingly humorous as lan stood in front of
these well-dressed people. He looked so at home in Crescent Bay..
The five people stood around Justin and stared at him speechlessly.