Echo glanced back and saw the woman’s calm expression, as if she hadn’t seen anything unusual.
The woman’s indifferent attitude made Echo frown. “Just leave it,” she said.
She had no interest in figuring out what this strange woman’s deal was. All she cared about right now was avoiding Ryan’s wrath and not getting thrown into the Dark Prison. That place was terrifying.
“Eat it while it’s still warm. It’s yours,” the woman said with a slight nod, then turned and walked away.
Echo raised an eyebrow. So the food’s all for me? No wonder-Ryan never let female servants near him.
The woman was here just to bring breakfast for her. What the hell is going on with Ryan today?
Ryan had been wearing a dark expression all morning, so Echo was extra cautious around him. She watched him leave the Dark Family estate, and only after he was out the door did she finally sigh in relief
He didn’t blow up. Wow, must be a miracle. But still, she hoped this wasn’t just the calm before the storm, where he’d come back and make her pay later.
Hiding down in the basement, Echo kept herself busy. Her aim was dead on today-every shot was perfect.
Cobra, who occasionally checked the surveillance cameras, was blown away. “What’s gotten into her today?” he muttered. If she’d been this good from the start, he’d have to give her his spot.
What Cobra didn’t know was that Echo was running on pure nerves. She was tense, anxious, and desperate to impress Ryan-there was no way she could afford to screw this up.
Ryan had originally planned to take her out somewhere, but instead, he dumped her here to keep practicing without saying a word. She didn’t dare assume it meant she was off the hook. Like hell he’s just going to forget about what happened this morning.
Every shot hit its mark, and not a single bullet was wasted.
As she focused on her training, Hawk suddenly walked in. He hadn’t shown the slightest interest in her shooting before, so his appearance made Echo turn her head toward him, curious.
Hawk glanced at her with his usual calm expression and said, “Take this to the Boss.” He handed her a piece of paper.
Echo looked down at it. The message was brief but serious: something had happened to Clement, and his current status-dead or alive-was unknown. It was clearly official business.
She looked back up at Hawk and asked, “Why me? What does Clement have to do with me?”
Hawk gave a small cough and replied, “It’s your task. Boss just got back and is sleeping. Who else do you think should go?”
Echo frowned.
Ryan? Sleeping during the day? That was the worst excuse ever. Ryan never napped during the day.
It was obvious they were all trying to dodge delivering the bad news. The slight frown and awkward look on Hawk’s face confirmed it.
Echo raised an eyebrow and said calmly, “You owe me one, Hawk.” With that, she packed up her gun and headed out.
Even though Hawk kept a neutral expression, the slight crease in his brow told Echo everything-none of them dared deliver the message to Ryan.
What kind of person is this Clement? What kind of history does he have with Ryan?
They were clearly afraid, yet they still handed the message to her. There wasn’t any malice in their eyes-no mischief or ill intent-just hesitation.
Echo found the whole situation strange, but at the same time, she understood. They believed Ryan treated her differently, so they entrusted her with the task.
But in her mind, she wasn’t anyone special to Ryan. If he wants to hit me, he’ll hit me-special treatment, my ass.
This kind of hesitation over delivering a message meant it had to be something really serious.
Echo wasn’t stupid-she knew how important it was. Since the others had handed the task to her, she had no choice but to do it herself. She just hoped that Ryan wouldn’t stack all her offenses and punish her at once.
Hawk let out a small sigh of relief when he saw that Echo had accepted the task and was on her way to Ryan.
Cobra watched her disappear down the hall, then glanced at Hawk and muttered, “God help her.”
Hawk nodded in agreement.
Over the years, they’d gone through hell and high water without ever flinching. As long as Ryan gave the word, they never hesitated, no matter how dangerous the task.
But delivering any news related to Clement’s family, the Silver family? No one dared.
They still remembered the first time they’d tried-they hadn’t known any better and delivered the message. Panther, the toughest guy on the team, came back with his arm broken and was tossed aside like garbage. After that, no one was brave enough to try again.
If today’s news weren’t so important, and if they hadn’t convinced themselves that Echo was special to Ryan, none of them would’ve dared send it up.
The Silver family was Ryan’s mother’s side of the family-a big-shot business dynasty with a spotless reputation. Clement, the man mentioned in the message, was Ryan’s only uncle. But the Silver family was also Ryan’s ultimate sore spot, a line no one could cross. Everyone, both in the underworld and the legitimate world, knew that.
And today? Today might just be the start of a bloodbath.
With the note in her hand, Echo started regretting her decision more and more.
What the hell was she thinking, agreeing to deliver this?
She had no idea how she’d face Ryan with it.
She stood hesitantly outside the door, debating whether she should just turn around and hand the message back to Hawk-avoid the whole disaster-or suck it up and deliver it, even if it meant becoming a scapegoat.
Before she could make up her mind, Ryan’s cold voice rang out from inside.
“Come here.”
Echo’s head snapped up. Ryan was sitting on the couch, staring at her with an icy gaze that sent a chill down her spine. She forced a bright, friendly smile and quickly walked over, stopping a safe distance away from him.
Ryan’s expression only darkened as he noticed how far she stood from him. His whole presence radiated cold fury.
Seeing the storm brewing in Ryan’s eyes, Echo began to sweat. Without saying a word, she braced herself and inched closer.
Seriously, what’s with him? Why so touchy?
Normally, Ryan let other people keep their distance-he even demanded it. But when it came to her, those rules seemed to vanish. With Ryan, it was all about how close she could get.
She didn’t do it on purpose, though. She just thought that keeping some distance during his angry moments gave her a chance to slip away if things got too heated.
Now standing directly in front of him, Echo watched as Ryan gave her a cold once-over, his gaze like a knife.
“Speak,” he ordered, his voice low and sharp.
Echo immediately plastered on a grin. “Boss, I messed up. I totally get that now-what I did this morning was wrong, and I swear I won’t ever do it again! Please, let it go just this once, Boss.”
As she spoke, she tried to sound as cheerful and apologetic as possible.
After a moment, seeing Ryan still wasn’t reacting-his brow just furrowing deeper-Echo quickly continued, “Boss, you know I didn’t mean it! People say if someone can recognize their mistakes, they deserve a second chance. I know I’ve been a bit rough around the edges when I wake up. I know my mood this morning was pretty terrible, but I also know you’ve got a heart of gold. Just give me one chance to make it right, and I swear I won’t mess up again.”
She was almost speechless, her sincerity spilling over as she earnestly laid out her regret and desire to improve. It wasn’t exactly eloquent, but it was heartfelt and moving. It was the first time in her life she had spoken so fluently about her mistakes without any trace of defiance.
“Finished?” Ryan asked, setting down what he was holding. He leaned back on the couch, arms crossed, and stared coldly at Echo.
Seeing Ryan’s anger seemed to have faded, leaving just a chill, Echo felt a bit of relief. Well, maybe the worst was over.