"Ryan! Where are you sending me to... What are you going to do to me?!"

Just moments ago, Zoe had been shouting defiantly. But now she was fearing for her life. Despite her terror, she stubbornly refused to beg for mercy and screamed at Ryan's tall, shadowy figure. "Have you forgotten the vow you made at Dad's grave?! You promised to cherish me and protect me for life! How can you do this and still face our dead father?!"

Upon hearing Zoe's words, Ryan halted his heavy footsteps.

A torrent of emotions surged within him. His heart sank into a mire of exhaustion and pain.

He slowly unfolded his trembling hands.

When they were younger, these hands had gently patted the soft hair of that sweet girl, fed her, lifted her high in the air, and held her hand as they ran joyfully through amusement parks.

Other than being her brother, he had also taken on the role of a father. He tried his best to fill the void left by their absent father during her childhood.

But now, these same hands were about to sever, with deep anguish, the blood bond that had wounded him so deeply.

A single, hot tear fell into his palm.

"I swore to cherish my sister. But you are nothing more than a monster. You're a monster, consumed by jealousy and desire."

With those words, the man no longer hesitated and strode away.

Zoe's heart suddenly shattered, and her expression became hollow.

In an instant, remorse consumed her entire being.

But there was no turning back now.

By the time Ryan walked out of the abandoned villa, it was already late.

Leaning against the hood of a sports car smoking, Drew saw Ryan come out and stubbed out his cigarette underfoot.

"Drew, you're still here." Ryan approached him, his face drained of color.

"Of course, I stayed. I was afraid you'd do something stupid. My brother-in-law asked me to watch over you."

Drew sighed, trying to sound casual. "It's a good thing you held yourself together."

"Were you worried I'd kill her?"

Ryan slowly shook his head. "I wouldn't take her life. Justin wouldn't want my hands stained with blood, and I don't want to disappoint him."

Drew stared intently at him, his tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, hesitant to speak.

"You're thinking it's too much for me to treat my sister this way, right?" Ryan tilted his head slightly, as if holding back some overwhelming emotion.

Drew crossed his arms, pondering

for a moment. "If Bella was the one who got tormented to this extent, I think I'd be even more ruthless than you I'd definitely kill her, and no one could stop me from doing so."

Ryan lowered his eyelids wearily. "Drew, I have no idea why my heart still hurts now. But I have no regrets."

After Zoe's abduction, the police conducted an all-night investigation but found nothing.

Someone hacked the surveillance at the crime scene, and tranquilizer darts knocked out the two police officers on duty before they could see the kidnapper's face. In broad daylight, Zoe vanished into thin air.

The next day, the Hoffman Group held an emergency board meeting.

All the directors unanimously approved, and Ryan officially took over the group.

Though he was still under thirty, he fully took charge of the Hoffman Group, becoming the head of the Hoffman family and the chairman of the Hoffman Group.

Dressed in a sharp, distinguished

black suit, Ryan sat at the head of

the conference table, accepting

applause and words of

congratulations with an indifferent expression.

He had finally reached the pinnacle of power, with everyone bowing to him.

However, he did not seem to feel any joy. This was not what he truly wanted.

Just then, someone violently kicked the conference room door open.

"I object to this!"

Mrs. Hoffman stormed into the conference room. Her eyes were bloodshot with rage as she furiously berated Ryan in front of all the directors. Her gaze was terrifying. "Ryan... You cold-blooded, ruthless wretch I am a major shareholder of the Hoffman Group, and I hold shares! I object to you becoming the chairman of the Hoffman Group! You're someone capable of harming your own sister... With such poor character, selfishness, and greed, what right do you have to lead the Hoffman Group?!"

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