Chapter 196

Serena's POV Something was off about Ryan's face. I hadn't rejected his suggestion to walk, but now I was noticing his strange expression. "Ryan, are you hiding something?" I pressed again, searching his eyes. He shook his head, not willing to tell the truth. "Nothing at all. That restaurant you like is nearby, right? Walking instead of driving sounds better anyway, don't you think?" Ryan took my hand firmly in his, offering this new excuse so smoothly I almost believed him. Almost. "Really? Nothing you're keeping from me?" I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Of course not," he nodded, squeezing my hand. "Let's go eat." After dinner, Ryan's assistant arrived with a car to drive us home. Only when we reached the Blackwood mansion did I overhear the assistant's hushed report. "The driver has been hospitalized. We haven't detected any suspicious contacts—only family members at his bedside." "Keep watching him," Ryan instructed firmly. "Yes, sir." Later, after taking a shower, I excitedly b