Chapter 844


    Cecile''s arm was suddenly gripped in a vice-like hold that made her yelp, "Who the heck...?" But as


    she spun around, the words caught in her throat.


    Because there, clutching her arm, was none other than Ryder, her prince charming, whom she hadn''t


    For a moment, Cecile was utterly stunned, frozen in ce like a statue.


    Across the room, Agnes was equally taken aback. She hadn''t expected Ryder to show up at the alumni


    reunion. After all, he had been a med student back in the day.


    It wasn''t odd for a good number of med school graduates to turn up today, and for him to swing by and


    catch up with old pals made perfect sense.


    Perhaps it was the sharp pang in her wrist that snapped Cecile back to reality.


    Yet, facing Ryder, Cecile seemed to transform.


    Gone was her usual domineering swagger. In its ce, a softer, almost demure woman emerged, her


    voice tinged with vulnerability, "Ryder, let go. You''re hurting me."


    Then Ryder released her.


    Cecile rubbed her wrist, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of delight.


    "When did you get here, prince?" she asked.


    "Don''t call me prince," Ryder said, a frown creasing his forehead, clearly disliking the nickname.


    "How have you been all these years, Ryder?" Cecile probed.


    She and Ryder had known each other since childhood. Cecile had always been drawn to him, never


    really giving any other guy a second thought, but what baffled her was why Ryder never seemed to


    notice her devotion.


    Ryder spoke bluntly, "Cecile, don''t make a scene. This is a reunion, not your personal runway."


    Cecile, taken aback by Ryder''s frosty demeanor, couldn''t help but let out a coldugh, "After all these


    years, you''re still protecting her. How about this, Ryder, if you drink this ss, I''ll never bother Agnes


    again, deal?"


    On the table was Agnes'' ss, filled to the brim with a local spirit akin to firewater.


    Without a second thought, Ryder picked up the ss and downed it in one gulp.


    Agnes panicked. Why would Ryder drink that?


    "Stop, don''t drink!" she cried out, knowing all too well about Ryder''s weak stomach.


    Despite being a doctor, Ryder had always neglected his own health, his relentless research leading to


    a serious gastric condition.


    Agnes remembered the stomach medicine that was always present on Ryder''s desk during Nocturne''s


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    check-ups. How could he handle such strong liquor with his condition?


    But it was toote to intervene. Ryder had already emptied the ss, the liquid disappearing with a few


    swift gulps.


    The room went silent, the air filled with collective shock.


    No one spoke, but all eyes were fixed on these three individuals.


    What was happening here? Why was Ryder standing up for Agnes?


    How did she know about his stomach troubles, and could there be something more between them?


    The looks exchanged between the two sparked a wave of whispers and knowing nces.


    Cecile, however, stared in disbelief at Ryder before her.


    She couldn''t fathom it. A casual challenge, and he had actually taken it up for Agnes, without a


    moment''s hesitation, downing the drink in one go.