Chapter 155


    ra’s blog post was lengthy, andn spent a long time poring over it. She detailed the toll her


    mother’s irresponsibility had taken on the family, and the extent of the damage inflicted on her


    father and herself.


    Once the post went live, the online bacsh using her of being an ungrateful daughter had


    seemingly blown over.


    But now, the tides of public opinion turned against her mother. People dredged up the sordid details


    of Victoria’s personal life. Unearthing these skeletons was ostensibly in defense of ra and her


    father, yet it seemed like a cruel twist of the knife in her already deep wounds.


    After much deliberation, he made a call to Ryker.The phone rang for ages before it was finally


    answered.


    Ryker’s tirade sted through the speaker.n, you better listen, and listen good. The amount of


    crap ra’s been through today, I’m going to make sure Heidi pays back double. If you even think


    about interfering, I swear I’ll blow up your whole damn family.”


    After a long silence, he finally asked in a hoarse whisper, “How is she?”


    “How do you think? She’s locked herself in her room and won’te out, not even for the shrink.


    She insists she’s fine, even tries to smile at us, but do you have any idea how much that smile costsN?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    her? If you’ve got any manhood left in you, cut her loose cleanly and stop pestering her.”


    Thest time ra had been shaken by an unexpected encounter with Victoria shed through his


    mind. She had clung to him, desperate for his presence. Did she still need him now? Or had she


    grown to despise him, wishing he was thest person on earth she’d ever see?


    Contemting this, the veins on the back ofn’s hand stood out more


    prominently. A gruff voice escaped his throat, “Ryker, take care of her for me. Call if anythinges


    up.”


    Ryker’s response was unsparing. “Get lost!”


    After hanging up,n’s hands trembled uncontrobly. Fishing a cigarette from his pocket, he tried


    to light it, but his shaking hands failed him repeatedly. After numerous attempts, a blue me finally


    ignited.


    Trembling, he brought the cigarette to his lips and took a fiery drag. A single hot tear fell on his


    hand. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply several times, trying to numb himself with the taste of


    nicotine, but his mind was filled with images of ra’s pain. That image was like a knife, cutting into


    every nerve in his body, causing him unbearable pain, tearing him apart.


    a new


    He took out his phone and called Dawson. “We’ve got productunch for our 5G smartphone this


    afternoon.”


    Dawson paused, then quickly caught on to the diversion tactic. Ian wanted to shift the public’s focus


    onto a major event to overshadow the situation with ra. “I’m on it right away.” Dawson responded


    promptly.


    Theunch of the Hayes Corporation’s eagerly anticipated smartphone sent shockwaves across the


    net. The world was astounded, and ra’s post gradually lost its grip on the public’s attention.


    By the timen had finished orchestrating theunch, it was well past ten at night. Exhausted, he


    headed home. As soon as he opened the door, his white. Samoyed, Snow, bounded toward him.


    Snow circled him, whimpering excitedly, and picked up a frisbee, dropping it atn’s feet with a few


    eager barks.


    Snow seemed to understand, nodding vigorously and barking in response.


    A bitter smile flickered acrossn’s face.