Chapter 65 We’re Even
Chloe lifted her head and studied Ryan’s handsome profile.
“I want the truth. Will you tell me?”
Ryan nodded and admitted it without hesitation.
“Yes. I was involved.”
She pressed her lips together.
“Can you tell me how?”
“He hired people to kill me,” Ryan said. “If I couldn’t fight, a bunch of men would’ve hacked me to death in a parking lot four nights ago.”
Chloe stared at him.
“He hired someone to murder you?”
Ryan nodded.
“I’m only your pretend boyfriend. You didn’t think I’d have him killed just because he wanted to date you, did you?”
Some of the tension left her face.
“Oh. Then what happened with the crash?”
“I gave one of the men involved a choice: kill Jason, or I’d kill him. Only one of them was walking away.”
Chloe loosened her grip on the edge of her seat.
“So he killed Jason to save himself?”
Her reaction surprised Ryan.
“What’s with the sudden change? A minute ago, you looked scared of me.”
Chloe bit her lip.
“I thought you’d had him killed because he kept provoking you and wouldn’t leave me alone. That scared me. But he tried to murder you first. You fought back. That’s different.”
Ryan understood.
If he killed over petty disagreements, that would make him cruel and vicious by nature. Anyone would be afraid of someone like that.
Now she understood that someone had tried to murder him and he had retaliated. He hadn’t carried out the killing himself, either.
To Chloe, that made all the difference. She saw what he had done as protecting himself, not killing on a whim.
“You’re not sorry he’s dead?” Ryan asked.
Chloe pursed her lips.
“When I first saw the crash, I was shocked. And yes, a little sad. I hated him, but he was still someone I knew. After hearing that he hired people to murder you? Not anymore.”
Her expression hardened.
“You saved his life on that mountain. He didn’t have to thank you, but trying to kill you afterward? That’s disgusting. He got what he deserved.”
She paused and searched his face.
“You just told me a pretty big secret. Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell his parents?”
Ryan smiled.
“I told you because I trust you. You’re not the kind of person who would do that. Besides, telling everyone wouldn’t help either of us—or your family.”
Chloe nodded.
“Right. If his parents found out, they’d blame me and my family too.”
“Exactly.” Ryan glanced at her. “You’re taking this remarkably well.”
“He brought it on himself.”
Chloe gave a small snort.
“If you try to kill someone, you can’t complain when they kill you instead. You survived because you’re strong. If you’d been an ordinary guy, you’d already be dead. When I think about that, I don’t feel sorry for him at all.”
“He had money and connections,” Ryan said with a faint smile. “He was used to throwing his weight around and making problems disappear. This time, he picked the wrong person.”
Chloe’s curiosity returned.
“But that was a real truck crash. How did they arrange something like that?”
Ryan shook his head.
“Honestly? I don’t know.”
His phone rang.
Kyle Lawson.
Ryan made no attempt to hide the call from Chloe.
“Hello?”
Kyle’s respectful voice came through.
“Mr. Carter, Jason Wallace was just killed in a traffic accident. He died at the scene.”
“I know. I just drove past it.” Ryan glanced at Chloe, who was leaning closer to listen. “What’s the story with the driver?”
“He has terminal cancer. Two weeks left, at most. I gave him money for his family and promised to help get his child into a good school.”
Ryan’s expression remained calm.
“If you make someone a promise, keep it. And do it properly.”
Kyle’s voice tightened.
“You have my word, Mr. Carter. I’ll make sure everything is taken care of.”
“All right. We’re even.”
Kyle let out a long breath of relief.
Then he hesitated.
“Mr. Carter…”
“What is it?”
His voice turned uneasy.
“Mr. Crawford asked what happened at the office. Too many people saw you there. I couldn’t cover it up, so I had to tell him…”
Ryan sounded unconcerned.
“Understood.”
Kyle lowered his voice.
“From what he said, I don’t think he intends to let Vince’s death go unanswered. He may come after you. Please be careful.”
Ryan was mildly surprised.
“Why tell me?”
“You spared my life twice. I wanted to repay you somehow.”
Ryan abruptly changed the subject.
“With Vince dead, who’s running the company?”
Kyle sounded embarrassed.
“Mr. Crawford has put me in charge for the time being.”
Ryan chuckled.
“A promotion, then. Congratulations.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Carter,” Kyle replied carefully.
Ryan ended the call without another word.
He turned toward Chloe.
“Make sense now?”
She shook her head.
“Yes and no… Who’s Vince Lawson? And how did he die?”