Chapter 65 - Sixty Five
Fury contorted Suzy’s face as she writhed in Ryan’s grasp. Her fists pounded a futile rhythm against his back. "Put me down, Ryan! This is absurd!" she shrieked, her voice cracking with outrage. She kicked her legs uselessly, frustration mingling with a strange vulnerability as he carried her across the room.
Reaching a sturdy table by the wall, Ryan didn’t hesitate. He carefully lowered her onto the worn surface, the wood cool against her skin. Before she could react, however, he stepped between her legs, effectively pinning them to the chair. His hand clamped firmly over both of hers, pressing them against the wall above her head to keep her from bulging out his eyes.
Suzy’s struggles turned frantic. "Get off me!" she screamed, her voice tight with barely suppressed rage. Her heart hammered in her chest, a frantic drum against her ribs. The indignity of the situation, her rage, and a flicker of hurt warred within her.
Ryan, his face a mask of grim determination, maintained his hold. "Duchess, calm down," he commanded, his voice low and firm but laced with a hint of desperation. "We need to talk, but you can’t keep throwing books and insults."
His words, though reasonable, only served to fan the flames of her anger. "Talk?" she spat, her eyes blazing. "Let go of me first, you brute!
The room fell silent, the only sound Suzy’s ragged breaths echoing in the tense air. She glared at Ryan, her jaw clenched, her eyes narrowed in a silent accusation. Finally, Ryan broke the silence, his voice calm but firm.
"Duchess," he began, his voice low and gentle, "I understand your anger. It’s true, I brought someone in to assist with the ball preparations."
He paused, anticipating her reaction, but Suzy remained silent, her gaze unwavering.
"However," he continued, "that doesn’t mean I discarded your efforts or didn’t appreciate them. In fact, it was quite the opposite."
Suzy’s lips twitched, a silent scoff escaping them. "Liar," she spat, the word laced with bitterness.
He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to brush against the edge of the table. "Dr. Abernathy spoke to me after he visited you last night. He expressed concern about your well-being, saying you were experiencing extreme fatigue. He advised you to rest and avoid stress."