Chapter 176: Lie To Someone Else
John came out and there he met Ryan, who hurried to him happily as if he was waiting for John to come out and meet him.
"John!" Ryan exclaimed, pulling him into a hug and patting his back enthusiastically, almost as if he’d feared he might never see his friend again.
"Ugh..." John winced in pain rather than joy. "Can you... get away from me?" His voice was strained with discomfort.
Realizing his mistake, Ryan quickly released him, his expression turning apologetic. "I’m sorry, man. I was just so happy that I forgot you’re hurt."
John was like a rock, who rarely showed he was in any kind of pain, but if he showed, that meant it was truly beyond the limit his limit of tolerance.
"It’s nothing," John said, straightening up and quickly composing himself. His expression became neutral, masking any sign of pain.
"I’m just glad to see you alive and not deported back to where we came from," Ryan remarked. "Seeing you here feels like Mr. Harper showed you some mercy."
John didn’t respond directly and instead said, "I’m working for Ms. Natalie from now on."
Ryan looked surprised. "Mr. Harper...?"
"She called him, and he said he had nothing to do with me," John said, a trace of sadness flickering across his face. Hearing it from Justin was truly hurting.
Ryan understood John’s feelings. For them, Justin was like a god—someone they held in the highest regard. To hear Justin say he had "nothing to do with" John had to be painful.