Page 19 of The Rancher's Unloved Wife

"Are you truly ...alright?"

"Absolutely." She gave him another meaningful look.I got this.

Ryu looked as if he was on the verge of saying something, but then his phone rang again, and her husband swore under his breath.

"I'm sorry. I really have to take this call—-"

"I totally understand."I'll act like everything's normal, I promise.

Ryu gave her one last look before leaving, and Summerine made a mental note to research nonverbal cues. As his wife, she had to do what she could to protect him. Marriages had to be a two-way street, and this was finally her chance to do somethingforRyu instead of always being on the receiving end of her husband's kindness.

"I'm sorry," Ryu apologized as he came back to the dining room. "We have another emergency at work, and I'll need to leave again."

"I understand."

Ryu looked at her gravely. "That's what's worrying me."

Her husband truly was a dream. Wasn't that his way of saying he wanted to apologize for not being completely honest about his past?

"We'll talk when I get back, alright?"

Summerine was appalled at what she had pushed him to do. "We don't have to, I swear." The police could have their place bugged, and she didn't want to be the reason for her husband to say something incriminating in their hearing.

Ryu looked as if he wanted to call a doctor this time, but she pretended not to notice this either.

I'll make you proud, Ryu. You'll see.

She would do everything she could to show him he could trust her, and so with that in mind...

Hello, darling.

SUMMERINE WAS NERVOUSbut excited as she watched the scenery outside the car window gradually change from vast cornfields to skyscrapers and crowded streets. In just a couple of minutes, she would serve as her husband's proxy on a board meeting for the first time ever. This was also her first major chance to show Ryu that she was someone worthy of his trust.

And speaking of people who were worthy of her husband's trust...

Hmm.

"Andrew?"

The older man met her gaze through the rearview mirror. "Yes, Mrs. Harcourt?"

"How long have you been working for my husband?"

"About seven years."

"Then you're familiar with his routine."

"As familiar as anyone in his employ can be, Mrs. Harcourt."

"I'm sure you know about his...emergencies."

She gave him a meaningful look, but Andrew only gazed back at her blankly.Oh wow. Like mob boss, like mob driver, apparently.

But if Andrew thought that was enough to discourage her,ha!

"Andrew?"

"Yes, Mrs. Harcourt?"

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