Chapter 14: The Collapse of Ryan Dunn
by SlivvoRyan Dunn’s face turned ghostly pale.
But he couldn’t panic—not here, not in front of everyone, and certainly not in front of Victoria Clarke.
‘I can’t let them see the truth!’
Forcing a strained smile, he laughed.
“Haha, thank you, Mr. Willis! I told everyone we had a strong partnership. I’ve already prepared a million dollars for the renewal fee!”
But James Willis’s voice over the phone was cold and absolute.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Dunn. Ubereats Delivery has sent someone from headquarters to take over Orlando. We no longer require a general agent.”
Ryan’s stomach twisted in dread, but he forced out another laugh.
“Oh, it’s alright, no problem at all! We must drink to our heart’s content when we meet!”
On the other end, James sounded confused.
“Did you even hear what I just said? You are no longer the agent. No amount of money will change that.”
Ryan clenched his jaw, maintaining his fake cheerfulness.
“Okay, okay, Mr. Willis. Rest assured, we’ll definitely have more wonderful collaborations in the future!”
James sighed. “You’re out of your mind. You’re not even responding to what I’m telling you. Anyway, the agency contract expires next month. That’s final. Goodbye.”
Ryan forced out one last fake chuckle.
“Alright, Mr. Willis! Looking forward to our next meeting!”
He smiled as he hung up the call.
The Perfect Illusion
Jordan narrowed his eyes, puzzled.
‘Did Butler Frank not inform James yet? Why is Ryan acting like nothing happened?’
The guests could only hear Ryan’s responses, so they had no idea what James had actually said.
Drew was the first to step forward.
“Mr. Dunn! Based on what you just said, the renewal contract is secured, right?”
Ryan nodded quickly, his fake confidence unwavering.
“Of course! It’s going to be a smooth cooperation!”
Drew beamed with excitement, raising his glass.
“Then let me toast to you, Mr. Dunn! I wish you boundless prosperity!”
Ryan lifted his glass, forcing another laugh.
“Thank you, Mr. Camden.”
Then, he downed the drink in one gulp.
Drew’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
“Wow! You really know how to drink, Mr. Dunn!”
Victoria, watching closely, picked up her own glass.
“Mr. Dunn, I can tell you’re very close to Mr. Willis.”
Ryan quickly refilled his drink, ignoring the tightness in his chest.
His vision blurred slightly as Victoria’s charming face swayed before him.
“Of course! Mr. Willis and I have been through thick and thin.”
Victoria tilted her head, smiling slyly.
“Then I shall toast to you as well, Mr. Dunn. I hope you continue to have a prosperous business. Maybe one day, we’ll have the chance to meet Mr. Willis through you.”
Ryan clinked glasses with her, trying to mask his rising anxiety.
“Consider it done. I’ll arrange it.”
He downed another drink, the crowd cheering him on.
“Mr. Dunn, you sure know how to hold your liquor!”
“Now that the contract is renewed, you must be in the mood to celebrate, huh?”
Ryan kept drinking—until suddenly, his body betrayed him.
A single tear slipped down his face, landing in his glass.
Exposing the Lie
The crowd went silent.
Victoria, narrowing her eyes, leaned forward.
“Mr. Dunn… are you crying?”
Ryan froze.
But before he could recover, Jordan sighed and shook his head.
“Ryan, stop pretending.”
The words hit like a slap.
Jordan’s voice dripped with mockery.
“If you can’t handle the pressure, don’t force yourself. Is there a point in keeping up this act? Who here doesn’t already see through you?”
Ryan’s face twisted in humiliation.
Jordan’s words were the exact ones Ryan had thrown at him earlier.
Now, Ryan was the one squirming under the weight of a lie.
Victoria and the others exchanged knowing glances.
If Ryan had truly secured his renewal, why was he behaving so strangely?
His extreme reaction only made one thing clear—the contract had fallen through.
Ryan, still clutching his glass, suddenly slammed it down on the table.
Then, in a drunken stumble, he lurched toward Jordan.
“So what if my license was revoked?!”
His voice was slurred, furious.
“It’s not because of you, loser! Ubereats Delivery just wants to take over directly. That’s all!”
Jordan sipped his tea calmly, watching Ryan unravel.
“Interesting,” he mused. “You saw me make a call, and now you’re desperately trying to clear my name.”
He chuckled lightly.
“Since you insist I had nothing to do with it, fine. I wasn’t planning to take credit anyway.”
The room buzzed with murmurs.
Had Jordan really caused Ryan’s downfall?
If so… what did that mean for the rest of them?
Panic Sets In
Benedict, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, quickly stood up.
“Everyone, relax! This has nothing to do with Jordan!”
His voice was forceful, trying to regain control.
“His grandfather is just a farmer! How could he possibly know a billionaire like James Willis?”
Sylvie nodded quickly, piling on the reassurance.
“That’s right! This fool has been our son-in-law for three years. If he knew someone that powerful, do you really think he’d have been our obedient little dog for so long?”
Her words were sharp, meant to convince not just the guests—but herself.
Yet, as they scrambled to dismiss the possibility, an undeniable tension filled the room.
The doubt had already planted itself in their minds.
What if Jordan was more powerful than they ever realized?
Jordan simply leaned back in his chair, watching them all desperately cling to their beliefs.
Because soon enough—those beliefs would crumble.
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