Ryan stared at the mountain of empty plates on the table.
Then he looked at Kassandra.
Then back at the plates.
Then back at Kassandra.
He was beginning to question reality.
What the hell?
With that body, where was she putting all that food?
She had already eaten enough for four people.
Yet she showed no signs of stopping.
Meanwhile, Kassandra happily continued eating.
A few seconds later, she finally noticed his gaze.
"Boss?"
Ryan remained silent.
"What's wrong?"
Kassandra looked down at herself.
Then touched her face.
"Hmm?"
She frowned slightly.
"Is there something on my face?"
Ryan looked away.
"No."
"Then why are you staring at me?"
Ryan was quiet for a moment.
Then he looked at the pile of empty dishes.
Then at her.
Then back at the dishes.
Kassandra followed his gaze.
"Oh."
Realization hit her.
A guilty smile appeared on her face.
Ryan's eyebrow twitched.
"You know..."
He pointed at the table.
"...most people don't eat this much."
Kassandra immediately defended herself.
"I'm still growing."
Ryan stared at her.
"You are twenty-two."
"Details."
Ryan rubbed his forehead.
Humans weren't supposed to consume this amount of food.
At least he was pretty sure they weren't.
"Boss."
"What?"
"Are you sure you're not hungry?"
Ryan glanced at the dishes.
At this point, there was barely any food left.
"No."
Kassandra shrugged.
"Okay."
Then she happily returned to eating.
Ryan watched her for a moment.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
For the first time in years, he wasn't thinking about work.
He wasn't thinking about the Cold Poison.
He wasn't thinking about his responsibilities.
He was simply watching someone enjoy a meal.
And strangely enough...
He didn't hate it.
"Get in."
Ryan opened the car door.
"I'll take you home."
Kassandra blinked.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Wow.
How did I never notice this side of him before?
Maybe her boss wasn't as cold as everyone said.
"Thank you, Boss, but you don't have to trouble yourself."
Ryan looked at her.
"Get in."
"...Okay."
A few minutes later, they were driving through the city.
The atmosphere inside the car was surprisingly peaceful.
Neither of them spoke.
Until—
"So, Kassandra."
Kassandra immediately became alert.
"Yes, Boss?"
"Where is your hometown?"
Kassandra nearly choked.
Oh no.
Why is he asking that?
She turned her head toward the window.
Little Flame.
Help me.
The necklace remained silent.
Little Flame!
I'm thinking.
Think faster!
Ryan glanced at her.
She had been quiet for an unusually long time.
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
"Then why aren't you answering?"
Because my hometown is in the Vampire Realm and my original home is in Heaven.
How exactly am I supposed to explain that?
Kassandra forced out an awkward laugh.
"It's... far away."
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"Far away?"
"Very far away."
"Which city?"
Kassandra froze.
Little Flame!
Just make something up.
What if he investigates it?
He investigates everything.
Little Flame suddenly understood the problem.
...Good point.
Ryan noticed the panic in her eyes.
His suspicion deepened.
It was a simple question.
Why did she look like she was facing a life-or-death crisis?
"My hometown isn't important."
Kassandra quickly changed the subject.
"I haven't been there in years."
Ryan remained silent.
The answer sounded rehearsed.
And incomplete.
But he didn't press further.
For now.
As the car continued down the road, Ryan looked ahead.
Yet part of his attention remained on the woman sitting beside him.
The more he learned about Kassandra...
The less sense she made.
And somehow—
That only made him more curious.
Good night, Boss. Kassandra waved at Ryan as she got out of the car.
Why is he suddenly asking about my hometown? Could it be that he knows something? she wondered.
"Baby, you're finally back!" Larissa greeted as Kassandra entered her apartment.
"Who did you drop off just now?" she asked, curious.
"My boss," Kassandra replied, casually.
"Like seriously? You guys are moving faster than I thought," Larissa said, eyes wide.
"What are you talking about? He only took me out for dinner, that's all," Kassandra said.
"OMG! Your cold boss took you out for dinner and you say that's nothing? Are you kidding me?" Larissa teased.
"Laris, I'm tired. I need to rest," Kassandra said, walking to her room.
"Hey! Wait for me—we're not done talking yet!" Larissa called, running after her.
"Ryan's Mansion"
"What are you doing here?" Ryan asked as he saw Jessica standing in his room.
"Ryan, aren't you happy to see me?" Jessica said, smiling.
"If you don't want me to, send someone to throw you out," Ryan said, in a Cold voice "Get out of my room right now."
"Ryan, we're engaged, for goodness' sake.
Is there anything wrong with staying in your room?" Jessica asked.
"Ryan, you're not the guy I knew back in high school. What happened to us?"
"There was never an 'us,' Jessica. I got engaged to you because my mom wanted me to," Ryan said bluntly.
"All of this… it's happening because of that ugly thing. You've fallen for her, haven't you?" Jessica's voice shook with anger.
"Don't you dare mention her. This has nothing to do with her," Ryan snapped.
"If what I'm saying isn't true, then why are you so angry whenever I mention her name?"
Jessica stared directly at Ryan.
"I'm warning you, Ryan. If you have anything to do with that woman, I won't let her off the hook."
The moment those words left her mouth, the temperature in the room dropped.
Jessica shivered.
The air suddenly felt colder.
Ryan slowly raised his eyes.
"Try it."
His voice was calm, but it carries power.
"I dare you."
Jessica's heart skipped a beat.
For some reason, Ryan looked terrifying at that moment.
The pressure radiating from him was enough to make it difficult to breathe.
"I swear," Ryan continued, "you really don't want to see the other side of me."
The room grew even colder.
Frost began forming on the window.
Jessica subconsciously took a step back.
Ryan leaned against the desk.
"I hate being , Ryan said as his eyes darkened .
"But I'll let this go."
"Because it's your first time."
"And because of our past friendship."
Jessica clenched her fists.
For a moment, she wanted to argue.
But the look in Ryan's eyes stopped her.
"You truly are heartless."
Ryan didn't respond.
Jessica turned around and walked toward the door.
Just before leaving, she glanced back.
There was no warmth in his eyes.
No regret,nothing.
The door slammed shut behind her.
Silence returned to the room.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
Ryan's eyes slowly turned crimson.
His fingernails lengthened into sharp claws.
The cold energy around him became even stronger.
His gaze settled on the closed door.
A dangerous look flashed across his face.
"No one..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"...dares to hurt her."
For the first time, Ryan realized something.
The thought of Kassandra being harmed...
Made him angry.
Far angrier than it should.