A predator's red light flashed almost tangibly in Ryan's eyes!
He couldn't wait to catch one of Inheritor to experiment with this idea!
Let's start with... Bora, the Inheritor who wants to hunt this Ghost-Spider!
Once Ryan made up his mind, a plan instantly formed in his heart...
And for this plan, he needed bait...
Ryan looked at Gwen, who was still fussing over the 'wedding dress' she was wearing, and a very gentle smile curled his lips:
"Gwen, you look so beautiful in this dress. It's exactly how I imagined you'd look walking into the sacred halls of marriage with me..."
Looking at the gentle smile on Ryan's face, the conflict in Gwen's heart vanished instantly, her large eyes filled entirely with Ryan's reflection.
Oh, God, did You hear that?
He said he wants to walk into the halls of marriage with me!
He's so romantic, how could I have the heart to refuse him!
Oh, no, I mean, how could I refuse him on behalf of the other me!
Seeing the waves of emotion surging on Gwen's face and in her heart, the smile on Ryan's lips deepened.
The bait, naturally, is only for those who are willing to be hooked...
And at this moment, this Gwen had clearly fallen into the trap...
Moreover, he actually had quite a psychological complex about purity. Since the Gwen of his Universe was already his girlfriend, and this Gwen had no record of a boyfriend in his memories, he was actually unwilling to hand this Gwen over to anyone else. That would be too disgusting!
So...
Mhm, that's right, he wanted to see what tastes like~
Ryan forcibly suppressed a smile that was harder to keep down than an AK's recoil, ruffled Gwen's head—which was already deep in 'love brain'—and led her toward the rooftop elevator:
"Let's go down first, Gwen. I'm sure Chief Stacy will be very happy to see you wearing a dress you didn't like wearing before..."
Just like that, Gwen, her head empty and her thoughts ceased like a certain space organism, was led back to 'her' home by Ryan.
After Ryan knocked, Chief Stacy opened the door. Seeing Ryan and Gwen standing there, he was very surprised: "Ryan, Gwen? Ryan, you haven't visited in a long time, come on in."
"But Gwen, weren't you supposed to be in Washington today for an Academic Debate Competition? You said you'd be gone for several days. Why are you back already? And why did you cut your long hair short?"
Gazing at Gwen's shoulder-length blonde hair, Chief Stacy couldn't help but feel a bit confused.
Hearing this, cold sweat instantly soaked Gwen's back. She stammered in panic, "This... that... because... I... I..."
Seeing Gwen so anxious she couldn't speak, Ryan found it amusing and took over: "Sorry, George, my company has been too busy lately, which is why I haven't visited."
"Gwen wasn't feeling very well today, so she let someone else go to Washington for the debate in her place. She took leave to come home and rest, and I happened to be the one to bring her back."
"Right, Gwen?"
Hearing this, Gwen, who was worrying about how to explain, quickly took the out Ryan provided.
"Right, right, Dad, that's it. I'm not feeling very well today..."
As she spoke, Gwen put on a weak expression and leaned naturally against Ryan's shoulder.
Gwen didn't even realize herself that she had adapted to being with Ryan at an extraordinary speed, even subconsciously taking the initiative to be intimate with him.
Seeing this, Chief Stacy reached out with concern to feel Gwen's forehead. Finding it indeed a bit hot (actually, Gwen was flushed because of what Ryan said earlier), he said caringly:
"Then go to your room and rest for a while. I'll have your mother boil some Ginger Soup for you. You'll feel much better after drinking it and getting some sleep."
When Gwen heard the word 'mother' from Chief Stacy, her expression froze, and tears nearly burst from her eyes.
Because in her Universe, her mother had already passed away. Her cold relationship with her father was partly due to Peter's death, but also partly due to her mother's death.
But just as Gwen was about to lose control of her tears, Ryan squeezed her hand tightly, snapping her back to her senses. She quickly buried her face in Ryan's chest to prevent Chief Stacy from noticing her abnormality.
Ryan supported Gwen and gave Chief Stacy a helpless smile:
"Gwen is indeed feeling quite miserable today, she can hardly speak. She called me because she didn't want to worry you guys. I'll help her back to her room to rest first."
Chief Stacy nodded quickly upon hearing this: "Good, good, hurry and take Gwen inside. I'll go get some medicine and bring it over with the Ginger Soup once it's ready!"
"Ryan, sorry to trouble you to look after Gwen for me."
"No need to be so polite, George. As your son-in-law, it's what I should do." Ryan nodded with a smile. Under Chief Stacy's gratified gaze, he picked Gwen up in a bridal carry again and strode into her room.
Only after Ryan closed the door did Gwen dare to lift her face from his chest. She patted her heart and let out a long sigh of relief:
"Oh, god, that was terrifying. I haven't been this nervous in a long time. Thank you, Ryan, you're practically my savior..."
A savior in a dual sense...
The one who saved my person, and the one who saved my heart...
Gwen added silently in her mind.
Then, Gwen's large eyes couldn't help but scan 'her' bedroom with curiosity.
Unlike the cold decor of her own room in her Universe, this Universe's room was decorated very warmly, full of a happy sense of life; it was clear she lived a very happy life.
Especially when she saw the photo in the frame on the nightstand—a picture of this Universe's Gwen and Ryan together—the envy in Gwen's eyes became unstoppable.
This Universe's version of her not only had a complete and warm home but also a boyfriend who could give her a sense of security. It was so nice...
"If only I were you, Gwen..."
Gwen thought despondently.
But she ultimately wasn't this Universe's Gwen, she knew that very well... and Ryan knew it too...
Ryan placed the despondent Gwen on the bed and picked up the photo she had been staring at with envious eyes...
It was a photo taken during his first date with Gwen, the time they went to the amusement park and encountered the Lizard Man.
The photo was taken at the entrance of the haunted house; one could even faintly see Chief Stacy hanging from the ceiling by Silk inside the haunted house~
In the photo, his Universe's Gwen was smiling brilliantly, a radiance from the heart. Even as an outsider, this variant Gwen could feel the deep love the other her had for the person beside her.
Maybe... I didn't come at the right time. I shouldn't intrude on 'someone else's' happiness...
The moment this thought arose in Gwen's mind, she suddenly felt a sense of weightlessness!
The next second, she was pressed onto the bed by Ryan, and she saw him leaning in close!
"Wait! I... I'm not..."
In her panic, Gwen wanted to explain that she wasn't this Universe's Gwen, but before the words could leave her mouth, her lips were truly blocked by a warm kiss!
Gwen:!!!
It's over, did I just cheat on myself with myself???
While Gwen's mind was a complete blank, it took a while before Ryan pulled away. His eyes were filled with an intense possessiveness, and his breath was hot as he said:
"No, you are my Gwen. You came at exactly the right time, even if you are the Miss Gwen from another Universe..."
Gwen:!!!