Chapter 334

Jonny was about to leave when he noticed a tense scene unfolding nearby.

Was that Besty?

And the man in front of her was Ryland.

Betsy's irritation was written all over her face.

She had deliberately taken some time off to escape this persistent man,yet here he was, boldly renting the apartment across from hers and moving in as if that would make her fall in line.

Worse still, she had woken up to headlines yesterday about Eleanor's breakup.

Ryland was Nolan's good friend.

It was not surprising that her patience had worn thin.

Ryland looked desperate, almost pitiful. "Betsy, it's a misunderstanding.I swear, I had no idea what that jerk Nolan had done!"

After spouting the protest, he muttered under his breath, "Sorry, Nolan. Duty compelled you to play the sacrificial pawn, at least for now."

But Betsy didn't buy it for a second.

Without a word, she spun on her heel and strode away.

Her steps barely carried her a few paces when she ran smack into Jonny, who was grinning.

She froze,irritation flaring hotter.

"What are you staring at? Keep it up, and I swear I'll gouge your eyes out," she barked and stormed into the store without sparing him another glance.

Ryland moved to follow her, but a single, piercing glance from Betsy pinned him in place. He could only watch as she disappeared behind the glass doors,leaving him frustrated and speechless.

Jonny sauntered over, a self-satisfied smirk on his face. "Ryland, you know how it is. Every woman close to Eleanor has that fire. You let your guard down even a little, and you'll regret it."

Ryland's patience snapped.

He had no use for advice from a twice-divorced man with zero credibility.

"Back off," Ryland growled, punching him in the face. "Or you'll wish you had!"

Jonny doubled over, holding his cheek, completely taken aback.

Why was everyone so on edge?

Ryland walked past him without a word and went straight to his car.

Pulling out his phone, he opened his conversation with Betsy and typed carefully, "Betsy, want to grab lunch?I can bring something by."

He hit send and waited. A moment later,the familiar red exclamation mark appeared.

Perfect,he had been blocked.

Ryland threw his head back and groaned. "Nolan,you've completely ruined me!"

···

But no one was around to hear his despair.

Meanwhile, Betsy had already made her way upstairs,stepping lightly into Eleanor's office.

Eleanor looked up from her desk, eyebrows raised in surprise. "Back so soon?" she asked, tilting her head.

Betsy hesitated, then softened slightly. "I.. saw the news,boss. Are you okay?"

Eleanor gave a small shrug, brushing it off. "Honestly,I haven't even thought about it."

She checked her watch and added briskly, "Anyway,since you're here, let's get to work. The store opens soon. Make sure everything's ready."

With that, she walked toward the sewing room.

On the surface, it was just another day of preparation.

But to Betsy, it seemed more than that.

Eleanor looked quietly wounded.

That Nolan, making grand promisesand then tossing her aside for someone unworthy?

Unacceptable.

She needed to take action to keep Ryland from bothering her.

If he kept showing up at the store, it would only remind Eleanor of Nolan.

Determined, she unblocked Ryland and sent a firm text.

"Don't show your face at the store today, or it's over forever." As soon as she hit send, she blocked him again.

Mission accomplished, Betsy let out a breath and joined the team, rolling up her sleeves for the day ahead.