Chapter 414

By the time Ryland arrived at the golf course, Nolan was already dressed and quietly practicing his swing.

Ryland trudged over, tossed his club aside, and dropped onto the grass with a groan.

Nolan shot him a cold sideways glance. "Get up. Stop looking half-dead."

With a pout, Ryland scrambled back up.

He picked up his club and lazily tapped at the ball.

"I'm just suffering from heartbreak," he muttered.

Nolan said nothing, only swung harder.

The faint trace of Eleanor's lips still lingered in his memory,driving him restless.

He had wanted to explain, but the thought of angering her further held him back.

The feeling gnawed at him, stuck between wanting to chase her and fearing he would push her farther away.

Ryland, seeing Nolan's silence, went on. "Tell me, did I really say something wrong? I just asked her to sleep with me a few more times, and she kicked me and stormed off."

Nolan set his club down and looked at him like he was the biggest fool alive.

Finally, he said coolly, "The fact she didn't kill you shows she's got a very good temper."

Ryland's face fell. "But I swear what she meant is that we're not close enough."

Nolan didn't waste time arguing. He cut straight to the point. "It's not about closeness. It's about who you are.You're the Brooks heir. She's a store director.How can she believe you're serious about her?"

Ryland froze, struck by the truth in Nolan's words.

Of course.

Besty, proud as she was, would see nothing but a gap too wide to cross.

"Then what do I do?" he asked quickly.

Nolan picked up his club again, swinging lazily. "Simple.Give her confidence."

If she believed his feelings were real, every problem would solve itself. Ryland's eyes lit with sudden clarity.

He had it-he would put all his assets in Besty's name.

That way she would know withouta doubt.

Relieved, he clapped Nolan on the shoulder in thanks."Appreciate it, man. But what about you? You look worse off than me. Did something happen with Eleanor?"

Nolan's expression darkened.

He recounted the unexpected kiss from earlier that morning.

Ryland listened, then stared at him in disbelief. "Are you serious? That was your golden chance! And you just let her walk away? You should've taken it further -straight to the bedroom!"

Nolan rolled his eyes at him, cold and sharp.

But Ryland didn't notice. He carried on, animated. "I'm telling you, women say one thing and mean another.The more they resist, the more they're thinking about you.What you need is real dominance. Take charge,push through, and she'll melt by the next day."

Nolan's brows drew together.

Dominance? What kind of absurd logic was this?

Yet, in the back of his mind, something tugged

His gentle methods hadn't worked.

Maybe... Ryland wasn't entirely wrong.

Seeing the flicker of thought cross his face, Ryland smirked in triumph. "Not a bad idea,right?"

Nolan didn't answer. He gripped his club, swung hard,and his eyes settled with grim resolve.