Chapter 1003 - Ready For Consequences

"For helping me earlier," Ryley said, his cheeks tinged with warmth as he glanced away. "If you hadn't been there, I might've fallen badly. It could've ended… worse."

Clyde let out a quiet chuckle, leaning back slightly. "That?" he said, waving a hand as if it was nothing. "It's no big deal, really. I saw you were in trouble and did what anyone would've."

Ryley's lips pressed together in a polite smile, but he couldn't shake the thought that no one else would have reacted the way Clyde did.

"I'm just glad I got to see you back." The Alpha's gaze softened as he added, "It's been too long, Ryley. The industry missed you."

Ryley smiled faintly at first, but as the last words settled over him—"The industry missed you"—his chest tightened like a vise.

He tried to breathe through it, but the heaviness refused to lift, clinging to him like an unwanted shadow.