Chapter 162: Once You Dive In, There's No Coming Back Up

[Chapter 162: Once You Dive In, There's No Coming Back Up]

The next day, Ryan woke up, and Daddario, wearing an apron, soon walked in with a plate of breakfast. "Eat up! After last night's workout, you must be starving," she said with a cheeky grin.

Ryan suggested she join him, but she shook her head.

"I'll just watch you eat!"

Ryan didn't say much. Ryan took a bite and asked about what happened regarding Amber's altered lines yesterday.

"It's nothing, just some minor friction," Daddario replied casually.

"Don't give in to her. She won't appreciate it and will just push for more," Ryan reminded her.

"Remember, I'm the one who made this show happen for you. Don't let anyone steal your spotlight," he continued to stress.

Normally, it wouldn't be advisable to fan the flames, especially since they were partners. But from another perspective, the more they fought, the better it was for Ryan.

For Daddario, those words sounded like a form of agreement.

'Right, Ryan was doing this for me; I almost forgot. He was just here to support me.'

"I got it," Daddario nodded slowly, then asked, "Where are you headed today?"

"Meeting with Trey and Julie for lunch. We finished the pilot, and there's a lot to discuss," Ryan explained, using the same excuse from yesterday.

"Can we go out afterward? Even just for a drive?" Daddario proposed.

"You know how the paparazzi are in LA; every bystander could snap a photo of us together. I circled around for half an hour just to get here yesterday," Ryan warned her.

He intentionally avoided any private meetings or appearances where they might be alone together and only saw her at the place he arranged for her to stay.

"Alright then," Daddario replied with a blank expression, perhaps already accustomed to this way of life.

...

Not long after leaving Daddario, Ryan received a text from Amber.

Yet, Ryan deliberately went in the opposite direction, rented a room under someone else's name, and wore a mask and hoodie to conceal his face while carrying a package.

Once inside the room, Ryan made some preparations before informing Amber about his location.

"I've been soaking in the hot tub! Can't you just come over?" Amber sounded a bit annoyed about the last-minute change of the meeting spot.

"Then get cleaned up and come over. I'll only wait for you for half an hour," Ryan hung up.

This time, Amber finally showed up on time, her hair still wet, so it seemed she hadn't lied.

"You can't afford this luxury suite, I just wanted to give you a taste of it," Ryan smiled, starting to play mind games with her.

"Really?" Amber glanced around, intrigued.

"I'm in a hurry; help me take off my shoes," Ryan said, sitting on the couch and looking at her.

Amber scoffed internally. She would show him how tough she could be later!

Playing nice on the surface, she bent down to help Ryan remove his shoes.

Just as she reached for his shirt, Ryan suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"This isn't cutting it; I want something more exciting. Can you dance?" Ryan smiled playfully.

"I can't do that," Amber immediately shook her head. She had never danced for anyone in her life, at most she'd sent a few flirty pictures to guys.

"If you can't dance, you've at least seen someone do it, right? Go turn on the sound system." Ryan pressured her.

He played one of his own songs, and Amber began to sway along to the low beat while Ryan directed her movements.

"Yeah, shake your head, unbutton your top; you've got some talent! Give me a sultrier look..."

"With the way you're looking reluctant, am I forcing you to do any of this?" Ryan asked, resting his chin on his hand.

Amber grinned awkwardly. Of course, this wasn't voluntary!

"Hey! Am I forcing you?" Ryan pressed again.

To ease the tension, Amber quickly shook her head and put on a sweet smile.

"You've never forced me to do anything; I'm doing this voluntarily."

"I didn't ask you to come over -- you were the one who knocked," Ryan countered.

"Well, I wanted to entice you. I like you," Amber shot back. Ryan merely smiled, not saying anything.

After dancing for a few minutes, Amber's arms started to ache.

"Are you satisfied now?" she asked.

Ryan nodded, "Alright, that's enough; you can leave."

"Leave?" Amber questioned, doubting her ears.

"Aren't you ready to leave? Your girlfriend isn't going to bring a few people with her, squatting in the corridor, waiting for your signal and knocking on the door directly, right?" Ryan chuckled lightly.

"What are you talking about?" Amber asked, looking thoroughly confused.

Ryan didn't waste time and moved to clear a vase off the side table, revealing a hidden camera.

The recording device prepared by Teresa had been brought to Los Angeles by Ryan.

"What's that you're holding?" Amber's heart dropped as she recognized the object.

"What's that you have?!" she exclaimed, advancing toward Ryan, completely naked.

"Give it to me!" Amber reached out to snatch it.

Ryan swiftly blocked her hand.

"Give it to me!" Amber yelled, attempting to slap him.

Unfortunately, her strength fell short against Ryan's, who retaliated with a punch to her face.

Some women shouldn't be indulged.

With just one blow, Amber staggered back several steps and crashed hard onto the floor, her left eye swelling immediately.

"You bastard!" Amber finally realized she had been played by Ryan, screaming furiously.

Just then, the sound of knocking echoed outside, exactly as Ryan had predicted.

"Take your clothes and get out!" Ryan smirked.

Amber now understood she had been schemed against from the start. She could trace it all back to the day he proposed. He had never let his guard down since then, and now he had evidence against her with powerful backing.

She lost -- completely lost.

Taking a deep breath, Amber sprang to her feet, hastily dressed, and swung open the door before stepping outside.

Ryan could faintly hear voices amidst the commotion outside.

...

A few minutes later, there was another knock on the door.

"Now it's just me outside," Amber said.

"I forgot something!" she added.

Ryan opened the door halfway, and she slipped in through the gap.

"Give me the tape, and from now on, we don't know each other anymore," she extended her hand.

"And even if I gave it to you, how would you be sure I don't have a backup?" Ryan shot back.

Amber froze. She had no way of knowing.

"Some things, once done, are done. Unless you totally disappear and find a place where no one knows you," Ryan laid down a harsh reality.

Once you dive in, there's no coming back up.

"Now tell me, is this the life you want?" Ryan cornered her.

Amber kept retreating.

"Do you want to?"

"No!" Amber genuinely scared this time, instinctively shaking her head.

"Then do you know what you need to do?" Ryan continued.

Amber finally snapped to, hesitating for a few seconds before steeling herself and slowly squatting down...

*****

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