Chapter 11 I knew that if I left now, once Ryan got back to the company and met those people, I'd be in for a tough battle. But none of that ever stood a chance when weighed against my Grandma. To my surprise, Ryan and Sia had also bought tickets and followed me onto the same flight. "Mr. Scott, can you switch seats with me? I need to sit next to my fiancée." Ryan practically spat out the word "fiancée", emphasizing every syllable. Hank replied, "Sorry, but I follow airport regulations. I won't switch." I shot Hank a sidelong glance. Following the rules? He must be kidding. Ryan gritted his teeth, refusing to budge, while Sia anxiously tugged at his sleeve. As she passed by, Sia deliberately shoved into me, her anger barely concealed. Just as the plane was about to take off, unease suddenly gripped me. Sia shrieked dramatically, "Oh my! My diamond ring is missing." Then Sia gave me a sinister look as if I had stolen her ring. "Ms. Sutton, my ring is worth millions. I wonder if you've happened to see it?" I sneered inwardly, "Oh? You think I stole your ring?" Sia put on her best act, looking pitiful and afraid. "I had it before boarding, but now it's gone. I know you hate me and might want revenge, but that ring means a lot. Please, i you have it, give it back." The passengers were getting restless, anxious to take off, and resentful about being treated as suspects. Now, with just a few well-placed words from Sia, they were all convinced I'd stolen the ring. A man couldn't help but speak up, "You, dressed all fancy, didn't expect you'd do something like that." He shouted, "Everyone, secure your bags. There's a thief on this flight." I ignored the idiot and fixed Sia with a cold, unflinching stare, my brows furrowed. "Do you believe that with your current accusations, I could sue you for defamation?" "You didn't have to scare me. No one else knows I have that expensive ring," she said, eyes narrowing with a hint of malice, "but you do." I knew exactly how expensive that ring was. She even sent me a photo of it just to upset me. "That ring came from someone important. One day, it might be all I have to remember them by. Ms. Sutton, please give it back." "So it's from Ryan? How disgusting," Hank muttered sarcastically. Chapter 11 I cleared my throat pointedly, and Ryan's face darkened. Ryan demanded, "Flora, hand the ring back to Sia right now." After listening to Sia's crocodile tears, Ryan was already jumping to her defense. "Are you out of your damn mind? I told you I didn't take it." Flora snapped. Ryan snapped, "Flora, if you want a ring, I'll buy you one. But now, give it back to her immediately." He swallowed Sia's story whole. "Let's not involve the police. It'll only make things worse. I know you're upset and want revenge, but I'll explain later. For now, just return the ring to Sia, okay?" Ryan lowered his voice, feigning concern for me. Holding back tears, Sia said, "Ms. Sutton, please just undress and let me check if you have it. Why make this harder for me?" "A strip search? Careful, or I'll add a personal rights violation charge to your list." "Mr. Jackson, I'm so sorry." Sia stammered, trembling as she ducked behind Ryan. Just as expected, the man's protective instincts kicked into overdrive. "Flora, I'm so disappointed in you." "Fine, If you won't let her search you, then as your fiancé, I'll do it myself." As he made a grab for my clothes, Hank's hand shot out from behind to restrain him. The tension was palpable. "Flora, I thought these days would help you come around. And here I was even planning to…" "Found it. I found the ring." When Sia screamed about the missing ring, the flight attendants had already bent down, busy searching. A young flight attendant who hadn't been watching the commotion earlier now squeezed through the crowd, her face lit up with excitement. "Miss, we've located your ring. It was right under your seat." An abrupt silence fell. Sia stiffened, while Ryan scrambled for words. Only I remained calm, pulling the attendant aside to express thanks. Fifteen minutes ago, when Sia bumped into me, my gut told me she was trying to steal something. Instead, I accidentally discovered that ring. It was a very low-level trick, so I returned it to her. I knew it wouldn't delay the flight, and honestly, I was curious to see what kind of show she'd put on. "Flora, I'm so sorry." 2/4 Chapter 11 Ryan yanked Sia over and barked, "Apologize!" Sia would never stoop to admitting fault. She knew well she'd tossed it into my bag. "I won't. This definitely isn't my ring. She must have contacted that flight attendant to fake it. "Ryan, trust me. I can call the police right now to prove my innocence." I cut in sharply, "No police." Calling the police would delay the flight, and my Grandma doesn't have that much time to wait for me. Seeing my reluctance to call the police, Sia immediately perked up with malicious glee, clearly emboldened by my hesitation. "See, Ryan? She's scared now. I wasn't lying," Sia said with feigned innocence, her eyes glinting with triumph. "Ryan, you promised you'd never let me be wronged. "Sia!" Ryan snapped, desperate to stop her from saying anything more. Ryan paused, then looked at me. "Flora, maybe there's been a misunderstanding. If you didn't take it, the police could help clear your name." I gave Ryan an icy stare. Nothing but utter disappointment remained. "Ryan, do you even realize this is the flight to see my Grandma? She's in critical condition." Ryan stiffened, his face clouded with hesitation and guilt. Sia ignored everything and started crying. But your grandma always seemed fine… I mean, it was never that serious before. A short delay shouldn't matter." My heart ached. Ryan had forgotten about how my Grandma backed him, with money and faith, when we started the business. I knew one day he would do the same to me. At his core, he was nothing but a selfish, ungrateful bastard. My heart aching, I pleaded desperately, "Grandma is waiting for me. If I don't get there in time, I'll lose her forever." "Well…" The middle-aged man, who had retreated to the corner after the ring was found, now stood up hesitantly. "Maybe you all should stop arguing. I'm usually pretty helpful, and I already reported it." Realizing how things stood, he wisely shut up, but his good intentions had clearly backfired. Ryan let out a relieved sigh. "That's perfect, Flora. This way we can get back to Grandma even sooner. I'll go with you." This was the first time since boarding that I truly panicked." "Let's go." A warm, steady hand grasped mine and pulled me away. Ryan lunged to grab me, but couldn't ignore Sia sobbing behind him. He snarled, "Hank! Where are you taking my fiancée?" 3/4 Hank gave him a sharp look, lips curled in a mocking smile. "Your fiancée? 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