My Fake Boyfriend Is the School Bad Boy novel Chapter 207

Chapter 207 Walking Into The Boardroom

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Ryder stared at the white paper taped to the glass door. His eyes tracked the typed lines. He read the geometric logo. He read the fine

print at the bottom of the page. The silence stretched across the damp sidewalk, thick with unspoken truth.

He reached out and tore the paper from the glass. The tape ripped with a sharp sound. He crushed the eviction notice in his large fist.

He turned to face me. The exhaustion in his posture vanished. The Crestview delinquent surfaced, but this version carried zero reckless

anger. He possessed a cold, terrifying focus.

He came here, Ryder stated. He did not ask a question.

‘Last night, I confirmed. My voice sounded frail in the cold morning mist. A black car parked across the street. Two men ordered me inside. Your father sat in the back. He offered a massive check. He offered to pay my medical tuition. He promised a house for my

mother.

“And the condition?”

He told me to walk away from you.”

Ryder tightened his jaw. The muscle ticked beneath his pale skin. He processed the magnitude of the ultimatum. He processed the devastation his father inflicted when the bribe failed.

“You told him no, Ryder said.

I told him you protect the things that matter. I told him he only protects his brand.”

Ryder closed his eyes for a fraction of a second. The deep breath he took expanded his broad chest. When he opened his eyes, the hazel irises burned with a lethal, golden fire. He looked past me. He met my mother’s tear-stained gaze. She still sat on the wooden bench,

shaking in her faded pink uniform.

He walked past me. He crouched in front of my mother. He placed his large hands over her trembling fingers.

I will fix this, Maria, Ryder swore. His voice carried iron conviction. ‘I brought this destruction to your doorstep. I take full

responsibility. My father will not take your kitchen.”

My mother looked at him. She lacked the strength to argue. She offered a small, broken nod.

Ryder stood up. He turned to me.

Get in the truck, he commanded.

Where are we going? I asked

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13:58 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 207 Walking Into The Boardroom

We are ending this.”

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I did not hesitate. I walked to the battered blue Ford. I climbed into the passenger seat. Ryder slid behind the steering wheel. He shifted the engine into gear. The heavy diesel motor roared. We pulled away from the curb, leaving the dark, locked diner behind.

We drove out of the East Side.

The silence inside the cab felt heavy, but it lacked the crushing despair from an hour ago. Ryder emanated pure, unyielding purpose. He gripped the steering wheel. His knuckles turned white against the worn leather. He kept his eyes locked on the road ahead.

I watched the scenery change through the rain-streaked window. The cracked concrete and failing laundromats vanished. The architecture shifted. The buildings grew taller. The streets grew wider and cleaner. We entered the financial district.

Massive monuments of glass and steel reached into the gray clouds. This was the true domain of the affluent elite. They did not just attend a prestigious high school. They owned the city skyline.

Ryder navigated the wide avenues. He steered the battered truck toward the tallest, most imposing skyscraper in the district. The massive glass structure reflected the morning light like a dark mirror.

He pulled the truck into the circular drop-off zone. He bypassed the valet stand. He parked the muddy vehicle directly in front of the

pristine glass doors. He killed the engine.

“Come with me, Ryder said.

We stepped out of the truck. The cold wind whipped through the concrete canyon. Ryder reached out and grabbed my hand. His calloused fingers intertwined with mine. His grip felt warm and solid. He offered a physical anchor in an alien world.

We walked through the sliding glass doors.

The main lobby resembled a modern museum. White marble covered the floor. Minimalist metal sculptures occupied the corners. A massive reception desk carved from dark granite dominated the center of the room. The air smelled like expensive cologne and sterile

perfection.

Three security guards in tailored suits stood near a bank of silver elevators. They noticed the muddy boots. They noticed my faded gray sweatpants and oversized hoodie. They stepped forward to intercept the threat.

The lead guard held up a hand. ‘Sir, this is a private corporate building. You cannot-

The guard stopped. He recognized the sharp jawline. He recognized the dark hair and the hazel eyes.

Mr. Steinmann,” the guard corrected himself. He lowered his hand. The professional mask faltered. ‘Your father is in the middle of the

morning executive briefing. He requested zero interruptions.”

Move Ryder stated. He did not break his stride

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