The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136 A House Bought with Silence

Claim

The party grew livelier as the night went on. Music rose. Laughter spilled. Glasses clinked. Waiters moved through the crowd with trays of food that looked more like art than sustenance.

Leah tried repeatedly to corner Ryan.

At the bar.

Near the staircase.

By the balcony doors.

Each time, he disengaged calmly.

“Excuse me, Mother,” he would say, tone pleasant, eyes cold. “My wife is waiting.”

Or,

“This isn’t the place for that conversation.”

Or simply,

“No.”

He never raised his voice.

Never snapped.

He just… refused.

Eve remained proudly at his side, visible, unyielding. Not an accessory. Not a shadow. A choice.

Leah couldn’t hide the hatred she felt for her.

At one point, Leah finally managed to catch them alone near a small alcove, away from the main crowd.

“If I hadn’t given birth to Ryan,” Leah hissed, voice sharp with resentment, “you wouldn’t be in the arms of a

powerful man like you are now.”

Eve blinked once, then smiled.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “You did the world a huge service.”

Ryan burst out laughing, the sound rich and unrestrained.

Leah’s eyes flared. “You think this is funny?”

Ryan leaned down, whispering against Eve’s ear, “I’m definitely punishing you for that later.”

“Stop it,” she muttered, biting back a smile.

Leah stiffened, humiliated. “You’re making a spectacle of yourselves.”

13

Chapter 136 A House Bought with Silence

Claim

“That’s the point,” Ryan said coolly. “I want everyone to witness exactly where I stand.”

“And where you stand,” Eve added, “is not beside people who call your child a bastard.”

Colour drained from Leah’s face.

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Moments later, she left.

Jonathan followed after a while, pulled along by her fury and his own pride.

Eve watched them go, then exhaled slowly.

“You okay?” Ryan asked.

“Yes,” she said. “Are you?”

He considered it. “Strangely… yes.”

Eventually, Eve saw her opening.

She approached Alissa with a gentle smile while Steven was across the room speaking to a cluster of

guests.

“Alissa,” Eve said softly.

Alissa turned, her expression brightening immediately. “Eve. Are you alright? You look a little tired. Do you

want to sit?”

“I’m fine,” Eve assured her. “I just… wanted to ask something.”

Alissa’s brows lifted. “Ask.”

“Would you like to have lunch sometime?” Eve asked. “Just us. No suits. No politics. No fathers.”

Alissa’s face brightened immediately. “I was hoping you’d say that. I was worried we wouldn’t get along.

Steven can be… intense.”

“That’s one word for it,” Eve muttered.

Alissa laughed. “I know there’s history. I don’t know details, but… I don’t want you to feel like I’m intruding.”

“There’s no need to feel guilty,” Eve replied softly. “No one should be alone.”

Alissa’s eyes grew glossy. “He was very lonely,” she admitted. “Whatever he’s done… I see the loneliness. I

just wanted to be… something good in his life.”

“I’m not trying to replace your mother,” Alissa said quickly. “I could never.”

“I know,” Eve replied. “And maybe… a little love will soften my father.”

Alissa smiled, relieved. “Then yes. Lunch. I’d really like that.”

Steven watched from a distance, grateful, unaware.

Chapter 136 A House Bought with Silence

He saw two women building a bridge.

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