The Billionaire's Silent Wife (Ryan and Eve) novel Chapter 188

188 The Mansion and the Arrest 2

Ryan stepped closer to the staircase, eyes never leaving Leah. “You weren’t careful this time,” he said,

voice low.

Leah’s tears fell. “Ryan, what are you saying, ”

“There is evidence,” Ryan said.

Leah’s breath hitched. “Evidence of what? Your wife is missing and you’re blaming me? Ryan, you’re,”

Chief Claude stepped forward, cutting through the rising tension. “Mrs. Ashbrook, we need you to come

with us.”

Leah’s head snapped toward him, eyes wide, wounded. “Come with you? For what?”

“For questioning,” Chief Claude said, voice firm.

Leah’s voice rose. “This is my home. You can’t,”

“We have cause,” the chief said. “And we have evidence.”

Leah looked down at Ryan like he had stabbed her. “Ryan… you’re letting them do this to me?”

Ryan’s face stayed carved in ice. “Tell me where she is.”

Leah shook her head quickly, crying harder. “I don’t know! Ryan, I swear, I don’t know!”

Ryan took another step, rage tightening his body. “You liar.”

“Ryan!” Chief Claude snapped, raising a hand. “Step back.”

Ryan’s eyes burned. “No,”

“Step back,” the chief repeated, sharper.

Two officers moved slightly closer, ready to restrain Ryan if necessary.

Tevin’s hand caught Ryan’s arm lightly. “Ryan.”

Maxwell’s voice was low. “Not here.”

Ryan’s chest heaved once, then he forced himself to step back, jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

Chief Claude turned to Leah. “Mrs. Ashbrook, you’re coming with us.”

Leah’s voice shook. “Jonathan,”

Jonathan lunged forward, fury exploding. “This is ridiculous! You can’t arrest my wife in her own home because of,”

Chief Claude’s gaze stayed cold. “Sir, step aside.”

Leah clung to Kimberly again. “Kim, ”

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188 The Mansion and the Arrest 2

Kimberly shook her head, crying now. “Mum, what is, why is this happening?”

Clam

Leah sobbed into her daughter’s shoulder like she was helpless, and Ryan wanted to tear her away just to stop the performance.

Chief Claude gestured to his officers. “Now.”

Two officers moved forward and took Leah by the arms.

Leah gasped as if they were hurting her. “Don’t touch me!”

Ryan’s voice cut in, cold. “Where is Eve.”

Leah turned her head, tears on her cheeks, eyes wide. “Ryan, please, please stop this. I’m your mother.”

Ryan stared at her with pure disgust. “No.”

The single word landed like a final sentence.

Leah’s eyes widened, then narrowed, something sharp flickering through her tears.

The officers began to guide her down the stairs.

Jonathan surged forward again, shouting. “Leah!”

Kimberly reached for her. “Mum!”

Leah was dragged toward the door, crying, protesting, calling out her innocence.

And Ryan watched her go with his jaw clenched, heart pounding, because taking Leah away didn’t bring

Eve back.

It only confirmed that the war was real.

The moment Leah crossed the threshold, Jonathan snapped.

He turned on Ryan with all his fury.

“You ungrateful bastard!” Jonathan roared.

Ryan didn’t move.

Jonathan’s fist came fast.

The punch landed on Ryan’s cheekbone with a sharp crack.

Ryan’s head snapped slightly to the side.

Tevin swore and stepped forward, but Ryan lifted a hand to stop him.

Maxwell’s body shifted, ready.

Jonathan grabbed Ryan by the collar with shaking hands, face twisted with rage. “How could you do this to your mother!”

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188 The Mansion and the Arrest 2

Clam

Ryan’s eyes were cold as he turned his head back slowly, looking Jonathan straight in the face.

“You want to know how?” Ryan’s voice was low, dangerous.

Jonathan’s breath came hard. “Yes!”

Ryan’s jaw flexed. “Because she is a mistake.”

Jonathan froze.

Ryan’s voice dropped further, each word controlled. “And I wish she wasn’t my mother.”

Jonathan’s face contorted. “You,”

“And you,” Ryan cut in, eyes burning, “are just as guilty.”

Jonathan blinked; confused for half a second. “Guilty of what?”

Ryan’s voice turned lethal. “Helping her cover up a hit-and-run.”

Jonathan went still.

The grip on Ryan’s collar loosened slightly, shock flickering.

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “You helped her drug Mathias. You helped her frame him. You sent an innocent man

to jail.”

Jonathan’s mouth opened, then closed. His face went pale. “What are you,

Ryan’s voice cut through. “A pregnant woman died.”

Jonathan’s breath hitched.

Then his eyes widened sharply. “Steven.”

Ryan didn’t deny it. He nodded once.

Jonathan’s face twisted, rage and panic colliding. “That lying, ”

“Don’t,” Ryan snapped. “Don’t you dare.”

Jonathan’s hands trembled. “Ryan, listen,”

“No,” Ryan said, stepping forward, forcing Jonathan to step back. “You listen.”

Jonathan’s breath came ragged. “He’s trying to destroy us!”

Ryan’s voice turned colder. “You destroyed yourselves.”

Jonathan’s mouth trembled. “You don’t understand,”

“I understand everything,” Ryan cut in, fury tightening. “She was cheating on you.”

Jonathan froze.

Ryan’s words landed like a slap.

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188 The Mansion and the Arrest 2

Jonathan’s eyes widened. “What.”

Ryan’s jaw clenched. “That’s why she drove herself that night. She didn’t want Mathias to know where she

was going.”

Jonathan’s face went blank, like his mind couldn’t accept it.

Ryan stepped closer, voice low and brutal. “Steven knew. He knew she was seeing men behind your back.”

Jonathan’s throat worked. “No.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Yes.”

Jonathan shook his head, stunned, desperate. “Leah wouldn’t,”

Ryan laughed once, sharp and humourless. “Leah chased danger because you couldn’t give her that.”

Jonathan’s face contorted.

Ryan continued, relentless. “She called you a coward. She despised you. And you still protected her like a dog.”

Jonathan’s voice cracked. “Stop.”

Ryan’s eyes burned. “She hated Steven because he wouldn’t sleep with her.”

Jonathan’s breath hitched.

Kimberly, still in the foyer, let out a small strangled sound. “Ryan…”

Ryan didn’t look away from Jonathan. “And you,” his voice hardened, “, you helped her cover her crime. You let an innocent man rot in jail. You let his wife and daughter beg at your gate and you chased them

away.”

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