Chapter 775

chapter775

Ryder stood frozen as the Zimmerman family’s attitude shifted with dizzying speed. Why were they suddenly being so hospitable? The sudden change in the air was something he couldn't quite wrap his head around.

“Ryder, we owe you an apology for our behavior last time,” Belinda began, her voice dripping with a forced, sugary sincerity. “When your mother first arranged for the matchmaker to visit, we were far too judgmental. We didn't appreciate the kind of person you truly are.”

Beside her, Roderick offered a stiff, rehearsed smile. To him, the specifics of the match mattered far less than the eventual outcome. His goal was to ensure his family secured a high-value connection, and if Ryder was the key to that, he was willing to play the part of the gracious host.

“You weren't wrong, though,” Ryder said, straightening his back and meeting their eyes. “I know I’m not the type of person who usually attracts much attention, and I certainly didn't expect someone like Miss Zimmerman to—”

“I don't mind at all!” Ruby interrupted, moving forward to close the distance. She reached out and took his arm in a friendly, assertive gesture.

Based on her experience in social circles, Ruby had developed a keen sense of how to influence others. She recognized that while Ryder was modest and perhaps a bit impressionable, he possessed a simple honesty that made him vulnerable to targeted affection. She believed that as long as she could project the image of a devoted partner, she could win him over.

Her ultimate goal wasn't just a marriage; it was the connection to the Quillen family through Emmanuel. She calculated that if she could secure Ryder’s loyalty, she could leverage his family ties to negotiate a substantial bride price—far higher than what she had originally demanded.

“Miss Zimmerman, I really feel I don't deserve this kind of attention,” Ryder stammered, feeling the weight of the situation.

“Then you should see it as an opportunity to grow,” Ruby replied smoothly. “I believe in your potential, even if you don't yet see it yourself.”

“I’m just an ordinary man,” Ryder insisted. “No matter how much I try, my circumstances won't change overnight.”

“In that case, I’ll stay by your side and help you realize your own worth,” she said, her tone brimming with practiced warmth.

“But... what is it about me that changed your mind?” Ryder asked, his confusion still evident.

“Your honesty,” Ruby said, looking him directly in the eye. “You are grounded and sincere. In a world full of pretension, isn't that the most valuable quality of all?”

Listening to the exchange, Roselynn felt a wave of skepticism. She could see exactly what Ruby was doing, and it made her skin crawl. She realized her cousin was no match for Ruby’s sophisticated manipulation. Without someone to guide him, she feared Ryder would be swept up in a plan he didn't fully understand.

Alessandra, however, watched the scene with a sense of hope. She had always believed Ryder was a good man who deserved happiness. While she knew he had a quiet admiration for Tia, she felt that having another option—especially one as eager as Ruby seemed to be—could only be a positive development.

“I... I really don't know what to say,” Ryder said, gently stepping back to create some space.

Ruby didn't miss a beat, adopting a slightly hurt expression to maintain her advantage. “Ryder, are you rejecting me because you think our families aren't a good match?”

“No, that’s not it at all!” Ryder shook his head quickly, not wanting to cause offense.

“Then what is it? Are you trying to tell me that your heart is already elsewhere?” Ruby asked, her expression becoming unreadable.

Her parents watched the interaction with thinly veiled impatience. They were only tolerating this display because of Emmanuel’s recent marriage into the prestigious Quillen family. Without that high-profile connection, they wouldn't have given Ryder a second look. To them, this was a strategic investment, and they were waiting to see if it would pay off.