---- Chapter 12 Ryann''s eyes darkened with frustration. The Stephens family always stirred up trouble. After Jacob had passed away, Jake's parents left. Now the butler had appeared out of nowhere. She swallowed her irritation and continued clinging to his neck. She said softly, "Please. It's been so many days since | last saw you. Don't even think about leaving." Just as she leaned in to kiss Jake again, a sudden knock on the door interrupted them. Ryann walked to the door, puzzled. Her heart raced when she saw a long-lost familiar face on the surveillance video. She suddenly remembered what Eva had mentioned about Ryann's parents coming to her. It had been so long. Plus, Jake hid her so well, and she rarely went out. She thought there would be no problem. But here they were. Ryann quickly made an excuse for Jake to check the bathroom plumbing, while she hurriedly went out to pull her parents into the stairwell. ---- She threatened them to keep quiet. Otherwise, they couldn't get a single penny if they offended the big boss. Her parents smartly agreed to follow her lead and allowed Ryann to return to the room As she got out of the stairwell, she was met by Jake, who had opened the door with a puzzled expression. Ryann tried to remain calm. "Maybe they knocked on the wrong door. There's no one outside. Jake, didn't the butler have something urgent to tell you? You'd better go back. With your parents not around, he can only discuss matters with you." Jake recalled how Richard hesitated when mentioning Eva. Could something have happened to her? Without further delay, he left quickly, though he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched by some burning eyes, which made him uncomfortable. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Ryann's parents rushed back into the room. Their eyes gleamed with greed as they took in the luxurious surroundings. Ryann said harshly, "Did Eva tell you | was here? You idiots. She's Jake's ex-wife and doesn't have good intentions." "What Eva? Hadn't you messaged us to come and enjoy the good life with you?" Her parents weren't upset by Ryann's scolding. They wandered around the room and pocketed ---- anything they deemed valuable. A flash of malice crossed Ryann's eyes. She couldn't understand why she had such parents. How could they even think they deserved to be her parents? They nearly beat her to death when she was a little girl. Now, how could they have the nerve to think she'd support them? Ryann decided to cut to the chase. She asked, "How much will it take for you to leave?" Her parents rubbed their hands eagerly. "A million. It is not too much, right?" Ryann''s eyes widened. But she knew she couldn't refuse them directly. These were lunatics. If they were angered, they might tell others her background. She said diplomatically, "My current status is that of a secret relationship. His family doesn't recognize me, so they didn't give me much money. | can give you some of my handbags and jewelry, which you can sell for some money. But you mustn't let him know you are here. If you upset him and he kicks me out, I'll have no choice but to rely on you." With that, she reluctantly handed over her most expensive purses and a few pieces of jewelry. "These are worth hundreds of thousands. As long as you don't gamble, you'll live comfortably for quite ---- a while." After her parents left happily, Ryann was consumed by a terrifying thought. She looked into the mirror and slapped her face repeatedly.