---- Chapter 17 Ryann''s parents learned that Ryann's wealthy CEO boyfriend wanted to meet them. They were thrilled. They followed the driver to a highly private room. Upon seeing Jake, they showered him with compliments and quickly brought up how much Jake had to pay them as bride money if he wanted to marry Ryann. Although Jake sneered internally, he maintained a polite demeanor. He said that money was not an issue. However, he was concerned about the numerous rules in the Stephens family, which was rich, and worried that Ryann might face difficulties after she married him. He mentioned that he was often away from home due to work, so Ryann might be bullied. "More importantly, the family business is eyed by other members of the family. Ryann might struggle to deal with them. How am | supposed to hand over part of the business to her?" Ryann's mother saw Jake so thoughtful and said immediately, "Don't be fooled by Ryann's innocent appearance. She's quite strategic and capable. With just a few words, she can win others over to follow her orders and deal with her classmates ---- she dislikes." Jake furrowed his eyebrows slightly as he talked about the classmates Ryann had bullied. Ryann's mother scoffed. "Those classmates could only blame themselves when they failed to make friends. Otherwise, why did some classmates listen to Ryann and bully those? Later, | heard that one girl nearly died from a suicide attempt. Such a weak personality would only suffer in society. She'd better be grateful to Ryann. Without her, she'd face more challenges in school and work later." "Exactly. From elementary to high school, Ryann was always one of the top leaders at school. Everyone listened to her. If she disliked someone, her friends would deal with it," Ryann's father added with pride. Jake smiled faintly, and his gaze drifted towards a nearby white wall. In Ryann's parents' eyes, Jake thought highly of Ryann's behavior. "So, Mr. Stephens, you can entrust the business to Ryann. Besides, she knows quite a few influential figures abroad and has good relationships with them." Jake seized the mention of foreign connections and asked, "So, did you set her up with those influential figures abroad?" Ryann's parents quickly denied it. "We don't have such ---- connections or resources. She got to know them on her own. Although she was sent away by your family before, that's all in the past. Ryann never blamed you. And after you went through so much, aren't you two together now? So you are destined to be together." Jake stared at them intently, and his gaze was deep and unreadable. "So, you didn't force her to do what she did abroad?" His piercing gaze frightened them. They were terrified and dared not think it carefully. They swore, saying, "Ryann doesn't like us. She never contacted us after going abroad. How could we force her to do anything?" With a sudden sound, the white wall beside them became a glass wall. Ryann was standing on the other side. She looked anxious and said something that no one could hear. Jake walked to the wall and pressed a button. Then Ryann's voice came through. "Jake, listen to me. Don't listen to their nonsense. They lied to you." Then Ryann turned to her parents. "You two idiots. You are absolute fools!" Jake's lips curled into a cruel smile as he opened the hidden door in the wall and left in a hurry. Both rooms were locked from the outside, and no one could get out. Soon, Jake heard curses and fighting from inside. ---- Above the room, a hidden camera was recording and broadcasting everything. Jake's shoulders slumped as he said, "Eva, she's facing the consequences of her actions. Are you pleased now?"