The billionaire's second chance

The puppet master

As Ryder confronted his father with his eyes locked onto his father's, his anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. "I know Julian's been feeding you information about Ava," Ryder accused, his voice low and even. "But what's the end game, Father? What do you hope to achieve by sabotaging my relationship?"

His father's expression remained calm, almost serene, but Ryder detected a flicker of unease in his eyes. "I'm only trying to protect the family's interests, Ryder," he replied, his voice dripping with condescension. "You know as well as I do that Ava's not suitable for you. She's a distraction, a liability."

Ryder's anger boiled over, but before he could respond, his father dropped a bombshell. "Actually, I'm not the one who's been pulling the strings," he said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "It's someone else, someone who's been watching you from the shadows."

Ryder's confusion was palpable. "Who?" he demanded, his mind racing with possibilities.

His father's eyes locked onto his, a mixture of sadness and determination etched on his face. "Your mother," he said, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

Ryder's world tilted on its axis. His mother, thought to be dead, was alive? And she was manipulating his family, using them to control him? The revelation left him reeling.

"What do you mean?" Ryder asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mother's been dead for years."

His father sighed, a look of weariness etched on his face. "That's what we told you, Ryder. But the truth is, she disappeared, and we thought it was for the best. She was... unstable, manipulative. But she's been watching us, pulling the strings from behind the scenes."

Ryder's mind reeled as he processed the information. His mother, alive and manipulating his family? It was too much to take in. He felt like he was living in a dream, a nightmare from which he couldn't wake up.

As he struggled to come to terms with the revelation, Ryder's thoughts turned to Ava. How would she react to this news? Would she believe him? And what about Julian? Was he in on the secret, or was he just a pawn in his mother's game?

Ryder knew he had to confront his mother, to uncover the truth about her motives and her past. He had to protect Ava and himself from her machinations. But as he turned to leave, his father's words stopped him.

"Ryder, be careful. Your mother... she's not what she seems."

Ryder's heart pounded in his chest as he turned to face his father. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice laced with trepidation.

But his father's expression was closed, his eyes veiled. "Just be careful, Ryder. That's all I'm saying."

Ryder nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew he had to tread carefully, to uncover the truth about his mother's past and her motives. But he was determined to protect Ava and himself, no matter what it took.

As he walked out of the room, Ryder felt a sense of determination wash over him. He would uncover the truth, no matter what secrets lay hidden. He would protect Ava and himself, and he would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Ryder's determination propelled him forward as he walked out of the room. He knew he had to find answers, and fast. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to his most trusted investigator, asking him to dig up everything he could on his mother's disappearance and current whereabouts.

As he waited for a response, Ryder's mind wandered back to Ava. He knew he had to tell her about this latest development, but he wasn't sure how she'd react. Would she believe him, or would she think he was just making excuses for his family's behavior?

He decided to meet with her in person, to explain everything and gauge her reaction. He arrived at her apartment, his heart pounding in his chest. When she opened the door, he could see the concern etched on her face.

"What's wrong?" she asked, stepping aside to let him in.

Ryder took a deep breath and told her everything – about his father, about Julian, and about his mother. Ava listened intently, her expression changing from concern to shock and finally to determination.

"I believe you," she said, her voice firm. "We'll face this together, okay?"

Ryder felt a wave of relief wash over him. With Ava by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

But just as they were about to come up with a plan, Ryder's phone buzzed with an incoming text from his investigator. Ryder's heart skipped a beat as he read the message:

"Ryder, I've found something. Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."

Ryder's investigator handed him a folder filled with documents and photos. As Ryder flipped through them, his eyes widened in shock. The evidence was irrefutable – his mother was alive, and she had been hiding in plain sight.

But what was her plan? Ryder's investigator seemed to sense his question. "From what I've gathered, Ryder, your mother's goal is not just to control your family's business empire. She's been secretly building her own empire, using your family's resources and connections to further her own interests."

Ryder's mind reeled as he processed this new information. His mother's plan was bigger than he had ever imagined. He looked up at Ava, who was watching him with concern.

"What does this mean for us?" Ava asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder's investigator spoke up. "It means we need to be careful. Your mother's plan is complex, and she has a lot of powerful allies. We'll need to gather more information, build a strong case against her, before we can take any action."

Ryder nodded, his determination renewed. He would uncover the truth about his mother's plan, and he would stop her, no matter what it took.

But just as they were about to leave, Ryder's phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unknown number. Ryder's heart skipped a beat as he answered it.

"Ryder," a familiar voice said, sending shivers down his spine. "I see you're getting close to the truth. But you're not ready for what's coming next."

Ryder's eyes locked onto Ava's, his mind racing with possibilities. Who was behind the call, and what did they have planned?

As Ryder's investigator continued to explain the situation, Ryder couldn't help but wonder about his father's motives for suggesting he use Ava. "Why did my father want me to get close to Ava?" Ryder asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

The investigator hesitated before responding. "From what I've gathered, Ryder, Ava's family has significant ties to a company that your family has been trying to acquire for years. Your father saw an opportunity to use Ava as leverage to gain access to her family's business dealings and further your family's interests."

Ryder's eyes narrowed. "So, he wanted to use Ava as a pawn in our business dealings?"

The investigator nodded. "Yes, that's right. But it seems your father didn't count on you developing genuine feelings for Ava."

Ryder's mind reeled as he processed this information. He had been so caught up in his own feelings for Ava that he hadn't stopped to consider the potential business implications.

Ava, sensing Ryder's tension, reached out and took his hand. "What is it?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.

Ryder hesitated before sharing the information with her. "My father wanted to use you to get to your family's company," he said, feeling a pang of guilt. "I didn't know about it until now."

Ava's expression was thoughtful. "I see," she said. "But what about now? What do you want to do?"

Ryder's determination renewed. "I want to uncover the truth about my mother's plan, and I want to protect you and our relationship. I won't let my family's business interests come between us."

With newfound resolve, Ryder and Ava continued their investigation, determined to expose the truth and bring Ryder's mother to justice.

As they navigated the complex web of family dynamics and business dealings, Ryder realized that his feelings for Ava were genuine, and he would do whatever it took to protect her.

The mysterious caller still lingered in the shadow, waiting for the perfect moment to strike...