Ryder was observing the man behind Maggie skeptically, wondering what he was doing here when he heard Maggie's words. And immediately after, his eyes snapped to hers.
"No way." He objected to it immediately, unlike Valerie and Preston who just stayed silent.
"I will not allow you to meet him. Do you understand?" Ryder held her by her shoulders and enunciated each word, forcing her to look at him in the eye. Even though his face looked serious and harsh, his hold on her was anything but it. He was as gentle as ever, treating her with utmost love and care.