Ryan lunged forward, and with a ripping sound, Nevaeh's shirt tore open in an instant.
She gasped, her attention and anger focused on his hand, ready to strike back, when suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the workshop.
The iron door slammed open with a force that shook the room.
Ryan, who had been poised to act, jumped in fright and fell to the ground.
Without thinking, he scrambled to his feet, but before he could steady himself, a powerful kick sent him crashing down again.
"Who dares to interrupt me… Professor Samuel…" Ryan began to curse, struggling to rise, but the moment he saw Samuel, his bravado vanished.
Fear overtook him.
He hadn't expected Samuel to appear here. Without a second thought, he turned and bolted, not daring to linger another moment.
Samuel didn't chase him. Instead, he walked over calmly to Nevaeh.
By now, Nevaeh had shaken off her panic.
