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    Gavin gripped her wrist and pushed her away. His breathing was unsteady as he stared at the tears rolling down the girl''s cheeks. "Ms. Watson, you''re drunk. You should get some rest."


    With that, Gavin released her.


    Tears streamed down Britney''s face. "Why won''t you want me either?"


    Gavin confused. ''Either? What does she mean by that?''


    Gavin frowned. "Ms. Watson, get some rest. Ring the bell if you need anything from the staff." He turned to leave.


    At the doorway, he nced back, still worried. The sight made his heart stop. Britney had climbed onto the window ledge and was about to jump.


    "Ms. Watson!" Gavin shouted, rushing to pull her into his arms. He tried to bring her down, but Britney gripped the window frame, refusing to let go.


    "Gavin, let me go! Just let me die!" Britney''s voice cracked with emotion.


    Gavin held on tight. "Ms. Watson, it''s Christmas. Whatever''s wrong, we can work through it. Come down first."


    Even from the second floor, a fall would cause serious injuries.


    Britney sobbed uncontrobly. "My parents are dead. My boyfriend cheated with my best friend. Family, love, friendship... I have nothing left. How am I supposed to go on?"


    Gavin''s expression froze in shock.


    At the riverbank, Britney had told him she had no home left. He''d been surprised then, but he never imagined it meant this.


    Gavin stayed quiet for a long moment before speaking. "If your parents were still alive, they wouldn''t want you throwing your life away like this."


    Britney froze. Her grip on the window frame slowly loosened.


    Gavin pulled her down from the window and settled her on the single armchair nearby. He quickly locked


    the window shut.


    He looked at Britney''s red-rimmed eyes. "Ms. Watson, if you really died, wouldn''t those people who hurt you justugh? You need to stay alive. Don''t the people who betrayed you deserve to pay?"


    10:13 Mon, 4 Aug &OV


    Britney gave a bitter smile. "Revenge? I''m just a powerless orphan. What could I possibly do?"


    Without thinking, Gavin said, "I can help you."


    Britney stared at him in surprise. She studied Gavin''s face, really seeing him for the first time.


    Cameron and Lance both looked like Jacqueline, but Gavin favored Levi. His features were sharp and defined, his eyes narrow and intense. When he wasn''t speaking, he seemed almost unapproachable.


    Britney kept staring at him. She hadn''t expected someone who looked so cold and distant to be this canng.


    A warmth spread through her chest.


    Gavin noticed her staring at him and realized what he''d just said. It was like when he''d told Britney home with him-the words just tumbled out without thinking. Offering to help her get revenge was probably just his masculine heroplex talking.


    "Would you really help me?" Britney asked, uncertainty in her voice.


    She definitely wanted that cheating couple to pay. Gavin met her hopeful gaze and couldn''t bring himself to refuse. "As long as you stay alive, I''ll help you get your revenge."


    "What can I do for you in return?" Britney asked.


    She was twenty-five years old now, not some naive little girl. She understood how


    the world worked. Everything had a price. No one did favors for nothing.


    Gavin fell silent at her question. After a moment, he shook his head. "You don''t need to do anything."


    Britney looked confused. "Then why would you help me?"


    She had offered herself to him, but he pushed her away. She had nothing-nothing that would be worth his


    interest.