Hearing this, Zion quickly put on a smile and exined, "It''s like this. Our


    "Family benefits? A free trip?" Sylvia looked puzzled, turning to me with a skeptical look.


    She leaned closer, looking warily at Zion, and whispered in my ear, "Hudson, I''ve been at mypany for three or four years and never heard of family benefits or sponsored trips. Since when did they get so generous? Is this guy a scammer?"


    I looked at Zion and frowned. Then I thought for a moment and decided to y along.


    "The policies here in Adenville are different from those in Carzonia. This is a recent employee incentive at ourpany, and it''s probably exclusive to us. You''re not an employee of ourpany, so it''s normal that you wouldn''t have heard of it."


    Sylvia still looked doubtful.


    From her expression, I couldn''t tell if she was questioning the policy itself or just doubting her own luck for receiving it.


    Of course, thepany didn''t actually have such a policy. This was just a story that Zion and I hade up with to get Sylvia to leave for a while.


    Sylvia had just arrived in Adenville, and now I was forced to spend money to send her away and even lie to her about it. Just thinking about it made me feel guilty.


    "It''s rare that you have some free time, and thepany is covering the costs. Why not go on a trip? Work can be exhausting, and it''s good to go out and see more of the world. Consider it a little break." I tried to persuade her.


    Seeing Sylvia still hesitating, Zion jumped in to help.


    "Exactly! This is a rarepany perk that Hudson worked hard to get. Let me tell you, this was hard to get. It would be a real pity to turn it down."


    "Even though a free trip sounds tempting, I would rather leave this opportunity to someone else at thepany."


    "I would much prefer staying here and spending time with the person I care about." With that, Sylvia moved closer, holding my arm and resting her head on my shoulder.


    Zion looked at her, speechless and somewhat disgusted by her words.


    But what probably annoyed him even more was that I had ended up with a girlfriend who was so romantic that she would pass up a free trip.


    Her refusal gave me a headache.


    I looked at her, took a deep breath, and exined, "But I''m very busy this month. There''s so much going on at thepany. I managed to make time for you today, but I won''t be able to tomorrow. Sylvia, I''m not lying. I really am that busy."


    Hearing this, Sylvia looked up at me. I saw a hint of disappointment in her eyes.


    "It''s alright. I can wait for you. I''ve already transferred to work here in Adenville. If you can''t spend time with me this month, there''s always next month. There''s plenty of time, so I can wait."


    She continued, "If you can''te to me, then I''lle to you. Hudson, I''ve gone this far for you. You can''t abandon me now." Saying this, she held my arm even tighter.


    Seeing her determination, I felt both happy and helpless.


    But this was a desperate time, and I couldn''t let Sylvia stay in Adenville with me. I couldn''t imagine how she would react if she found out I was currently involved with Selena.