Finnian nodded. "Got some things to attend to."


    With that, he turned on his heel and left thepany, heading to the curb to make a quick call.


    Fifteen minutester, Finnian walked into a sleek, understated bar with a quiet ambiance. It was the kind of ce that whispered sophistication.


    Dorian was already at the bar, waiting for him. He slid a pre-ordered drink over to Finnian and asked, "What''s got you day-drinking? Something on your mind?"


    Finnian cursed under his breath, "I''m swamped every day-who''s got time for drama?"


    "You''re really cussing now," Dorian chuckled. "If the girls at yourpany heard you talk like that, they''d lose their crush on you in a heartbeat."


    "Let them be. Not my fricking problem."


    Finnian took a swig of his drink, feeling the cold liquid burn its way down with a fiery sensation, leaving him insatiable with an even deeper sense of emptiness.


    He spoke in a measured tone, "Got a message from my mom yesterday. Said she misses me and wants to visit for Christmas."


    Dorian was silent.


    "So, what did you say?"


    "Haven''t replied. Don''t feel like it."


    Finnian''s parents lived abroad most of the time. In fact, they were in different countries, possibly even different hemispheres. As Kevin once put it, if they lived in the same hemisphere, they''d be at each other''s throats daily.


    "My dad called too recently," Finnian continued, ignoring Dorian''s silence. "He''s got a new girlfriend. She''s just a few years older than me, still working on her Master''s."


    "Isn''t that just his usual routine?" Dorian said dismissively. "Didn''t he break up with hisst girlfriend justst month? His rtionships are like those monthly magazine subscriptions."


    "Yeah, if a month could be considered long."


    Finnian picked up his ss and downed the drink in one go. Dorian eximed, "Damn, easy there! You trying to knock yourself out?"


    This was some strong stuff.


    "Don''t worry, didn''t drive here anyway."


    Finnian ordered another drink from the bartender as he inquired, "How are things with Elysia? Jessica still reaching out to you these days?"


    "Yeah, she is. She''s got no friend to turn to, so who else can she reach out?"


    Dorian took a leisurely sip of his own drink, eyeing Finnian with a squint.


    "You''re not yourself today, all over the ce, not your usual self. What''s exactly in your mind?"


    "Nothing much, just drinking."


    Finnian took another gulp, and then shifted the conversation to business. Dorian still looked at him with suspicion but decided not to press the issue.


    Finnian was the kind of guy who wouldn''t spil his guts even being forced. Dorian had to wait until he wanted to talk. He had gotten used to that over the years, so he let it slide, steering the conversation toward a piece of real estate he''d recently acquired.


    The next day, Amara was up early and on set.


    The incident with Liliana falling into the water and the ensuing drama at the


    hospital seemed to have made the rounds.


    As soon as Amara stepped onto the set, she noticed people casting looks her way. She couldn''t tell if they were judging or just curious, so she carried on as if nothing was amiss.


    Liliana had arrived early too, with Finnian by her side. They were chatting with


    Cedric by the cameras. Seeing Amara, Liliana called out, "Ms. Sullivan!"


    Amara paused, turning her head and said tly, "Yes?"


    Liliana walked over slowly. Technically, Liliana was supposed to be on bed rest for a few days to ensure a healthy pregnancy. But whether her eagerness to leave the hospital or her actual recovery had


    brought her back to the set so soon was unclear.