Sullivan raised an eyebrow. "I''m not escorting you. This just happens to be my way home too. I can''t just avoid this road because you''re on it, right?"


    Ruby frowned but couldn''t argue with his logic. After a few moments of silence, she turned and walked off quickly.


    Sullivan stayed about four to five meters behind.


    This annoyed Ruby, so she quickened her pace, hoping to shake him off. No matter how fast she walked, he kept his distance until she entered her apartment building. Only then did he stop following.


    Back in her apartment, she slipped off her shoes and walked to the couch, feeling exhausted.


    Her phone buzzed. It was a Messenger message from N.


    N: [Hey, I noticed you didn''t seem well today. If there''s anything troubling you,


    don''t hesitate to talk to me. I''ll help you figure things out. Stay strong!]


    Ruby stared at the message for a moment before simply replying: [Okay.]


    At a popr seafood restaurant in Saintornia...


    N looked at Ruby''s brief response and felt a pang of disappointment. She turned her phone face-down on the table.


    Noticing her downcast expression, Damon ced some crab meat he had just picked clean onto her te and said, "Let''s eat first. You seem distracted tonight. What''s on your mind?"


    N epted the te, debating whether to tell him about Ruby, but a familiar voice interrupted her, "N, Mr. Sumner, you''re here for dinner too?"


    Turning around, she saw Vrie and looked surprised. "Vrie, you''re here too? And who is this?"


    Vrie nodded with a smile. "Yes. Let me introduce you this is my boyfriend, Zayn Updike."


    "Boyfriend?!" N eximed.


    She clearly remembered Brandon pursuing Vrie not long ago, and Vrie hadn''t seemed entirely indifferent to him either. How did she suddenly have a boyfriend?


    "Yeah, we just got together. I nned to wait until things were more stable before telling you, but didn''t expect to run into you tonight," Vrie said her expression calm, not at all like someone in the throes of a new rtionship.


    Though puzzled, N knew it wasn''t the right time to ask. She turned to Zayn. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Updike."


    "Zayn, this is N Kinsey, my best friend. As for Mr. Sumner, I don''t think he needs an introduction," Vrie said.


    Zayn smiled warmly. "Good evening, Ms. Kinsey, Mr. Sumner."


    Damon squinted slightly but replied calmly, "Mr. Updike, it''s been a while."


    After exchanging greetings, Vrie looked at N. "We have nster, so we won''t keep you. Let''s catch up another time."


    Seeing N nod, Vrie turned to Mason. "Buddy, what would you like as a present? I will bring it for you next time."


    Mason shook his head. "I don''t need anything. Seeing Aunt Vrie makes me happy enough."


    Vrie pinched his cheeky


    "Oh, you little charmer! You''re already out-talking your dad by a


    mile you''re going to be a hit with


    the girls when you grow up


    Damon''s face fell.


    Seeing him scowl, N had to hold back augh. He probably hadn''t expected to be outdone by his own son.


    Vrie and Zayn left soon after.


    As they disappeared through the restaurant''s door, N turned to Damon and asked, "Isn''t Brandon still pursuing Vrie? How did she endan


    with And from the way She looked at him, it didn''t seem like she''s that into him."