Brandon noticed N''s cold attitude and sat down in silence. Neither of them spoke until Damon returned with the fruit.


    "Why so quiet?" he asked.


    N took the bowl of strawberries from his hands. "Nothing to talk about."


    Damon looked slightly surprised. N rarely made her feelings about someone so obvious.


    He turned to Brandon and asked, "Did you do something to upset my wife?"


    Brandon was speechless.


    He was innocent! He hadn''t even seen N recently-how could he have offended her?


    Then it hit him. Vrie must have told her everything during her visit earlier. That had to be why N was siding with her friend and giving him the cold shoulder.


    Realizing this, he grew anxious. "Aunt N, I swear, there was nothing going on between me and that friend. Vrie misunderstood."


    "Oh," N said tly. "Then go exin it to her. She''s the one dating you, after all."


    Thinking about Vrie''s dinner ns that evening, N suddenly chuckled. If Brandon knew about the younger man Vrie was meeting tonight, his reaction would be priceless.


    "I already cut ties with that friend. Vrie said that if I don''t see her for a month, she''ll forgive me," Brandon exined.


    N took a bite of her strawberry and nodded. "Good luck with that."


    "Mm," Brandon hummed in response.


    Soon, dinner was ready.


    Just as they sat down, Brandon''s phone rang. The moment he answered, his expression darkened. "Got it. I''ll be right there."


    Hanging up, he stood abruptly. "Uncle Damon, Aunt N, something urgent came up. I have to go. Let''s have dinner another time."


    As they watched him rush out, Damon looked slightly surprised. Brandon had always been steady andposed it was rare to see him so flustered.


    N ced a chicken wing on Damon''s te. "Eat up, or the food will get cold." Damon smiled. "Alright."


    Brandon sped toward a high-end restaurant.


    The drive usually took 40 minutes, yet he made it in under 30.


    As soon as he stepped out of his car, he spotted Vrie sitting by a window-with another man.


    Through the ss, he could clearly see her soft, shy smile and the subtle way she teased the guy across from her.


    Brandon clenched his fists, his blood nearly boiling.


    How could she promise to take him back if he stayed away from


    Schoone


    Michelle, only to turn around elne?


    have dinner with another man?


    His face darkened as rage and frustration surged through him. Without a second thought,


    >


    stormed into the restauran


    A server at the entrance hurried over. "Sir, we require reservations to dine here. Are


    you looking for someone, or="


    "Move." Brandon''s voice was ice-cold, his eyes burning with fury.


    Startled by his intimidating presence, the server instinctively stepped back.


    Brandon ignored her and strode straight inside.


    Sensing something was wrong, the server quickly followed. "Sir! Please, we really do require a reservation- Sir!"


    Themotion drew attention from the other diners, including Vrie and her dinner date.


    Just as she looked up, her gaze collided with Brandon''s sharp, frigid


    stare Her fingers subcontent


    tightened around her fork >


    Brandon reached her side in an instant, casting a nce at the man sitting across from her.


    He wasn''t bad-looking-no wonder Vrie was interested.


    But when the guy met Brandon''s gaze, he immediately looked away, his expression nervous and evasive.


    A sneer flickered in Brandon''s eyes.