Vrie pulled out her phone and saw a message from a friend.


    [Vrie, you need to check the trending topics online! Jayden just exposed Brandon to the media for being ungrateful to his lifesaver.]


    She pressed her lips together, her thoughts momentarily frozen.


    After a brief hesitation, she searched for the news.


    A journalist had posted an usation against Brandon, iming he had neglected Michelle, the woman who had been injured while saving him. Since her hospitalization, he hadn''t visited her once.


    Thements were scathing, condemning Brandon as a heartless capitalist with no sense of gratitude.


    Across the table, Stefan noticed Vrie''s sudden pallor. "Veevee, is something wrong? You look really pale."


    His voice pulled her from her thoughts. She quickly ced her phone face down on


    the table, forcing a smile. "It''s nothing, just some news I saw."


    Stefan didn''t press her further, though his gaze lingered on her phone.


    Their food arrived soon after.


    After lunch, they went shopping for gifts for N and the baby.


    Unlike before, Vrie seemed distracted, lost in her thoughts the entire time.


    Stefan considered asking what was wrong but decided against it. If she didn''t want


    to talk, no amount of questioning would change that.


    Once they finished shopping, Vrie drove Stefan back to the university.


    The car ride was quiet.


    When they reached the university''s entrance, Vrie finally turned to him. "Stefan, thanks for today. I really appreciate it."


    "It''s nothing," Stefan replied. "But I noticed you haven''t been yourself since lunch. You barely ate, and you seem off. If you ever want to talk about it, I''m always here to listen."


    Vrie paused before nodding with a small smile. "Okay, I''ll keep that in mind. Take care."


    "You too. Drive safe," Stefan said.


    After Stefan got out of the car, Vrie drove away.


    Charlie rushed into the Sumner Group CEO''s office, knocking hastily before speaking. "Mr. Sumner, Mr. Gilmour just publicly used you of being ungrateful. He''s saving you haven''t visited Ms. Snowden ?nce since her injury. The Inte is furious, and it''s starting to affect thepany''s image."


    Brandon''s expression remained cold. "I know. I''ll handle it. You can go now."


    Once Charlie left, Brandon immediately dialed Jayden''s number.


    The call was answered almost instantly, and Jayden''s voice came through,ced with mockery. "Well, well, aren''t you busy? What made you suddenly free to call me?"


    Brandon frowned. "Do you really think stirring up online drama will make me give in and visit the hospital?"


    Jaydenughed sharply. "If you''re not nning to visit, why bother calling me at all?"


    "I just want to tell you-stop wasting your time. I''m not going to see Michelle," Brandon spat.


    Jayden''s voice grew furious. "Has your conscience been eaten by a dog? If it weren''t for you, Michelle wouldn''t have gotten hurt! She''s been in the hospital all this time because of you!"


    Brandon''s ga?e darkened. His voice


    was calm, but firm. "You''re in love


    with her-that''s your business.


    want But


    Chase after her all you what you


    don''t expect me to do


    think is right. If it weren''t for her, Vrie and I wouldn''t have broken up."  S


    "Don''t me Michelle for everything! You and Vrie broke up because of you! You wanted to stay friends with Michelle while keeping Vrie by your side. You lied to her, which is why your rtionship fell apart Jayden retorted before mming the phone down.


    Brandon set his phone aside, letting out a bitterugh.


    Jayden was right.


    He had been too greedy. Too confident.


    He had thought he could bnce his rtionships with Michelle and Vrie, but all


    he had done was push things to an irreversible point.