After cing Vrie on the couch, Stefan stepped out of the private room to answer the call.


    Michelle sneered. "Stefan, tomorrow is the deadline for your mother''s medical bill, and you haven''t made any progress.


    "Looks like you really don''t care about the money. Or... have you gotten close to Vrie and don''t need it anymore?


    "What a pity. Vrie still doesn''t know you have ulterior motives. Do you want me to help tell her?"


    Stefan lowered his head, his eyes dark with emotion. "I''ll send the photos in a bit."


    He hung up without hesitation.


    Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he didn''t return to the private room immediately. Instead, he leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette.


    The swirling smoke obscured his features, making it impossible to read his expression.


    It felt like his entire life had been shrouded in darkness since birth. No matter how hard he fought, he could never break free.


    His phone buzzed with a new message from Michelle.


    Michelle: [Stefan, your mother is in a VIP ward, and her daily medical and hospital expenses cost thousands. Even if you sold your blood or kidney, you wouldn''t be able to afford it. I''m just asking you to take a few bed photos with Vrie. You''re not even losing out. Stop dragging your feet. Don''t tell me you''ve actually fallen for her? Let me remind you know your ce. A woman like Vrie would never fall for a worthless nobody like you.]


    Stefan read the message, then expressionlessly deleted it. He stubbed out his cigarette and turned back toward the private room.


    By the time he returned, Vrie had already finished another bottle of alcohol.


    Hearing the door open, she lifted her head slowly. When she saw him, she smiled. "You''re back!"


    Stefan paused for a moment, then quickly walked over to her. "Veevee, it''s reallyte now. Let me take you home."


    Vrie blinked, processing his words. After a long moment, she nodded and reached out a hand to him. "Okay, help me up."


    Staring at her delicate hand, Stefan swallowed hard before reaching out to take it. Once he helped her up, he realized she could barely stand and was practically hanging on him.


    Without hesitation, he picked her up and carried her out.


    As they passed through the lively crowd and stepped outside, the chilly night air hit them.


    Vrie instinctively curled into his embrace. "It''s cold..."


    "It won''t be for long," Stefan murmured.


    Standing at the entrance of the bar


    for a


    then? It, Stefan seemed t


    make a decision and turned toward the nearby hotel.


    An hourter, Michelle smirked coldly as she looked at the photos Stefan had sent.


    She dialed a number. "Go ahead and pay for Stefan''s mother''s hospital bill for next month."


    After hanging up, she thought for a moment before deciding to send the pictures anonymously to Brandon.


    Once he saw them, he''d definitely give up on Vrie for good.


    Inside the hotel room, Stefan''s gazended


    Vren


    the faint red marks on et


    ''s neck and chest. His


    expression was


    conflicted


    When he hadid her on the bed earlier, there had been a brief moment where he


    almost gave in to temptation.


    At thest second, however, he managed to restrain himself.


    After hurriedly taking a few pictures and sending them to Michelle, he immediately redressed Vrie.


    His original intent for approaching


    her had been impure enough. If he had actually taken advantage of her while she was drunk, she would, never forgive him once she found out the truth.


    It was better to stop now, while there was still a chance for redemption.


    ...


    Vrie woke up with a splitting headache at 9:00 a.m. the next morning.


    She sat up, pressing her fingers to her aching temples as fragments ofst night''s events slowly returned to her.


    "Veevee, you''re awake?" she heard Stefan ask.