"I just wanted to see if you''d tell me the truth. Now I know-you don''t trust me," Jayden said.


    Michelle cried, "Fine! I admit it. I sent Stefan after Vrie. I wanted him to ruin her rtionship with Brandon! Go ahead and tell Brandon if you want! I don''t care!"


    She stood, ready to leave.


    Before she reached the door, Jayden''s voice echoed behind her.


    "I won''t tell Brandon," he said. "But I won''t help you anymore, either. There''s still time to stop this. You can walk away now."


    Michelle''s footsteps faltered momentarily, but she didn''t turn back. She had never regretted her choices-why would she stop now?


    As long as she could have Brandon in the end, she wouldn''t give up.


    If Jayden refused to help, she''d just have to figure it out on her own.


    That evening, as Vrie got off work, she received a call from N.


    "Vrie,e over for dinner tonight! Oh, and by the way, I sent you a thank-you giftst night. Make sure you ept it," N said.


    Vrie had seen N''s money transfer that morning but hadn''t nned to ept it. She had meant to tell her but had been too busy to remember.


    "Sure, I''lle over. But there''s no need for the money. We''re friends-why be so formal?" Vrie said.


    ...


    When she arrived at the vi and stepped out of her car, she ran into Brandon. After what he''d said to her that morning, she had no interest in talking to him. Without a word, they walked inside together.


    The moment Vrie saw N, she headed straight to her and sat beside her.


    Brandon greeted N briefly before heading to the study to find Damon.


    N nced at Vrie''s neck and noticed faint marks. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively looked at Brandon before leaning.in close Vrie what''s with those. marks on your neck? Don''t tell me you and Brandon-"


    Before she could finish, Vrie quickly covered her mouth.


    "No! It''s just mosquito bites," she said awkwardly.


    N was skeptical.


    It was winter. Where would mosquitoes evene from?


    Seeing Vrie''s embarrassed expression, she decided to drop it. Instead, she switched topics. "Oh, by the way, Damon and I are nning a -trip in a few days. Want toe? You could use break."


    Vrie shook her head. "I''ve got too much work. There are several big projects I''m handling. I''ll be busy for a while."


    As the only daughter of the Weirs, she was expected to take over the Weir Group in the future. Her father had already started training her for the role.


    N looked a little disappointed. "Alright... Then we''ll n another trip when you''re free."


    "Sounds good. Are you bringing Buddy along?" Vrie asked.


    "Yeah. We don''t feelfortable leaving him at home," N said.


    Ever since the bullying incident, Mason had been in low spirits. This trip would be a good chance for him to unwind.


    "That sounds like a great idea. You guys should enjoy yourselves as a family," Vrie said.


    As they chatted, Lydia came in to announce that dinner was ready.


    N and Vrie moved to the dining table, and soon, Damon and Brandon joined them.


    Noticing Brandon''s dark expression, N shot Damon a questioning look.


    Damon raised his brows innocently, signaling that he had no idea either.


    Vrie caught the exchange and couldn''t help but tease, "Seriously? You two can''t even have dinner without exchanging secret looks Have some consideration for the rest of us!"