N looked at Vrie. "What do you mean, giving each other looks? Just eat. I made your favorite-spicy chicken."


    Vrie nodded. "Okay."


    As they ate, Damon nced at Brandon. "When are you going back to thepany?"


    It had been nearly a month since Brandon left the Sumner Group. If he stayed away much longer, the people he had trained might start siding with someone else.


    Brandon paused mid-bite, instinctively ncing at Vrie across the table. She didn''t even look his way.


    After a brief silence, he lowered his gaze. "In a few days."


    "Alright." Damon didn''t press the issue.


    Brandon was the CEO of the Sumner Group. Damon couldn''t keep treating him like a subordinate.


    Halfway through the meal, Brandon''s phone rang.


    Seeing Jayden''s name on the screen, he frowned and ignored it. But the phone rang again. And again.


    After declining multiple calls, he realized the others at the table were all looking at him.


    He picked up the phone. "It might be urgent."


    Stepping aside, he answered in a low voice. "Jayden, I''m busy. Don''t call again—" "Brandon, Michelle attempted suicide. She''s in the ER. The doctors said she lost a lot of blood... She might not make it," Jayden said.


    Brandon let out a coldugh. "She tried coercion, and when that didn''t work, she resorted to this? Whatever happens to her has nothing to do with me."


    Without another word, he hung up.


    As he turned back, a text from Jayden came through.


    Jayden: [I''m at Pinnacle Hospital. Come if you still have a conscience.]


    Brandon''s grip tightened around his phone, his knuckles turning white.


    After several seconds, he deleted the message, his face nk.


    Even though he had no intention of going, he found himself losing his appetite.


    Regardless of his feelings for Michelle, they had been friends for years fe didn''t love her but as a


    friend, he had never wanted anything bad to happen to her.


    After dinner, Vrie said goodbye to N and Damon before heading out.


    Just as she reached the door, her phone rang.


    Seeing Stefan''s name on the screen, she was surprised.


    Since the day they''d met, he had only ever contacted her through texts. This was the first time he had actually called.


    She answered, and his anxious voice came through immediately. "Veevee, where are you right now?"


    "I just had dinner at a friend''s house. What''s wrong?" Vrie asked.


    "I need your help," Stefan said.


    As Brandon stepped out of the vi


    he


    t a glimpse of V


    taillights flickering before he


    disappeared into the night.


    He let out a bitterugh. She really didn''t want to be around him.


    Just as he was about to leave, his phone rang again. This time, it was Yale.


    "Brandon, I heard Michelle attempted suicide. She''s in the ER. Nn and I are heading over. Are youing?"


    They all knew Michelle had done this because of him.


    Brandon lowered his gaze. After a moment, he said, "I''m not going. Let me know if she makes it."


    "Alright. We''ll keep you updated," Yale said.


    Hanging up, Brandon got in his car and drove off.


    As soon as Yale and Nn arrived at Pinnacle Hospital, they saw Vde


    rushing toward the inpatient department with a young man who Hooked several years younger than her


    Nn turned to Yale. "Did I just see Vrie? Who was that guy with her? I don''t recognize him."