"I've never been to a bar … " Lana complained meekly. "You know how strict Mom and Dad are with me. As long as they think that something's bad, then they won't let me do it. I'm already 24, but they still treat me like a kid, worrying about this and that. I thought they would be less controlling once I had a boyfriend, but they didn't change at all. I only had someone new bossing me around, and that's Lucas! I've wanted to go to bars and see more of the world since I came of age, but I've never even set foot in one until now." Lana leaned against Larissa and rubbed her cheek against Larissa's arm like a kitten. "Lyssa, I'm begging you. Just take me once … please?"Though Larissa had never approved of Yvette and Xavier's parenting methods, she found herself agreeing with them for once. "Bars are messy and dangerous. It's no place for a girl to visit." Especially more so for girls like Lana, who looked cute and innocent. They would easily become prey to men with bad intentions. Perhaps,
That was why Larissa was very worried about Lana, fearing that she would face the same predicament. She knew better than to venture into such places alone, as not only would she be unable to protect Lana effectively, but she might also become entangled in trouble herself. However, she couldn't tell Lucas, so she had no choice but to ask for Dylan's help.Dylan stopped his car outside the building and rolled down the window. "Sit in the back," he instructed. Larissa, puzzled by the request, nodded and opened the rear door nonetheless. To her surprise, someone was already inside. The dim lighting cast a soft glow, lending a warm aura to Kevan's face. The collar of his brown jacket was pulled up to his chin, obscuring a quarter of his face, and his eyes looked brighter than usual in the dark. Larissa paused, and her heart inexplicably skipped a beat. However, the moment she remembered that Lana was still in danger, she cast all her other thoughts aside and quickly climbed into the car.
Quinn Bar had a total of three floors. The first floor was the lobby, the second floor was a bar, and the VIP rooms were on the third floor. Several staff members stood as sentinels, stationed near the staircase between the first and second floors. The guests could only enter the bars after having their identification cards checked. Upon reaching the second floor, Larissa instinctively covered her ears, taken aback by the deafening electronic dance music that engulfed the space.The bar was dimly lit. The multicolored lights overhead cast a purple-reddish hue on the patrons mingling below, masking everyone's faces with the same color.A group of stylish youngsters was dancing on the dance floor, swaying their bodies to the music freely. The booths nearby were filled with groups of people drinking. Lana mentioned that she was trapped in the women's restroom on the second floor.Larissa stopped a passing waiter to ask for directions. Although she shouted at the top of her voice
"Alright." Intimidated by Kevan's domineering aura, Lana's intense emotions calmed down somewhat. "Don't hang up so that we can hear what's happening on your end," Kevan continued. They heard a loud noise coming from the other end of the call as soon as he finished speaking. Immediately after, Lana screamed in terror, "They're inside the restroom!"In a panic, Larissa forgot Kevan's earlier instructions. She grabbed his sleeve and hurriedly pulled him towards the restroom, exclaiming, "Let's go and save her now!"The very next second, Kevan pulled her back.Returning the phone to Larissa, he clamped his hands on her shoulders and bent down to meet her gaze. "Listen to me. Go outside and stay in the car. I won't let anything happen to Lana." Kevan spoke with such certainty that Larissa couldn't help but trust him. His steady gaze gradually calmed her pounding heart as she stared into his eyes."Okay." She nodded.Kevan and Dylan returned to the restroom.The door to the re
"Let go of me! Don't you dare touch me!" Lana cried out in despair, her hoarse voice cracking.Her makeup was long ruined by the tears that streaked across her face.Her pink hoodie was torn in the struggle, exposing her bare shoulders.The bald man heard the commotion and turned around.Seeing his underlings lying in a heap on the ground, he was both surprised and furious. "Who the fuck are you?" He released Lana and grabbed a mop that was leaning against the wall, swinging it forcefully toward Kevan. "Damn it, how dare you ruin my mood!" Kevan stopped his attack without hesitation by grabbing the mop handle with his bare hands. The bald man was caught off guard. Seizing the opportunity, he gave the mop a strong tug, causing the bald man to lose his footing and fall forward. Just as the bald man was about to crash into him, Kevan sidestepped out of the way and kicked him behind the knees. With a thud, the bald man collapsed onto the ground.While the fight was going on, L
Larissa swiftly turned on her toes and hurried to Lana's side. Supporting her arm, she gently draped her hoodie over Lana's shoulders. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"Lana shook her head, but her gaze was fixed on Kevan."Mr. Rogers," she called out timidly, "are you okay?""Yeah," Kevan responded indifferently, without even glancing at her.Lana's eyes welled with tears as she bit her lower lip."What happened here?" a police officer spoke up sternly. Lana spoke up first, pointing at the bald man lying motionless on the floor. "This man tried to violate me. Luckily, Mr. Rogers arrived in time … Otherwise, I would have been … "She hung her head and sobbed, overwhelmed with sadness. Given that everything at the scene aligned perfectly with Lana's description, the police did not feel the need to ask further questions. They proceeded to apprehend all the thugs and brought them back to the police station for interrogation. The only female police officer on the team even came o
Lana blushed shyly. "Sorry to trouble both of you." Dylan suppressed a laugh. "No trouble at all. It's the least we can do."Rolling her eyes, Larissa gave Dylan a disapproving glance but ultimately didn't expose him. The four of them entered the elevator, and Dylan pressed the buttons for floors 18, 19, and 20 in order."What?" Lana turned to look at him, her big eyes filled with confusion. "Why did you press the buttons for three floors?" Dylan pursed his lips, pretending to be mysterious. "You'll see later."The elevator quickly arrived on the 18th floor. After the doors opened, Dylan stepped out and waved to Lana. "Goodbye, Ms. Seymour.""Huh?" Lana's eyes widened, but before she could get an answer from Dylan, the elevator doors closed again. Lana turned to look at Larissa."Mr. Shields lives on the 18th floor," Larissa explained, "I live on the 19th floor, and Mr. Rogers is on the 20th.""You all live in the same building?" Lana was surprised. "That's weird!" She l
Larissa closed her eyes and suppressed her rising frustration. She pointed towards the bathroom. "There's a socket on the wall next to the sink. Go there and dry your hair before coming out.""Okay." Lana unplugged the hairdryer and entered the bathroom obediently. Larissa got off the bed and wiped up the puddle of water with tissue paper. By the time Lana had finished blow-drying her hair, Larissa was already fast asleep.Lana climbed into bed with Larissa and burrowed under her blanket. Grabbing her arm, she shook it vigorously, calling her sister's name, "Larissa!" Lana persisted until she finally woke Larissa up.Unable to put up with her antics any longer, Larissa snapped impatiently, "What's the matter?"Lana was startled by her sharp tone and bit on her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "I … I can't sleep. I wish to talk to you for a while. However, if you're tired, it's okay. You can go back to sleep. Don't mind me." Lana wiped away her tears with the back of