Damon's gaze instantly darkened, but he remained silent. Instead, he withdrew his arm from Rebecca's grasp and pulled out the chair closest to her. "Have a seat."Afterward, he avoided looking at Rebecca and sat in the chair beside her.Rebecca's smile faltered momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure and sat next to him as if nothing had happened.Most people probably didn't notice, but Nathaniel could sense Damon's indifference toward Rebecca.Their behavior suggested that they had not reconciled, yet if they hadn't, Damon likely wouldn't have brought her along like this.Pushing aside the strange feeling in his heart, Nathaniel smiled and said, "Alright, it's Rebecca's welcome-back party tonight. I'm glad everyone could make time to come."The room buzzed with conversation, with most attention focused on Rebecca.For a moment, she felt as if she were back when she was with Damon—being the center of attention.She was well aware that if Damon hadn't come with her t
Mockery flashed in Connor Bambra's eyes. "Why is it that you can dish it out, but you can't take it?"Erin stood up, sneering. "You think standing up for Rebecca will get you a partnership with Prospectus Technology? Idiot!"Although Connor had been thinking along those lines, being called out by Erin before everyone made his face darken with anger."I think you're just bitter because you can't get the man you want, and now you're lashing out at everyone," he taunted."You—" Erin was livid. She shot to her feet and said coldly, "You'll regret this!"With that, she spun around and stormed out of the room.Throughout the ordeal, Damon watched the scene unfold with an indifferent expression, not a hint of emotion on his face.The room quickly returned to its lively atmosphere, as if nothing had happened.Despite the apparent calm, Rebecca couldn't shake her unease.In the past, even if someone spoke ill of her behind her back, Damon would never have let it slide if he found out.
"Even if you were the one who ended things, he wronged you first! Are you just going to take it lying down?" Valarie looked at Nyla, her expression a mix of anger and sympathy."What else can I do? He doesn't like me anymore. Am I supposed to hold a knife to his throat and force him to change his mind?" Nyla's voice was calm as if discussing something unrelated to her life.Her naivety had led her to believe Damon genuinely liked her, that he wouldn't hurt her as Clark had done.Valarie glanced down at Nyla's hands, clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. With a sigh, she said, "Let me go. I'm not going to cause a scene.""Really?" Nyla asked, unsure.Valarie nodded. "Yeah."People always kicked those who were down. Even if they confronted them now, the others would laugh at Nyla's expense.Nyla released Valarie and said softly, "Don't dwell on this. I've made peace with it."Sometimes, she still felt sad when she thought about him."Okay, let's not talk about
Nyla wasn't prepared for what happened next. Her lower back slammed against the edge of the marble sink, sending a sharp pain shooting through her body. Her face turned pale.Nathaniel quickly rushed over to support a swaying Rebecca, his expression anxious. "Rebecca, are you alright?"A bruise was already forming on Rebecca's forehead, but she managed a weak smile. "Nathaniel, I'm fine. Ms. Jayston didn't do it on purpose... Besides, I just got back, and Damon broke up with her. It's only natural for her to be angry with me..."Nathaniel's expression darkened as he glared at Nyla. "Rebecca and Damon were together before. They're just getting back together now. No matter how unhappy you are, there's nothing you can do about it. If I see you lay a hand on Rebecca again, I won't let you off easy!"Nyla had been caught off guard by Rebecca's little stunt, and her back still throbbed from when Nathaniel had shoved her into the sink.Already irritated, she couldn't help but sneer at hi
As Damon approached, Nyla frowned and instinctively stepped back, a wary look in her eyes. Was he planning to confront her because of Rebecca?When they were just a few steps apart, Nyla watched as he suddenly raised his hand toward her.Gritting her teeth, she warned, "Damon, if you dare lay a hand on me, I—"Before she could finish, Damon pulled her close and asked, "Are you hurt?"Nyla's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a cold reply, "No, let go of me!"Even if she was injured, it was none of his business.As she tried to push him away, he gently pressed a hand on her lower back where she had collided with the sink."Ow…" Nyla gasped in pain, glaring at Damon. "What are you doing? Let go—"Before she could finish, he scooped her up. Startled, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her face paling even more.Once the shock wore off, her anger flared. "Damon, what on earth are you doing? We've broken up! Put me down!"Damon's expression remained impass
"I don't want to choose either. Just stop the car now. I want to get out," Nyla said.Damon calmly resumed driving. "Since you don't want to choose, I'll do it for you."Nyla was so frustrated she almost laughed. She knew that no matter what she said, Damon wouldn't let her out of the car. Resigned, she turned her gaze coldly toward the window.In less than half an hour, they arrived at the hospital.Damon carried Nyla inside. Resisting was pointless, so she remained silent and expressionless.…After the examination, the doctor assured them there were no major issues and prescribed some medication for internal and external use.As they were leaving the hospital, Damon tried to carry Nyla again, but she stepped back to avoid him."Thanks for tonight, but I'll take a taxi home," she said coldly.With that, she picked up her medication and turned to leave the hospital.Damon followed her silently. As they approached his car, he stopped her and said, "I'll take you home."Nyla
Nyla pressed her lips together and called him. "I'm still out. There's no need to bring me anything next time."After a few seconds of silence on the other end, Gabriel's gentle voice came through. "Alright. It's already past 10:00 p.m. Do you need me to pick you up?"Because of what Wren had said, Nyla wasn't eager to have too much contact with Gabriel. She declined, "No, my friend is giving me a ride. If there's nothing else, that's it."She hung up, and Valarie looked at her with curiosity. "Who were you talking to?""My stepbrother," Nyla answered.Valarie's eyes widened in surprise. "He's back? When did that happen?"Since Valarie used to visit Nyla's home often, she had met Gabriel several times."Just a few days ago," Nyla replied."Oh, he seems to be quite concerned about you now. I remember when I used to visit you. He was pretty aloof," Valarie remarked."Yeah. By the way... I said I'd cover the bill tonight, but you ended up doing it. Send me the bill, and I'll reim
"Thanks, but there's no need. In the future, let's try to keep our interactions to a minimum. I don't want to be insulted anymore," Nyla requested coldly.She was about to walk past Gabriel when he stopped her."Nyla, I apologize on behalf of my mother for what she said. I've spoken to her, and she promises not to contact you again. Please don't be angry, okay?" Gabriel asked."If she truly believes she was wrong, then you wouldn't be the one showing up here tonight," Nyla replied.Gabriel frowned and asked softly, "If she came to apologize in person, would you forgive her?"Nyla's displeasure was evident. She didn't understand why Gabriel was so insistent that she forgive Wren.Wren was just her stepmother—their interactions had been minimal, and there was no need to force a reconciliation."I won't forget what she said to me, and I can't forgive her. If there's nothing else, don't come looking for me again," she said.Without giving Gabriel a chance to respond, Nyla opened th