bChapter /bb444 /b

    “Next phase you can…” It was still that muffled male voice.

    #85b%% /b

    From Brian’s movements, it looked like he had opened a new voice message. Brian must have responded to something, but the office door had excellent soundproofing–she could only catch a few vague words here and there.

    It sounded like they were discussing work. ‘Have all the previous conversations been about work too?‘ Jessica wondered.

    That would actually make sense. After all, Brian had always been a workaholic, and spending so much time with her btely /b

    was what seemed unusual.

    Jessica looked down, lost in thought, when she heard Brian’s voice again through the door, sounding worried and uncertain. “Do we really have to… Isn’t there another way…”

    ‘Another way to what?‘ Jessica couldn’t help but think. She pressed her entire body against the door to listen.

    “This is the most direct approach. It only takes a few times… I hope you can…b” /b

    The muffled male voice sounded somewhat familiar, but Jessica couldn’t quite ce where she’d heard it before. More importantly, whatever they were discussing definitely didn’t sound like work.

    ‘Who is Brian talking to?‘ Jessica wondered, lowering her head.

    Just then, the voices outside suddenly stopped.

    Jessica snapped back to reality and quickly yanked the door open, going on the offensive. “What are you doing out here?”

    Brian had caught a glimpse of her reflection on the door and suspected she’d been eavesdropping, but her question instantly put him at ease. He exined gently, “Something came up at the office that needs my attention now. Did I disturb you? I’ll go further away next time.”

    “Fine,” Jessica replied coldly, grabbing her cup as she headed toward the break room.

    Brian immediately took the cup from her hands and asked what she wanted to drink so he could get it for her.

    Jessica casually mentioned juice and watched him stride toward the break room. As she thought back to the conversation she’d overheard, her instincts told her something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what bothered

    her..

    After dwelling on it for a while withouting up with any answers, Jessica decided to let it go for now.

    That afternoon, Sana finished herst document and remembered her ns. She immediately went to ask Jessica for time off. “Jessica, it’s my friend’s birthday today and she wants to go out for drinks. Would it be okay if I came in a littlete tomorrow morning?”

    “Of course,” Jessica agreed easily.

    Sana thanked her and grabbed her purse, heading out happily to the bar.

    b08:01 /bThub, /b21 Aug

    Night had fallen and the bar was buzzing with its usual crowd.

    Sana walked in and ordered a colorful cocktail, then found an empty booth and settled in. With her drink in hand, she started scoping out potential targets for the evening.

    Even for a one–night stand, she had high standards. She definitely wasn’t going to settle for less than she deserved.

    But after scanning the bar for what felt like forever, Sana couldn’t find anyone suitable. Sure, there were a few decent- looking guys, but the moment shepared them to Wesley, they all fell short.

    ‘Wait, why am Iparing them to him? Why am I even thinking about him right now?‘ Sana shook her head, trying to push Wesley’s image out of her mind.

    That was when a chubby guy with a drink in his hand plopped down beside her.

    “Hey gorgeous, you look like something’s bothering you. Tell me about it. Maybe I can help,” he said, clinking his ss against hers without waiting for permission.

    Sana stared at the obvious water stains on his ss rim, unable to hide her disgust. “No thanks. Please leave,” she said, dumping the rest of her drink into the trash can to make her rejection crystal clear.

    The guy acted like he didn’t get the hint and reached over to put his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, don’t be so cold. We’re all here to have fun, right? Why so uptight?”

    Sana’s brows furrowed as she started to get up and leave, but suddenly, another hand appeared out of nowhere and smacked the creep’s wandering hand away.

    “She told you to get lost. Are you deaf?” came a cold male voice.