Charles Jennings’s usual gentle smile returned. "Don’t overthink it," he said. "And don’t blame yourself."

’It was clearly my fault, yet here he is, comforting me and telling me not to feel guilty,’

Serena Sutton bit her lip, a warmth spreading through her chest. As she lowered her gaze, she missed the flicker of indifference that passed through his eyes.

On the street, Joanna Kennedy walked silently behind Anna Yates, not daring to remind her that she hadn’t driven.

Anna Yates walked at a blistering pace, only calming down ten minutes later, her expression turning blank.

Unable to gauge her friend’s mood, Joanna asked hesitantly, "Are you okay?"

Anna Yates raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like I even like him."

"Then why did you look so... heartbroken?"

"I’m just pissed off with how he handled it. If he wasn’t interested, he should’ve just said so, you know? He made it seem like I was pestering him. At the very least, he could’ve told his own family. It’s so spineless."

Joanna breathed a sigh of relief and chimed in, "Exactly. He’s spineless, and old. Totally not good enough for you."

"And a hypocrite."

"And a total fake."

The two of them went back and forth, roasting him on the street. When they were done, they looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Anna Yates rubbed her face, which was stiff from laughing. "Jo, I’m so glad I have you. You’re right—he’s just some old man. How could he compare to hot young guys?"

"You said it." Joanna agreed unconditionally, giving a thumbs-up, not yet realizing what was coming.

The next second, Anna Yates slapped her on the shoulder. "Come on, I’m taking you to hire some male escorts. We’re only picking the eighteen-year-olds!"

Joanna: "????!!!!"

Ten minutes later, at Nightfall Bar, Joanna Kennedy stared woodenly at the line of dashing male escorts before her. "..."

’Right, right, right. Anna Yates has really grown up.’

Anna Yates first picked a sunny, handsome type, then waved her hand magnanimously. "Come on, Jo, pick one."

Joanna’s head was starting to ache. "I think I’ll pass."

’I have a really bad feeling about this.’

Anna Yates frowned. Adhering to the friendship code that good things must be shared, she went ahead and picked one for Joanna.

He was very handsome, with a touch of cool aloofness.

Anna Yates whispered, "Don’t worry, everyone here is very discreet. Celebrities and tycoons come here all the time. I heard the one I picked for you goes to a top university. A straight-A student. He’s just your type."

Joanna looked at Anna Yates, then at the male university student who had just sat down beside her. "..."

’A carbon copy of Simon Lockwood, then.’

Unfortunately, Anna Yates had misjudged this time. The aloof act didn’t last two minutes before the escort revealed his true colors, casually draping his arm over the back of Joanna’s seat.

Joanna sat up a little straighter and, with a blank expression, pulled out her phone to play on it.

Across from them, Anna Yates was happily flirting with her own escort, downing one drink after another.

Meanwhile, Joanna was focused on her game. The university student stared at her delicate, innocent profile and licked his lips.

’Fuck, she’s gorgeous,’

He deliberately deepened his voice into a pleasant murmur. "I’ve seen your shows... sis. You’re a great actress."

’Sis...?’

’Are all male escorts this greasy these days?’

The corner of Joanna’s mouth twitched. She scooted away, but the escort just followed, pressing closer.

Joanna took a deep breath and said coldly, "If you move one inch closer, I’m reporting you."

The escort: "..."

Not one to give up, the escort brought over several bottles of liquor and mineral water. "Alright, alright, if you don’t like people getting close, I won’t get close," he said placatingly. "But I’m getting paid, so I have to provide some kind of service. How about I mix a drink for you, hmm? My bartending skills are top-notch~" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"N—"

"Mix one for me too! I want to drink with Jo!"

Her unfinished word was cut off by Anna Yates. Joanna patted her forehead, her headache worsening.

The escort’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly agreed.

He wasn’t lying, either. His movements were smooth and practiced as he mixed the drinks; he clearly knew what he was doing.

Soon, two blue-hued cocktails were ready. Anna Yates carried them over, shoving one into Joanna’s hand. "Come on, drink with me!"

She wore the serious expression of someone who believed true friends don’t let friends drink alone. Joanna sighed in resignation. "Fine."

’It’s just one cocktail. What’s the worst that could happen? I’ve handled baijiu before,’ Joanna thought.

But she had clearly overestimated her tolerance for alcohol and underestimated the cocktail’s kick.

It was sweet and refreshing, with barely any taste of alcohol, but it went straight to her head within minutes. Joanna felt her whole body go light.

Seeing his chance, the escort beside her steadied her by the waist and deliberately breathed hot air into her ear. "You okay, honey?"

Joanna felt a wave of disgust. She forcefully ripped his hand away and snarled, "Fuck off."

Her shout startled everyone. Anna Yates waved the escort over to the other side and held up Joanna. "No way. Your tolerance is this bad? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

It was only one cocktail. Anna herself had drunk several and didn’t even feel tipsy.

Joanna was dizzy. Recognizing a familiar face, she leaned against Anna. "I don’t feel good..."

Her voice was muffled and whiny.

"...Get up. I’ll take you home." Anna’s tone softened considerably, a pang of regret hitting her for bringing Joanna here.

Not wanting to ruin Anna’s fun, Joanna shook her head. "I’ll just rest here for a bit. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me."

How could she not worry? She wasn’t a frenemy. Anna Yates pulled at her. Joanna stumbled, getting up too quickly, which made her even dizzier. "Where’s Simon Lockwood?" she mumbled.

...

Anna Yates was silent for a few seconds. "Who did you just say?"

"Simon Lockwood," Joanna said. "Why isn’t he here?"

The air suddenly became unnervingly quiet.

The two escorts exchanged a look and tacitly retreated to a corner, staying silent.

Joanna asked again. Anna Yates stared at her. "Do you have any idea what you’re saying?"

"Of course I do..." Joanna, remembering what Simon Lockwood had said that morning, felt a surge of frustration. "Forget it. Let’s not find him. He’s always picking on me now, and I can never win an argument against him..."

’Now?!’

Anna Yates’s eyes widened slightly, her voice filled with disbelief. "Did you two get back together?"

Joanna nodded, then shook her head.

’What is that supposed to mean?’ Anna grew impatient. "So did you or didn’t you?"

"...He said either way was fine." Joanna sounded deflated, her head hanging low.

’What the hell is that supposed to mean, ’either way was fine’?!’

Seeing Joanna’s dejected expression, an idea sparked in Anna Yates’s mind. She pulled out Joanna’s phone, aimed it at her face, and successfully unlocked it.

She scrolled through the contacts but couldn’t find Simon Lockwood’s name. "What’s his number?" she asked.

"152..." Joanna rattled off a string of numbers with practiced ease.

The call connected almost instantly. A man’s voice echoed through the private room. "What is it?"

For some reason, Anna detected a hint of affection in those three deep, low words. She cleared her throat and said, "Um, Jo’s drunk. She’s at Nightfall Bar right now."

「Ten o’clock at night.」 A black Maybach pulled up to the entrance of Nightfall Bar, where sloppily drunk men and women were occasionally dragged out, their clothes in disarray.