He was stunned for only a few seconds before straightening up. He appraised her attempted seduction with a single comment, "Still a little too green."

With that, he turned to leave.

This was her last chance, and Georgia Thorne refused to give up this final sliver of hope.

All her fear suddenly vanished. Mustering her courage, she reached out from behind Elliot Sheridan and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

’Even though I’m scared, I have to keep going.’

Her hand reached out, grabbing his tie. "I’ll be so good, I promise. I won’t cause you any trouble, really!"

She spoke with a mix of pleading and urgency. Disregarding the consequences, she tugged hard on his tie, trying to pull him in for a kiss.

This time, however, Elliot Sheridan didn’t yield.

He pressed on her shoulders, applying just enough force to push her away. "Miss Thorne, please have some self-respect."

Georgia Thorne looked at him, crestfallen. "I really will be good from now on."

’As long as he could keep Jared Thorne from shopping me around, I really would be good.’

Elliot Sheridan walked around her and continued toward the door, but he heard Georgia Thorne’s demanding voice. "If you’re not interested in me, why did you bring me home?"

"You carried me upstairs yourself, and you didn’t even reject me when I tried to kiss you just now."

Elliot Sheridan turned to the side and smiled. "Miss Thorne, I brought you home purely for Selena’s sake. As for what you’re thinking... I can only apologize."

Georgia Thorne stared at him. ’So... my feeling that he was interested in me... was all just my imagination?’

Outside the door, Amanda Thorne thought she heard voices from within. Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she reached out and knocked.

She tried to make her voice sound casual. "Mr. Sheridan? Is my sister alright?"

The moment she finished speaking, Elliot Sheridan opened the door.

"She may have had too much to drink and is acting out a little," Elliot Sheridan said, striding toward the stairs.

Amanda Thorne glanced into the room at Georgia. She saw her just standing there, not looking at all like someone who was acting out. A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind, but she quickly followed Elliot Sheridan’s pace down the stairs.

When Hayley Sullivan saw Amanda Thorne and Elliot Sheridan coming down the stairs together, she hurried over. "Mr. Sheridan, it’s gotten so late..."

’Why don’t you just stay the night...’

Before Hayley Sullivan could finish, Elliot Sheridan cut her off, his voice cool. "My apologies. It is late, so I should be going."

Elliot Sheridan strode outside, with Amanda trailing behind, unable to get a word in edgewise.

Elliot Sheridan’s expression seemed to have soured. Hayley Sullivan quickly shot Amanda a look. "Amanda, hurry and see Mr. Sheridan out. Don’t be rude."

「In the room」

Georgia Thorne walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, and looked down, just in time to see Elliot Sheridan and Amanda Thorne walking side by side.

’A mature, charming man like Elliot Sheridan would probably prefer a woman like Amanda—alluring, with a stunning figure.’

’If I weren’t good friends with Selena, Elliot Sheridan would never have even noticed me.’

’He was probably the one who was supposed to take Amanda home after the yacht party.’

Through the dim light, she saw Amanda stumble into Elliot Sheridan’s arms. He didn’t pull away; instead, he caught her and held her steady.