?


    "Oh, I believe you-no need to get upset," Vrie replied.


    Jayden remained silent, though his expression darkened. For some reason, her words only fueled his anger.


    Michelle, realizing she had been thoroughly ignored, turned to Jayden and said, "Jayden, you don''t need to leave. I''ll go by myself."


    She grabbed her bag and hurried out of the room. As she passed Brandon, she noticed he didn''t even nce in her direction. Her face went pale, and she took a deep breath before walking quickly out of the private room.


    Jayden red at Brandon. "I never thought you''d change so much just because of a rtionship. All these years of brotherhood-do they really mean less to you than a girlfriend you''ve barely started dating?"


    Brandon had heard enough and let out a coldugh. "Of course my girlfriend means more to me than you do. Who do you think you are? Are you going to marry me? Have kids with me?


    "My girlfriend is my priority. If you don''t like her, then you don''t like me. I suggest you get over yourself."


    "Fine! Fine! I''ll remember what you said today!" Jayden snapped before storming out and mming the door behind him with a resounding bang.


    The room fell silent.


    Yale turned to Vrie with a calm smile. "Ms. Weir, please don''t take what happened just now to heart. I''d like to apologize on behalf of Michelle and Jayden. They''re young and sometimes act without thinking. I hope you won''t hold it against them."


    Vrie raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You''re being too polite, Mr. Radford. I wouldn''t take such trivial matters seriously."


    "That''s good to hear," Yale replied, his tone light but courteous.


    Although Michelle and Jayden left in a huff, the rest of the meal proceeded without further incident.


    Yale and Nn remained polite-not overly warm, but not cold either.


    After dinner, Brandon and Vrie said their goodbyes to the group at the door before heading out.


    On the drive home, Brandon nced


    at Vrie apologetically. "Vrie, m sorry. I''d known Michelle and


    Jayden would pull a stunt like that, I wouldn''t have invited them.


    Over the years, Brandon had made a point of distancing himself from Michelle to avoid any misunderstandings with Vrie.


    He hadn''t even wanted to invite


    Michelle that night, but Jayden had


    insisted. Not wanting to create


    tension, Brandon had reluctantl


    agreed, never expecting the two of


    them to cause such a scene


    Vrie smiled. "It''s fine. Don''t worry about it."


    After all, they were just his friends. Even if they were family, if anyone dared to act snide with her, she wouldn''t let it slide.


    Seeing that Vrie genuinely didn''t seem upset, Brandon finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    When they reached Vrie''s house, Brandon was about to step out of the car to walk her to the door when his phone rang. Seeing Jayden''s name on the screen, Brandon frowned and declined the call.


    Jayden was persistent, calling back almost immediately.


    Brandon answered the call with a frosty expression. "What is it?"


    "Brandon, we''re at the bar. Come join us for a drink," Jayden said.


    "No. I''m taking my girlfriend home, and I have a meeting in the morning. You alKenjoy yourselves," Brandon replied curtly before hanging up and putting his phone on silent.


    As he set the phone down, he noticed Vrie watching him with an amused smile.


    "What is it? Do I have something on my face?" he asked.


    Vrie shook her head. "No, I just think you don''t need to let things with your friends get so strained because of me. I can separate you from them."