?


    After Brandon''s post went live, the Sumner Group''s PR team quickly sprang into action, hiring a wave of paidmenters to fuel the conversation. Shortly after, rumors resurfaced about Tom''s infidelity during his past rtionship with Vrie.


    [I used to think Tom was a decent guy. Turns out he''s just a scumbag! He cheated on Vrie before and now can''t stand seeing her happy with someone else? Pathetic.]


    [An ex should stay in the past like they''re dead. Tom is the definition of "can''t let go". If I were Vrie, I''d be disgusted beyond words.]


    [Funny how this morning mostments were roasting Brandon. Tom, you buying some bots yourself?]


    ...


    The heated debate in thements section quickly reached Tom, who merely snickered upon hearing about it.


    He wasn''t surprised. After all, he never expected this incident to deliver a decisive blow to the Sumner Group. It was merely the opening move. Vrie had also seen the video of the fight while at work, but she reacted indifferently.


    After watching for a bit, she closed the video and refocused on her tasks.


    As her workday ended, Brandon texted her, saying he was waiting outside her office building.


    Still upset about the previous night, Vrie didn''t want to see him.


    Vrie: [Let''s take a few days to cool down. Go home.]


    When he didn''t respond, she didn''t think much of it. She packed up and left her office


    Unexpectedly, when she arrived at the underground parking garage, she saw him standing next to her car.


    Brandon, dressed sharply in a gray suit with his usual aloof demeanor, had a hint of rebellion in his slightly open cor. His intense gaze locked onto hers as though he feared she''d vanish if he looked away.


    Vrie sighed and walked over. "I told you, we need time to cool off."


    Brandon looked at her, his eyes filled with guilt. "Vatarie, I''m sorry. Last night was my fault. I shouldn''t have gone to a gathering with Michelle and Jayden knowing how much you


    dislike them. I prom you


    on


    wn


    now


    "Brandon," Vrie interrupted, sounding weary. "I''m not upset about you hanging out with them."


    "Then what is it?" Brandon asked.


    "It''s that you and your friends don''t


    et


    know where to draw the line. You said it was just a game of truth or dare. If that''s all it was, then I hope you won''t mind if I start ying ''harmless games'' like that with my male friends," Vrie exined.


    Brandon''s expression darkened instantly, his demeanor shifting as tension filled the air. "I won''t allow it."


    "Oh, so it''s fine for you but not for me? Don''t you think that''s a bit hypocritical?" Vrie countered.


    "Vrie, I was about to refuse when you walked in. I have a girlfriend-I know how to maintain boundaries with Michelle," Brandon said. Vrie paused, then spoke softly. "Let''s just take a few days apart to cool down."


    She moved to open her car door, but Brandon grabbed her hand.


    "Vrie, don''t you trust me?" he asked.


    Vrie looked up at him, her gaze steady. "If it were my friends egging me on to kiss another manst night, would you have trusted me?"


    "I would. Trust is the cornerstone of any rtionship. Until something actually happens, I would choose to believe in you," Brandon imed.


    His answer made herugh bitterly.


    She pulled her hand away and said,


    "When I went to see Tom, nothing t


    happened then either. But you rushed over, demanding answers. That wasn''t so long ago. Have you already forgotten?"