?


    After being taken to the police station, Ruby knew she couldn''t keep hiding the truth, so she confessed everything. She had already anticipated this oue when making her choices.


    It seemed her luck had never been good.


    Born into a family that valued sons over daughters, she had worked hard to get into university and join ab.


    Her family, desperate to repay her brother''s gambling debts, tried to force her into marrying an old widower from her vige.


    If it hadn''t been for Sullivan saving her on several asions, she might have already ended up living that life.


    Selling the apartment Sullivan left her was supposed to be her way out a chance to start fresh in a ce where no one knew her.


    But life, as always, had other ns.


    Ruby knew she had been selfish and greedy. Still, if her family hadn''t pushed her to the brink, she might never have gone down this path. After finishing her confession, she told the officer, "I''d like to see someone."


    ...


    When N was informed that Ruby had been arrested and wanted to see her, she remained silent for a long time.


    In the end, she decided against it.


    "There''s no need for me to go," she said. "Please tell her this: I hope she never makes the same mistake again."


    The officer replied, "Ms. Kinsey, she also asked us to pass along a message if you refused to meet her. She wanted to say she''s sorry." "Thank you," N said softly before hanging up.


    Taking a deep breath, she pushed the matter aside and focused on documenting her experiment.


    If Ruby had sought her help earlier, perhaps things wouldn''t havee to this. In the end, it all came down to her ownck of resolve and her decision to take a shortcut.


    But shortcuts, as often as not, were riddled with thorns.


    That evening, Damon noticed N''s low spirits on the way home. He set down the document he had been reviewing and asked, "Still upset about Ruby?"


    N shook her head. "It''s just... I feel a little emotional. Back in Capitarnia, she was the hardest-working person in theb. Whenever I went there, she was always present.


    "Sometimes, she''d even stay in theb for a month straight, waiting for results. If only she hadn''t made that mistake, she could have had the life she wanted."


    Damon pulled her into his arms,


    replying, "Everyone has different life experiences. When faced with the same situation, people make different choices. She just couldn''t resist temptation. Don''t dwelton it too much."  S


    "Mm," N hummed.


    When they arrived home, N stepped into the living room and


    was surprised to see Vrie on the floor, ying with Mason, while


    Brandon sat on the sofa, looking dotingly at them.


    Why were they there together?


    Seeing N and Damon enter, Brandon rose to greet them. "Uncle Damon, Aunt N."


    Damon nodded. "Let''s talk in the study."


    "Okay," Brandon replied.


    The two men disappeared down the hallway, leaving N to join Vrie and Mason. She crouched beside them and asked Vrie, "You and Brandon have made up?"


    "Mm, he apologized-and he was sincere about it. So, I forgave him," Vrie answered.


    "Weren''t you the one calling mete at night, vowing never to forgive him this time?" N teased.


    Vrie blushed, rolling her eyes. "Look who''s talking. Don''t you do the same with Damon when you two fight?"


    Nughed. "Fair point. I''ll let it go. By the way, has Tom stopped pestering you?"


    At the mention of Tom, Vrie


    scowled. Don''t even bring him up. It''s so annoying! He''s been sending flowers and expensive gifts to my office every daytely. He''s never been this generous before.