The taxi drove directly to Erik's villa. Erik had been leaning on Janelle's shoulder the whole way and gripping her hand. Even when they arrived, he showed no reaction.
"Erik, we're here."
Hearing her voice, Erik finally opened his eyes.
"Hmm, let's go."
Janelle was sitting on the outside, so she had to get out first. After Erik got out, he immediately wrapped his arm around her and leaned against her.
"..."
Was he really drunk? Or was he faking it?
"My head hurts a bit. Could you walk me in? I don't want to go in alone."
Janelle was exasperated, but she still helped him inside. It seemed she was somewhat indulgent towards this man.
After helping him onto the sofa, she intended to leave him there to fend for himself. She hadn't anticipated that the man would pull her down onto the sofa with him.
And worse, he ended up pinning her beneath him.
What on earth does this man want? What is he thinking!
"Erik, you're drunk."
"Aren't we friends with benefits? Do you want it?" His large hand was already cupping her buttock.
Ever since he found out she'd stood him up for another man, this was exactly what he'd wanted to do.
Was anyone more important to her than him? Was he just an insignificant fuck buddy, the kind she could kick aside anytime?
He was never one to dwell on things internally. Yet, in these few days with her, he genuinely felt her indifference towards him.
Remembering the injuries on his back, Janelle didn't struggle. She grabbed his hand.
"Enough, Erik. I don't want to today."
"Really?" The man didn't believe her. His hand slid up her inner thigh. She tried to clamp her legs shut.
But...
"Want it? I know you do, Janelle. Seize the day and enjoy life while you can. Don't suppress yourself."
"I'll be a very good fuck buddy."
Janelle bit her lower lip. This man... he was like this every time.
A young woman's body was naturally sensitive; how could she possibly be a match for him? He used his hands to give her the ultimate pleasure, watching her succumb to ecstasy under his touch.
However, after her climax, Janelle pushed him away, showing no intention of continuing.
"I'm going home."
He wrapped his arms around her waist, refusing to let her leave.
"No."
Faced with the man's whining, Janelle didn't relent in the slightest. She got up directly and left.
Watching her merciless retreating figure, Erik felt a sour taste in his heart.
Her body was so soft, so wet... yet her heart was so hard.
With nothing to do at home alone, Erik went straight to the hospital to keep Bryan company.
Bryan was truly surprised to see Erik visit at this hour. Seeing that Erik seemed to be in a decent mood, however, put him at ease.
Erik and Janelle must have made up, right?
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Erik, I think you're different from before." Since meeting Janelle, Erik really had changed.
"Yeah?" Erik couldn't care less.
"You and Janelle..."
"Don't go prying into things, kid."
"..." Bryan felt utterly speechless. Janelle was only a year older than him. If she could date Erik, why was he still considered a kid in Erik's eyes?
Wasn't that a double standard?
"Erik, don't you hate hospitals? Maybe you should head back. It's uncomfortable to sleep here. I'll be fine alone."
"Alright. If you need anything, just tell Xiao Bai and the others. I'm off." He'd only come to see him out of boredom anyway. It was time to go.
Meanwhile, Janelle didn't go straight home. Instead, she went to find the butler.
Unfortunately, she arrived just as the butler's son, Andrew, had come back demanding money. The butler refused and got beaten up.
"You're my dad! Isn't your money supposed to be mine? Are you saving it to take to the grave?" Andrew yelled angrily.
"I don't care! If you don't give me money today, none of us will live!"
Andrew was a drug addict. He'd borrowed a lot of money, and after relatives refused to lend him more, he turned to loan sharks. Now the loan sharks were threatening his life if he didn't repay.
"Dad, please! You're the butler for the Rovellas! The Rovellas are filthy rich! And didn't you help Amber and her daughter before? Go ask them for money! They'll definitely give it to you!"
"I'm your only son! If I die, who's going to take care of you when you're old?!"
The butler remained silent, unwilling to speak.
Was this retribution? Because he had betrayed Madalyn, who had been so good to him, five years ago? Was that why he was suffering this now?
Seeing his father silent and unwilling to hand over money, Andrew flew into a rage and started kicking and punching him savagely.
Just then, Janelle kicked the door open and stormed in.
Andrew hadn't expected anyone to show up here.
"Who the hell—" he cursed, turning around... only to see a stunning beauty.
"Who are you?" Andrew stammered. The girl was incredibly beautiful... and looked somewhat familiar. Was she here for him?
Seeing the gorgeous girl, Andrew ran his bony fingers through his greasy, unwashed hair (unwashed for a week), trying to make himself look more presentable.
"Are you here for me?" Andrew had never seen such a beautiful girl and felt incredibly excited.
Janelle looked at Andrew as if he were garbage. The butler's son truly was a worthless piece of trash.
The butler was also shocked that Janelle had found his place.
"Why did you come here? Didn't I tell you? I know nothing! I was just an employee for your family! I really know nothing about what happened back then!" The butler felt utterly desperate. Having raised such a son, he was drowning in despair.
"So you really are the Rovellas heiress?" Andrew finally pieced it together.
"If you want to know about what happened five years ago, you can ask me! As long as you give me money, I'll tell you anything you want to know!" For money, Andrew would say anything. All he cared about right now was survival.
"Andrew, don't talk nonsense! You know nothing!" The butler panicked. Amber and Westin were not people to be trifled with. If they were truly angered, they would show no mercy to him or his son.
"Dad, if I don't repay the money, your son's life is over! Am I not your biological son? How can you care more about outsiders than my life?!"
Andrew had been nothing but noise since Janelle entered. She found him unbearably shrill.
"Shut up." The young woman shot Andrew a cold glance.
The girl was beautiful. Just that single glance was enough to make Andrew feel like all his bones had turned soft.
"Dad, tell me... what do you think about Miss Rovella becoming your daughter-in-law?" After all, Janelle was Westin's daughter. If he could become Westin's son-in-law... wouldn't his life be set from then on?
Andrew's fantasy grew sweeter by the second. His hand instinctively reached out towards Janelle.