Katelyn nearly spat out the wine, her throat seizing up in a violent coughing fit that seemed to last forever. The young man quickly handed her a tissue, gently rubbing her back as he tried to soothe her. After a long moment, Katelyn finally calmed down, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the young man.

“What did you just say? Can you repeat that?”

The young man hesitated, looking slightly unsure, before replying, “Would you consider having me as your sweetheart? I’m young, smooth-talking, and in great shape.”

In her entire life, Katelyn had never encountered someone so eager to be kept, leaving her momentarily speechless. She had always thought of this young man as sweet and innocent, never expecting him to make such a bold offer. Aimee, sitting across from them, wore a knowing smile, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Wow, I never thought you’d be so popular with men that someone would actually step forward and offer himself,” she teased lightly.

Katelyn was left without a reply, her thoughts tangled in surprise. She gazed at the young man, her face revealing a swirl of confusion and intrigue.

“You might be mistaken. I’m not interested in that kind of relationship,” she replied, her voice firm but uncertain.

But the young man wasn’t about to give up easily. He leaned in, his tone softening, almost desperate. “Ladies, I know this might make you think less of me, but I honestly have no other options. The pressure at home is overwhelming, and the money I make from selling wine isn’t nearly enough.”

Katelyn couldn’t help but retort, “So you’re selling yourself instead?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Katelyn nearly bit her tongue.

The tension in the air thickened around the table.

Your favorite updates g?lnσν?ls?com

Aimee rested her head on her hand, shaking her head slightly. “I appreciate your honesty, but there’s no need to be so direct about it.”

Katelyn, known for her blunt remarks, often disrupted the mood.

With tears brimming in his eyes, the young man nodded, releasing a heavy sigh. “I have no other options. This is the only road I can take.”

Katelyn forced a smile, her mind racing, unsure of how to handle the situation.

Katelyn glanced at Aimee with desperation, only to see her friend turn her head away.

“He asked you, not me,” Aimee teased with a playful smile. “But I wouldn’t say no to someone this cute.”

Katelyn felt completely lost.

When she looked into the young man’s pleading, watery eyes, the words to refuse him vanished from her lips. Being soft-hearted, Katelyn couldn’t ignore someone in such a tough situation. After a moment of thought, she finally spoke.

“You should really consider other options. This path doesn’t seem like the right one for you.”

She tried to choose her words carefully, hoping to protect his pride.

But to her surprise, the young man suddenly took her hand and pressed it against his stomach.

“If you don’t keep me, I’ll just find someone else. What if that person turns out to be a creep?” he said, his voice strained.

Katelyn’s heart raced, and she instinctively withdrew her hand.

Aimee’s teasing smile faded, her expression now serious and intent.

“What are you trying to do?” she asked, her tone sharp.

The young man, visibly shaken, replied, “I just want to fight for a chance to make it.”

“You’ve got the wrong person,” Katelyn said firmly, her voice losing its softness.

The warmth in her tone disappeared entirely.

With her background in psychology, Katelyn was skilled at reading people, easily picking up on thoughts through their words and body language. ? find?novel.net

Although the young man had initially seemed harmless and worthy of sympathy, he refused to back down after her clear rejection. Instead, he kept pushing forward, trying to use his sad story to manipulate her emotions.

Katelyn felt no sympathy for someone who constantly played the victim.

Tears trickled down the young man’s face. “Please…”

To him, Katelyn was the best potential client he had encountered in a month of working the bar. Not only was she young and beautiful, but she also seemed generous. She was the ideal patron he had been searching for, and now that the opportunity was so close, he was hesitant to let it slip away.

“Miss, I—”

He was on the verge of saying more when a chilling voice suddenly interrupted from behind them.

“Katelyn.”

Though it was just her name, the tone carried such sharpness that even the young man flinched. He turned instinctively, his gaze drawn to a man with striking, intense features and piercing eyes.

Even under the dim lights of the bar, the man’s face was distinctly sculpted, unforgettable.

Vincent’s gaze lingered on the young man for a brief moment before shifting to Katelyn. His eyes narrowed as he spoke with a weighty tone.

“So, this is your type?”

Katelyn was immediately overwhelmed with questions. How had Vincent suddenly appeared here? What was with his tone? Why did he sound like a jealous boyfriend right now?

“Get lost!” she snapped, the irritation evident in her voice.

.

.

.