Noticing Sanford attempting to rise from the bed, Brian promptly approached him and lent a hand.

"Why this indifference? What happened?" Brian asked.

Sanford managed to rise, slowly moved to the water dispenser, and filled a glass for Brian. jothing."

“Why won't you confide in me?" Accepting the glass, Brian asked further, “Did your mother say something to you? Rosalynn mentioned your mother's intention to buy off Maggie.”

Hearing this, Sanford smiled faintly.

He positioned himself by the window, the starry night sky outside reflecting in his gaze, lending him a look of solitude and gloom.

“Do you have a cigarette?”

"I do, but I can't give you," Brian replied.

Sanford sighed, “I won't smoke. I just want to smell it."

Brian relented and handed him a cigarette from his pack.

Sanford inhaled the scent deeply, fell into thought, and finally asked, “Brian, am I a man blinded by love?"

A man blinded by Love?

Brian quirked a brow, seeking clarification.

“What do you mean?"

With a self-deprecating smile, Sanford confessed, “I always believed that the women I Loved were pure-hearted, Loving me genuinely."

Brian narrowed his eyes in contemplation.

“Are you suggesting Maggie isn't such a woman?"

Sanford twirled the unlit cigarette in his hand.

“My mother forced me to listen to a recording of her conversation with Maggie this morning.

In it, Maggie confessed she didn't Love me. She only loved my wealth.”

Brian's eyebrows knitted together

“Are you certain? Could there be some misunderstanding? Rosalynn didn't mention this."