"I can't, Aldrich. My heart belongs to him, and only him. Step aside!"

But Aldrich, undeterred, enfolded her in his arms, immobilizing her.

“Why can't you just Let him go? Didn't he outright reject you?"

“That's for me to worry about. Release me, Aldrich,” Selina demanded, squirming to Loosen his hold.

Out of the blue, Aldrich brought up a question.

“You want Eleanor to be freed, don't you?”

Selina's movement stilled as she looked at Aldrich.

"You heard it?"

Aldrich nodded, his gaze steady on her.

“Why would you even care about Eleanor?”

Selina made an excuse.

“Eleanor‘s my cousin, and she sought my aid. I can't just ignore her."

Aldrich mulled over her words, the silence stretching between them.

Eventually, he broke it.

"I could be of some help."

Could he really offer assistance?

Her eyes sparkled with new hope.

“You can actually help her?"

Wrapping an arm around her, Aldrich ran his fingers through her hair.

“Indeed, I can. But I have a condition."

“What's your condition?"

Lowering his face to her level, Aldrich whispered into her ear, a smirk playing on his lips, “Your company, tonight."