A man, flushed from drinking, stumbled forward and exclaimed, “Bro, that's wild! A car sex right out in the open, awesome!"

Initially, Elin was confused by the drunk man's words. Then, she caught their reflection in the car's side mirror. Erick, who was tall and slender, held her wrists from behind, both pressed against the car door. It did appear as though they were involved in intimate moments.

Elin's cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"Woo-hoo!" The drunk man continued to whistle. Erick released Elin and started walking toward him.

The drunk man's friend hurried over, clamping a hand over the drunk man's mouth and repeatedly apologizing to Erick. "I'm sorry. Please don't take his words to heart. He's just drunk.."

Elin stepped forward, her face still flushed, and whispered, “It's okay. He didn't know what he had said. He was just drunk. Let's go."

Elin definitely didn't want this to turn into a spectacle. What would she say if Raegan asked about it? That she and Erick were mistaken for being involved in intimate moments by the roadside? Just the thought made her squirm.

The drunk man's friend, noting Erick's commanding presence and refined air, realized Erick was not someone to provoke. He repeatedly bowed deeply, saying, “I'm sorry. I apologize to you and your girlfriend on his behalf! Please, you're a great man. Don't lower yourself to argue with a drunk man like him. I'll make sure to speak with him later."

Erick's stern expression eased slightly at the mention of "girlfriend."

He responded calmly, “If your friend is drunk, you should take him home to rest. It's better than letting him out to cause trouble you might regret."

This clearly showed Erick was ready to move past the incident, and the drunk man's friend thanked him profusely before leading the drunk man away.

Erick then turned, his eyes settling on Elin's hand as she clutched the edge of his coat. A flicker of uncertainty passed through his gaze.

Elin paused, suddenly aware, and quickly released his coat. She shuffled her feet, sensing the tension in the air, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Taking you home," Erick stated simply, taking the car keys from her and heading to her car.

"But..." Before Elin could refuse, Erick had already opened the passenger door for her, and she hesitantly climbed in. “Where's your car?" she inquired.

“The driver took it," Erick answered, leaving a lingering silence.

Elin hesitated and said, "I really don't need you to take me home. I still have to go to the office."

"It's late. Whatever it is can surely wait until tomorrow."

Elin really didn't want to leave with Erick, so she quickly made an excuse. "No, I still have some documents to finish..."

Just then, Erick took out his phone and called Raegan.