As soon as Lance noticed Bettie walked into the wrong room, he quickly hurried after her.

Bradley sized him up, detecting a touch of animosity in Lance's demeanor. Squinting slightly, he probed, “Boyfriend?”

He recalled hearing that Bettie was single.

Bettie instinctively hid behind Bradley, gripping his sweater tightly.

Peeking out, she blurted, “He's no boyfriend of mine! He's a bad person who wants to grab me and sell me off, like to the ravines or something!"