"You seem to have a lot of free time. Don't you have a company to run?"

"I'm troubled," Forrest confessed, looking defeated.

Alick gazed at him with an icy stare.

Could Forrest truly be upset?

How could his annoyance compare to Isaac's?

"I believe Laura utterly despises me." He was at a loss, uncertain of how to handle her.

No matter his actions, it appeared as if he only drove her further away.

Was it possible that she held no affection for him at all?

"It's only right that she despises you," Alick stated coldly. “If she were to stay with you, she must be either insane or mentally unstable."

Forrest's brow creased, and he questioned, "Whose side are you on?"

Why wouldn't Alick defend him?

He had sought Alick's company for comfort, not ridicule.

Now he felt his sadness deepen.

Alick's face turned serious. "You should leave now. I've been quite gentle with you."

But Forrest was at a loss.

He couldn't leave at this moment. He needed someone to talk to.

Otherwise, despair would overtake him.

He reached out and grasped Alick's arm, pleading, “Why are you so unavailable? Can't you spare some time for me? There are so many others in the company. You must talk with me..."

Unbeknownst to them, their conversation reached the ears of a person lurking around the corner.

He cast a cold glance at Forrest before turning and striding away.