Elena looked surprised.

“We already talked about this, right?” Bryan said, gently touching her from behind, trying to keep up the act.

But Elena was confused. She didn’t know who the old man in the wheelchair was, and she didn’t understand why Bryan was suddenly being so nice to her.

“Excuse me, I have to go now!” Elena said sharply and quickly walked away.

Grandpa Morris laughed. “She’s such a sweet, shy girl. I already like her!”

“Go after her, son!” he told Bryan.

Bryan apologized to his grandfather and ran after Elena. He wanted to know why she helped him and to thank her for saving him.

“Why are you always in such a hurry?” Bryan asked, pulling Elena back as she walked fast down the hallway.

“What was that all about? Who is that old man? And why did you tell him we’re... a thing?” Elena shot back with questions.

Bryan took a deep breath. He had a lot to ask Elena, but all he could say was, “Thank you for helping me…” He paused, trying to remember her name.

“You’re welcome! I hope you paid him because that money means a lot to me!” Elena said, avoiding the fact that Bryan had just lied to the old man.

“Oh, so you did it just for the money? What kind of woman are you? Always tricking people to get what you want! You even made me fight with Doris just to get paid?” Bryan’s voice got louder, his eyes wide as he changed the subject.

Elena was shocked by his sudden change. That wasn’t what she expected from the man she just helped close a multi-million deal for.

“Are you serious? I have nothing more to say to you! I’m leaving! Even if I don’t get paid, I’ll consider that I’ve paid you back for helping me the other day!” Elena said proudly and walked away from Bryan.

Back at the old restaurant, her mind was racing. She thought about where to go next because the old woman there had offered her shelter after she agreed to help Jack, who was her grandson.

She wondered how to explain to the boy why she hadn’t been paid yet.

“There she is! I heard you did great!” Theresa, the old lady who ran the restaurant, called out, opening her arms for a hug.

Elena hugged Theresa but didn’t smile.

“What’s wrong? Why do you look so sad?” Theresa asked, noticing Elena’s mood.

“Where is Jack?” Elena asked coldly, ignoring the woman's question.

Theresa went to get her a glass of water and said, “He went to get his share of the pay. I heard the CEO paid them well.”

Elena sighed in relief. “Thank God he got paid!” At least the boy got his money, so she could ask the old woman for another night’s stay without being scared.

“You look tired. Come inside and rest,” Theresa said kindly.

Elena thanked her and went into the small house behind the restaurant where Theresa lived. Elena had to stay there with her because it was the only refuge she could get.

Inside the room, Elena kept thinking about everything that happened that day. She wished she hadn’t agreed to help.

She turned over on the thin mattress, staring at the neatly folded clothes beside her.

“I did it for the money. I need money to survive here. But it’s so unfair I didn’t get paid,” she whispered sadly.

A few tears slipped down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away. Crying wasn’t an option for her.

After a while, she fell asleep.

Jack ran into the restaurant as usual, asking his grandmother, “Where is that lady?”

“What’s wrong? She’s asleep. Did you get your payment?” Theresa asked, worried.

“I got paid in full! And even got a bonus! She did amazing! The CEO signed the contract right away because of her!” Jack said happily.

“Oh, I thought she failed!” Theresa teased.

After chatting a bit, Jack gave Theresa a brown envelope with money and said it was for Elena.

“She forgot to ask for her money before leaving, so the boss told me to give this to her for a job well done,” Jack said before running off.

Theresa watched him go and muttered, “I bet he’s going to spend that money on gambling.”

Later that night, at the hotel, the Millers family was having a small party to celebrate the multi-million deal.

Grandpa was the last to join because he took longer to freshen up.

But when he sat down, he looked unhappy.

“What’s wrong, Grandpa?” Bryan asked softly.

“Where is your fiancée? Did you tell her not to come? Or are you still trying to keep her away from me?” Grandpa asked loudly, catching everyone’s attention immediately.

Bryan scratched his head, looking at the faces of the members for answers “She’s not feeling well. She went to the hospital,” he lied.

“What kind of man are you? She’s not feeling well and you let her go to the hospital alone? With no one to help her? I’m done with this dinner. Take me to the hospital right now!” Grandpa shouted.