Neville thought for a second, then shrugged his shoulders.

At least it looked like he hadn’t done anything wrong last night. It seemed that Grayson was just asking because he was concerned.

But why?

Neville closed the app and leaned back against the couch, letting out a long breath. His stomach chose that moment to remind him of its existence with a loud growl. He dragged himself off the couch and trudged to his humble kitchen.

Just as he was about to start, his Light Brain buzzed with another message. It came from the Latest Gossip Group Chat.

SGCutie: So... has anyone else remembered our esteemed CEO carrying our rookie to his hovercar last night?

Neville’s heart dropped.

IrisA.: Wha—When?

B.Stewart: Shh, I have video.

SGCutie: BRYAN YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARD, SHARE IMMEDIATELY!

B.Stewart: Pay me.

SGCutie: Miser

IrisA.: Done. Tell me if you need more.

SGCutie: Wait! Tell me how much! I want access too.

A video file screen appeared in the chat. They still remembered that Neville was already a member of the group chat and only shared the screenshot.

Neville’s finger pressed on the screenshot.

It was the image of Grayson’s back. His beautiful back muscles were being carved into his shirt. He was holding someone in his arms and seemed to be stuffing him inside his hovercar.

The quality was surprisingly good—Bryan must have been more sober than he had let on. Based on the hair and glasses of the person Grayson was carrying, it was definitely him, Neville. He seemed to be clinging to and leaning on Grayson so comfortably that Bryan took this video just to tease him.

But it was Grayson’s expression that made him pause the video. Grayson’s usually serious or indifferent expression was soft and gentle. Neville couldn’t stop the unnecessary feeling welling up in his heart again.

SGCutie: I knew it! The boss is so biased! If I am drunk, he will just toss me to the side to fend for myself!

IrisA.: With how unruly your alpha pheromones are when drunk, just be thankful that he didn’t beat you up unconscious before.

B.Stewart: 50-star coins, Neville didn’t remember a thing.

SGCutie: Make it 150, he’s dead drunk.

IrisA.: Just a reminder, we’re not the only ones here anymore.

If they were this unruly in this group chat now that he was added, what more of before?

Neville hastily searched the previously sent images and videos. The more he saw, the more he wanted to bury his head. He couldn’t believe that he was this obvious and desperate to get close to Grayson that Bryan had a collection of it.

With his face burning, Neville decided to exit the company app for good. He closed his eyes as if that would lessen his shame and embarrassment. He wondered if Shelly had seen this collection when he asked her to find evidence before.

With his eyes closed, Neville failed to see a holographic screen appear in front of him without its usual sound indication.

[Chosen One System Update!]

[Error...]

[Proceeding to Delete Triggers...]

[Error...]

[Favorability Can Now be Earned Randomly...]

[Recalibrating...]

[System can be Used Normally Now.]

...

On the other side of the city, in a high-rise penthouse, Grayson stared at his light brain with a blank expression. The minimalist living room felt larger, emptier than it was before. The vast, echoing space seemed to mock him and his indecisiveness.

How was he supposed to come clean to Neville?

Must it be said face-to-face?

Then a sudden, stabbing ache ripped through his head. He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he felt this pain. Back then, it happened frequently before—so often that he could only drown it was through anger... and violence.

The last few months had been quiet, making him foolishly believe the pain had gone away. Now, it returned suddenly, catching him entirely unprepared.

What was it that made his headache go away before?

"Pathetic," he muttered to his reflection on the floor-to-ceiling window. The pale-faced looking back at him seemed to agree.

Grayson called Thiago.

The moment the call connected, he flatly said, "It’s happening again."

[Again?!]Thiago’s voice shot up, alarmed. [Are you okay?]

Grayson paused, his hand pressed instinctively against his temple. He waited for the pain to subside before responding.

"It’s better than before."

A woman’s voice, colder and more demanding, immediately replaced Thiago’s.

[Why is it happening again?]

Grayson paused, his brow furrowed. He hadn’t had a vacation this frequent for a while, aside from the regular off days.

He hesitated and carefully replied, "...Vacation?"

A moment of cold silence, then a dismissive ’tsk’ was heard.

The woman’s voice—his older sister, Elara Maxwell Miranda—was laced with anger.

[Can you be serious for a second, Eason?]

"I am being serious," Grayson replied with a thread of helplessness in his tone. "I’ve just had a few more off days lately, that’s all."

Elara seemed to process the fact that Grayson wouldn’t lie about something so trivial.

She sighed and asked. [Is there anything else different, then?]

Grayson’s mind flashed to Neville, and he paused—a clear indication of hesitation.

The woman seemed to have caught on something and quickly asked.

[Tell me!]

An awkward, almost distressed expression crossed Grayson’s face. "Sis, it’s... complicated. Maybe it’s not that?"

[Show me your face and I will decide whether it’s complicated or not. Now, tell me.] Elara demanded, her patience wearing thin.

"Give me some time to think." His tone softened, almost pleading. "I believe it wasn’t that at all."

He could practically picture Elara rolling her eyes.

[Then, tell me. Can you honestly think of anything else different?]

The silence that followed was deafening.

The kind that gives the answer away.

[See?] Elara scoffed, the sound laced with familiar contempt. [Don’t be such a sissy. I didn’t throw you to the military just to see you tuck your tail between your legs.]

Grayson pressed his lips together, opening and closing his mouth, unable to form a rebuttal against her words.

[Eason—] Elara pressed for an answer.

"I’ll call you back later," he cut her off, his voice tight. "Tell Thiago to come as soon as possible."

[You—!]

Grayson hurriedly hung up and let out a long, heavy sigh.

He really couldn’t say it.