Jaxen, his bright red hair catching the morning light, pressed the doorbell a few more times, growing increasingly impatient with each ring. He glanced at his watch—it was already eight in the morning. There was no way Vincent, someone so punctual, was still asleep.

Finally, after the third ring, the door creaked open.

Vincent appeared, raising an eyebrow. “Why are you here?” This update is available on f?ndnovel.net

Jaxen smirked. “What, I can’t just drop by?” Without waiting for a response, he strolled inside and flopped onto the couch as if it were his own. A lazy laugh escaped him.

“Why’d it take you so long to answer the door? Hiding something you don’t want me to see?” Jaxen asked, his grin widening with mischief.

Vincent shot him a blank stare. “If you’ve got a point, get to it. If not, the door’s that way.”

Jaxen clicked his tongue, clearly unimpressed, and grabbed a throw pillow, settling it behind him for comfort.

“Look, I’m your friend, just looking out for you,” Jaxen began, leaning back. “You’ve always been this confirmed bachelor. I’m curious—are you even trying to find someone? Doesn’t your predictable routine ever get boring?”

Vincent was always buried in work. From the moment he woke up until late at night, his focus never wavered. Year after year, it was the same story.

Just thinking about it left Jaxen feeling restless. How could anyone live like that without getting bored?

Vincent barely showed any reaction, his gaze cold as he stared down at Jaxen. “If you’re just here to talk nonsense, then leave.”

Jaxen clicked his tongue again, raising an eyebrow as he eyed Vincent closely. “Why are you acting so strange today? Trying to kick me out so fast? What, you hiding something—or someone in here?”

? g?ν．

Right as he finished, Jaxen’s ears picked up the sound of water running from the bathroom. His face shifted in an instant. Was someone taking a shower?

With a knowing smirk, Jaxen gave Vincent a look that said it all. “Looks like I was worried for nothing. You’ve found someone after all. Let’s see… who could be in the shower? Katelyn, maybe?”

Vincent froze for a split second, surprise flickering across his face. But when he met Jaxen’s smug, nosy grin, his expression quickly turned cold. He pointed toward the door, his voice steady. “Out.”

“No chance.” Jaxen shook his head, his tone firm. “I’m not leaving until I see who the lady is.”

Vincent didn’t flinch. Without a word, he walked over, grabbed Jaxen by the collar, and made it clear he was ready to drag him out himself.

Jaxen raised his hands in surrender. “Seriously, Vincent? We’re friends! You’re throwing me out because of a woman? You’re hurting my feelings now.”

Vincent ignored him completely, his face unreadable. The sudden seriousness in his eyes, combined with the icy tension in the room, made Jaxen’s nerves spike.

“You know what you should keep quiet about,” Vincent warned, his tone leaving no room for jokes.

“Relax,” Jaxen said, pressing his fingers to his lips like he was sealing them shut. “We’ve been through plenty. If you and Katelyn really end up together, I’d be thrilled. That’s what I want to see.”

Vincent loosened his grip, finally letting go.

Together? With Katelyn?

Vincent’s face darkened as memories flooded back. He’d once watched Katelyn’s wedding video with Neil. The ceremony had been small but intimate. Katelyn had worn an elaborate wedding dress, her face glowing with joy. The way she looked at Neil—filled with love…

Nothing but love and devotion. Even through the screen, Vincent could feel Katelyn’s happiness radiating from the wedding video as she married the man she loved. But Neil had remained emotionally distant, his face expressionless.

Once the video circulated, rumors began to swirl that Katelyn had been the one chasing after Neil. However, since their marriage was more about uniting their two families than about true love, the gossip eventually faded.

Jaxen took a moment to catch his breath, adjusting his collar before sinking back into the couch.

“Don’t worry. A true friend always has your back,” he said confidently, offering a warm smile.

“So, is the person in the shower Katelyn or not?” he asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Vincent didn’t reply, but the sound of running water suddenly stopped, followed by the unmistakable creak of a door opening.

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