Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 306 Gratitude

"Mr. Kim, why torment a woman like this?" Faris asked coolly, toying with his lighter.

The other men quickly chimed in. "Faris is right. Why give a woman such a hard time?" Hearing Faris speak up, the man finally released his grip on Emily's hair.

Tears streaming down her face, Emily collapsed onto the floor as Peggy rushed to help

her up.

"Ungrateful bitch," the man spat.

Faris kept his eyes fixed on Emily, contemplative.

The man noticed Faris's stare and a knowing grin spread across his face. "Perhaps Faris wants this one. If that's the case, I wouldn't dream of competing."

He kicked Emily lightly with his foot. "Consider yourself lucky I'm letting you go for Faris's sake. Go on, sit beside him."

Emily knew she wouldn't escape that easily. But Faris seemed less threatening than that man, so she wiped her tears, stood up, and moved to sit next to Faris.

The space beside Faris was limited, forcing their arms to press together. She detected a subtle tobacco scent on him. Though she typically disliked smokers, strangely, his smell didn't repel her.

Unlike that man, Faris didn't immediately paw at her, but his silence made Emily nervous. Afraid of displeasing that man again, she poured Faris a drink.

"Thank you," she said earnestly before downing her own glass.

Faris studied her tear-stained face for a long moment. Only now, sitting so close in the dimly lit room, did Emily realize how handsome he was. His intense eyes were magnetic, impossible to look away from.

"What's your name?" he asked.

Emily looked down, responding softly, "Emily Glover."

a thin line before turning upward slightly, his

thought her

to lighten as he joined the others in conversation. Despite sitting among these privileged young men, Emily sensed he was different-there was an inherent decency about him. His features, mannerisms, even the way he exhaled smoke everything about him

they played cards for a while, that man excused himself to the restroom. Faris leaned close to Emily's ear, asking

man returned, Faris led Emily out of room 808,

nervously in the passenger seat, unsure where he was taking her, stealing glances

her to walk with him. They stopped at the railing, gazing at the water reflecting

take this job?" he

nerve, making her throat tighten. Faris lit a cigarette, the smoke drifting toward her before dispersing

answer.

his fortune. He never came back—not even when my mother died of a heart attack during my sophomore year of college. I dropped out to work as a waitress so my brother could stay in school. He was always promising to take care of me someday. But last month, we discovered he has congenital heart disease with heart failure. He needs a transplant —an operation

card from his pocket. "There's a million dollars here. Take it for your brother's surgery.

at the card gleaming in the neon light, desperately needing

can't take this

its ember tracing a red

for free,"

staring

smiled gently, his eyes sparkling

the moment she fell in love with him for his directness, his sincerity,

card, she had already prepared to give herself to

the river, smoking one cigarette after another, his furrowed brow suggesting

he was a

breeze carried a damp chill from

this, Faris tossed away his final cigarette

her heart skip a beat, offering

lived. She hesitated before giving