He hissed, âI trust your words, buddy.
No need for security footage.
Annalise, we need to break up.
â
Then he turned and walked away.
Annalise felt a surge of anxiety as she hurried to catch up with him, reaching out for his hand.
âCory, please, just listen.
Itâs not how theyâre making it out to be.
Iâm being slandered.
â
âDonât touch me! Stay back, you deceitful woman!â
With a forceful shake, he freed himself from Annaliseâs touch once again, his face contorted with disgust.
Annalise wobbled and tumbled to the floor.
Watching Cory walk away, she felt a mix of shame and fury boiling inside her.
She spun around, glaring at Karina and Barlow, who stood side by side.
Pushing herself up, she dropped the act.
She fumed, âKarina, you bitch! Even your brother doesnât want you.
You canât find a decent guy, so you end up with someone disabled as your boyfriend.
I must say, a cripple fits well with a bastard Like you!â
Barlowâs face tightened, and he moved forward, ready to confront her.
Karina grabbed his arm, mur
o.
Iâm starving.
â
Barlowâs face turned icy as he noticed several waiters watching the drama unfold.
âGet this crazy woman out of here! Or do I need to call Sanford and have him order you himself?â
The waiters, hearing their bossâs name, sprang into action, quickly calling security to remove Annalise.
Annalise continued to hurl insults, but Karina ignored her, pulling Barlow into a private room, led by one of the waiters.
Seeing Barlowâs troubled expression, Karina felt a pang of sympathy, remembering Annaliseâs cruel words about his disability.
She wondered if this was why he kept his true identity hidden.
âAre you still upset?â Karina asked gently.
âIâm sorry you were insulted because of me.
â
Barlow looked at Karina, and his expression softened.
He wasnât mad about being insulted for his disability.
Instead, his thoughts wandered to Virgil.
Virgil was Karinaâs first love.
Did she still have feelings for him?
âYou really like your brother?â he asked, trying to sound casual as he took a seat.
In truth, he was dying to know her answer.
Remembering her secret crush on her brother, Karina nodded.
âYes, I like him very much,â she said openly.