Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

"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."

Faris's lips curved into a thin line before turning upward slightly, his eyes warming. "Pretty name."

Emily didn't understand why he thought her ordinary name was pretty.

His mood seemed 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 intrigued her.

After they played cards for a while, that man excused himself to the restroom. Faris leaned close to Emily's ear, asking if she wanted to step out for a bit.noveldrama

Before that man returned, Faris led Emily out of room 808, drawing stunned looks from everyone else.

Since Faris hadn't been drinking, he drove them himself. Emily sat nervously in the passenger seat, unsure where he was taking her, stealing glances at his profile finding even his silent concentration behind the wheel captivating.

He parked by the riverfront and invited her to walk with him. They stopped at the railing, gazing at the water reflecting the city's vibrant lights. She stood beside him, reluctant to break his contemplative silence.

"Why did you take this job?" he suddenly asked.

The question touched a raw nerve, making her throat tighten. Faris lit a cigarette, the smoke drifting toward her before dispersing in the breeze. He waited patiently for her

answer.

Emily took a deep breath before explaining, "When I was in elementary school, my father left with a suitcase, saying he wouldn't return until he made 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 I can't possibly afford. I was desperate for money... nothing matters more than my brother's life."

After listening, Faris extinguished his half-smoked cigarette and pulled a card from his pocket. "There's a million dollars here. Take it for your brother's surgery. This work isn't for you quit."

The sum terrified Emily. She stared at the card gleaming in the neon light, desperately needing the money but unable to accept it.

"I can't take this for nothing," she said.

Faris laughed softly, flicking away his cigarette butt, its ember tracing a red arc through the night air.

"I won't let you have it for free," he replied with a smile.

Emily froze, staring at him dumbly.

He smiled gently, his eyes sparkling in the neon light.

Perhaps that was the moment she fell in love with him for his directness, his sincerity, his kindness.

The offer was irresistible. When she accepted the card, she had already prepared to give herself to him.

Afterward, Faris continued gazing at the river, smoking one cigarette after another, his furrowed brow suggesting unresolved troubles.

Emily sensed he was a man with stories to tell.

The early spring breeze carried a damp chill from the river, and Emily shivered in her thin clothing.

Noticing this, Faris tossed away his final cigarette butt. "Let's go home," he said.

The word "home" made her heart skip a beat, offering a warmth she hadn't felt since her mother's death.

Back in the car, he asked where she lived. She hesitated before giving her address- reckless, perhaps, but she trusted him instinctively.

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During the drive, her mind raced with possibilities of what might happen when they arrived.

When they reached her building, Faris simply said, "Get some rest."

So he wasn't coming up? Had she misunderstood?

As she pondered this, Faris suddenly took her hand. "Emily, I hope your brother recovers soon."

Only after returning home did Emily realize they hadn't exchanged contact information.

She could have easily discovered who he was, but didn't dare seek him out.

With the money, her brother only needed a suitable heart for the transplant, and she no longer needed to work at that place.

This million dollars wasn't just money-it was a life debt.

After visiting her brother at the hospital, she returned to Eclipse Lounge. Peggy wasn't there, so she asked others if Faris had been back. They confirmed he had visited but hadn't asked for her.

One woman scoffed, "A man like Faris wouldn't take you seriously-it was just a game. But with his looks, half the women in Seabreeze Harbor want him. At least you got something out of it."

The words stung, but Emily couldn't deny their logic. A man like him wouldn't lack for female companionship-why would he remember her?

She realized his words had likely been just an excuse to make her accept the money.

While the other women smirked at her dejection, Emily ignored them. As she prepared to leave, Peggy burst through the door, looking panicked.