?Chapter 1704:


    Frustration churned in Victor’s chest. He wanted to be the one helping her, but she was shutting him out.


    A heavy pause lingered between them before he exhaled, his voice tight. “Alright then.”


    Elyse’s hands flew to her pockets, patting them frantically. Her face paled. “My phone—I lost my phone!”


    Victor’s posture stiffened. “Did you drop it while you were running?”


    She swallowed hard and gave a miserable nod. “I think so.”


    As if the night hadn’t already unraveled enough, this was just one more thing pulling her deeper into the spiral.


    Victor didn’t hesitate. Seeing the panic creeping in, he pulled out his own phone. “Don’t worry,” he said, already dialing. “My family owns this mall—I’ll have them check the security footage and find it.”


    Elyse hesitated, then exhaled. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice small.


    Something in Victor’s chest softened.


    Fifteen minutester, the phone was back in Elyse’s hands.


    It had slipped from her pocket while she was chasing Tracy, only for a man to scoop it up and pocket it instead of turning it in. Security caught up with the man just as he was about to slip into the parking garage.


    Elyse let out a shaky breath, clutching her phone like it was a lifeline. “Victor, I don’t even know how to thank you,” she murmured.


    He grinned and reached out, ruffling her hair with easy affection. “Just don’t freak out next time. Stay calm, and you’ll be fine.”


    Elyse felt warmth creep up her cheeks. “Thanks again. I really appreciate it.”


    “Anytime,” he said easily. “If anything like this ever happens again, just call me. I’ll be there.”


    Her heart did an annoying little flip. She murmured another thank you before turning to leave.


    Victor watched her go, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. His friend smirked, nudging him. “Don’t tell me you’re falling for her, man.”


    Victor scoffed—maybe a little too fast. “Please. I was just helping a friend.”


    Elyse grabbed her phone and quickly typed out a message to Chloe.


    Before she could even put it down, her phone buzzed.


    Chloe’s voice came through, trembling. “Where did you go? I just ran to the bathroom, and when I came back, you were gone! I tried calling, but you hung up. You really scared me.”


    “I’ll be back soon,” Elyse said, keeping her voice steady. “I’ll exin everything when I see you.”


    When they finally met up, Elyse told Chloe everything.


    Chloe’s eyes widened as she dropped to check Elyse’s knee. “It’s all scraped up! That must hurt like hell!”


    “I didn’t feel the pain when I fell,” Elyse exined. “But once I started looking for my phone, that’s when it hit me.”


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