"She was reckless," Benjamin finally said, but his voice lacked conviction. "She put herself in harm's way. For what? A kitten?"

 Edwin shook his head, his expression softening. "She was brave, Benjamin. She saw something vulnerable and acted without thinking about the consequences. That's not the sign of someone trying to manipulate you; that's the sign of someone with a good heart."

 "Do you really think every girl is the same?" Edwin asked, his voice soft but probing.

  Benjamin nodded slowly, his eyes filled with bitterness. "Ed, every girl is the same. Their hearts are made of stone. If you don't have wealth and health, they'll leave you without a second thought. But Aunt Avery was different," he added, his voice breaking slightly as tears welled up in his eyes.

 Aunt Avery, Edwin's mother, had treated Benjamin like her own son. Her love and kindness were a beacon of warmth in his otherwise cold world. Her death from cancer had left a void in his heart that no one else could fill. Since then, Benjamin had distanced himself from women, wary of their intentions.

 Edwin sighed, his heart aching for his friend.

 Benjamin didn’t know much about Edwin’s past, even though they were friends. Edwin and his family had lived abroad for years. It was only after they returned and settled in the city that Benjamin got to know Edwin. From that point on, their friendship grew strong, and Benjamin came to love Edwin’s family as his own.

 At present, Benjamin was already drunk. Edwin put his arm around Benjamin's neck to steady him and guided him out of the bar. They were a sight—two handsome young men, one leaning heavily on the other. Some onlookers couldn’t help but stare, with a few even having nosebleeds, convinced they were witnessing a couple.

 Edwin was aware of the whispers and wild imaginations swirling around them. However, he knew no media would dare to spread rumors about Benjamin. The Charles family had made it clear that privacy was non-negotiable. With Benjamin safely in the passenger seat, Edwin drove off towards his friend's home.

 When they arrived at the Charles mansion, the grandeur of the estate was evident. The gates opened automatically, and the driveway, lined with perfectly manicured hedges, led them to the entrance. As Edwin helped Benjamin out of the car, several maids lined up at the door, ready to assist.

 “Master, is there anything we can help with?” asked the chief maid, her eyes filled with concern as she saw Benjamin’s state.

 Edwin shook his head. “No, thank you. I’ve got it from here.”

 He led Benjamin inside, directly towards his bedroom. Benjamin's face was flushed, his eyes half-closed. Edwin laid him gently on the bed and covered him with a blanket, ensuring he was comfortable before quietly closing the door.

 With a sigh, Edwin made his way to the master’s room. He knocked softly before opening the door a crack. Inside, William, Benjamin’s father, was staring out the window, lost in thought. The room was dim, illuminated only by the moonlight streaming in.

 “Come in, Ed,” William said without turning around, sensing who it was.

 Edwin stepped inside and smiled warmly at William. “How are you, Uncle?”

 William turned to face him, a weary smile on his lips. “I’m fine, Ed. How’s Benjamin?”

 Edwin sighed and hugged William. “I’m doing fine, Uncle…but Benjamin is not.”

 William’s expression grew serious. “What’s bothering him?”

 “He’s confused, Uncle. He thinks every girl is the same, but I believe this one is different. Still, he sees her as another version of his mother and struggles to believe otherwise. But I’m sure…he’ll come around in the end,” Edwin explained, his voice full of hope.

 William nodded thoughtfully. “Do you have a picture of her?”

 Edwin shook his head. “I don’t, but Benjamin has one on his phone. She was crying in the picture, but she looked cute.”

 William’s face softened. “Mmmm…let him first realize what’s in his heart. Only then can we meddle in this case.”

 Edwin nodded in agreement. “Okay, Uncle. You should go to sleep now. Your dear son is drunk today, and my back aches from carrying him.”

 William chuckled, appreciating Edwin’s attempt at humor. “Next time, I’ll tell my son to carry you.”

 Edwin laughed and headed towards the door. “Take care, Uncle.”

 He closed the door behind him, leaving William to his thoughts as he stared back out into the night sky.

 Meanwhile, across town, Isabella had just finished her studying. She stretched both arms upwards, feeling the tension release from her shoulders, and yawned. Closing her books, she moved to her bed and lay down. Her mind drifted to the recent troubling events involving her friends, Ledvic and Linda.

 "Who could be this person?" she wondered aloud, her voice barely a whisper in the quiet room. "What if this person is right outside my home?" The thought sent a shiver down her spine. "Oh no...what am I even thinking? And why am I so bothered about it?"

 Isabella sighed deeply. "Of course, I'm scared," she admitted to herself, "and that's the reason I'm so bothered."

 With a soft prayer, she whispered, "God, please send your angels to protect me." She rolled into a ball, pulling the quilt over her head, seeking comfort and safety in its warmth.

 As the night deepened, Isabella's worries gradually faded. Her breathing slowed, and soon, she drifted into a fitful sleep, still haunted by the shadows of her fears but cocooned in the hope that protection and peace would find her by morning.