Jenna Roland lifted her gaze, her clear eyes resting on Justin Kemnis's face. "What would you like to know, Mr. Kemnis?"

Justin lounged lazily on the sofa, his long legs crossed. His slender fingers rested casually on his knee. "Start with your family background."

"My parents passed away when I was young." Jenna's voice was soft. "My younger brother and I were taken in by my uncle's family. After five years, we moved out on our own."

Justin's brow furrowed slightly. "Why your uncle?"

Her fingers trembled faintly, gripping the hem of her shirt. "The other relatives... didn't want us."

She glanced at Justin's empty notebook. "Aren't you going to take notes?"

"I'll remember." He waved a dismissive hand. "How's your brother now?"

"He has congenital heart disease." Her voice grew quieter. "He should have had surgery as a child, but it kept getting delayed. He's a sophomore now, with excellent grades. We... only have each other."

Ethan Roscente offered Justin a cigarette and lit one for himself. Through the haze of smoke, his gaze drifted subtly toward Jenna.

Justin exhaled a slow curl of smoke. "What happens if he doesn't get the surgery?"

Jenna took a deep breath. "He'll die." She lifted her chin. "That's why I work at the club—to save up for his operation."

"How much do you need?"

"About nine hundred thousand total. The surgery alone is seven to eight hundred thousand, plus follow-up treatments."

Justin tapped his cigarette into the ashtray. "I understand the situation. I'll give you an answer within two days."

The tension in Jenna's shoulders finally eased. A faint smile touched her lips. "Thank you, Mr. Kemnis."

"Let's go." Justin stubbed out his cigarette and stood.

Ethan rose as well, pausing to give Jenna one last lingering look before following.

Inside the elevator, Justin leaned against the wall. "Orphaned, raising a terminally ill brother alone. Your woman's had it rough."

Ethan stared at the elevator buttons, his voice icy. "I know."

"Be good to her." Justin raised an eyebrow.

"None of your business." Ethan's tone remained frosty.

Justin suddenly slung an arm over his shoulder. "I played my part well, didn't I?"

Ethan's eyes turned glacial. "Remove your hand."

"After helping you this much, I can't even touch you?" Justin scoffed.

"Filthy." Ethan spat the single word.