"I'm fine!"
Lara declared boldly,
"Let's go home. If he dares to bully you again, I'll teach him another lesson!"
Ronan flicked her on the forehead.
"I'm not sure if you taught him a lesson, or if he taught you one!"
Lara protested indignantly,
"Hey, Ronan Joyce! How can you side with an outsider!"
Naomi Shaw watched the affectionate sight of Ronan with his arm around Lara walking ahead of her, then glanced back at the tightly shut door. A faint sense of loss welled up inside her, and she lowered her head as she returned to her apartment next door.
The man got up, pulled a stack of cash from the wallet on the nightstand, and tossed it to the woman. He ordered coldly in Thailo,
"Get out!"
Then, without a backward glance, he walked into the bathroom.
