Chapter 638
Sloane shook her head, her thoughts spiraling. “I can’t even imagine people like that exist,” she muttered, her appetite completely gone. “Those traffickers are the worst. They’re a drain on society—they’re an insult to humanity.”
Sloane’s empathy ran deep. She couldn’t go a day without feeling anger whenever she heard stories of abductions, pouring her outrage into spreading awareness.
How could she not feel the heat of rage now that a friend had been the victim?
Sloane’s voice was firm as she said, “Bonita, from now on, you must stay sharp. Don’t trust any unfamiliar person. If something ever feels off, walk away.”
“I will,” Bonita replied, her voice soft with regret. “I just felt bad for him. He said he was looking for his son and appeared very lost. I thought he was really in need…”
Sloane let out a bitter laugh. “Someone like that doesn’t deserve children. It’s no surprise that his son wants nothing to do with him. Imagine the lifetime of pain he’d cause. And who knows if it’s even true? He could have made that up to manipulate you. You’ve got to stop being so trusting, Bonita.”
Sloane’s anger erupted, and she went off on a full-blown rant, tearing apart the man who had hurt Bonita, leaving no criticism unspoken.
After she had vented, she drowned her frustration in two quick glasses of wine, only for a violent cough to follow. Jeff, ever the caretaker, gently patted her back, trying to soothe her.
Earlier, Jeff had been deep in conversation with Fernanda about her esports studio.
Fernanda understood why he’d take such an interest; after all, his sister was part of it.
“Sloane didn’t have many hobbies growing up, except for chasing after the latest trendy clothes,” Jeff remarked, his voice calm and reflective. “Our parents tried to push her into various activities, but she was always inconsistent. Then gaming caught her attention, and she finally found her true passion. Thanks to you, she now has such an amazing platform to share that with the world.”
Jeff’s eyes radiated warmth and sincerity, the gentle glow of the room casting a soft reflection in them.
With a gracious smile, Fernanda responded, “Sloane’s the one with the real talent; I’ve just helped a little. She’s earned so many fans from the recent competition. Her beauty and skills have impressed a lot of people.”
The praise for his sister made Jeff’s smile stretch wider.
“My parents are over the moon about it,” he stated. “Sloane always dreamed of going pro, but our parents made it clear that she needed to finish college first. She was worried she’d miss her peak years in gaming. But then she found you all—a group that truly understood her, and that made everything so much easier for her.”
It was obvious to anyone that Jeff and Sloane had been raised in a home full of love. Their parents had given them ample respect and the freedom to find their paths, nurturing confidence, determination, and kindness in them.
Though Sloane’s parents had always supported her gaming ambitions, they only asked one thing: she had to finish her education. Sloane accepted the challenge and enrolled in a prestigious university.
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