**Palma Garden Restaurant.**
The four-person date with Adam, Caroline, Chandler, and Aurora had begun.
Dating culture in America has some interesting aspects.
Oftentimes, instead of men talking with men and women talking with women, men chat with each other's girlfriends, and vice versa.
It makes sense—perhaps it's designed around human nature, based on ideas like "men and women make conversations more engaging" or "people always seek novelty."
So now, Adam had no choice but to politely turn toward Aurora and make conversation.
**"So, Adam, I heard you're a writer?"**
Aurora's eyes were enchanting, her tone seductive, and her entire presence exuded a romantic aura.
**"I'm still a student. Writing is just a side job."**
Adam smiled modestly, maintaining a polite distance.
To him, that kind of romantic aura could be summed up in one phrase: *Tightly bound ships never get seasick.*
It was best for most people to keep their distance. As someone who prided himself on self-discipline, Adam felt the same way.
**"That's still impressive."**
Aurora rested her chin on one hand, her long curls partially covering her eyes as she stared straight at Adam. The admiration in her gaze was almost overflowing, but it only made Adam think of two significant locations in *Journey to the West*—the **Spider Cave** and the **Water Curtain Cave.**
Adam couldn't help but glance at Chandler, who was chatting obediently with Caroline, seemingly unaware of what was happening on this side of the table.
**"Chandler is my good friend,"** Adam reminded her.
**"So?"** Aurora replied with a charming smile.
**"So, please don't hurt him."**
**"How am I hurting him?"** Aurora chuckled.
**"Then what was your foot trying to do just now?"** Adam asked sarcastically. **"Curious about how much change I have in my pocket?"** Google seaʀᴄh novｅlfire.net
Aurora didn't seem to notice Adam's cold tone. She assumed he was just not used to her approach—like all the other men she had encountered at first—so she playfully extended her long legs under the table again and teased, **"I believe the coins in your pocket must be neatly rolled up~"**
Adam blocked her advance again and warned in a low voice, **"Chandler is sitting right across from you. Show some respect."**
**"Are you worried he'll be upset?"**
Aurora was growing even more intrigued by Adam. A young, handsome writer and Chandler's close friend—he was exactly her type. And she had never been one to hold back.
**"Don't worry. Chandler won't mind. You've probably heard that I have both a husband and a boyfriend. Chandler is perfectly fine with that."**
As she spoke, her eyes gleamed. **"And I heard from him that your views on relationships are just like mine. Aren't you and Caroline the same way? Maybe we could…"**
Adam couldn't take it anymore. If this continued, he'd be getting a **"Warning for Excessive Electricity."** He quickly stood up, using the restroom as an excuse, and shot Chandler a look. Chandler chuckled and followed him.
**"Here's the deal…"**
After carefully choosing his words, Adam explained the situation tactfully. **"I think Caroline and I will head out first. You guys continue?"**
Chandler's jaw dropped, and for a long moment, he couldn't close his mouth.
He had heard about Aurora's husband, Rick, and her boyfriend, Ethan, but they were elsewhere, so he had just treated it as an abstract concept.
Now, facing the reality that even with someone as charming as him sitting here, Aurora still wanted to bring in his best friend, the shock was overwhelming.
Adam nudged him when he saw Chandler still frozen in shock.
**"Yeah… yeah, I'm fine."**
Chandler forced a smile and joked, **"I mean, group activities aren't necessarily a bad thing, right? Nobody really loses…"**
**"Stop right there."**
Adam frowned. **"I can't accept that kind of 'activity.' Chandler, I've told you before—while I believe in 'dating without love,' I have one rule when it comes to friends: I never get involved with a friend's girlfriend, or even an ex-girlfriend."**
**"I know. I was just kidding."**
Seeing Adam's serious expression, Chandler dropped the playful attitude.
**"This is about our friendship, too."**
Adam patted Chandler's shoulder. **"Imagine this—you're getting intimate with someone, and suddenly, tiny versions of your friends pop up from different parts of her body, saying, 'Hey, I was here before you…'"**
Chandler shuddered violently and shouted, **"Okay, okay! I get it! Stop right there!"**
Adam chuckled. **"I'll stay out of this one. Can you bring Caroline over for me?"**
After Chandler left, Caroline arrived shortly after.
Adam explained the situation, and Caroline was just as stunned.
Caroline pulled out a pack of slim cigarettes from her pocket. When Adam declined, she skillfully lit one for herself, taking a deep drag.
**"Smoking isn't good for you."**
Adam advised, **"Still stressed about work?"**
Caroline nodded, then shook her head. She took another deep inhale, exhaling a cloud of smoke that lingered between them before saying, **"Adam, do you believe in God?"**
**"No, I'm a firm believer in science. I trust in technology."**
Caroline nodded. **"But even in this day and age, so many people still blindly believe in God, or even demonic forces. They do all kinds of crazy things, even hurting others because of it. Don't you think people like that are just hopelessly foolish and wicked?"**
**"What happened? Why bring this up all of a sudden?"**
Adam sensed something was off and looked at Caroline through the haze of smoke.
Caroline took another drag and shook her head. **"I just heard some things recently that made me think. I often wonder—if these people truly believed in God, instead of wasting their time on crazy acts, wouldn't it be better to use their money to actually practice kindness? If they did, there'd be fewer cases like Mr. Tucker's."**
**"You're still thinking about Mr. Tucker?"**
Adam finally understood and subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. **"Just do what you can. Don't be too hard on yourself."**
**"Yeah, you're right."**
Caroline suddenly smiled. **"Just do what I can."**
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from the restaurant.
Adam's hearing was far sharper than the average person's, and he immediately recognized Chandler's voice. His expression changed, and he dashed toward the scene.
Caroline quickly put out her cigarette and followed.
**"Call an ambulance!"**
Adam pushed through the crowd and was met with a shocking sight—Aurora, the charming, flirtatious Italian beauty who had seduced countless men, was now kneeling on the ground…
With a gleaming fork stabbed straight into her neck.