When Gerard didn't say anything, Laura gritted her teeth and reached out to hold his hand. Gerard quickly dodged her touch and said lightly, “Laura, you are a girl."

He was asking her to be more reserved.

Embarrassed, Laura's eyes turned red as tears threatened to fall. She was only doing this for him. His indifference hurt her deeply.

“How will we go out if we don't do it then?"

“I have an idea," Gerard said calmly.

Laura remained silent, watching intently to see how Gerard would handle their situation. He approached the closed door with determination. In the next instant, with a loud bang, the door burst open.

Laura's eyes widened in sheer disbelief at Gerard's bold move. She thought he was incredibly strong and followed him out without hesitation.

At the door stood a gatekeeper, a potential barrier even after Gerard's forceful exit.

As Laura had expected, the gatekeeper challenged Gerard, “Who are you?

You can't go out."

Gerard met the gatekeeper's gaze with an icy, piercing stare. The gatekeeper, visibly unnerved, hesitated for a few seconds before reluctantly stepping aside, allowing Gerard to pass. Laura, trailing behind him, was dumbfounded by this turn of events.

She wondered why these people were so easily intimidated by Gerard.

Frustrated but powerless, she hurriedly followed him.

Catching Lilah's and Jerrold's figures, Gerard hurried toward them and greeted Lilah softly, "Lilah."

“Where have you been?" Lilah inquired as they approached.

Laura, with a flushed face, explained, "Gerard and I ended up in the same room, Lilah. We've just come out together."

"Was your task simple?" Lilah asked.

“It was fine. They wanted us to act like a couple," Laura said.

Then she quickly clarified, “But please don't misunderstand, Lilah.

We didn't come out as a fake couple."

Despite Laura's ambiguous explanation, Lilah remained unfazed.

“Don't worry. I trust Gerard," she reassured with a smile.

Gerard then addressed Laura more firmly. "We're adults now, Laura. If you still want us to be friends instead of strangers, know your boundaries."

Laura stood there, a mix of shock and sadness washing over her.