Startled, Shari raised a hand to check.

"Don't move. Lower your head," Sanford instructed.

Shari hesitated for a moment but she complied.

Sanford reached out, brushing his fingers lightly through her hair. "My mistake. It was just the sunlight reflecting off your hair."

The gentle gesture, paired with his faint charming smile, caught Shari off guard. For a moment, she froze.

She'd seen that smile before—but only when he was with Maggie. Seeing it now, directed at her, made her pulse quicken.

Host women would have been drawn to such an attractive man after all. Shari was no exception.

Sanford was fine—-handsome.

Realizing her cheeks were burning, Shari quickly straightened and tucked her hair behind her ear with a shy smile.

Carolyn stood a short distance away, her mind lost in thought.

If Sanford truly had issues with sexual function, she was certain she couldn't marry him.

She was torn. Should she leave now and get away from the uncertainty? Or should she stick around a little longer to figure it out herself?

As her thoughts swirled, she couldn't help but notice the exchange between Sanford and Shari.

Carolyn froze in her tracks, her face hardening with a frown.

From her position, it Looked like Sanford was about to kiss Shari, and Shari seemed unsure, caught between pulling away and giving in.

Their behavior felt too intimate, too open in front of others; it didn't seem like a simple boss-employee relationship at all.

Carolyn couldn't help but wonder. If Sanford's condition was as bad as Ricardo had claimed, could he really be acting like this?

Ricardo had mentioned some issues in that department, but perhaps it was just a result of Sanford's injury. Maybe it was something that could be fixed with time and treatment.

That had to be it, right?

With a renewed sense of confidence, Carolyn straightened her back. She decided to stay just a little longer, to see if she could get a clearer picture.

"Sanford," she called out cheerfully, walking toward him with a bright smile.

"Out here getting some fresh air? Let me walk you around for a bit."

As she approached, she deliberately brushed past Shari, pushing her aside with a hint of force.

"Shari," she added in a condescending tone, "go get us both a drink."