Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Lacey felt a bit awkward and shook her head with a smile. "No, we're just good friends."

Being fellow countrymen in a foreign land created an instant connection. Even though they'd never met before, conversation flowed easily between them.

As the celebration ended, a crowd streamed out of the auditorium. Several people waved to Jason from a distance, coming over to greet him with hugs.

From their conversation, Lacey gathered they were Jason's classmates, inviting him to join a party.

Impressed by Lacey's performance at the celebration, they praised her confidence and eloquence, extending the invitation to her as well.

Lacey hesitated, not knowing them well.

Jason seemed to notice her reluctance and said with a smile, "They're all my classmates."

His tone suggested he was encouraging her to join, and she found no reason to refuse.

"I'll come," she agreed without hesitation.

They each went home to change clothes before meeting at the agreed location and traveling together to the party.

On the way, Jason explained that the gathering was at a classmate's home.

The party wasn't large-only about ten people in total.

Unlike parties in Harmonia, gatherings in Unityland didn't involve sitting around a table for meals. It was completely self-service and much more casual.

Food and drinks were arranged on several tables, with space cleared in the middle for dancing.

The locals were outgoing and enthusiastic. As soon as they arrived, men and women pulled Jason and Lacey onto the dance floor.

Having lived abroad before and being naturally sociable, Lacey handled the situation with ease.

After a while, everyone became familiar. They clinked glasses and drank together. The ksihimiter Lacey' itrudirentice.

While dancing, he tried various conversation topics to get closer to her. Lacey instinctively disliked his slick manner but didn't show it. When his behavior became inappropriate, she didn't want to make a scene these were Jason's friends after all- so she excused herself, claiming fatigue.

Lacey had barely sat down when he joined her. After a few more drinks, he grew bolder and moved closer.

People in this country were very direct about dating. He poured Lacey a drink and started pressuring her to drink it.

Sensing his intentions, she said she couldn't handle alcohol well and didn't want to drink anymore.

He seemed determined, placing one hand on her shoulder and the other on her leg, leaning close to her ear and inviting her in a voice that wasn't particularly quiet-to spend the night.

Lacey pushed his hands away and moved further away. Though trying to remain composed, her anger was becoming difficult to conceal.

Jason was chatting with other classmates nearby, unaware of the situation.

Several people noticed what was happening and began joking about his interest in Lacey.

The man laughed, openly admitting it.

"Lacey, you're beautiful. I've fallen for you. I think I'll dream about you every night," he said.

As he spoke, his hand returned to her shoulder, pulling her into an embrace. With his other hand, he raised his glass, attempting to force her to drink.

Lacey was at her breaking point and about to explode when suddenly a hand snatched the glass away.

"Evan, she's had enough," Jason said, setting the glass aside with a serious expression. Evan looked confused for a few seconds before resuming his casual smile. "I've fallen for her. I want to take things further."

Jason remained stern. "Evan, back off."

A woman looked at Jason and speculated, "Is she your girlfriend?"

"No," Evan interjected, answering for Jason while wagging his finger. "Don't you all remember? He likes someone else."

Lacey didn't want to cause friction between Jason and his friends, so she stood up. "You all enjoy yourselves. I'm a bit tired and heading back."

Evan immediately blocked her path, teasing, "Come on, Lacey. Are you really not interested in me? I'm quite good in bed, want to find out? I'm not exaggerating."

Though Lacey had lived abroad, her values remained traditional. His explicit comment angered her further.

Jason suddenly took her hand while grabbing his jacket. "You all enjoy yourselves. I'm leaving," he said.

"Don't go! We rarely get together, and the night's just starting," someone protested, but he didn't stop, quickly leading Lacey out of Evan's home.noveldrama

Outside, the city streets were dimly lit.

Feeling guilty, Lacey said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come to this party. If I hadn't, you wouldn't have had this tension with your friends."

Jason smiled dismissively. "It's fine. I don't really enjoy these gatherings anyway, but it's hard to decline when everyone gets together. I was planning to leave early regardless. Evan was a playboy in college. I've never liked his attitude toward relationships." Though Lacey had been angry, Jason's timely intervention touched her.

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She smiled. "It must have been difficult for you to spend time with them all those years."

They both laughed, dispelling the awkwardness from the earlier incident.

Walking down the street, they chatted. He asked why she had suddenly come here, and she explained.

Lacey hadn't missed Evan's comment about Jason liking someone else it seemed to be common knowledge among his friends.

But since Jason didn't mention it, neither did she.

Passing a pedestrian bridge, they noticed a crowd gathered below, voices overlapping in confusion.

Amid the local language, they heard someone speaking their native tongue, calling out, "My photo! My son! I'm looking for my son! Has anyone seen my photo?"

"My photo! My son! I'm looking for my son! Has anyone seen my photo?" Someone asked in broken Harmonian, "Are you looking for your son or a photo?" Jason and Lacey both stopped.

In a foreign country, encountering a fellow countryman in need meant helping if possible.

They pushed through the crowd to find a disheveled elderly man desperately asking everyone if they'd seen his photo, his son. No one could answer him, and the language barrier only increased his distress.

Lacey approached to calm him. "Sir, don't worry. Take your time. What are you looking for?"

The old man looked at Lacey, his dirty face lined with deep wrinkles, eyes glistening with anxious tears. "Son... photo... my son... my photo."

Lacey considered, then asked, "Sir, are you looking for your son? Do you have a photo of him that you've lost?"

The old man nodded eagerly, then grew sad again. "My son... my son."

Lacey realized the elderly man might not be mentally stable and couldn't determine if he'd lost his son or just a photo. Since he couldn't speak the local language, she thought they should contact the police or their embassy.

She turned to ask Jason's opinion but found him staring intently at the old man, a hint of shock in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Lacey asked.

Jason's shock quickly vanished as he shook his head. "Nothing."

Hearing Jason's voice, the old man, who had been muttering about his son, suddenly fell silent and turned toward Jason.

The old man's reaction changed dramatically. No longer panicked or distressed, he stared intently at Jason and walked toward him step by step.

During this process, Lacey noticed Jason's tension.

Standing before Jason, the old man studied him for a long time before asking softly, "Have you seen my son?"

Jason seemed to relax, as if a tightly wound spring had suddenly been released.

The crowd gradually dispersed, no one able to tell the old man where his son might

be.

Feeling sorry for him, Lacey took him to a nearby restaurant and bought him a meal.

The old man seemed very hungry, devouring two large bowls while Jason and Lacey watched.

When he finished, he looked dejectedly at the empty plates.

Lacey ordered two more dishes for him.

"Sir, how did you come all the way from Harmonia to here?" she asked, hoping to learn

more.

The old man stopped chewing, his eyes brightening with a hint of pride. "My son made something of himself. He studies here. I came to find him."

Then his expression turned sad again. "But I haven't found him. He must hate me, so

he's hiding and refuses to see me."

While talking, his lips hung loose, and crumbs of food tumbled out.

Jason remained silent throughout but kept his eyes fixed on the old man.

Lacey felt that since meeting the elderly man, Jason had been acting strangely.

Finally finishing his meal, the old man patted his stomach contentedly, smiling foolishly.

Jason finally spoke. "Don't you have other family members? How did they let you travel

so far to find your son? Perhaps you're looking in the wrong place. Maybe you should return home."

At the mention of going home, the old man jumped from his seat.

He exclaimed, "I won't go back! I won't return home! I must find my son!"

He ran out frantically, moving surprisingly fast.

By the time Jason and Lacey hurriedly paid the bill and rushed outside, he had

vanished.