"Are you serious?" William Clark exclaimed in surprise. "I heard something happened at your party, so I thought you were faking mental illness to escape legal consequences. Did you really lose your memory? Did you blow your brains out or something?"

Brian Carter broke free from William Clark's hands. "It's a long story. Let's talk about it another time. It's getting late today—"

"It is late!" William Clark, who was a bit shorter, stood on tiptoe to hook his arm around him. "If we don't start our nightlife now, it'll be morning soon. Come on! After being gone for so long, you’re not getting away tonight!"

Brian Carter was "kidnapped" by William Clark to a nightclub.

According to William Clark, this nightclub was one they frequented. The huge dance floor on the first floor was packed with writhing bodies, the lights were blinding, and the deafening waves of sound crashed one after another. The second floor had booths, and the third floor was a private area for premium members, not open to regular customers.

William Clark took Brian Carter up to the fourth-floor rooftop, where there were fewer people, a private bar, and a suite reserved year-round for platinum members—offering excellent privacy.

Brian Carter asked, "What is this place?"

William Clark replied, "Our happy home."

Brian Carter said with a headache, "I'm not really into partying anymore."

"I get it, your body just recovered, you need to take it easy." William Clark felt he was being very considerate. "Tonight, we'll just drink and chat. I've been thinking about you this whole time—who else is as loyal to you as I am?"

Various drinks arrived. Brian Carter held his glass in silence, listening to William Clark ramble on with his one-man show.

He finally learned that William Clark and the real "Brian Carter" had studied abroad together for two years and got along well. For example, they had tried both legal and illegal substances together, hit on both innocent and sexy types, wasted money and suffered together, were like-minded when together, and kept in touch when apart... making it easy to meet up again next time.

He was honestly shocked by this dirty friendship.

William Clark, thirsty from talking, downed a large glass of liquor. "Don't just let me talk—do you really not remember anything? Doesn't it affect your life?"

Brian Carter said, "It's fine."

"What were you doing at the mall entrance?" William Clark grinned mischievously. "Tsk, all dressed up in a proper suit—were you role-playing or on a mission?"

Brian Carter thought he meant a "work assignment" and replied, "Just finished a task."

William Clark: "You started something new and didn't tell me! Are you the master or the slave?"

Brian Carter was displeased—how could there still be 'slaves' in this day and age? He answered, "Just shopping after work. I work at Xiangyue Communications."

William Clark almost spat out his drink. "You sold your shares to Henry Bennett and then turned around to work for Samuel Bennett? You really did blow your brains out!"

Brian Carter asked sharply, "You know Samuel Bennett?"

"Not really, just heard a bit about him. He's an extreme, refined egoist." William Clark snorted. "Since you want to work, why not come to my family's mall? Wouldn't it be awesome for us to hang out together?"

Brian Carter thought to himself, at the recent Chu family gathering, David Thompson mentioned Samuel Bennett but didn't finish, and his tone wasn't positive. Just now, William Clark also had a negative attitude.

What kind of person is Samuel Bennett, really?

The drink in his glass had warmed up. Brian Carter put it down, indicating it was time to leave.

William Clark suddenly lunged over, rambling drunkenly, "I sent you so many messages and you didn't reply to a single one. Lose your memory and just cut me off? Don't even think about leaving! Let me tell you about the old days—maybe it'll help you remember. There was a TV show where they found their memories this way..."

Brian Carter saw that William Clark genuinely looked sad, not faking it. It seemed they weren't just drinking buddies. Since he was now standing in for someone else, he couldn't let an old friend be upset.

He had no choice but to stay. "Tell me more about my past."

Samuel Bennett returned to his apartment. Before going to bed, Mrs. Carter called, saying Brian Carter hadn't come home and his phone was off, asking if the company had arranged overtime.

Samuel Bennett replied that there was a business dinner that evening, and after it ended, Brian Carter left on his own—maybe he was out shopping. He then offered a few perfunctory words of comfort and hung up.

The night passed. The next day was a day off, but Samuel Bennett wasn't in the habit of sleeping in. He got up in the morning and swam a few laps in the rooftop sky pool.

His phone rang—it was Mrs. Carter again.

Samuel Bennett pressed the speaker button and wiped the water from his body with a towel. Mrs. Carter's anxious voice echoed in the air: "Mingzhang, sorry to bother you again. Which street did you and him part ways on last night?"

Samuel Bennett asked, "He still hasn't come home?"

Mrs. Carter said, "He was out all night. I'm going to look for him, or else I'll have to call the police."

Samuel Bennett threw down the towel, suppressing his irritation. "Auntie, please don't worry. I'll send someone to look for him."

After hanging up, Samuel Bennett instructed his people to search near yesterday's hotel. Brian Carter was now an employee of Henry Bennett, and if he went missing after working for the company, no one could escape responsibility if something happened.

After returning to his apartment and changing clothes, Samuel Bennett tried calling Brian Carter's phone—and it actually connected.

"Hello?"

Samuel Bennett asked coldly, "Where are you?"

Brian Carter gave the address—it was a well-known nightclub in the city.

Samuel Bennett let out a cold laugh, thinking to himself that some habits never die. He said, "Don't go anywhere. Wait for me at the entrance."

He didn't send his people to pick him up. If the staff found out about Brian Carter's behavior and gossiped about it at the company, it would only make things worse for someone whose position was already questionable.