As Troy hurried away, his thoughts churned in turmoil. He told himself that Ruby was no ordinary woman—she was the representative of Amberpeak Corporation—a business elite, not some streetwalker or barfly.

That image of Ruby, so perfect in every way—her explosive figure, sharp intellect, and prestigious position—was precisely what had captivated him. Sleeping with someone like her made him feel like he was on top of the world, better than even Michael.

Lauren watched Troy retreat and then turned to Andrew, her expression playful yet curious. "Dr. Lloyd, if someone does catch something from sleeping around, what kinds of diseases are we talking about? Are they as terrifying as people say?"

Andrew's tone turned serious, his face grim. "Terrifying? Absolutely. These diseases can ruin lives. Common ones include gonorrhea, syphilis, and other infections that cause ulcers or discharge.

"But the deadliest, of course, is HIV/AIDS. In its early stages, the symptoms are often subtle—th