The question was pointed, not asking if he liked her, but if she liked him. Did she? Chloe hesitated, her mind searching for a reply to Charles' question. But he had stopped her, saying her demeanor had already given him the answer. "That young man seems decent. At the very least, his eyes tell me you are his priority," Charles had said with a sigh. "My dear, you deserve happiness. When it feels right, let yourself love. Young people should know passion." Chloe was still somewhat bewildered. Had Charles just assumed she was in love with Eugene? She hadn't even confessed to anything yet. Was she in love with Eugene? Had she fallen for Eugene? She asked herself silently. She didn't dislike him. Despite his intentions being transparent from the start—blatant, unrestrained, and burning as fiercely as a flame. She recalled his words, and her grip on the steering wheel tightened unconsciously. She did like him. But what did it matter? They were fated to part ways. Rather than become entangled, perhaps it was better not to intersect at all. She was no saint; she didn't deserve a man like him. ***** Unbeknownst to Chloe, at that very moment, Eugene was engaged in a crucial conversation—one that centered entirely on her and their future. In a spacious, well-appointed room, Eugene lounged on a sofa, his long legs crossed, exuding an air of casual yet absolute certainty. Seated opposite him were a middle-aged man and woman, their postures formal. The man carried an air of stern authority; the woman was elegant and refined. "Have you truly thought this through?" the middle-aged man asked, his voice bearing the weight of final judgment. "Is this woman really worth it?""Yes," Eugene replied simply. He shifted to a more comfortable position and, without ceremony, lit a cigarette right in front of his guests. As the smoke curled around him, he continued casually, "You both know me. Once my mind is made up, not even divine intervention could change it." Hearing this, the woman's brow furrowed with concern, and she lightly grasped the man's sleeve. The man narrowed his eyes, considering for a moment before pressing on. "A divorced woman with a child. She's truly that exceptional?" The woman beside him nodded in anxious agreement. "Given your standing," the man continued, "once your status is publicly known, you could have your pick from anyone in the world. Family pedigree, social standing—even several royal families have expressed interest in an alliance. I think you need to broaden your horizons. A partner, after all, should complement your position..." "Enough." Eugene stubbed out his cigarette with bare fingers, his gaze locking onto the pair before him. "If you're here to disparage Chloe, I'll have Bruce book your return flights immediately. I am not joking." At his words, the man and woman exchanged a glance. Finally, the man stood. "You're certain?" "Yes." "You have no regrets?" "No." "Not a single doubt?" "None." After three terse affirmations, Eugene's expression darkened, a clear sign his patience was thinning. Recognizing the warning, the man didn't push further. He glanced at the woman beside him and released a long, resigned sigh. "Ah, children grow up. They sprout their own wings, and we can't clip them," the man lamented, spreading his hands. "Divorced, with a child... Well, if she's who you want, we have nothing more to say." The woman, who had been sitting rigidly, delicately dabbed at the corner of her eye as if brushing away a tear. "I have no objections either. If my son loves her, then I will, too. As long as he didn't... poach her from someone else's arms, he has my support."Hearing their dramatic shift, Eugene finally let his exasperation show. "Alright, Dad, Mom. That's enough of the performance. If you act like this in front of Chloe, she'll think you're ridiculous," Eugene stated flatly. The two people before him were his father, Hogan Rosewood, and his mother, Rhea Pierce. Chastised by their son, the pair dropped their somber act instantly. "Fine, we'll stop teasing you," Rhea said, her elegant face breaking into a genuine smile. "Darling, if you've found someone, that's wonderful. It's about time. All these years without a single serious partner... we were starting to worry you might have... certain inclinations..." "You never came home when we called before," Hogan added, a smirk playing on his lips. "We made some inquiries and finally discovered you've been rooted here because of a woman. What kind of woman could command such devotion? We saw her photo—she's strikingly beautiful, that's undeniable. But it's the other aspects we're curious about." "You'll understand once you meet her," Eugene replied, his tone leaving no room for further debate. He then turned to Bruce, who stood quietly by the door. "Bruce, arrange appropriate accommodations for them."