For some inexplicable reason, an odd kind of tension began to creep between Arthur and Ashley. Was this the nervousness of what people called 'an ugly daughter-in-law meeting the in-laws for the first time'? No, no, wait! I'm a grown man. What ugly daughter-in-law nonsense was this? Shaking his head, Arthur forcibly cast aside the ridiculous thought. But for Ashley, the feeling was very, very real. She knew just how deep the bond was between Arthur and Taylor. They were sworn brothers who had shared life-and-death experiences together. Facing John and Raelynn, the parents who Arthur had already severed ties with, Ashley felt nothing at all. No burden, no pressure. After all, in Arthur's heart, they were no longer his parents. But Taylor's parents were different. Instinctively, Ashley smoothed down her clothes and adjusted her hair, wanting to leave a good impression. The feeling was strange… Unfamiliar, yet a little sweet. Not long after, Taylor, practically bouncing with excitement, led his parents into the hospital room. As soon as the door opened, Arthur was greeted by the sight of a plain but sincere middle-aged couple. Their faces were etched with simple smiles they could not hide, radiating genuine warmth as they stepped in. Their hands were laden with bags, sweat glistening faintly on their brows, and yet their eyes shone bright and clear. As soon as they saw Arthur and Ashley, the couple immediately let go of Taylor's hand. Toby, Taylor's father, strode over to Arthur, his voice hearty and filled with kindness. "So this must be our Taylor's little brother, Arthur?" His slightly clouded eyes brimmed with affection. He had long heard from Taylor about this brother he valued more than life itself. Having learned of Arthur's past, both Toby and Tricia had harbored nothing but pain and pity for this young man. Before Arthur could respond, Toby nodded with heartfelt approval. "Good lad. Taylor's got a sharp eye. You're a good one, I can tell." Meanwhile, Tricia, Taylor's mother, had made her way to Ashley, her eyes full of gentle fondness. "And you must be Arthur's little girlfriend, Ashley? My, you're such a pretty girl. Both good kids, truly." Unconsciously, both Arthur and Ashley straightened their postures.Faced with such unguarded warmth, they felt somewhat overwhelmed, their movements turning just a touch stiff. Still, the two greeted them politely. "Hello, Mr. Toby, Madam Tricia." Hearing that, Taylor, who had been grinning from ear to ear, suddenly froze. "Why aren't you calling them Mom and Dad?" Huh?? That... that was a little too sudden. Especially for Ashley. Setting aside whether Arthur was ready to call them 'Mom' and 'Dad,' she was not even married to him yet! A faint flush rose on Ashley's cheeks. Tricia burst into hearty laughter. Neither of them minded one bit. After all, this was their first meeting. Who would expect them to grow that close right away? What mattered most was time. The more they spent together, the more naturally it would come. If Arthur was willing to call them 'Mom' and 'Dad' one day, they would be overjoyed. If not, they would never force it. All they wanted was simply to offer this child, who had endured so much hardship, a little warmth, a little love. They were well aware of Arthur's status as the chairman of Cloudia Corporation. At first, they had their worries. They did not want to seem like they were clinging to someone above their station. They were not wealthy, not by a long shot, but they were honest people who never coveted what did not belong to them. But after hearing from Taylor about the life Arthur had led, all that was left in their hearts was aching tenderness. Arthur's wealth was his own. They would not dream of eyeing it. All they wanted was to do what little they could to offer him the care and love he had been denied for so long. Toby and Tricia both shot Taylor a reproachful glance. "What's the rush? Who calls someone Mom and Dad the first time they meet?" Then, worried their words might cause a misunderstanding, they hastily turned back to Arthur and Ashley, explaining earnestly. "Don't mind us. We're just an old couple with only this rascal Taylor for a son. We'd be overjoyed to have two more kids to love." "But calling us 'Mom' and 'Dad'… There's no pressure, really. Whatever you need, just let us know. Just treat us like family; that's all we ask." Their words grew a little jumbled, but their sincerity and their raw, unpolished love were laid bare for all to see.Just as the awkwardness in the room reached its peak, the door swung open. Spencer, Nancy, and Natalie had returned. From the doorway came Spencer's booming, hearty laughter. Seeing the three of them, both Ashley and Arthur instinctively turned toward the door. A bright, involuntary smile broke across Ashley's face. "Dad, Mom, Natalie." Arthur also offered his greetings, calm and composed. But the moment Toby and Tricia laid eyes on Spencer and Nancy, a hint of nervousness flickered across their faces. After all, Spencer had spent years in politics, and Nancy had grown up in an aristocratic family. The grace and refinement they exuded came from deep within. It was impossible to imitate. Toby and Tricia, by contrast, were just an ordinary couple. They were people who had spent their early years toiling in the fields. It was only after the city developed that they went out to work, scrimping and saving to send Taylor to college.