Hugo patted her head. "I can arrange for you to meet your idol at the concert." Gwen agreed immediately, "Okay! No problem! Consider it done!" ... Darcy and Bram emerged from Alistair's office. Today, they had discussed a research direction. Parts where Bram had been stuck became clear under Darcy's guidance. "I really wish you could become my junior right now," Bram said eagerly. Darcy smiled, "Me too. But I haven't even taken the written exam yet. Then there's the interview." "I believe in you. You've got this." Bram looked at her intently. "You have that much faith in me?""Absolutely. I've never doubted your abilities." Having a friend who stood firmly by her side was a comfort to Darcy. The setting sun cast long, warm shadows. At the crossroads, Darcy checked the time and turned toward the university gate. "Bram, I'm heading home. See you later." "Hey, Darcy! Want to stay for dinner? My treat. A new restaurant just opened in the cafeteria. Everyone says it's good." Bram scratched his head. "Next time, my treat. I have guests coming over tonight." With that, Darcy walked away without looking back. Bram stood there, watching her retreating figure for a long time before dejectedly leaving. "You like that guy." Hugo's voice came from the driver's seat. It wasn't a question but a statement. Gwen's lips, which had tightened upon seeing Bram's lost look, twitched.Her long lashes fluttered. She pouted. "None of your business!" Hugo started the car. "Fine. Don't want my help. I was going to offer, but I guess you don't want it." Gwen's eyes instantly lit up. "My dearest cousin! What's yours is mine, right? Of course you should help me!" A faint smile touched Hugo's lips. "Usually, your mouth spits venom. Today, it's dripping honey." "So, how are you going to help me win over Bram?" Gwen was impatient, practically wishing her cousin would tie Bram up and deliver him right then. "Act a bit more reserved. You're a lady." "Hmph, old-fashioned. What era is this? Girl power is in now." Hugo shook his head. Where does she pick up these phrases?"Anyway, don't worry. I'll help." Gwen leaned back in the seat, crossing her legs, eyes narrowing slightly. "Hugo... you're helping me pursue Bram because you don't want him chasing after Darcy, right? Hmph. I knew you wouldn't help me for nothing." She hadn't thought of it before, but her cousin's behavior today was too unusual. Calmly thinking it over now, she saw through it. Her cousin wasn't helping her get a man. He was helping himself eliminate the competition! Typical man! The man in the driver's seat didn't deny it. A slight smile curved his lips. "Keep it a secret." Gwen stuck out her tongue at him. Secret, secret. He's practically a spy master! ... Darcy biked home. Kaia was lying on the sofa watching a variety show, laughing loudly.Seeing Darcy enter, she just glanced over and ignored her. In the kitchen, Ione heard the door and knew her daughter was back. She turned with a smile. "Darcy, you're home. Cold out there? Forecast says temps are dropping." Darcy took off her jacket, a slight smile on her lips. "Not cold." She put her bag in the bedroom, washed her hands in the bathroom, and then went to the kitchen. When she spotted her mom kneading pasta dough from scratch for dinner, Darcy rolled up her sleeves right away. "Mom, let me help." "No need. You've been studying all day, you must be tired. Go watch TV with Kaia. I can manage." Darcy glanced toward the living room at the giggling Kaia, pressed her lips together, and stayed put. Leaning against the counter, she asked her mother, "Are you really going to let Kaia move back in?"Kaia had been in a minor accident a few days ago. After a brief hospital stay, she was discharged this morning. Darcy assumed she'd go back to the Lark household to recuperate. But Kaia had called Ione, saying the Larks hadn't even visited her in the hospital, and she didn't want to go back. She wanted to stay with them. Ione had wanted her to move back anyway. Hearing her suggest it made Ione happy. So this morning, she'd taken a taxi to the hospital and brought Kaia home. "What's wrong? Did you and Kaia have a fight?" Ione paused, hands in the dough, looking at her daughter. She felt the two weren't as close as before. Darcy lowered her eyes. "No, just asking. You just recovered from your own illness. The housekeeper who looked after you is gone. Now you have to take care of someone else. I'm worried it'll wear you out." So that was the concern. Ione waved a hand. "I'm fine. Don't worry."She took a breath and continued, "Kaia was never welcomed in the Lark household. Now that she's hurt, who knows how they'll treat her? Let her stay here and recover first. She can go back when she's better."