Brad understood—his daughter didn't want to talk about her mother anymore. He felt deeply comforted to have such an understanding daughter, yet he couldn't quiet the unease in his heart.

After some investigation, he had learned that the young master of the Astoria family seemed rather frivolous—surrounded by countless women, frequently visiting adult entertainment venues. How could someone like that be worthy of his daughter?

But he had no choice. He was out of time.

"Serena… I'm sorry to put you through this," he said, swallowing the thousand other words he wanted to say.

"Dad, I'll be fine. Even if I have to marry someone I don't love."

"I'm not, Dad. I've been running away for so long. It's time I did something for the family… and for you."

"Serena…" Brad's weathered face tightened, and sorrowful tears welled in his eyes.

He didn't notice the unusual light that had been flickering in his daughter's beautiful eyes for a very, very long time.

…

The moment Jake got home, he couldn't wait to share the good news with Mia and his aunt.

Jake and Mia talked for a long time, even planning their future together. They were just waiting for the CEO mother-in-law to give the word. Mia told Jake to wait while she tested her mother's opinion.

After ending the call with his girlfriend, Jake took a relaxing shower, turned on the heater, and lay comfortably on his bed. He checked the time and called his aunt.

"Auntie, did you miss me?" Jake was never very serious, but around his aunt, he was undoubtedly at ease.

Taylor naturally missed Jake, but she really had been too busy lately.

After all, she was a woman. Without her realizing it, Jake had become the pillar of her heart—like a real husband. Every time she talked to him, she felt like she had a family again, and she had completely stepped out of the shadow of her failed marriage.

"Yes, of course," his aunt's pleasant voice came through the phone, making Jake even happier.

"You seem so busy lately. Aren't you tired?"

"It's alright. I've gotten used to it over the years. I've aged so much," Taylor said wistfully.

"No way. Auntie, you're young and beautiful. If we went on a date, people would think we're a couple."

"You and your smooth talk. I'm almost forty," Taylor said, though inwardly she was already delighted.

"Really, I never lie."

"Stop it. Jake, what's going on?" Jake and Taylor had joked around for so long that even Taylor herself had started to play along.

"Can't I just chat with you if there's nothing wrong, Teacher Taylor?" Jake played along.

He had called her several times with ulterior motives before, and Taylor was used to it by now.

"Actually, there's some great news," Jake said, not hiding it anymore.

"What good news?"

"I was promoted to team leader," Jake announced excitedly.

"Team leader? That's wonderful. Congratulations." Taylor didn't seem to realize Jake had more to say.

"I've fulfilled your sister's condition," Jake said. He had expected his aunt to be happy for him, but after he spoke, the other end of the line fell silent.

After more than ten seconds, Jake, seeing his aunt hadn't responded, asked confusedly, "Auntie? Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Oh, I see," his aunt replied weakly, not a trace of joy in her voice.

Jake instantly realized the crux of the problem.

Once he married into the Astoria family, his relationship with his aunt would effectively come to an end.

Taylor thought the same. Up until now, Jake and Mia weren't married yet, so she and Jake weren't truly aunt and nephew in the real sense. But now that Jake had passed her sister's test, it was only a matter of time before he married her niece. As an elder, competing with her niece for her boyfriend—with her traditional values, she couldn't come to terms with it.

Jake had a headache. This was the downside of having too many women. Balancing them was key.

Jake had been living on his own for a long time and could almost be considered single. That gave him time to manage his relationship with his aunt, and now there was also Sister Mina.

No matter what, they couldn't know about each other. His aunt and Sister Mina would definitely keep it secret due to their positions. As long as they never met, it would be fine.

"Auntie, I…" Jake cared deeply for every woman in his life. He couldn't bring himself to lie just to comfort his aunt.

"Jake, you don't need to say anything. Just let me be alone for a while," Taylor said, then hung up.

Jake stared at the ended call log for a long time. He really wanted to rush to his aunt's house and explain everything to her, but things were moving too fast, leaving him no time to think.

One second he had his aunt worrying alone, the next, an unexpected person called.

A local number he didn't recognize, ending in 8888—a rare, premium number.

Jake didn't know who it was, but he had a feeling it concerned him. Sure enough, when he answered, his mother-in-law's cool, emotive voice came through.

Jake's hands tensed up immediately. He sat up straight in bed.

"Hello, is this Jake?"

"Yes, Auntie. You're calling me personally?"

Jake and his mother-in-law, Yana, hadn't exchanged contact info. At first, Yana hadn't given it to him because she looked down on him. But now that Jake had proven himself somewhat capable, she was gradually accepting this son-in-law who was about to marry into the family.

Jake excitedly moved to the edge of the bed, carefully holding the phone with both hands against his ear, afraid of missing any important information.

"You'll have to ask Mia about that. She's been pestering me for ages," Yana said. Jake wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but his mother-in-law didn't sound as cold as before.

"Mia too… She's already waited so long, a little longer won't hurt," Jake said, carefully weighing each word before speaking.

"Since you've passed the test, I'll keep my word. However, there are still many details to discuss. Pack your things in the next couple of days. I've arranged for a driver to help you move." His mother-in-law's words came suddenly, and Jake hadn't yet figured out how to respond.

Instead, Mia's joyful voice came through from his mother-in-law's end, "Jake, wait for me! Uncle Hexter will probably come the day after tomorrow. I'll take leave."

So Mia had been right there all along. Jake was secretly thrilled.

"I scheduled it for the weekend. Why are you taking leave?"

"Oh, Mother, I'm sorry. I forgot."

After a brief, loving back-and-forth between mother and daughter, Yana spoke again, "That's settled then. We can discuss everything else once you're here."

Beep, beep…

Quick, precise, and merciless—that fit his mother-in-law's style. Jake almost laughed to himself, nearly forgetting about his aunt. It seemed he would have to find another opportunity to meet with her later.

Shangrilla Residences.

Taylor lay flat on her bed, eyes dazed. Jake's words kept echoing in her mind, and she felt deeply conflicted.

Buzz… Her phone vibrated on the bedside table.

Taylor silently turned on her screen. It was a message from Jake.

"Auntie, I'll be moving into Mia's place in the next few days. Take good care of yourself, and don't overthink it. Love you! (Good boy emoji)"

"Silly," Taylor was amused by Jake's playful emoji, but in the next moment, she couldn't help but sigh, recalling every little moment she had shared with him.

"If only I had met you earlier…"

…

Three days passed quietly.

Jake stood downstairs, looking at the rental apartment where he had lived for several years, feeling a little reluctant to leave.

Aside from the landlord's original furnishings, most of his personal belongings had been packed up.

Jake didn't have time off this week, so he had taken special leave. Sister Mina happened to be out of town, so Jake simply didn't tell her. If she ran into Mia, he wouldn't be able to explain even if he had ten mouths.

Before long, Mia arrived in a Mercedes-Benz van.

It had been a few days since he last saw Mia, and she seemed even more beautiful—truly, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Mia got out of the car from a distance, waved from afar, and then threw herself into Jake's arms.

The girl's fresh scent mixed with a faint perfume—it was all too familiar to Jake.

Her thick nylon jacket still couldn't hide Mia's proud cleavage. Jake felt the two soft, cottony breasts pressing and bouncing against his chest. Too distracted to appreciate his girlfriend's outfit, he hugged her tenderly.

The two held each other tightly in the wind.

It was late October, and the temperature in Savannah had begun to drop.

"Ahem, Mia, this must be Jake," the two, lost in each other, were interrupted by a tall, burly uncle.