Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, like a match igniting in a fireworks factory. Simon, fuming, shot to his feet and stormed over to her. "Who are you chatting with? Look at youughing so heartily. Have you forgotten who you are?" He reached for ra''s phone, trying to snatch it away.


    ra deftly dodged, her expression turning calm once more. "Ada, you see how your son behaves, right? He''s too unstable, and I can''t have a husband like that. This engagement must end. I''m skipping this dinner. Best wishes to him and Quinn." With that, she stood, clutching her phone.


    Simon mped a hand on her shoulder, forcefully. "ra, look me in the eyes and say that again!"


    ra winced at the pain, suddenly aware of the power imbnce between them. Frowning, she shoved him away. "Simon, maybe you should take a look at Quinn''s face."


    Simon turned as if struck, quickly ncing at Quinn. Quinn stood a few steps away, struggling to maintain a smile despite the cups she held. Her face turned ashen. "Simon, don''t worry about me. Whatever you choose, I''ll support you."


    Simon''s face darkened further, retreating a few steps.


    Ada took a deep breath. "Simon, what are you thinking? Do you want Quinn or ra?" Her tone was sharp, irritated both by Simon''s indecision and ra''s defiance.


    Ada''s cherished son must not suffer in matters of the heart. Just days ago, Simon would have chosen Quinn without hesitation. But now, facing ra''s eager expression, he felt unsettled. "I..." He was at a loss for words.


    As the tension mounted, Nate''s voice echoed from the doorway. "Hey, Simon, ra, what''s going on here?"


    Nate was sharply dressed. When his eyes fell on ra, he found it hard to look away. ra was stunning, captivating every man''s attention. He''d missed his chancest time, but not today!


    Ada brightened at her brother''s arrival and rushed to greet him. "Nate, what brings you here?!" Her face lit up with joy as she ushered him inside. "Come in, have a seat." Then she nced back at ra and Simon. "ra, Simon, let''s discuss thister. For now, let''s have dinner."


    But ra smiled, unfazed. "Ada, I don''t want to drag this out. Let''s clear the air today."


    Ada''s face darkened further, as ra had repeatedly embarrassed her. Nate leaned close to his sister, whispering so only they could hear. "ra''s been acting uptely like she''s possessed. You can''t control her, but look at Simon''s eyes- I''m worried he''ll fall for her and regret itter. Why not set her up with me instead? If she can''t be your daughter-inw, she could be your sister-inw. I can handle her."


    Ada was displeased with ra and fond of her brother. Hearing Nate''s proposal, she leaned his way. "Nate, you really like her?"


    "I do. Since Simon doesn''t want her, why not let me have her?"


    "Alright, I''ll talk to ra."


    ra was oblivious to their conversation, unaware she was being treated like amodity and getting passed around.


    Ada approached her, taking her hand, assuming the role of the kindly elder. "ra, let''s get dinner first and talk as we do."


    ra was determined to get an answer today, so she agreed. She sat down, and Nate quickly took the seat beside her. His presence made her feel queasy.


    Simon felt a pang of difort seeing Nate next to ra. He intended to sit beside her, but Quinn pulled him towards her. "Simon, sit here." Thus, Simon ended up across from ra.


    The housekeeper served the meal, and just as ra was about to broach the engagement topic, she noticed extra food ced in her te. She turned to Nate, who grinned a smug smile. "ra, eat up. My sister''s chef used to work at a five- star restaurant."


    ra set her fork down, addressing the housekeeper. "Could I get an extra te, please?"


    Nate was used to royal treatment at Ada''s. He mmed the table in anger. "What''s that supposed to mean? You ungrateful-!"


    Before he could finish, Ada interjected, "Nate, sit down. ra, don''t be upset. I have a solution for the engagement issue. You want to break it off with Simon, right? That''s possible. Coincidentally, Nate just told me he has a thing for you. So, you''ll still be part of the family. Once you marry Nate, you''ll be my sister-inw. A satisfactory oue, wouldn''t you say? Nate''s quite the catch, and though he''s a bit of a yboy, I''m sure you can reign him in."