Delh didn''t say much more. With a quick nce, she issued another dismissal. "Today''s my daughter''s celebration party, and I won''t have anyone or anything ruin it. Please leave, and let''s pretend this meeting never happened."


    Seeing Delh''s firm stance, especially in such a public setting, the Song family manager knew it was unwise to push further. With a resigned sigh, he turned and left.


    Only when she saw him exit the diner''s main door did Delh slowly withdraw her gaze, her good moodpletely spoiled by his arrival.


    Mirabe returned, empty-handed. "Mom, your phone isn''t in your bag."


    Delh''s frosty demeanor softened as she turned to her daughter. "Silly me, I had it on me all along and totally forgot."


    Mirabe: ""


    **


    Back in the car, the Song family manager recounted Delh''s words verbatim to Kitty.


    Kitty removed her sunsses. Despite being in her forties, her well-maintained skin made her look barely in her thirties. She massaged her temples lightly. "I figured big sis would react that way. She''s always been stubborn."


    The manager nodded. "Indeed, Miss has been this way for over a decade, never considering others'' feelings. Regardless of everything, the Song family is her family. It''s rare to see someone hold a grudge for over twenty years."


    "That''s why our parents never really liked her. She had a good home and left... Anyway, since she doesn''t want to see us, let''s leave it for now," Kitty said nonchntly.


    "But what about Donald''s illness? What if big sis is a match?" the manager whispered.


    "The hospital said it''s not immediately dangerous. There''s no rush to bring big sis back. We''ll take it slow," Kitty knew her sister''s temperament all too well; pushing too hard would backfire.


    "That works too," the manager didn''t press further.


    Kitty put her sunsses back on and gestured for him to drive.


    As he started the engine, something else came to mind. "I ran into Miss''s daughter."


    Thinking of herck of manners, he shook his head. "Though she''s a valedictorian, she''s worlds apart from Miss Yaya."


    Kitty remained indifferent. "Don''tpare everyone to Yaya, especially when theye from such different backgrounds."


    ncing in the rearview mirror, the manager chuckled. "True, growing up in the countryside doesn''t reallypare."


    He left unsaid the part about her being otherwise appealing.


    Kitty hummed and checked her phone.


    "Speaking of Donald''s illness, any blood rtive can be tested. If big sis isn''t an option, why not try her kids?" the manager suddenly suggested.


    Kitty paused, then looked at him, "You just gave me an idea."


    The manager smiled modestly. "It''s nothing. The Song family has been good to me; I''m just doing my part."


    Kitty turned to gaze out the window, thinking of Delh''s daughter going to Riverdale. "Once she''s there, she''ll be within our reach, and she won''t have a choice but to return to the Song family."