I hesitated before asking, "Do you think there''s still time for me to change into a suit?"


    Crystal smiled. "There''s no need for that. I initially thought about asking you to wear a suit, but now I''ve realized something-you''re my boyfriend. It''s perfectly normal for you not to know all the family customs.


    "Besides, I''m already grateful that you''re willing to apany me. I don''t want to ask more of you."


    "Alright." Although I agreed, I couldn''t help but feel a bit regretful. I was worried that my attire might cause unnecessary trouble for her.


    Halfway there, she made a call and put it on speaker. "Mom, is everyone already there?"


    A woman''s voice came from the other end of the line. "Mostly everyone has arrived. Your cousins are here too, and they''ve all brought their boyfriends. From what I''ve seen, they''re all outstanding young men. Crystal, you said you''d bring your boyfriend this time. Are you serious?"


    Crystal nced at me, her expression slightly reserved. "Yes, Mom. He''s right here in the car with me."


    "Good. Take your time getting here. I''ll wait for you. Oh, and don''t hang up. I''ll keep you on so you can hear their conversation and prepare yourself beforehand. That way, you won''t be caught off guard."


    "Alright. Don''t worry, Mom. I''m different from before. It won''t be easy for them to bully me again!"


    As I listened to their conversation, I didn''t know what to say.


    Was this really supposed to be a family gathering? It sounded more like a political battlefield than a reunion.


    A burst of chatter came through the phone, followed by an elderly woman''s voice. "Oh my! You two are bing more beautiful each day. You both have truly blossomed into stunning young women."


    "Grandma, no matter how pretty I be, I''ll neverpare to how beautiful you were in your youth. It''s a shame I didn''t inherit even a fraction of your genes!"


    "That''s right! If I had inherited your beauty, I would''ve dominated the entertainment industry by now!"


    The woman who was addressed as Grandma chuckled. "Neither of you evene close to Crystal. She closely resembles me in my youth, which is why she''s regarded as the family''s top beauty. You''re still a long way off."


    I briefly froze when I heard that. I wondered what kind of a grandmother would say such things.


    Even if some grandchildren were more good-looking than others, wasn''t it a bit much to make such tantparisons? No wonder their family gatherings were so tense. When the older generation set this tone, how could the younger ones be expected to get along?


    At that moment, one of the women on the call spoke up again, her tone yful. "Grandma, let me introduce my boyfriend, Pablo Steele. His family owns a chain of furniture stores—35 across the country, and even two overseas."


    "Really? Oh my. So you''re from the Steele family! You''re such a handsome young man. You''re truly blessed to be with Anna."


    The corners of my mouth involuntarily twitched. "Is your grandma always like this?"


    Crystal blushed slightly. "This is how she always is. By the way, let me introduce everyone. The person who just spoke was my grandma. You can just call her Mrs. Morgan Seniorter. The sharp voice belongs to my cousin, Anna Morgan, and the deeper voice is my other cousin, Celia Morgan."


    "Got it," I replied, silentlymitting the names to memory so I wouldn''t make a mistaketer.


    Then I heard Mrs. Morgan Seniorugh again through the phone. "That''s wonderful. If you can marry into the Morgan family, your future will be limitless. Here, take these gifts. I apologize if it''s too much-just ept them!"