Trish had no idea how many people would be gossiping about her behind her back.


    She was someone who couldn''t stand being talked about, especially when it was for something as embarrassing as


    this.


    "Grandma, Dad, Mom, I don''t know how things got this bad!" Trish eximed, her voice shaky with panic.


    Archer and Natalie looked equally panicked. "Trish, you didn''t offend Dr. Cen, did you?"


    Edith pped her thigh in frustration. "Oh, no! Dr. Cen is a medical genius- someone we can''t afford to cross! What are we going to do now?"


    Wendy stood off to the side, watching as the family scrambled in a panic over Dr. Cen''s disapproval.


    Trish''s eyes were red, and she was visibly shaken.


    Just then, Natalie spoke up, her voice full of thought. "Trish, do you know if Dr. Cen is a man or a woman?"


    Archer frowned. "How is that relevant?"


    "Well, if Dr. Cen is a man," Natalie said, her voice lifting with hope, "if he saw someone as beautiful and talented as Trish, he''d definitely fall for her at first sight, right?"


    Edith''s expression shifted from worry to excitement. "Yes! If Trish became Mrs. Cen, the Crone family would truly be on top! With Dr. Cen and Mr. Hawk as my grandsons-inw, I would have no regrets in this life!"


    In truth, Archer and Natalie had been on the lookout for a good match for Trish for years. They couldn''t afford to lose to the second branch with Jessica. Their sights had long been set on Dr. Cen, since only the doctor could rival Stanley.


    Trish''s heart skipped a beat. She had admired Stanley, but it was clear his heart belonged to Jessica. So, she made a vow to herself to find someone just as remarkable as Stanley. Dr. Cen seemed to check all the boxes.


    A determined smile crossed Trish''s face. "Grandma, Dad, Mom, I''ve got some insider info-Dr. Cen has already arrived in Hovendale."


    "Really? Where is Dr. Cen?" Edith asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "You don''t need to worry about that. I''ll find Dr. Cen. Just wait for the good news." Trish shed a confident smile, her lips curling upward.


    The family buzzed with excitement again.


    Wendy stood quietly off to the side.


    Hmm, well, good luck with that.


    Just then, a pleasant ringtone sounded. Wendy saw that it was Nathan calling.


    She stepped outside to answer. Nathan''s voice came through the phone immediately. "Wendy, it''s my birthday today. Come join us for the celebration."


    It was Nathan''s birthday, and he was inviting her to celebrate.


    Wendy was about to decline. "Nathan, I-"


    Nathan cut her off, his tone light but firm, "Wendy, you have toe. If you don''t,


    I''ll just have to drive over to vendale University and pick you up from your dorm."


    Wendy paused. Well, that was certainly a strong-arm tactic


    "Fine, Nathan. Just send me the address, and I''ll be thereter."


    Nathan quickly sent the address. Wendy thought that since it was his birthday, she couldn''t show up empty-handed. She decided to go shopping for a gift.


    It couldn''t be too cheap, and definitely not too intimate-she didn''t want Nathan to get the wrong idea.


    After browsing through the mall, Wendy finally settled on a ssy men''s wallet.


    With the gift neatly packed in an exquisite gift bag, she took a cab to Nathan''s birthday party.


    Nathan''s birthday party was being held at a private winery, in the most luxurious VIP suite. The guest list was full of the circle''s elite young men, gathered together for a night of celebration.


    Stanley and Jessica were already there.


    Jessica handed Nathan a gift with a bright smile. "Happy birthday, Nathan."


    The pile of gifts on the couch was impressive, filled with luxury brands.


    Benny and Sienna made their way over. "Nathan, can we start the party now?"


    Nathan nced toward the entrance. "Hold on. My most important friend hasn''t arrived yet."