Sean thought, ''Finally got rid of her!'' He was in a great mood, called over a waiter, and ordered two signature dishes. The waiter was shocked, wandering off with a dazed expression. Noticing the regret on Xanthe''s face, Sean squinted at her. "What, you were hoping we''d hit it off?"


    "Of course... not," Xanthe said, sitting down where Yetta had just been. "But seriously, you left and now you''re back for another blind date?"


    "Mom''s orders," Sean sighed.


    Xanthe said, "Oh, got it."N?velDrama.Org content.


    Sean took out his phone and briefly updated on the blind date. "Yetta was gracious and talented, but unfortunately, she didn''t take a liking to your son."


    Eve sounded exasperated. "Already done? You better not be messing around!"


    Sean feigned innocence. "I swear, she was just too smart for me. I mean, I barely kept up. Honestly, her sticking around as long as she did was a miracle."


    Realizing his mom wouldn''t give up, Sean pretended to be resigned. "I really tried, but maybe next time''s the charm. If you could pick someone else, I''d greatly appreciate it. Maybe with a bit more prep time?"


    Eve thought, ''He even hints at the next date!'' She wanted to scold him, but hearing him voluntarily agree to another blind date softened her a bit. It was rushed, so, normally, they didn''t click. "Alright, I''ll pick carefully this time and let you know." "Great, thanks, Mom. I''ll do my best next time, Sean replied, gratefully hanging up.


    Xanthe was munching on fries, watching Sean''s quick switch of moods. His speed was impressive enough to make her bow down. "Aren''t you worried your mom will throw a bunch of dates your way since you''re pushing her like that?" Sean raised an eyebrow like she just didn''t get it. "As long as I date fast enough, they can''t catch me."


    Xanthe thought, ''Wow, talk about a numbers game!'' She gave him a thumbs up.


    "But handling all these dates alone is tricky." Sean scratched his chin, then suddenly smirked at her. "I think we could have a new partnership."


    Xanthe leaned back, wary. "You want me to fend off your blind dates, don''t you?"


    Sean said, "Knew you''d get it, being Shakira''s best friend and all


    Xanthe puffed up with pride. "Of course! Hanging with Shakira, I pick up on things." Then she realized she''d fallen into Sean''s trap. "No way, I''m not doing something so shady."


    "Not going to help? Fine." Sean sighed dramatically, "Then I guess I''ll have to ask Shakira for help."


    Xanthe immediately exploded. "No way, you can''t ask Shakira!"


    Sean looked at Xanthe, starting to piece things together. "Seems like you don''t like me hanging out with her. What''s your angle?"


    Xanthe nearly bit her tongue, eyes darting nervously, then she clenched her fist, determined. "I just don''t want you bothering Shakira. I''m her bestie, I can handle this small stuff for her." Sean, of course, had no real n to ask Shakira. He thought, ''No way, she might just punch me if Idare.


    Seeing Sean stay silent, Xanthe reluctantly agreed, "Fine, I''ll help you. Just don''t bother Shakira."


    Mission aplished, Sean clinked his ss against hers. "Pleasure doing business."


    Xanthe huffed, gulping down her water. She thought, ''Another day of protecting my favorite couple!''


    Felix arrived at the venuete and noticed his parents'' sour expressions. He couldn''t help but ask, "What happened?"


    Reba''s face was stiff, and Cody was silent, unwilling to discuss The tension was thick. Seeing this, Yvette''s already low spirits caused her eyes to redden further.


    Felix exchanged nces with Finn. Felixforted Yvette and took her to another car.


    When they got home, Selena was cheerfully ordering a feast in the kitchen, eager to congratte Yvette. "Yvette, where did you finally decide to intern?"


    Yvette sniffed and smiled, "Grandma, it''s Lopez Group."


    Selena said, "Wow! Lopez Group is great. Interning there is a huge opportunity. Our Yvette is amazing, scoring second in the ss and securing an internship at Lopez Group. Grandma will give you 300 thousand dors to prepare for work. You can''t be outdone!" Yvette was overjoyed. "Thank you, Grandma."


    Selena replied, "Come on, let''s eat before it gets cold-"


    "Mom, I''m not hungry. I''ll head to my room first," Reba suddenly said, heading upstairs.


    Cody nced at his wife''s back. "Mom, you eat with the kids. I''ll keep herpany."


    Selena sensed something was up, her brow furrowing immediately. "Felix, bring your parents to the study."


    "Okay," replied Felix.


    In the end, Finn was the only one left to keep Yvettepany at the banquet. But he didn''t eat much before he was interrupted by a call from work and had to step out.


    Left alone, Yvette clutched her fork, her expression shifting from one of sadness to one of dark resentment.


    A momentter, Yvette silently crept upstairs, stopping outside the study. Inside, arguments could be heard.


    Reba was furious. "Without the Nelson family, what right does Shakira have to get close to Walter? Now she''s using the Lopez family to pressure us, making us lose face!" Selena spoke in a low voice, "This whole mess was started by Yvette. If we''d known Shakira was top of her ss, none of you should have gone, letting her outshine you!"


    She sighed, both regretful and angry. "She''s not of Nelson blood, after all. However much we''ve raised her, she still pales next to Shakira. Pity that stubborn girl, wasting our Nelson genes!"


    Outside the door, Yvette clenched her fists tightly. She thought, They areparing me to Shakira, looking down on me? Do they really think I am not as good as Shakira?


    ''Reba ims she''d nurture me and be proud of me, but it is all to feed her own vanity. She is just angry that Shakira doesn''t recognize her. She isn''t truly treating me like a daughter or caring for me! "They call me their precious granddaughter and daughter, spend money on my health, and show their kindness, all to maintain appearances, to be praised as a noble and united family.


    019


    ''But when trouble arises, all they do is me me for not being a ru Shakira is better!


    ''If Shakira hadn''t cut ties, if she ever crawled back to them... somed


    "They are all just like that wretched Mitchell-hypocritical, selfish, t