Chapter 10

“Daughter, please stop being shy!” Mrs. Haines took Brent Haines by the hand, her eyes filled with warmth. There was also a hint of urgency in her voice. “You’re already so old. If you don’t start dating soon, I’ll really go crazy.”

Brent Haines felt a warmth in her heart. She understood her mother’s concerns. With her right eye blind, and despite her attractive appearance, many boys were deterred by her condition. Over the years, her mother had worried endlessly about her future marriage. She leaned gently against her mother’s shoulder and said softly, “Mom, I know you’re worried. But there’s no need to be afraid anymore. He’s very kind to me. In a few days, I’ll bring him here to meet you.”

“Really?!” Mrs. Haines’s eyes lit up instantly, and she couldn’t hide her smile. But Mr. Haines, standing beside her, deliberately snorted coldly. He stared intently at the TV screen, though his ears were pricked up, clearly listening to the entire conversation between mother and daughter.

Brent Haines and Mrs. Haines exchanged a knowing glance. Brent stepped forward, gently shook Mr. Haines’s arm, and said in a somewhat coquettish tone, “Dad, what delicious food are you going to eat today? Are you hungry? How about I make you some noodles?”

Mr. Haines’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. Deep down, he was already softened, but he still kept a cold expression on his face, refusing to respond in a proud manner. He couldn’t give in so easily. Otherwise, his daughter would only think of that boy from now on, and not her father at all.

Seeing this, Brent Haines’s eyes lit up with a sly gleam. He deliberately frowned, his voice tinged with pretended frustration and weakness: “Dad, I had a hypoglycemic episode just now. My head still hurts.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Mr. Haines couldn’t sit still anymore. He turned to her abruptly, his concern evident in his voice. He said urgently to Mrs. Haines, “What are you standing around for? Hurry and get something to help our daughter. She’s having another hypoglycemic episode!”

Brent Haines watched her parents go about their tasks, a smile appearing on her lips as warmth filled her heart. Her dreams hadn’t yet come true, but she had parents who loved her deeply. Now, she also had a man who cared for and loved her. Such a life was more than enough.

“Daughter, come here and eat!” Mrs. Haines brought out a bowl of hot syrup. Seeing Brent Haines staring at her with infatuated eyes, she quickly tapped him on the arm. “Stop daydreaming. If you keep doing that, your father will scold you again.”

Brent Haines came back to his senses and sat down at the dinner table obediently. Although she had no appetite, she picked up the spoon and started drinking slowly. This was her parents’ kindness, and she didn’t want to let them down.

“How’s it? Is it delicious?” Mrs. Haines sat nearby, looking at her with expectant eyes. Every time she cooked for her daughter, she couldn’t help but ask this question.

“Mm, it’s delicious. Mom’s cooking is always the best,” Brent Haines replied with a smile. Looking at his mother’s radiant face, he felt warm inside. She sipped her sweet drink, with her parents sitting beside her. Suddenly, he realized that as long as things remained simple and peaceful like this, it was enough.

Meanwhile, in the Hathaway family’s villa, Ilona Finch was clinging tightly to Case Hathaway as he tried to leave. Her face showed obvious distress. “Case, please take me out with you. You haven’t spent any time with me in days.”

Case Hathaway frowned, shook her hand off forcefully, and said coldly, “I’m busy. Go by yourself.” His mind was entirely on Brent Haines; he had no desire to waste time with Ilona Finch.

“Casey, what on earth are you doing?” Eilona Finch wouldn’t give up. She stepped forward again, grabbed his arm, and shook him violently. “You weren’t like this before. Do you not like me anymore?”

“You don’t understand. Don’t ask.” Case Hathaway glanced at her, his eyes filled with impatience. He shook her hand off again and turned to leave.

“Casey, spend more time with Ilona when you have the chance.” Mr. Hathaway sat on the sofa, staring intently at the newspaper. His tone was firm and authoritative. He had already accepted Ilona Finch as the future daughter-in-law of the Hathaway family.

Case Hathaway paused for a moment, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. In the end, he simply replied, “Mm.” He couldn’t openly defy his father, so he had no choice but to compromise for now.

Casey Hathaway drove the sports car, taking Ilona Finch with him away from the villa. The atmosphere in the car was tense, and no one spoke. Just then, the phone rang. Casey Hathaway put on his headphones and answered. Hearing Brent Haines’s gentle voice on the other end, a faint smile appeared on his face.

“Okay, I’ll be there in a moment. Wait for me downstairs and don’t wander off.” After hanging up the phone, Case Hathaway’s smile remained on his face, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Iloona Finch watched all of this, feeling a surge of jealousy. She couldn’t help but ask, “Kace, who is it? Who makes you so happy?”

Case Hathaway glanced at her, but didn’t respond. He continued to drive, completely indifferent. This cold demeanor made Ilona Finch feel furious, but she dared not show it. She simply turned her head away, staring out the window at the scenery.

Before long, Case Hathaway stopped the car beside a noisy street. His tone was cold: “Alright, we’re here. Get out of the car.”

Iloona Finch looked out the window at the unfamiliar surroundings, her face full of confusion. “Kace, where is this? What are we doing here?”

“Get off the car.” Case Hathaway’s tone was completely calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Iloona Finch bit her lip in anger. She shoved the car door open forcefully and slammed it shut. Her face was filled with rage. Even if she was stupid, she knew that Case Hathaway had deliberately left her here.

But Case Hathaway paid no attention to her emotions at all. He rolled down the window and said indifferently, “You can get a ride here. Call for a car to take you home by yourself.” Without waiting for Ilona Finch to react, he started the car and drove away, leaving behind only a fleeting glimpse of him.

Iloona Finch stood by the street, staring in the direction the car had disappeared. She was so angry that she trembled all over. Unable to control herself, she threw her handbag aside and screamed, “Case Hathaway! You bastard!”

Passersby glanced at her in surprise. Some stared at her curiously, while others couldn’t help but whisper among themselves. Seeing this, Ilona Finch became even angrier. She yelled at the passersby, “What are you staring at? Be careful, or you might go blind!”

Passersby, seeing this, shook their heads and walked away. Some even muttered “Psychopath” under their breath. Fortunately, Ilona Finch was too angry to hear them. Otherwise, there would surely be another argument.

And as Case Hathaway rushed away, all he could think about was Brent Haines. Just now, Brent Haines had called and said he wanted to take him home to meet his parents. Case was so excited that he wanted to fly to Brent’s side right away. He had no time to think about Ilona Finch at all.

“How did you get here so quickly?” Brent Haines stood downstairs at his home, watching the sports car speed toward him. His face was filled with surprise. It hadn’t even been five minutes since she hung up the phone, and here was Case Hathaway already.

Casey Hathaway pushed open the car door and rushed over. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead as he gasped for breath. “I was afraid you’d change your mind. If you won’t let me meet your parents, I’ll never be happy in my life.”

Brent Haines watched his flustered expression and felt a warm sensation in his heart. He reached into his pocket for a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Don’t worry. If I say I’ll take you somewhere, I definitely will. Look at you, you’re already sweating from running around like that.”

“It’s okay. As long as I can see your parents, all the tiredness is worth it.” Case Hathaway smiled, like a big, silly guy, and took Brent Haines’s hand, which was wiping sweat off his face.

Brent Haines then noticed the various bags he was carrying. Puzzled, he asked, “Why did you buy so many things?”

Casey Hathaway looked at her helplessly, wishing he could knock her on the head. “Little fool, how can you go meet your future in-laws without bringing a gift? It’s basic common sense.”