Jase sat down, leaning on his cane, as Yusef offered him pre-prepared coffee. He took a sip, then set the cup down. "I hear you," he said calmly. "My body's still holding up; no need for worry."

Ronald and Walter sighed. At Jase's age, still holding his position, rumors circulated that he clung to power, unwilling to relinquish it. But these old friends knew the truth—Jase wasn't concerned with power; he couldn't abandon his duty to the country. Jeremiah's position wasn't threatened, and with his current standing, even if Jase stepped down, no one would dare challenge the Chavez family.

James remained silent, though his expression softened. Jase, however, had noticed his sour look upon arrival. He turned to James. "What's with the long face, old man? When did I offend you? Why the grumpiness?" Ronald and Walter turned to James, awaiting his response. All eyes were on him.

James snorted, "Can't I just dislike your face?"

Jase frowned. He'd looked the same for decades, yet James acted as if he couldn't stand the sight of him. It seemed the old man was in a particularly foul mood. Back in their youth, James had been jealous of his good looks, and it seemed he still was.

James remained silent.

Jase hadn't expected his resemblance to Jeremiah—those similar eyebrows and eyes—to make James so unwelcoming.

Seeing the tension, Ronald changed the subject. "Hey, did you hear Jeremiah has a girlfriend? Why didn't you mention it, Jase?"

Walter nodded. "I've heard too. Seems everyone in Betrico knows. I never expected Jeremiah to actually have a girlfriend."

James grumbled, "That kid must have racked up serious good karma in a past life to land such a great girlfriend."

Ronald and Walter exchanged glances, questioning the meaning. Given the Chavez family's status and Jeremiah's exceptional character, it was clear that anyone with him would be fortunate.

Before they could ponder further, Jase, from the sofa, asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Walter, noticing Jase's confusion, explained, "Yesterday, at a dessert shop, your daughter-in-law fought with some women. They gossiped, she overheard, and now they're in the Betrico police station. Jeremiah plans to sue them for defamation."

Ronald added, "That's ruthless. If he doesn't back down, those women are going to jail."

James, unaware of the situation, asked, "What does this have to do with Jeremiah's girlfriend?"

Ronald, noticing James's anxiety, patiently explained, "I heard Jeremiah's girlfriend was there. She helped Aurora in the fight."

James stood, slamming his hand on the table. "Did Jeremiah's girlfriend get hurt? Did those women attack them? Those ruffians must be locked up!"

The three in the living room looked at him in confusion. Isn't his reaction excessive? Anyone unaware would think it was his daughter-in-law or granddaughter who was attacked! Jase thought, When did this old man start caring so much about my family's affairs?

Ronald, worried about James's blood pressure, tried to calm him. "Why are you so worked up? I haven't finished. Don't worry, Aurora and Jeremiah's girlfriend are fine. They were dishing out the punishment. I heard one woman even lost her hair at the station."

James sat, taking in their bewildered expressions. He calmly sipped his coffee. "Oh, as long as they're fine, it's no big deal. Losing some hair is nothing."

Jase, Ronald, Walter, and Yusef exchanged glances. Isn't this double standard a bit too obvious? They stared at James, silently questioning his sudden change.

James, relieved Yvette was fine, resumed sipping his coffee. He looked at the others. "What are you all staring at? Keep talking."

Jase and the others thought James was acting strangely; old age sometimes brought peculiar behavior. Jase turned to Ronald with a serious expression. "Has someone contacted you?"

Ronald chuckled, knowing they couldn't keep secrets. "Yeah, a deputy minister from the Treasury Department's wife tried everything to reach me, hoping I'd intercede."

Before Ronald finished, Jase's expression turned cold, and James also glared.

Ronald, fearing their wrath, raised his hands defensively. "I didn't agree to anything! I'd have to be crazy to say yes. I turned them down, so don't worry." Jase and James's expressions softened.

Jase lowered his gaze. "This matter is up to Jeremiah. Aurora wouldn't lash out without reason; something provoked her."

He turned to Yusef. "Make sure my message gets across. The Chavez family won't budge. They shouldn't use underhanded tactics, or they'll face severe consequences."

Yusef nodded and left. Within an hour, everyone in Betrico's upper echelons knew Jase's words. Those who planned to leverage connections backed off; with Jase's personal involvement, no one dared take risks.

In the living room, James's expression softened. "What do you think of Jeremiah's girlfriend?" He gritted his teeth, thinking that if Jase said anything negative about Yvette, he would confront him about that old face.

Jase glanced at him. "She's a great young lady—smart, beautiful, composed, strong, and decisive. It's truly rare."

Yusef and Walter exchanged glances, realizing she'd won Jase's approval. The position of Mrs. Chavez seemed secure. They were curious about a girl who could receive such high praise from Jase, knowing his high standards.

James sipped his coffee, sighed with relief, and looked at Jase with appreciation. "Well, you do have good taste and vision."

Jase and the others were already used to James's unusual behavior. It seemed the daily lab work was affecting his mind. Jase decided to schedule a psychologist appointment for him—no one should go crazy at his age, especially when otherwise healthy.

At dinner's end, Ronald turned to Jase. "When will you bring Jeremiah and his girlfriend over? I should give them a welcome gift."

Walter added, "Me too. I've got everything ready."

Jase replied, "Alright, I'll ask that little brat if he has time. Let's see his schedule."

They laughed, but James glanced at the harmonious trio and said, "Make sure to prepare an extra portion—my granddaughter is coming too."