Clifford was taken aback, laughing. "What mother-in-law uses this trick? Only my wife could think of such a bizarre tactic." He whispered, "Honey, can we skip this act?"

Aurora rolled her eyes. "We have to. If we don't, you'll have a hard time. Do you want to sleep in the study?"

Hearing this again, Clifford sighed and gritted his teeth. "Fine, I'll act." He muttered, "Imagine, the illustrious Mr. Chavez threatened with the study—who'd believe it?"

Yvette and Jeremiah entered to find Aurora leaning back on the sofa, clearly uncomfortable. Clifford looked at her with concern. "Honey, if you're not feeling well, let's go to the hospital. Don't be stubborn." He spoke earnestly.

Aurora rubbed her temples. "Honey, it's okay. If Yvette could stay a while longer, I'd feel better."

Jeremiah and Yvette overheard. Jeremiah squinted, his emotions hidden. He thought, My mom is really something; she even knows how to play this trick.

Yvette observed the "weak" Aurora and Clifford, silent. How should I play along? For the first time, she felt truly perplexed.

Jeremiah coughed. "Dad, Mom, we're back."

Yvette greeted them lightly. Aurora feigned surprise, sitting up weakly. "Oh, Jeremiah, Yvette, when did you arrive? Why didn't you say anything?"

Clifford played along, asking with a serious face, "How long have you been here?" They both knew.

Jeremiah watched, pursing his lips. "Not long. Just heard everything we needed to hear."

Clifford's face looked unnatural. He feigned seriousness, changing the subject. "Did you finish the military affairs today?"

Aurora wanted to roll her eyes. This acting deserves a bad review. She coughed to interrupt.

Yvette stepped forward, concern etched on her face. She took Aurora's hand. "Auntie, are you okay?"

Jeremiah was startled. What is she doing? Aurora was stunned as well, as was Clifford. All three were frozen.

Yvette glanced at their expressions. In the family dramas I watch, this is how they act. Did I do it wrong? With a serious look, she asked, "Do you think my acting was bad?"

All three shook their heads, then nodded together. Yvette lowered her eyes, then lifted her head. She decided to stop acting, immediately dropping the pretense.

The sudden change left them dumbfounded, yet more comfortable. Jeremiah squeezed her fingers, a slight curl to his lips. It's asking a lot of her to act along for the first time.

Aurora felt embarrassed. This is blown, it's awkward. She stood, transforming her demeanor. "It's all my fault. I'm fine. Don't do that again. If I asked Yvette to stay, would she refuse? What a pointless move."

Clifford was speechless.

Aurora looked at Yvette with a pitiful expression. "Yvette, would you like to stay for dinner?"

Yvette calmly replied, "Sure."

Aurora warmly said, "Let's see Cara's new dessert."

Jeremiah and Clifford exchanged glances. Clifford said, "Your wife's acting is subpar."

Jeremiah retorted, "Your wife's isn't great either."

At dinner, Jase returned. The men looked grim, avoiding eye contact. Aurora kept serving Yvette.

Jase chuckled, observing them. "Yvette, Jeremiah said you're flying back to Seacrity in three days?"

Yvette replied, "Yes, I have exams."

Jase paused. I forgot she's still in school.

Clifford said, "Exams are important; study hard."

Aurora added a chicken wing to Yvette's bowl. "Yvette, it's just an exam. Back in my day, I relied on dice rolls. For questions you don't know, far C will do."

Jase and Clifford cleared their throats. Teaching kids the wrong things. Aurora smiled awkwardly. Jeremiah calmly peeled shrimp for Yvette.

Jase said, "Yvette, do you have time tomorrow? I have friends who want to meet you."

Jeremiah asked, "Walter and the others?"

Jase nodded. "Who else?"

Yvette agreed. Jase hesitated. "One friend is James. He's acting strange, a bit loopy with his experiments. He recently 'found' a granddaughter and keeps bragging. He insists on bringing her to meet you. Please, don't pick a fight with him."

Jeremiah paused, then looked at Jase. "James wants to bring his newly recognized granddaughter?"

Jase explained James's strange behavior and Mary's supposed crush on him. "I don't know where he found a granddaughter, but there's nothing I can do about it."