Donald paced anxiously in his room, waiting for Cathy. The moment Cathy walked in, he blurted out, "Mom, how did it go? Jennifer and Irene didn't end up fighting, did they?"

Cathy chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're smitten with Jennifer, aren't you?"

Donald pressed, "Mom, just tell me. Jennifer wasn't bullied by Irene, right?" His worry was evident. If he weren't confined to bed, he would have rushed out to check on Jennifer himself.

Cathy said, "Jennifer isn't one to be trifled with. A few words from her, and Irene was already fuming."

"That's a relief. I was so worried Jennifer might have been pushed around," Donald said, visibly relaxing. His thoughts were entirely on Jennifer.

Although Jennifer hadn't been mistreated, Cathy couldn't help but think more about her. She found Jennifer to be a strong-willed young woman. "Tell me," she asked, "what's Jennifer's family situation like?"

Cathy thought, If it comes down to marriage, it's impossible not to inquire about Jennifer's family. After all, marriage involves two families. More importantly, she mused, Jennifer has a very bad temper, and her attitude is also a bit cold. I wonder if she might bully Donald.

Donald replied, "Mom, Jennifer's family is a bit complicated. Let me give you a quick rundown."

After hearing the summary, Cathy was stunned. She had expected Jennifer's family to be complicated, but not to this extent. Jennifer didn't just have Teresa as a younger sister; there was also a toddler. Donald added, "Mom, don't look so shocked. I've already told you, I don't care about her family background. The person I want to spend my life with is her. To me, she's an exceptional and upright person, and that's all that matters."

Cathy didn't respond immediately. She lowered her head, her expression conflicted. To say she didn't mind Jennifer's family background at all would be a lie. Every parent dreams of their child marrying into a stable, loving family. It was only natural. At the very least, a family that wasn't as complicated as Jennifer's. A loving and stable home produced well-rounded children. But Jennifer's mother had been through divorces and remarriages. Cathy couldn't help but worry.

She thought, How could someone raised in such chaos truly understand what it means to build a stable family? Would Jennifer adopt her mother's worldview? Would she also treat such matters with indifference?

"Mom, come on! You promised me. You said you wouldn't stand in our way," Donald reminded Cathy, his tone almost pleading.

Cathy said, "I'm not saying no, but it's hard not to worry." She pressed her fingers to her temples as if trying to ease the weight of her thoughts. She could see how deeply Donald cared for Jennifer.

Fate was a strange thing. When someone fell in love, no amount of outside disapproval mattered—to them, the other person was flawless. That single-minded devotion made people reckless, willing to risk everything.

Seeing how resolute Donald was, Cathy said, "Alright, as long as Jennifer has good character, that's what matters. If her values are strong, she stays out of trouble, and she can live a stable life as a doctor, then that's fine for me."

Teresa called Jennifer and asked, "Why haven't you gone to Shaville?"

Jennifer finally admitted, "I'm not going to Shaville for now."

Teresa was stunned.

Jennifer added, "Donald had a car accident. I just can't stop worrying about him."

Teresa immediately asked, "What happened? When did it happen? Was it serious?"

Jennifer explained, "It happened the day we visited Grandpa and Grandma's graves. He's fine now, just under observation at the hospital. I've been taking care of him these past few days."

Teresa went quiet. She wanted to ask if Jonathan was at the hospital too, but she knew Jennifer would… In the end, she held back and said, "Donald's a good guy. He likes you."

Jennifer replied, "Yeah. I'm still thinking about…"