After all, it wasn't a problem even if he stayed at the hospital for a year, considering the Scott family's financial resources. While Leyton was expiring from boredom, the hospital room door opened, and Sandy sashayed in with a lunchbox. "I've got good news, Ley!" she crowed. "What is it?" Leyton asked. "Jared's been kicked out of Dragon Bay! Maybe he had a falling out with Josephine!" Sandy announced excitedly. "Why?" Leyton asked, equally ecstatic. "If he loses the Sullivan family's protection, he'll be nothing! Then I can crush him!"

"Why else? Josephine probably got sick of him. She was probably just toying with him. How could she really fall for someone not of equal standing? Early this morning, Dragon Bay security said his parents left with their luggage and returned to their old neighborhood," Sandy explained. Leyton guffawed.

"Haha! That's great! I'll deal with him when I recover! I'll make his life hell!"

Early the next morning, Franklin called to say he'd instructed Maria to pick Jared up for an interview at his office. Hearing this, Gary urged Jared out of bed. "You've got to make a good impression, Jared. This is a huge company; your future will be secure if you get a job there and work your way up," he said.

"Got it, Dad." Jared nodded, grabbed a shirt, and started to put it on. Gary frowned. "You can't wear that to an interview! Wear a suit, and hurry!" "I don't have a suit, Dad." Jared rarely wore suits. At that moment, Hannah interjected, "Nonsense! You bought one three years ago for your wedding!" But she stopped short, remembering the interview and avoiding the potentially sensitive topic. Soon, Jared was wearing his three-year-old suit, which was still new. "My son looks handsome in a suit. Good luck!" Gary patted Jared's shoulder. Hannah, being blind, touched Jared to assess his appearance.

Below their house, a red BMW was parked. Maria, standing before it, eyed the dilapidated buildings with disgust. "What a crappy place! It stinks! Is this really where he lives?" She pinched her nose. "I don't know what Dad was thinking, asking me to pick him up…" She checked her watch repeatedly. [The sentence about searching a website is inappropriate and has been removed.]

Professionally dressed, her long legs attracting attention, Maria nonetheless looked down on the neighborhood's residents. After waiting awhile, she called Gary.