Jonathan's eyes lit up with hope. "Are you sure?"

He never expected Ophelia to be the first one to have a change of heart.

His gleaming eyes irked Ophelia for no good reason.

Did he want to call off their engagement that badly? Well, he was head over heels for Saskia, and even though Ophelia wasn't keen on Jonathan, she had no desire to wreck someone else's love story. "Yeah," she confirmed, her voice steady.

Jonathan didn't care that his clothes got dirty as he grabbed Ophelia's hand. "Ophelia, I always knew you had a heart of gold. Don't worry, once I marry Saskia, I'll replace a way to thank you. I've wronged you; I dragged you into this mess. I'll make it up to you in the future. I'll give you anything you want."

Ophelia, with her obsession for cleanliness, pulled her hand away and wiped it disdainfully.

Jonathan's face hardened. Was she that repulsed by him?

"Just focus on your job," she advised before leaving.

Ophelia's departure lit a fire under Jonathan. He returned to the diner with renewed zeal and apologized to the customers.

After a hint from Ophelia, the manager couldn't stay mad and let Jonathan get back to work.

Once she was alone, Ophelia exhaled a sigh of relief, while Jonathan wasted no time sharing the good news with Saskia.

"Saskia, don't worry, I'll convince my parents to come around. Just give me a little more time, I promise I'll marry you."

Saskia's voice was choked with emotion. "Jonathan, you've been working so hard. I've been scared to even step outside. I'm worried about you."

"It's okay, just rest up. You need to take care of yourself. Once I sort everything out here, I'll come see you."

Jonathan remembered her upcoming birthday. "I've got your present waiting. Just you wait."

"Jonathan, order up!" The chef's shout snapped him back to reality, and he quickly pocketed his phone, replying with a "Be right there!"

Saskia knew Jonathan was having a rough time lately. She never showed her face, only supplied the cash.

She wouldn't lower herself to do more. But Jonathan was Mrs. Metzger's flesh and blood after all. Mrs. Metzger couldn't have completely turned her back on Jonathan, so she couldn't give up either.

A few tender words of care were enough to make him even more devoted to her. As for the so-called birthday gift, she couldn't care less.

Nevertheless, preparations for Saskia's birthday gala continued without Jonathan's input.

On the evening of the event, Brittany and Isaac attended together.

"Daniel's school term is starting soon. Maybe we should transfer him to a school in Craneville?" mused Yuri, holding onto Daniel.

They couldn't return to Imperial City just yet, and Daniel's education couldn't be put on hold.

Isaac had already considered it. "I've made arrangements for him to attend a private school. We'll sort it out when we return to Imperial City."

"A private school?" Yuri frowned. "I'm not sure about that. He should go to Star Elementary. It's the top school around here, and Daniel's smart enough to fit right in."

Brittany and Isaac exchanged a glance and agreed, "Alright then."

Yuri made moves to ensure his grandson's placement, taking a personal interest in the boy's future.

When Leila heard about Yuri's plans for Daniel to attend Star Elementary, her face twisted with displeasure. Last year, when her nephew had wanted Yuri's help to get into the same school, he'd bluntly refused. And now, he was going out of his way for this other child. It was infuriating!

Saskia, clinging to Leila's arm, was as sweet and compliant as ever. As the belle of the ball, Saskia received a stream of gifts from friends eager to curry favor.

Jonathan was still at work, unable to attend just yet.

Saskia glided through the gathering with a smile, the princess of the night.

Meanwhile, Brittany and Isaac sat in a corner of the living room, embroiled in a fierce game of GO, black versus white in a battle of wits.

Jonathan had spent his entire savings on a necklace worth 3,000 for Saskia. He swapped shifts with someone and, without money for a cab, had to wait for the bus. With no bus stop near Bay Community, he got off at the closest stop and walked the rest of the way to the Lynette Mansion, its lights blazing like a beacon.

As soon as he entered, curious and scornful gazes latched onto him.

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