The hospital ward was packed to the brim with visitors and the sterile tang of antiseptics.

Jonathan had barely slept a wink in the overcrowded room, too distracted by the pulsing pain in his palm to replace any rest. He slumped against the headboard of the hospital bed, his eyelids heavy.

Mrs. Metzger arrived to replace her son in this state. Her heart sank at the sight of him in his crumpled uniform, looking gaunter than ever with dark circles under his eyes. His right hand was wrapped in gauze, a spot of blood seeping through. His usual well-groomed hair was disheveled, the air of aristocracy replaced by a sense of disarray and weariness.

Taking a shaky breath, she approached slowly.

Jonathan, half-awake, heard her footsteps, looked up, and muttered, "Mom."

Mrs. Metzger, her voice rough with emotion, said, "All this for Saskia? Was she worth falling out with me, with our family, ending up here?"

Jonathan, wincing from the pain and exhaustion, simply said, "Yes."

He loved Saskia, didn't want to marry Ophelia, and refused to be controlled by his mother for the rest of his life.

Mrs. Metzger's heart ached a little more. "And where is this beloved Saskia of yours? Why isn't she here?"

Having suffered such serious injuries, Saskia didn't even show up. Was this the person he loved?

"Saskia is frail, and it's late; I didn't tell her," Jonathan instinctively spoke up for Saskia.

He couldn't bear to see Saskia suffer.

Mrs. Metzger regretted having raised Jonathan to be so naive. To her, Saskia was a woman who valued power over love, a player in the game of influence, not a keeper of heartfelt promises. "Jonathan, I've raised you for thirty years, and you choose to betray me over a girl? You're stabbing me in the heart!"

Jonathan's eyes reddened. "Mom, just agree to let me marry Saskia, and I'll do whatever you say after that."

He just wanted to be with the one he loved.

Mrs. Metzger's gaze was unwavering. "I can agree to anything but that."

"Then there's nothing left to discuss." Jonathan was just as stubborn.

After half an hour of a silent standoff, Mrs. Metzger left the hospital. She called Ophelia, "Thank you for supporting Jonathan through this, Ophelia."

"Mrs. Metzger, he still wants to call off the engagement with me..."

"I genuinely like you, Ophelia. Trust me, you and Jonathan are a good match."

Mrs. Metzger knew Ophelia wanted to break things off, but she wasn't ready to let go of such a suitable daughter-in-law.

"Jonathan has been sheltered by me. He's being deceived now. Give him time, and he'll see Saskia for who she really is. He will come to love you."

Ophelia didn't want to meddle in their mother-son affairs, so after a brief chat, she hung up the phone. The next morning, Ophelia received a call from her secretary. "Ms. Joyner, Mr. Metzger has been discharged from the hospital and intends to return to work."

"Okay." Ophelia sighed, pressing her fingers against her forehead. "Ensure those people from yesterday are dealt with. I don't want any repeats of last night's event."

After hanging up, Ophelia immersed herself in a new round of work. With Brittany back in the workforce, Ophelia seized the opportunity to engage in a deep collaboration with her.

As autumn transitioned into winter, the town of Craneville seemed to be covered in a blanket of frost overnight.

Daniel started at Star Elementary School and quickly became popular, much to the pride of Yuri.

Watching Yuri's growing fondness for Daniel, Leila felt a stir of unease. She had to secure her place in the family with a grandson, or she'll lose everything!

"Saskia, what's the word from the Metzger family?"

Saskia looked troubled. "They still won't budge, and Jonathan's been having a rough time."

Although nobody openly harassed Jonathan after the recent backlash, videos of him working a regular job had gone viral, dragging Saskia into the mockery as well. Embarrassed yet unable to distance herself from Jonathan, Saskia felt stuck. "If he can't bring you into the family, you should cut ties sooner rather than later," Leila advised, mentioning a potential suitor who could match Jonathan's status.

Saskia felt tempted but couldn't hide her reluctance. "Let me wait a bit longer, Mom. I don't want to leave him now, not after everything."

"You're being foolish; he can't make promises," Leila said bluntly. "I'll take care of it for you."

Ignoring Saskia's apparent heartache, Leila added, "Get ready, we're meeting someone tonight."

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