After leaving the restaurant, Nick and Marcia decided not to go to Osmanthus Garden. They didn't want Queenie to feel pressured.
Love was a complicated matter.
As parents, their role was simply to create opportunities. Whether or not Queenie and Justin ended up together, that would be up to them.
"Honey, do you really think Queenie could fall in love with Justin?" Marcia asked, her expression thoughtful. "I don't think the chances are very high."
Back at the table, she had noticed something unexpected—Queenie's feelings for John seemed deeper and more sincere than she had imagined. Despite Justin being such an outstanding man, Queenie had shown almost no interest in him.
This realization troubled Marcia.
Nick shared the same concern. After a pause, he asked seriously, "What would you do if Queenie insists on being with that boy?"
"No way!" Marcia snapped without hesitation.
Her impression of John was already terrible. She hadn't forgotten that day at the Greenland Villa—his arrogance, his ignorance. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
How could a man who grew up in a welfare home be so full of himself?
He even said he could give Queenie the best life? What a joke!
Nick hesitated, then said, "But you know what kind of person Queenie is. We were separated from her for twenty-five years. We finally have her back. If... if she chose to leave us for that boy…"
"No way! The Yeats family will lead her to the best path!"
"But I'm afraid Queenie doesn't see it that way."
Nick sighed. "She's building her own life, and she seems genuinely happy with it. Maybe our expectations are becoming a burden to her."
Marcia looked at Nick in disbelief.
In their marriage, Nick had always supported her, always respected her decisions. But now, for the first time, they stood on opposite sides.
She wanted to say more, but when she saw the firm look in Nick's eyes, she stopped.
Silence filled the car for a long moment.
Then finally, Marcia spoke again—this time much softer.
"If…"
She paused, then said reluctantly, "If Queenie truly loves John… then I'm willing to let him join the Yeats family."
It was the biggest compromise she could bring herself to make.
Nick let out a quiet sigh of relief. At least she's not completely unreasonable.
But before he could say more, Marcia's phone rang. She answered, listened for a moment, then her face instantly turned cold and furious.
"Absolutely not! I will never allow that boy to be with Queenie!"
"What happened?" Nick asked, confused by her sudden outburst.
Marcia's face was dark as thunder. "Justin called. That damned John hit Andy Brown. And Queenie is caught up in it too! They've both been taken to the Brown family mansion!"
"What?!"
Nick's face turned pale. He spun the steering wheel and turned the car around immediately, racing toward the Brown residence.
At the same time, in another part of the city.
Alton received a panicked phone call from Emily.
"Dad! Doctor Lopez hit Andy Brown and they took him away! Alan Brown won't let him go. You have to help him!"
"Don't worry," Alton said calmly. "I'm on my way."
He hung up and immediately headed for the Brown mansion without hesitation.
Doctor Lopez had saved his life. No matter how dangerous the situation, Alton would not abandon him.
Meanwhile, Emily hailed a taxi and rushed over as well.
Inside the Brown family villa…
Andy had already told his father the entire story of his conflict with John.
Truthfully, it wasn't that big of a deal. Andy wasn't even seriously injured.
But that wasn't the point.
What mattered was that someone had dared to hit his son.
It was a humiliation to both Andy and the entire Brown family.
However…
As Andy recounted the events, Alan's mind was only half-listening—because the rest of his attention was fixated on Queenie.
That striking face, slender figure, elegant posture…
Like a goddess fallen to earth.
He glanced at Andy, and the two exchanged a knowing look. Their eyes gleamed with twisted excitement.
Clearly, they both wanted her.
Sitting in his armchair, Alan tapped his foot rhythmically, his expression serious as he looked at John.
"You hit my son. By rights, I should break your arms and legs."
He paused, then added, "But… for the sake of your girlfriend, I'll forgive you."
"And then?" John asked flatly.
Alan's mouth twisted into a sneer. His gaze drifted toward Queenie before returning to John. "Then… have your girlfriend stay behind."
His stare returned to Queenie—and the smile on his face turned more and more perverse.
Andy licked his lips beside him, his eyes brimming with filthy anticipation.
Just imagining being with such a beauty made their blood boil.
They could barely contain themselves.
Seeing the lecherous looks on their faces, Queenie turned pale. She gripped John's arm tightly, her eyes full of fear and unease.
Then—
A voice rang out from the doorway.
"Boss, Mr. and Mrs. Yeats are here to see you."
Alan frowned. "What are they doing here?"
"Should I let them in?"
"Tell them I'm busy!"
But Andy suddenly interrupted, "Dad, I think Justin from the Bush family told me this girl… she's the daughter of the Yeats family."
Alan narrowed his eyes, stunned. "She's Marcia's daughter?"
He looked Queenie up and down again. Something clicked.
No wonder she looked familiar.
So this was the daughter of the Yeats family… the top family in New York.