Chapter 329 Boring activities

“It’s nothing. I’m just busy. You shouldn’t always be asking me to go out to eat, shop, or do other things. I’m a chief physician, I have so much on my plate and I am so busy. When would I have time to go out?”

“If you think you’re so idle that you have time for all these boring activities, I’ll have your department head assign you more work next time.”

As soon as Darla heard this, her expression changed instantly.

This wasn’t just simple dislike anymore; it had turned into deliberate targeting.

She never imagined that Cynthia would actually think she was too idle just because she’d invited her to eat and go shopping, and would increase her workload because of it?

Was this really the same Aunt Cynthia who had once liked and looked out for her, and even wanted to make her her daughter-in-law?

Darla couldn’t help but ask, “Aunt Cynthia, have I done something to upset you?”

“You know full well what you’ve done to upset me.”

Darla frowned. “I don’t understand!”

After a pause, she added, “If it’s because you think I’m bothering you, I apologize.”

“That’s not the reason.”

Darla pressed, “Then what is the reason?”

Cynthia glanced at Darla. “I’ve already met my son’s girlfriend.”

Darla’s expression shifted for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

“And?”

Cynthia said, “She’s not the kind of person you think she is. You’ve misunderstood.”

Darla curled her lips. “Auntie, you’re too naive. Just because she says she isn’t, does that mean she really isn’t? She’s met you several times, yet she’s never admitted to having a relationship with your son. Don’t you find that suspicious?”

Cynthia explained, “My son told her not to say anything, he wanted to surprise me. You can’t blame the girl for that. Also, you said she seduced my son, but my son says that’s not true, he was the one who pursued her. There’s no question of her seducing him.”

Darla frowned. “Auntie, then you must know that girl has no parents and no background, right? Don’t you realize what it means for her to be with Stephan?”

“A woman like her, coming from the lowest rungs of society, do you really think she’s after your son as a person? More likely, she’s after his wealth and power!”

Cynthia couldn’t help but say, “Darla, you’re thinking too badly of her. I can tell they genuinely care for each other, it’s not because of those external things.”

“Besides, it’s not that she has no parents, they just abandoned her when she was young. At the end of the day, she’s just a pitiful girl. You shouldn’t be speculating about her with such malice.”

Darla snorted derisively. Was she really speculating maliciously about Alana? She was merely making a reasonable assumption!

A woman from the lowest rungs of society, someone who’s never seen the light of day, when she finally comes into contact with someone she could never hope to match in her entire life, her inner vanity and greed will swallow up all her reason.

What she covets is certainly not just Stephan’s affection!

“Auntie, I’m truly afraid you’re being deceived by her innocent facade. I’ve interacted with her a few times, she is by no means as simple as you think! Innocence is merely her most elaborate disguise.”

Cynthia frowned as she listened. “No matter what kind of person my son’s girlfriend is, I have my own eyes and will judge for myself. I don’t need you to point anything out for me.”

“It’s almost time to leave work. I need to go home and discuss with my husband about meeting her officially this weekend.”

Darla’s face paled slightly, her expression one of disbelief. “Auntie, have you really accepted her? What about me? What am I to you?”

Cynthia sighed. “Darla, I did once want to introduce you to my son, but he doesn’t like you, you know that. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have stalled for so long. You can’t force love. Since my son doesn’t like you, you should cut your losses and find someone else.”

Darla said anxiously, “He doesn’t like me, but I like him. Can’t you help me and change your son’s mind? Besides, you were the one who said I was the perfect daughter-in-law in your eyes and wanted to bring me and your son together. Now you’re abandoning me, don’t you feel guilty toward me?”

Cynthia couldn’t help but intervene, “Darla, calm down. You can’t force matters of the heart. It’s not like I haven’t tried to bring you two together, but it didn’t work. You should just give up. You’re so wonderful; there are surely better men out there for you to choose from.”

Darla clenched her teeth and insisted stubbornly, “No, I only like your son! I want him. I want to marry him!”

She had already fallen in love with Stephan. Now, every night in her dreams, she dreamed of him.

She dreamed of him caressing her tenderly, caring for her with such devotion, and even kissing every inch of her skin.

She had never felt such an intense longing for a man before, she wanted to possess every part of him!

Cynthia saw the wild stubbornness in her eyes and felt deep regret.

If she’d known Darla would fall so deeply for her son, she never would have brought them together in the first place.

Now look at the mess she’s created, there’s no way out of this.

“I’ll say it again, Darla, let it go. My son says he’ll marry his girlfriend. I’ve already planned to discuss their wedding arrangements. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I’ll have them get married and hold the ceremony as soon as possible.”

“No unexpected complications?” Darla sneered, clenching her fists tightly. What if there was a surprise?

Darla tried to make her case, “Auntie, I don’t understand. Why would you agree to let your son marry that woman? In your eyes, is she really better than me? In terms of status, education, and ability, she’s far inferior to me. Any sensible person knows which choice to make!”

Cynthia couldn’t help but furrow her brows. Was Darla implying she wasn’t smart?

“Darla, in my eyes, social standing, education, and ability aren’t the top priorities. As long as that girl is kind, sensible, has good character, and holds sound values, I’m willing to accept her. Besides, I trust my son’s judgment and discernment.”

Darla gritted her teeth. “Auntie, you’re being too hasty. Marriage is a matter of great importance, how could you...”

“Darla, that’s enough. I have other matters to attend to and must head home. I won’t dwell on this further. You should take some time to calm down.”

Cynthia didn’t want to be too harsh with Darla, but Darla could clearly see her attitude.

She offered a polite farewell and left.

Darla clenched her teeth in fury. Calm down? How was she supposed to calm down?

The marriage that should have been hers had just been handed over to someone else, how was she supposed to stay calm?!

Just as Cynthia stepped out, she ran into Alana, who was also preparing to leave the hospital.

What a coincidence.

Cynthia quickly called out, “Alana!”

Alana turned around and was equally surprised to see Cynthia.

What a coincidence, running into each other at the hospital again.

“Auntie.”

Cynthia quickly walked over to Alana and said with a smile, “Don’t call me ‘Auntie’ anymore. You’re already talking about marriage with my son, just call me Mom.”

Alana couldn’t help but blush.

This reminded her of the mix-up from their last chance encounter at the restaurant.

But since her future mother-in-law had taken the initiative to ask her to call her “Mom,” she felt it would be rude not to.

So she softly called out, “Mom.”

Cynthia was overjoyed, her face lighting up instantly as if she’d heard heavenly music. “Oh, you’re such a good girl.”

A doctor colleague passing by couldn’t help but ask, “Dr. Cynthia, who is this young lady...?”

Upon hearing this, Cynthia immediately took Alana’s hand and enthusiastically introduced her to her colleague.

“She’s my son’s girlfriend, my future daughter-in-law. Isn’t she lovely?”

The colleagues, upon seeing Alana, couldn’t help but praise her. “Oh my, she really is beautiful! The young lady has such fair, delicate skin, she’s so beautiful, and full of poise!”

Cynthia nodded. “Yes, yes, I was blown away the moment I saw her too! My son is truly lucky to have found such a beautiful girlfriend!”

“Of course, I’m lucky too... to have such a beautiful daughter-in-law.”

Alana stood beside Cynthia, her face flushed crimson. She was too embarrassed by all the praise.