Lena fished out an offer letter from her bag, well aware that all eyes were on her. With a smile that lit up the room, she announced, "Today really is a double joy-I got accepted at the hospital. To keep up with my studies, I'll intern every weekend, and once I graduate, I'll be working there full-time."

Hattie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Lena, that's fantastic news!"

One by one, everyone showered her with congratulations. Lena basked in their praise, her eyes occasionally flicking toward Josefina with a hint of triumph.

Josefina caught the challenging look and curved her red lips into a confident smile. "Lena, that letter just means you have a long-term internship. To actually land a job at the hospital, you'll have to go through a post-internship evaluation and competition, right?"

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Lena was flabbergasted. How did Josefina know this? She wasn't a professor at the hospital, nor was she part of the judging panel. How on earth did she come across this information?

Grandpa Robert furrowed his brow, his authoritative gaze scrutinizing Lena. "Lena, don't go spouting off about things you're not sure of. If word gets out, you'll make the Harrison family the laughing stock of the town."

Lena's eyes welled up with tears, as if she had been wronged, tears filling her eyes. "Grandpa, I... I didn't mean to. I just wanted to share the good news with the family, and I'm confident I'll secure a position at the hospital."

Realization dawned on Grandpa Robert. "So, what Josie mentioned is all true?"

Lena's mind was in turmoil as she scrambled to explain. "Grandpa, I've always been top of my class in the hospital evaluations. There's no way I'd get cut."

Garrett interjected, "Lena, wait for the final results before you make any announcements, got it?"

Hattie added her two cents. "Lena, we all know you're exceptional, but some things need to be considered carefully before you speak."

Calix nodded in agreement and gave Lena an out. "Lena, why don't you order something to eat and we can talk more later?"

Taking the hint, Lena let the subject drop.

The group ordered their meals, chatting away as they waited for their food.

Meanwhile, Billy, Lauren, and Ruby had also chosen this place for their dinner. Seated in an upstairs private dining room, they were dressed to the nines, as if afraid their wealth would go unnoticed. Ruby was in a pink dress, her makeup flawless, her gaze occasionally drifting to the door in anticipation.

Billy glanced at his watch, his brow furrowed with concern. "Ruby, are you sure Xavier will show up? Did you two confirm the time?"

Ruby's face was a mask of anxiety. "Dad, he told me. He'll be here by eight, guaranteed."

Lauren tried to soothe the tension. "Billy, just wait a bit longer. Traffic's heavy around this time. Maybe he's stuck in a jam?"

"If he knew about the traffic, shouldn't he have left earlier?" Billy grumbled, clearly irked.

Lauren's patience was wearing thin. "Billy, remember you're the one asking for a favor. Adjust your attitude."

Billy knew the purpose of his visit and wisely chose to remain silent.

As they waited, the clock ticked past half-past eight without any sign of Xavier. However, Xavier's call did come through. Ruby answered, deliberately switching on the speakerphone so Billy could hear Xavier's voice.

Ruby was about to speak with a shy expression on her face when she heard Xavier's icy voice coming through the phone. "Ruby, I can't make it. I'm tied up and won't be able to join you for dinner. Enjoy your meal without me."

His frosty words pierced their hearts like a dagger, leaving the three of them reeling in shock and disappointment.

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