Celia sat on the side, watching the two men lock eyes in a silent war of nerves. Tiling her head toward her father, she finally gathered her courage.
"Dad, please let me go to the Solis house for New Year's Eve. It's my first time celebrating with Amanda's family..."
Her father gave her a faint, stern look that immediately caused Celia's newfound bravery to wilt.
"The Solis family hasn't even come here to explain that scandalous mess," Mr. Lugo remarked dryly. "And you're already eager to run off to their house yourself?"
"It's not like I'm going on my own," Celia mumbled, staring at her shoes. "Ms. Solis practically forced Diego to come and pick me up... I'm just following orders."
Mr. Lugo opened his mouth to deliver another lecture, but a slight shake of the head from his wife cut him off. Ms. Lugo sat calmly, sipping her tea. She glanced at the colorful bruises on Diego's face and let out a soft, contemplative breath.
"Let Cece go to the Solis family for today," she decided. "We will ask for a formal explanation after the New Year is over. For now, let's move on."
Hearing his mother speak, Jason realized the battle was lost. He withdrew his gaze—which looked like it wanted to drill a hole through Diego's skull—and added, "Then I'll go with them."
Ms. Lugo glared at her son. "Don't make a fuss, Jason. I believe Diego is perfectly capable of taking care of Celia. Isn't that right, Diego?"
Diego met Ms. Lugo's smiling eyes and instinctively sat up straight. If his own mother was a rose full of thorns, Ms. Lugo was a deadly, elegant poppy—beautiful, but lethal if crossed.
"Yes, Ms. Lugo," Diego replied firmly. "I will bring Celia home safely right after the reunion dinner."
Ms. Lugo nodded in satisfaction and waved her hand, signaling for them to leave. Jason, however, remained unconvinced.
"Mom, how could you let her go like that? What about Cece's reputation?"
Ms. Lugo elegantly poured fresh tea for herself and her husband. "Why are you being so difficult, Jason? Couldn't you see how nervous your little sister was the moment she saw Diego's bruised face?"
Jason pursed his lips and remained silent. He didn't refute her, but his expression was far from happy.
As soon as they were in the car, Celia turned to Diego. "Were you actually beaten by your mother?"
Diego rubbed his sore temple and sighed. "Don't rub salt in the wound, okay?"
Celia pouted. "Consider it a fair trade for the crime of being played by a woman as scheming as Elena."
Diego was speechless. He could only let out a helpless groan and focus on the road.
When they arrived at the Solis estate, the sound of laughter and chatter drifted through the halls, making Diego feel even more like the family outcast. Amanda was currently leaning on Quentin's shoulder, laughing so hard she looked like she might fall over.
Quentin noticed Diego's pale, "bruised and green" face. He smiled softly, popped a slice of cucumber into Amanda's mouth, and whispered, "Don't push him too far, or your brother might actually pack his bags and run away on New Year's Eve."
Amanda gnawed on the cucumber and grinned. "Don't worry. My brother has developed nerves of steel over the years."
Mr. and Mrs. Solis, seated at the head of the table, were pleased to see their son had successfully completed his mission. They waved Celia over warmly. "Cece, you're here! Come in and eat."
Celia smiled shyly and took her seat opposite Amanda. The two girls shared a secret wink. Diego, still ignored by his mother, sat next to Celia, facing Quentin. The two men exchanged a cold snort instead of a greeting.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin," Mr. Solis announced, clapping his hands. "Cece, Quentin—please, make yourselves at home!"
The dinner was a rare moment of peace. A family of six gathered around the table, leaving work, business, and quarrels behind. Amanda watched the scene, her eyes moving from her parents to her brother, then finally to the man beside her.
How long had it been since she had felt this? Whether it was a year ago or a lifetime ago, it felt like an eternity. The warmth of the atmosphere suddenly made her eyes sting with hot tears.
"What are you thinking about?"
A large hand settled on her waist. Amanda tilted her head to find Quentin's warm lips brushing her cheek. She turned and gave him a playful shove. "Behave! My parents are sitting right there!"
Quentin laughed, leaning in to steal another kiss. "My parents are too busy mentally 'executing' Diego to pay any attention to us."
Amanda's cheeks burned with embarrassment, and she playfully nipped at his hand.
After dinner, while Quentin accompanied Mr. Solis for tea and Amanda dragged Celia away to gossip, Mrs. Solis led Diego into the study. She locked the door and sat behind the desk, her expression turning professional and cold.
"How are you going to solve this?" she asked.
Diego looked at his mother—who looked like she was ready to lead an army into battle—and sighed. "There is no 'problem' between Celia and me. I'll resolve the rumors and provide the Lugo family with a full explanation."
He had already moved to block the news on social media, but he knew that in their social circles, information traveled faster than the internet. The Lugo family valued honor above all else; this wouldn't be an easy fix.
Mrs. Solis lashed out at him unceremoniously. "You talk a big game. If the Lugos were easy to deal with, I wouldn't have had to beat you to a pulp."
Diego's lip twitched. So the beating had been a strategic move for the neighbors' benefit?
"But honestly," Mrs. Solis continued, her tone softening, "I think Celia is a wonderful girl. I wouldn't mind her being my daughter-in-law at all."
"Mom!" Diego was horrified. He had watched Celia grow up; he saw her as a little sister, nothing more.
Mrs. Solis glared at him. "Don't yell at me! Just date her for six months. If you truly aren't compatible by then, no one will force you."
Diego took a deep breath. "And if Celia disagrees? Will you just go out and find someone else's daughter to pick?"
Mrs. Solis shrugged nonchalantly. "We'll just have to see where things stand when those six months are up."