Chapter 5 Arrange A Suitable Match

Ximena slung her bag over her shoulder and softly hummed to herself as she stepped out of the hospital, her whole body lighter than it had felt in ages.

Eighty million!

The funding nightmare that had plagued her and her mentor for more than half a year had finally been settled, and in the most unbelievable way possible.

Even though Aydan was notorious for his permanent scowl and volatile temper, he had become her benefactor, and at that moment she honestly thought he might as well have descended from heaven.

While she was mulling over how to break the great news to her mentor, her phone buzzed in her hand.

The instant she saw the caller ID, the smile on Ximena's lips stiffened and vanished.

She drew in a steadying breath, mentally preparing for a confrontation she knew would be unpleasant, and then accepted the call. "Hello, Grandma..."

"Ximena!" The voice on the other end crackled with sharp energy and fury. "Do you have any idea what time it is? How can a young woman like you be out so late every single night?! Come home immediately!"

Before Ximena could get a single word in, the line went dead.

She stared at the black screen and let out a weary sigh.

Tonight, it seemed, was destined to be another exhausting showdown.

Thirty minutes later, the taxi pulled up in front of the Hayes Mansion, nestled in Osebury's well-known old-town enclave for the wealthy.

Ximena passed through the iron gates, crossed the manicured lawn, and walked straight toward the brilliantly illuminated main house.

The moment she stepped inside, an oppressive tension settled over her.

Directly opposite the entrance, an elderly woman sat upright in a chair, her presence imposing.

Her snow-white hair was arranged with flawless precision; she was Laura Hayes, the unquestioned ruler of the Hayes household.

"Grandma, I'm home." Ximena walked over with a gentle, ingratiating smile.

Laura didn't bother to raise her eyes, only letting out a low snort as she struck the floor with her cane.

"Stand properly."

The smile on Ximena's face faltered, yet she straightened and remained where she was.

"Do you have even a shred of respect left for me as your grandmother? Do you still remember the decorum expected of a member of the Hayes family?" Laura asked, her tone even but heavy with authority.

"Grandma, I was filling in for a coworker today, so I-"

"I'm not interested in your excuses!" Laura cut in coldly. "Answer me this instead-do you even know how old you are now?"

"I'm twenty-five."

"Twenty-five! You're no longer a child, yet you spend your days dodging respectable pursuits and keeping company with men. Have you ever spared a thought for the Hayes family's reputation?" Laura's irritation mounted with every word. "Our family has run businesses for generations, and I already indulged your father when he insisted on becoming a doctor. But you? You didn't just follow his path, you went further, choosing to specialize in... andrology! Are you determined to turn us into a public joke?"

Laura launched into it yet again.

Ximena lowered her head, silently rolling her eyes.

She had listened to this exact lecture countless times ever since she declared her major in med school.

She was just about to say something soothing and steer things away as she always did, when, unexpectedly, her parents-who had been sitting quietly on the sofa nearby-spoke up.

"Ximena, your grandmother is only thinking of what's best for you." It was her mother, Eva Hayes, who spoke.

She gazed at her daughter with evident concern. "You really are getting older; it's time you started thinking about dating."

Ximena stared at her mother, stunned.

These were the same parents who had once stood against the entire family to pursue medicine and marry for love.

Their example had been the very reason Ximena chose this path for herself.

Normally, whenever her grandmother exploded, they would back her up in one way or another.

So what had changed today?

She shifted her gaze to her father, Zachary Hayes, silently pleading.

Zachary met her eyes for a brief moment before looking away, clearing his throat as he agreed, "Your mother has a point. Starting a family should come before building a career."

Ximena's heart plummeted straight to the depths.

Something about her parents' behavior felt wrong, and she knew Laura must have cornered them again-cornered them badly enough that they were willing to offer up their own daughter to protect themselves.

"I've already asked an old acquaintance to help arrange a suitable match for you," Laura declared, clearly pleased now that Zachary and Eva were backing her. "The man's background and character are impeccable. He's a few years older than you and a little quiet, but steadiness is a virtue in a man. You will go on a date this week! If you dare try any tricks again, I'll cut off your medical career entirely!"

Taking away her right to practice medicine?

That threat struck exactly where it hurt most.

Ximena lifted her head, meeting her grandmother's unwavering gaze and her parents' averted eyes, fully aware that there was no way out this time.

In the end, she chose to give in.

"Fine. I'll go."

Laura blinked, clearly surprised by how easily Ximena agreed.

"But let me say this first," Ximena went on. "I'll meet him, but whether anything comes of it is up to fate. You can't force him to fall for me, can you?"

Laura flicked her hand impatiently. "Very well. Remember your words; I'll have the butler send you the details."

"Understood!" Ximena turned and hurried back to her room.