"Alright," William replied, turning to face Nathan. "I'm heading out now."

Nathan gave a slow nod, fully aware of the immense pressure William had been under recently.

But then Nathan watched in disbelief as Andrew made a hasty exit right after William, leaving him momentarily speechless. Nathan fixed him with an intense stare. "Why are you rushing off so early? Come have a few drinks with me after this wraps up."

"No thanks. I need to get home to my girlfriend. She gets lonely when I'm not around."

"Could you stop being so ridiculously lovesick? It's actually nauseating to watch."

"Sounds like someone's jealous, Andrew," Nathan shot back with a casual shrug.

Nathan could only shake his head in defeat. "Fine then. Get lost."

Andrew didn't mind the dismissal at all, his heart too full of genuine happiness to care.

Just as Andrew was about to make his escape, Nathan's voice stopped him. "Wait."

Andrew rolled his eyes dramatically. "Look, I already told you I'm not going clubbing—"

"Here," Nathan interrupted, suddenly producing two adhesive bandages from his pocket.

Andrew's eyes widened so dramatically they nearly popped from their sockets. "Why do you have those on you? Are you... into me, Nathan? Please don't tell me you've developed feelings—"

"Shut your mouth," Nathan snapped, cutting him off. "Just go home to your woman already."

Andrew accepted the bandages, but an uncomfortable shiver ran down his spine as he did so.

After Andrew's departure, Nathan turned his attention to Ethan. "You're not busy either, are you?"

"Not particularly. We can grab drinks once you finish up here."

Nathan actually blinked in surprise—had he heard correctly? The most introverted member of their group had just agreed to hang out with him?!

Ethan had definitely been acting out of character lately.

Still, Nathan wasn't about to refuse the company, and the two slipped away together before the formal conclusion of the banquet.

Martin was seething with frustration—he might have been blessed with two sons, but one constantly embarrassed him while the other, though impressive, couldn't compensate for the first's shortcomings.

After the last guests had been properly seen off, Samantha returned to the Saunders estate with the rest of the family.

During the car ride home, Lindsay spoke to her with earnest concern. "Samantha, it's been three years since you married Andrew. Haven't you considered starting a family?"

Samantha froze at the question.

A child? They hadn't even shared a bedroom!

Lindsay's sigh carried a weight of diminishing hope as she continued. "I know it was unfair that you had to marry Andrew...and I'll admit he hasn't stopped his reckless behavior. But people always say that fatherhood changes men, gives them responsibility. Maybe having a child would finally make him grow up."

"As for Ryan... His heart and soul belong to his research. Even though he brought his girlfriend to the banquet tonight, I don't expect grandchildren from him anytime soon. Saunderia is too large an enterprise to lack an heir, but you know I can't place my hopes on Andrew—no, I'd rather entrust our legacy to the next generation."

Samantha understood their reasoning completely, and they had always treated her with kindness.

Nodding slowly, Samantha responded, "I understand. I'll speak with Andrew... If he agrees, we'll try to have a child soon."

"Thank you, Samantha," Lindsay said, though her voice sounded weak and carried little genuine optimism.

The Saunders family had long written Andrew off as hopeless and held absolutely no expectations for him.

Truth be told, it wasn't just them—Samantha completely shared that assessment of her husband.