Sylvia stepped out of the car, clutching her purse. "I'll have all of today's discussion points included in the contract. I'll send you a revised version by Monday. Take your time reviewing it before you send it back to me."
"Will do," Eugene replied with a warm smile.
He followed her out of the car, watching the girl who was parting ways with him. He couldn't help but speak up, "Sylvia, we've known each other for quite some time. I think you know how I feel about you. Could you give me a chance?"
He pulled a diamond ring from his pocket. "I've been carrying this ring around, never mustering the courage to confess to you, Sylvia. Maybe I'm being impulsive today, but this isn't just a whim."
The weather was biting cold, and the nearby streetlamp cast a chilling light that seemed to add a frosty aura to the ring.
Sylvia chuckled softly. "Didn't we agree to only talk business today and leave personal feelings out of it?"
Eugene laughed it off, "I couldn't control myself."
After a moment of thought, Sylvia said gently, "Eugene, I'm sorry, but I can't accept. I've always seen you as a good friend. You know I don't have many friends in this city, and I treasure our friendship. I wouldn't want it to change into something else."
Eugene's hopeful gaze dimmed.
He quickly said, "I rushed things today. Pretend I never said anything. I'll prepare myself better and make a proper confession later. Go on up, you should get inside."
Sylvia wanted to say something, but he had already turned and got back into his car.
She watched him drive away, furrowing her brows in thought.
Gabriel returned to the Quintin residence with Evelyn, who excitedly showed her purchases to Old Mr. Quintin. Gabriel headed to his room first.
After a shower, he donned a bathrobe and sat in a wicker chair on the balcony. He glanced at the contract he'd been reviewing that morning, but quickly lost interest and tossed it aside.
Lighting a cigarette, he was halfway through when his phone chimed with a new message.
"Must be," Old Mr. Jarvis replied cheerily. "Good for young people to have friends."
Old Mr. Quintin gave him a quizzical look. "Nora seemed pretty happy today. They came back together tonight."
Old Mr. Jarvis hummed, "Estelle was picked up by Jonathan. Didn't you hear?"
Old Mr. Quintin frowned. "You're always missing the point. What I'm saying is, they came back in the same car, and Nora was unmistakably joyful. That suggests things are looking up."
Mr. Carnes jested, "Really? True?"
Old Mr. Quintin, on the verge of throwing his teacup in frustration, retorted, "Don't pretend you don't know what I'm thinking. You're just worried that Nora might not be Vivian's daughter and might not match up to your precious Jarvis grandson. Rest assured, even if she isn't, I'd still take her as my goddaughter. She's young and beautiful, certainly a good match for Gab."
Old Mr. Jarvis remained unflustered. "You really don't know my mind. Besides, the young ones have their own thoughts. We can't decide their marriages for them."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Norah isn't a girl, but a twenty -five year old beautiful woman that loves Xavier Fleming/Gonzalez/Hanson....
Update 3103 hasn't been received and it hold pertinent information. Please fix it for us. Thank you....
This is great! I love the updates....
Now Xavier needs to call in the reinforcement, Gabriel and Jonathan to settle this. Thank you for the updates....
May we please have updates. Thank you...
Xavier will always protect Norah he must admit this to himself and Norah. I believe after they return from this , he'll need to approach Norah 's parents and he'll get support from Jonathan and Ella....
I like how you are getting all the different love interest committed, thank you for the updates....
Hoping Manly have his own love story here, atleast a short one...
Emily has finally stood up for herself. Now with Charlie's support, her mother and sister in law will be as quiet as church mice....
Another epic ten updates... this is great! I'm sooo enjoying this. Thank you for the updates....