Chapter 693

At Jamison’s words, he shot his friend a look, then glanced over at Katrina, a teasing half-smile playing on his lips. “So, what’s this? Are you introducing your new girlfriend to the family, or is this the future son-in-law meeting his prospective mother-in-law?”

Today, Professor Penn had a specialist clinic and was still at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Katrina’s mother was also a long-term patient here.

With both mothers in the same building, Jamison couldn’t resist the jab.

Katrina’s expression grew even more uncomfortable, a flicker of guilt reflected in her eyes.

Ivy picked up on her friend’s unease and looked genuinely surprised. “Wait, you’re actually meeting each other’s parents? That’s… really fast!”

“No, you’ve got it all wrong.” Katrina hurried to deny it, quickly stepping over to Ivy’s side before lowering her voice. “Remember that old guy I told you about from the matchmaking dinner–the one who helped me get anti-cancer meds from abroad? Well, he found out and accused me of idolizing everything foreign. He said his parents have connections with the best research hospitals here and access to top cancer treatments, plus hands-on guidance the whole way–supposedly better results, too. So today-”

“Ohh…” Ivy’s eyes widened in sudden understanding, a mischievous glint appearing as she shot a look at Naylor from afar, then teased, “So he’s jealous, huh? Competing with that old guy to win you over.”

Katrina didn’t even bother responding.

“But honestly, this is a good thing. I’ve been telling you for ages–if you can win him over, your mom’s treatment is as good as secured. His parents are at the top of the medical world. One word from them, and they have access to resources we couldn’t dream of in a lifetime.”

This world isn’t fair–resources are always in the hands of those who already have them, at heights ordinary people can’t reach.

But the seeming unfairness sometimes brings a sort of balance; after all, those with resources either inherited them through generations of effort or fought hard to get them themselves.

When opportunity comes knocking, everyone has the right to try–just not everyone has what it takes.

And for outsiders, even being able to connect with resourceful people is a testament to their own ability.

Ivy never saw this as opportunism.

Now that her best friend finally understood these unspoken social rules–and was putting them to good use–that was real wisdom.

Across the room, Jamison turned to his buddy, his usual cool expression tinged with confusion. He asked bluntly, “So, do you really like Katrina, or is this just a fling while you’re between relationships?”

Naylor bristled at that. “Since when have I ever treated women like flings?”

Jamison arched an eyebrow. “If it’s not casual, then how come you’ve got so many exes?”

The truth was, Jamison knew exactly how his best friend operated: every past relationship was mutual attraction, a shared rush of hormones. In fact, most women seemed to enjoy themselves even more with Naylor–he was good-looking, generous, never stingy.

To outsiders, or even to Jamison’s own wife, he’d defend Naylor, saying he was an upstanding guy, a true gentleman. Sure, he had a lot of exes, but he was never a cheater–every relationship ended with respect.

But with Naylor himself, Jamison didn’t sugarcoat things. Having that many exes pretty much screamed “casual.” If you were truly invested, you wouldn’t move on so easily.

Naylor felt wronged. “It’s one thing for strangers to think that, but you too? Not all those breakups were my decision, you know. Some of them left me, and I tried to patch things up–they wouldn’t have it. What am I supposed to do? Even when they dumped me, I still gave them parting gifts to help them move on. Isn’t that enough?” He kept his voice low, clearly annoyed.

Jamison dropped onto the sofa, grabbed a bottle of water, and tossed it to Naylor, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “They wanted to get married, and you refused–isn’t that just pushing them to be the ones to end it?”

“But I was always upfront! I told them from day one–I’m not the marrying type. They agreed, but then turned around and tried to pressure me. So who’s really breaking the deal here?”

Naylor was shamelessly honest about his so-called “player” reputation–he believed he’d never wronged anyone or played with anyone’s feelings.

Jamison nodded toward the window, gesturing at Katrina. “So you and Katrina are on the same page? Just dating, no wedding bells?”

“Yeah, she’s even more clear-headed than I am. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if she even means it when she says she loves me.” Naylor sounded oddly frustrated.

“What do you mean?”

“With her mom’s health, the medical bills are a bottomless pit. And it’s not just about the money–she wants the very best team out there.”

Naylor slouched onto the couch, crossing his legs in that cocky way, but his tone betrayed his irritation.

“I came with her today to talk to my mom, told her all about Katrina’s mother’s situation, hoping she could find the right specialist and figure out the best time for surgery. Katrina’s been especially sweet to me all day, and it finally hit me–I’m just a walking favor.”

He recalled the scene earlier, heading upstairs. They could’ve taken the elevator all the way, but she insisted it was too crowded and uncomfortable, so they got out a couple of floors early to take the stairs.

Then, in the stairwell, she suddenly grabbed him and kissed him–bold, direct, completely out of the blue.

Naylor prided himself on his understanding of romance, and usually, this kind of thing wouldn’t faze him.

But this was the first time a woman had ever outright ambushed him with a kiss. It threw him off completely.

He’d asked her what the hell she was doing–getting all worked up in public.

She just said, as frank as could be, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t have anything else to give you–so here’s my body.”

That was Katrina all over.

She could be shockingly bold and fearless, taking the initiative without a second thought. But when it came to real feelings, she’d suddenly turn shy, awkward, even a little clumsy.

And none of it ever seemed fake or calculated.

Naylor had seen all kinds of women–he could spot a fake a mile away. The manipulative ones, the self-proclaimed saints–none of them could fool him.

But Katrina? She was just… real. Genuinely inexperienced, genuinely clueless–and that made her awkwardness all the more captivating.