She instinctively pulled her hand back. "I can't possibly take this; it's way too much."

"It's fine. Just take it. “ Catalina clasped Ariana's hand with sincerity, declaring, "Consider it a gift to mark our first meeting."

As those words reached Ariana's ears, a shiver ran down her spine.

What could this gesture signify? A gift to mark their meeting? Who would bestow a gift upon a friend upon their first encounter?

Shouldn't this be a gesture for a daughter-in-law, if anything?

Besides, it was a precious jade bracelet.

"No, no, I really can't accept it." Ariana simply couldn't bring herself to accept it, persistently refusing and growing increasingly uneasy.

Catalina, sensing Ariana's discomfort and embarrassment, cast a glance at Mitchel beside her and sighed, realizing that her foolish son had much to learn in winning over women.

Observing Ariana's continued hesitation, Catalina decided to change her approach. "Don't worry. I bought this bracelet on a whim. I don't have a daughter, and upon meeting you, I felt a fondness.

Besides, Melon is so adorable. Consider this a gift between friends.

In the future, please bring Melon to visit us often."

Nearby, Melon chimed in sweetly, "Okay! I enjoy playing with you both.

I'll definitely come to see you often.”

Melon's words filled Catalina with joy. With an elated expression, she crouched down, enveloping Melon in a warm embrace and showering him with kisses. "Melon, I hope you'll visit and play with us often, alright?"

"Sure."

As the hour grew late, Catalina reluctantly let go of Melon and bid them farewell. Rodney, too, found it difficult to part with Melon and briefly entertained the thought of keeping him there. Yet, witnessing Melon's strong attachment to Ariana, he eventually let go of the idea.

After seeing Ariana and the others off, Catalina returned to reality and noticed Rodney still gazing in the direction they had departed.

She regarded him with a puzzled expression and asked, “Dad, why do you adore Melon so much?"

While Catalina also had affection for Melon, she found her father's deep fondness for the child quite remarkable. It was a sentiment she had never witnessed before.

Catalina speculated that perhaps Rodney, in his advancing years, felt a sense of loneliness and desired the presence of a child to infuse vitality into his life. Playfully, she remarked, “Or should I go to the Jovanni family and bring back a couple of kids to keep you company?"