Maria was about to speak her mind when she noticed Mr. Barnes gesturing dismissively.

He said, “Looks Like you're set on being a pill alchemist and won't back down. I won't push you then.”

Mrs. Jenkins, hearing this, was taken aback. Hadn't they conspired together to set up Maria? Why did Mr. Barnes suddenly back off?

Mrs. Jenkins felt a bit let down, thinking Mr. Barnes, a successful professional, lacked cunning.

Kent continued, “Maria, you've got talent, and I respect that. You are young and you don't wear a diamond ring. You're not married, right? The Barnes family has many disciples, including eligible bachelors. How about I introduce you to some? Maybe we can bring our families closer."

Hearing this, Mrs. Jenkins couldn't hide her excitement. The thought of marrying Maria into the Barnes family took her by surprise.

Such a marriage would surely put Maria in the hot water.

In Mrs. Jenkins' mind, once Maria was part of the Barnes family, they could easily handle her.

She saw this potential union as a triumph, a step toward prosperity for both families.

“Mr. Barnes, your regard for our family flatters me. I'm grateful,"

Mrs. Jenkins responded, her tone humbler than before.

Despite knowing about Maria's connection with Anthony, Mrs. Jenkins wasn't too concerned.

She proposed, "Today's the perfect day for this. Mr. Barnes, why don't you invite some young men from your family over? I'll arrange for a car to bring them here for a blind date with Maria."

Maria was dumbfounded. She felt utterly disregarded by the two, ready to confront Mrs. Jenkins and Mr. Barnes.

But just then, her phone rang.

She took out her buzzing phone and saw the caller ID was Anthony.

“What's going on?" Anthony's voice sounded raspy and tired, yet he was still concerned about her.

Maria replied with a faint smile, "Just getting ready for a blind date."

After Maria uttered these words, there was no response on the other end of the phone.

Anthony had hung up.

A mischievous, youthful grin slowly spread across Maria's face.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jenkins and Mr. Barnes acted swiftly. They arranged a special car that arrived in less than thirty minutes to pick up their guest.

A young man arrived. He was striking in both stature and appearance.

Dressed in fine clothes, his proud air and the slight arrogance in his eyes clearly showed he came from a well-respected family.