Randall scoffed. "What is this?"


    "An anti-stress gadget."


    Randall was at a loss for words.


    Veraughed and then took out her gift as well. "My gift is more useful than Molly''s."


    Randall asked, "What is yours?"


    "What do you think about some martial arts lessons?"


    Randall was speechless.


    Patrick covered his mouth and chuckled.


    Randall stood up, gestured toward his chair, and sighed, "Alright, who''s up for being the birthday person today? Let''s swap seats."


    Laughter filled the dining table once more. Shawn gazed affectionately at Randall. "Take a seat, buddy."


    Sebastian passed Randall a wrapped gift. It was a pen. "Here''s to your sess in your studies, Randall."


    Randall epted the rtively normal gift. "Thank you, Sebastian."


    Patrick''s gift was quite unique; he took out a car key from his pocket and tossed it to Randall.


    Randall picked it up and his eyes widened. "Patrick, I love you!"


    Vera turned her head, looking at Patrick eagerly. "Honey, I want one too."


    Patrick looked at her. "Learn to drive the car I gave you first, then I''ll buy you a new one."


    Patrick had hoped Vera would learn to drive, so he bought her a luxury car. However, Vera never got around to it, and the car ended up sitting unused in the garage.


    Vera pouted. "Alright."


    Susan hade to the party in a hurry and hadn''t brought a birthday gift. She nced at the table that was full of food. "I didn''t have time to get you a birthday gift; let me make you some pasta." When the Olteran family members heard that, they wondered, ''She''s going to cook?''


    Shawn quickly declined as he remembered Vera''s disastrous cooking attempts. "No thanks! Your presence is a treat in itself; we have plenty to eat."


    Cindy also refused Susan''s offer. "There''s no need for you to cook."


    Vera''s terrible cooking had also cast a shadow on Patrick.


    At the dining table, Vera lowered her head guiltily, silently drinking her soup without saying a word.


    Susan stood up. "It''s okay, I can cook."


    Shawn thought, ''Vera told me she could cook too.''


    Shawn insisted, "No need, Susan. Listen to me; let''s sit down and eat."


    Molly was puzzled; why was the family''s reaction a bit off?


    Molly asked, "Susan, can you really make pasta?"


    Susan nodded; she really wanted to make some pasta for Randall.


    Molly pointed in the direction of the kitchen. "The kitchen is over there; go ahead."


    Susan stood up and walked toward the kitchen.


    Shawn and Cindy both looked at Molly.


    Even Patrick nced at Molly. "You should go back to the Chase family with Sebastianter."


    Molly asked, "What''s wrong with you all?"


    Vera lowered her head even more.


    About ten minutester, Susan came out with arge te of pasta.


    The servants swiftly rearranged the tes on the table, leaving a gap in the center where Susan ced the pasta she had prepared.


    It looked fine and smelled good, but who knew how it tasted.


    Shawn nced at Randall, knowing he was the perfect taste tester. "Randall, Susan made this just for you; go ahead and take the first bite."


    Susan stood up, ready to serve Randall a te.


    Randall grabbed his te, refusing her offer.


    He eyed Shawn and Cindy warily, sensing something was amiss. Molly was also puzzled.


    Randall insisted, "The person who cooked it should have the first bite."


    Susan interjected, "But it''s you birthday today."


    Randall countered, "I think you should go first."


    Vincent confronted Randall. "Susan is a guest; you can''t treat her like that. She kindly made you some pasta for you, but you don''t seem to appreciate it and you''re trying to make her eat it. How do you think Susan feels? You should eat it first." Randall nced at Shawn and Cindy, feeling a bit unsure.


    Vera remained silent. It was almost as if she wasn''t there.


    Randall rose cautiously, got himself a small portion of pasta, sat back down, and bravely took a bite.


    "It''s actually pretty tasty," Randall remarked, taking another bite and finding the vor just right.


    He quickly finished his te, slurping up the noodles.


    Randall stood up to help himself to another serving, while Shawn curiously awaited his reaction.


    Shawn asked, "Randall, is it good?"


    "No, Shawn, you shouldn''t eat it," Randall said as he ate.


    Molly was skeptical but couldn''t resist; she served herself a portion and tasted it. A look of satisfaction spread across her face, and she promptly filled Sebastian''s te as well.


    "Dad, you shouldn''t eat it; it''s really bad, we''ll eat it for you," Molly said.


    Shawn wasn''t a fool; he had already figured out what was going on.


    He handed his te to a servant, asking them to serve him a portion so he could taste it.


    Cindy took a bite and praised the food. "Your cooking is really good, Susan."


    Patrick quietly dished out a portion for Vera. As Vera took a bite, she finally realized what a talented chef Susan was!


    "Susan, did you learn how to cook?" Vera asked.


    Susan replied, "I didn''t. I was a big food lover as a kid and I couldn''t stop myself from eating, but all that eating led to weight gain. And then I delved into ways to enjoy food without packing on the pounds." "Did you figure out how to do it?" Vera asked.


    Susan shook her head. "No."


    "Keep it up, I''m sure you''ll figure it out," Vera said.


    Molly nodded in agreement.


    Randall had unknowingly eaten a big portion.


    The talk at the dinner table centered on Susan.


    After the meal, Sebastian left since he had something to do.


    Molly immediately grabbed her bag and followed. "Sebastian, I''ll go with you."


    Sebastian said to Molly, "You stay here and have fun; I''lle pick you up after work."


    Knowing that Sebastian woulde to pick her up, Molly nodded. "Okay; don''t forget."


    Sebastian left. Molly went to see him off to the car.


    Randall saw this and went to sit next to Vera, who was sunbathing in the backyard. "Vera, can I ask you something?"


    "Go ahead; what is it?" Verazily looked at Randall beside her.


    Randall leaned in toward Vera and whispered, "What''s the deal with Molly and Sebastian? Where do they stand now?" Randall asked, "Are they together?"