So, they quickly decided to send an assistant to keep an eye on Claire's apartment and snap some photos.
The assistant didn't let them down and soon got a video of Claire and Dennis together.
When Beck and Sabrina saw the guy in the video, their faces turned serious.
They recognized him as Dennis, the guy who had sent Claire flowers before.
"Why does this guy look so familiar?" Sabrina asked, puzzled.
"He's the Dennis I told you about," Beck replied, his face darkening. "I've looked into him, and I can't find anything about his background or family. I even suspect he might be involved with some dangerous foreign organization. We can't let Claire be with him."
Sabrina grew anxious. "Then you need to find a way to get Claire back home! I don't want to acknowledge Dennis as her boyfriend!"
Meanwhile, in a downtown restaurant, Claire and Dennis were enjoying a delicious dinner.
Looking at the table full of gourmet dishes, Claire couldn't help but feel a bit worried. "Dennis, you've been buying sports cars, dresses, and now we're eating at this expensive restaurant. Is something going on?"
Dennis smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. My job is to make sure you eat well, drink well, and have a good time. Money's not an issue; I can always make more. Trust me."
Claire had no idea that Dennis's true background was far more complicated than she imagined.
The restaurant's soft lighting cast a gentle glow on the silverware, creating a serene atmosphere.
Claire and Dennis sat by the window, the night outside like a tranquil ink painting.
They were whispering to each other, enjoying this rare moment of peace, when Claire's phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with "Mom" calling. She glanced at Dennis and cautiously answered.
"Claire, where are you?" Sabrina's voice was urgent. "It's almost eleven. Come home; your father and I need to talk to you."
Claire instinctively checked her watch. It was indeed late.
Not wanting to worry her parents or let them find out she was with Dennis, she stood up and softly said, "Mom, I'm coming home now. Don't worry."
Dennis watched her, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
He took her hand and said quietly, "Claire, I want to go with you and meet your parents."
Claire hesitated, then gently shook her head. "No, Dennis, it's not the right time." She knew her parents' resentment towards Dennis and didn't want a confrontation now.
When Claire got home, she found her parents sitting on the living room couch, looking stern.
She knew this wasn't good but braced herself and walked over.
"Claire, be honest with us. Are you living with Dennis?" Beck's voice was firm and demanding.
Claire was startled but quickly regained her composure.
She looked at her parents and said honestly, "Dad, Mom, Dennis and I are dating, but we're not living together."
Her explanation didn't satisfy them.
Sabrina stood up, her voice sharp. "How can you be with someone like him? His background is unclear. Who knows if he's involved in something illegal or dangerous? You need to break up with him immediately!"
Claire shook her head firmly. "No, Mom, I won't leave him. Dennis isn't who you think he is. He's good to me, and I trust him."
"You trust him? You're infatuated with him!" Beck stood up, furious. "If you don't come to your senses, don't consider us your parents anymore!"
Claire's eyes filled with tears, but she stubbornly lifted her head and said, "Dad, Mom, I know you're looking out for me, but I have my own judgment and choices. I love Dennis, and he loves me. We're not breaking up."
With that, she turned and stormed out.
Behind her, she could hear Beck and Sabrina's angry shouts, but she didn't look back.
Driving with tears blurring her vision, Claire pulled out her phone and called Dennis.
"Dennis, my parents found out about us. They’re totally against it," she said, her voice trembling but determined. "I don't want to leave you. What should I do?"
On the other end, Dennis's voice was calm and reassuring. "Claire, don't worry. I'm here. I'll talk to your parents. Trust me."
Hearing Dennis's words, Claire felt a bit of her fear and anxiety ease.
She took a deep breath and said, "Okay, Dennis, I trust you. We'll face this together."
After hanging up, Claire returned to her apartment.
She knew that running away wouldn't solve anything. She needed to face this with Dennis.
Opening the door, she saw Dennis waiting for her on the living room couch.
She rushed into his arms, holding him tightly. "Dennis, I don't want to leave you."
Dennis hugged her back just as tightly, his voice low and determined. "Claire, I won't let go either. No matter what challenges we face, we'll overcome them together."
Thalassia was a country steeped in history and mystery.
Its vast lands were dotted with ancient castles and estates, bearing witness to countless family sagas.
Among them was the Gonzalez family, whose history spanned two centuries. Their wealth rivaled nations, with enterprises worldwide, yet their name remained obscure.
In the grand Gonzalez estate, Ivy sat alone by the window, gazing at the sea of roses outside, her heart heavy.
She had always admired Dennis, dreaming of one day marrying him and becoming his wife.
But now, Dennis refused to return to the family and take his rightful place, leaving Ivy feeling an unprecedented sense of crisis.
Her mother, Cleo, entered the room quietly, seeing Ivy's troubled expression, her heart ached.
She approached Ivy, gently stroking her hair, and comforted her. "Ivy, don't worry. Your dream will come true."
Ivy turned to look at Cleo's gentle eyes, feeling a bit more at ease.
She knew Cleo would find a way to help her.
In the study, Hayden Price stood by the window, hands behind his back, lost in thought as he gazed at the night outside.
Cleo entered quietly, closing the door behind her. She walked over to Hayden and spoke softly. "Honey, have you considered that if Dennis forgets that girl, Ivy will have a chance to marry him?"
Hayden turned to look at Cleo, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
He knew Cleo was referring to the secret biological serum they had recently developed, capable of erasing memories and controlling behavior.
But he also knew the serum carried significant risks and ethical concerns.
Seeing Hayden's hesitation, Cleo continued, "Honey, think about Ivy. She's your daughter. Can you bear to see her suffer because of love? And Mrs. Gonzalez values our family so much. If Ivy marries Dennis, our family's status will be even more secure."
Hayden listened to Cleo, and his resolve began to waver.
He took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Alright, I agree."
Meanwhile, in an apartment back home, Claire nervously held her phone, debating whether to call her parents.
Dennis saw her hesitation and gently took her hand, speaking softly. "Claire, don't be afraid. Call them."