A few days later, the Haynes house was filled with people.
It was Nicklaus's birthday, and the family had invited important business guests, investors, executives, and several influential figures from Manila.
Music played throughout the garden while waiters moved around with trays of food and drinks.
Nicklaus stood near the entrance, greeting guests with a polite smile.
Cindy stood beside him.
She leaned closer, keeping her voice low.
"Everything is planned. Don't mess this up."
Nicklaus gave a small nod.
"I won't."
Their eyes shifted toward the pool.
Cherry stood there alone, holding her phone to her ear.
Her expression was completely different from the one she'd been wearing over the past month.
She was smiling.
Nicklaus's jaw tightened.
Cindy noticed too.
Cherry laughed softly at something she heard through the phone.
"You're really coming?"
She listened.
A warm smile spread across her face.
"Okay. I'll wait for you."
Elian's voice came through the phone.
"I wouldn't miss it."
Cherry smiled even wider.
"I'll be there soon. I can't miss seeing my beautiful favorite girl on my birthday."
Cherry laughed.
"You always know what to say."
"Because it's true."
She shook her head, still smiling.
"Drive safely."
"I will. See you soon."
The call ended.
Cherry lowered her phone, still wearing that happy smile.
From across the garden, Nicklaus watched her.
Cindy leaned toward him again.
"Look at her."
Nicklaus's eyes remained fixed on Cherry.
Cindy smiled.
"She's waiting for Elian."
Nicklaus said nothing.
His expression slowly hardened.
Then he looked at Cindy.
"Everything better go exactly as planned."
Cindy gave him a confident smile.
"It will."
Neither of them looked away from Cherry.
Cindy walked over to Cherry, a smile on her face.
"Waiting for Elian?"
Cherry glanced at her.
"Yes."
Cindy folded her arms.
"You're really happy to have him back, aren't you?"
Cherry sighed.
"Cindy, it's Nicklaus's birthday. Don't start something."
"I'm only asking."
"No, you're provoking me."
Cindy's smile disappeared.
"Maybe I'm just surprised you still trust him after everything."
Cherry looked at her coldly.
"At least I'm not obsessed with someone else's relationship."
Cindy's eyes narrowed.
"What did you say?"
"You heard me."
Cherry turned away.
But Cindy suddenly grabbed a handful of Cherry's hair and yanked her backward.
"Cindy!"
Cherry immediately grabbed her arm, trying to pull herself free.
"Let go of me!"
"You think you're better than me?"
"Get your hands off me!"
They struggled near the edge of the pool.
Guests began turning toward the commotion.
"Stop!" someone shouted.
But neither woman listened.
Cherry pushed Cindy away.
Cindy stumbled forward and grabbed Cherry again.
The two lost their balance.
"Wait—!"
They fell over the edge together.
SPLASH!
Both plunged into the swimming pool.
The music seemed to stop as everyone turned toward the water.
Cherry surfaced first, coughing and pushing her wet hair away from her face.
"Cindy!"
Cindy came up moments later, furious.
"You—!"
Before she could finish, several guests rushed toward the pool.
Nicklaus's face went pale.
"Cindy!"
He immediately moved toward the pool.
At the same time, Cherry looked toward the entrance.
She suddenly remembered.
Elian was coming.
And he could arrive at any moment.
Mrs. Jennie, Nicholas, and several guests rushed toward the pool.
"Cherry!"
"Careful!"
They helped both women out of the water.
Cherry was coughing, completely soaked, while Cindy stood nearby, furious and embarrassed.
Nicklaus immediately took off his jacket and wrapped it around Cherry's shoulders.
"Are you okay?"
Cherry nodded, still catching her breath.
"I'm fine."
Mrs. Jennie looked at Nicklaus.
"Take Cherry upstairs. Get her changed before she catches a cold."
Nicklaus nodded.
"Of course."
He gently guided Cherry toward the house.
But before they entered, Nicklaus glanced at Cindy.
Cindy was standing among the guests, her wet hair dripping onto her dress.
She looked directly at him.
Then she subtly gave him a small signal with her eyes.
It's your turn. Do your part.
Nicklaus understood immediately.
His expression remained calm.
He turned back to Cherry.
"Come on."
Cherry followed him upstairs, unaware of the silent exchange that had just taken place.
Nicklaus kept one hand gently at her back as they walked.
Behind them, Cindy watched with a faint smile.
Everything was going according to plan.
Upstairs in Cherry's room, she was still furious.
"I can't believe she did that!" Cherry exclaimed, pacing around the room. "She deliberately started that fight, and now everyone downstairs is probably talking about it."
Nicklaus closed the door behind them.
"I know. Just calm down."
"How am I supposed to calm down?"
Cherry turned toward him, still angry.
"I didn't even do anything to her!"
"I know."
While Cherry continued venting, Nicklaus quietly walked toward the table.
He picked up a bottle of water.
His eyes briefly shifted toward Cherry.
When she turned away, Nicklaus secretly slipped something into the bottle and quickly tightened the cap.
He placed it back on the table as though nothing had happened.
Cherry continued complaining, completely unaware.
"I just wanted to enjoy your birthday. That's all."
Nicklaus looked at her.
"Forget about Cindy for now."
Cherry sighed.
"I'll try."
He picked up the bottle and held it out to her.
"Here. Drink some water."
Cherry took it without suspicion.
"Thanks."
Nicklaus watched her closely.
His expression remained calm, hiding what he had just done.
Cherry took a few sips of the water, completely unaware of what Nicklaus had done.
Nicklaus watched her quietly.
A few moments later, Cherry walked toward her closet.
"I need to change before I go back downstairs."
She opened the closet and reached for a dress.
Then she suddenly stopped.
Her vision blurred.
She blinked several times.
"Nicklaus..."
He immediately looked over.
Cherry placed a hand against the closet for support.
"I feel... dizzy."
Her knees suddenly gave way.
Nicklaus rushed forward and caught her before she hit the floor.
"Cherry!"
Her eyes fluttered weakly before closing completely.
Nicklaus held her against his chest, making sure she didn't fall.
A quiet, satisfied expression crossed his face.
"Finally."
He carefully carried her to the bed and laid her down.
Cherry remained completely unconscious.
Nicklaus stood beside the bed for a moment, watching her.
Then he looked toward the closed bedroom door.
Everything downstairs was still continuing as if nothing had happened.