She walked into the vi, her bag in hand.


    The entire family of four was gathered in the living room. The coffee table was piled high with expensive gift boxes, all clearly from Matthew. A mboyant ruby ne was already fastened around Queena''s neck.


    Teresa was smiling as she admired it. "Matthew has such excellent taste. Queena, your skin is so fair and your aura so elegant. This ruby ne is the perfect match


    for you."


    "Matthew knew I loved rubies, so he bought it for me at an auction," Queena said, feigning shyness.


    "Thest time Matthew visited, he brought Queena a diamond bracelet. Now this ruby ne. He''s so thoughtful," George said with a satisfied nod.


    "That''s because our Queena is so lovable," Jacob Spencer teased with a grin. "The line of men waiting to give her gifts probably stretches from Istra all the way to Vorn."


    "Jacob!" Queena stomped her foot, pretending to be annoyed.


    The family was enjoying a moment of perfect harmony, a moment that Yvonne''s sudden return seemed to shatter. The smiles on George and Jacob''s faces vanished instantly. Teresa nced at her but said nothing.


    Queena ostentatiously touched the ruby ne at her throat. "Yvonne, where have you been? You''re sote. Matthew was just here with presents. If you hade back a little earlier, you would have seen him."


    With that, she picked up a inly wrapped ck box from the table and handed it to Yvonne. “This is from Matthew for you. See if you like it."


    Yvonne slowly unwrapped the box. Inside was a pair of mediocre pearl earrings. Tucked into the box was a receipt from the jewelry store, but the earrings weren''t listed on it.


    Ah, she thought. A freebie.


    "Why don''t you try them on, Yvonne? Don''t you like them?" Queena asked, her eyes glinting with provocation. She was clearly trying to get a rise out of her.


    "If you like them so much, you can have them." Yvonne nced from the cheap earrings in her hand to the priceless ruby ne around Queena''s neck.


    Queena instinctively covered her neck and took two steps back, as if she were afraid Yvonne was about to snatch it.


    "Yvonne, don''t you dare go too far!" Jeffrey roared, ring at her.


    "Yesterday you steal Queena''s room, today you want to steal her


    ne? What are you, amon thief?"


    "That''s enough, both of you," Teresa scolded, though her disapproving gaze remained fixed on Yvonne. "We''re family. There''s no need for all this shouting."


    Yvonne had no interest in engaging with them. She started to head upstairs but was stopped by George.


    "Sit down. I need to talk to you."


    Yvonne sank into a lone armchair. The four members of the Spencer family turned


    their eyes on her, their expressions setting the stage for an interrogation.


    "I assume you know about Matthew and Queena," George began.


    "What about them? You mean their affair?" Yvonne leaned backzily, crossing her legs. Her voice was light,ced with mockery


    woman who believes in evidence.


    Untifcatch them in the act, can''t


    jump to conclusions."


    As a cop, Yvonne lived by a simple rule: facts first. Her flippant attitude seemed to


    catch George off guard, and his face darkened.


    Teresa quickly stepped in to smooth


    l''


    things over Yvonne, you know that your sister and Matthew grew up together. They were childhood sweethearts and have very deep feelings for each other. Matthew''s feelings for you are born of gratitude, not love. Even if you marry him, you won''t be happy. Your father and I are only thinking of you. It would be better for everyone if you were the one to propose ending the engagement. That way, Matthew will at least remember you fondly."


    Teresa''s words were meant to sound earnest and wise, but Yvonne just wanted tough.