"So, this is why you asked me toe home today? To tell me all this?" Yvonne dropped her teacup back onto the table, the porcin making a soft clink against the surface.


    Teresa''s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a gentle expression. "Yvonne, I''m only doing this for your own good. A woman''s marriage is like a second birth. The Taylors are a top-tier family. Marrying into it would mean a lifetime of wealth andfort. Yvonne, I''m your mother. I carried you for nine months. Do you think I wouldn''t want the best for you?"


    Teresa spoke with such sincerity, she probably even managed to convince herself. "For my good? Or for the James family''s good?" Yvonne sneered.


    "The James family has been poorly managed for years, just putting up a front to maintain their elite status. Mr. James Sr. is only willing to bleed shares because he wants to forge a connection with the Taylors.


    And you''re so eager to be his messenger? What''s in it for you? Your own father is shamelessly biased. The James Group will eventually go to Joshua James and his sister anyway. Mr. James Sr. is trying to use me to benefit his illegitimate children— it''s written all over his face.


    If I were you, I would have pped him and told him to get lost."


    After she finished, Yvonne turned her cool gaze to Jeffrey. "What do you think about all this?"


    Jeffrey didn''t look pleased. He nced at Teresa and said coldly, "Mom, stay out of the James family''s business from now on. And don''t interfere in Yvonne''s marriage." Teresa''s face flushed and then paled, and she began to tremble with anger.


    "Fine, fine, I shouldn''t meddle. Yvonne, if you''re not going to marry Thomas, are you nning to be Bet''s secret mistress? Mr. Walker is about to get a promotion and a transfer to the capital. The Walker family is not to be trifled with. What kind of future can you have with Bet!


    You don''t actually think Mr. Thompson would give up his arranged marriage for you, do you? Stop dreaming."


    After Teresa''s outburst, the atmosphere became tense and still.


    Yvonne pressed her lips together, saying nothing.


    She didn''t understand why everyone assumed she wanted to be Bet''s mistress.


    Yvonne had never intended to interfere with Bet and Ynda''s engagement. As long as he was happy, she could watch him from a distance, without ever getting close.


    Loving someone didn''t mean you had to possess them.


    But Yvonne didn''t feel the need to exin. Even if she did, they wouldn''t understand.


    "I assume you''ve said everything you wanted to say? If there''s nothin else,


    froing Yvonne stood


    from her chair


    Teresa''s face was grim; she said nothing, clearly still angry.


    Seeing this, Jeffrey also stood up. "It''s gettingte. I''ll drive you."


    Jeffrey drove Yvonne back to Cherry Apartment.


    Cherry


    exy was one of Istra''s


    exclusive residential areas, and unauthorized vehicles were not permitted inside.


    Jeffrey parked the car at themunity entrance and turned to Yvonne. "Should I walk you in?"


    "No need." Yvonne unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car.


    She stood outside the car but didn''t leave right away, instead looking at Jeffrey with a clear, sharp gaze.


    "Jeffrey. What do you know about the Gonzalez Group, George, and the Rogers family?"