Just as Yvonne put down her cutlery, about to speak, a sharp tter broke the silence. Bet had thrown his fork and knife onto the table.


    Karina''s hand, holding a soup spoon, trembled instinctively as she looked up at Bet.


    His expression was icy, his presence chilling and formidable.


    "Before Noah married you, I''d never heard of a prominent White family in Istra


    either. It seems you''re not the only one who''s out of touch, Karina."


    "Thank you for your hard work today, Karina, but the food isn''t to our taste. Yvonne and I will be leaving now."


    With that, Bet took Yvonne''s hand. "Let''s go. I''ll take you home."


    "Okay," Yvonne nodded, rising to leave with him.


    Karina was stunned that Bet would show her, his elder sister-inw, such tant disrespect. Her face flushed with shame, turning shades of red and white.


    Seeing this, Noah immediately stood up to stop them.


    "Bet, that''s not what Karina meant."


    "Then what did she mean?" Bet''s voice was calm but carried an authority thatmanded respect. For the first time, he revealed the aura of a superior before his cousin.


    Noah was at a loss for words, able only to watch as Bet led Yvonne away.


    After they left, Ynda tactfully took her leave as well.


    Only Noah and Karina remained, along with a table full of untouched food.


    Karina''s eyes welled with tears as sheined, "Mr. Bet Thompson certainly has a temper. I just said a few words, and he stormed out. He has no respect for me at all."


    Noah listened, almostughing in exasperation. "What, so now you''re the victim?"


    "Noah, you''re his older brother. By disrespecting me, he''s disrespecting you," Karina argued, seeing no fault in her own actions.


    But Noah''s gaze grew colder as he looked at her.


    "Why on earth should the heir of the Thompson family give you face, Karina? You really know how to tter yourself," Noah scoffed.


    Although Noah was currently the CEO of the Thompson Group, the vast majority of the shares belonged to Bet. His position was not much different from that of a professional manager.


    He had not followed in his family''s military footsteps, a fact that had greatly disappointed his grandfather and fathe It was Frank who had


    personally taught him the ways of


    business.


    Hecked


    they expand the empire, barely managing to maintain it. As a kindness, Frank had given him 5% of the Thompson Group''s shares and management of a portion of its assets. For a


    vision and daring to


    ephew Frank had been more than generous.


    In contrast, Bet was young, aplished, and had a boundless future. As the


    sole heir to the Thompson Group, his position was unparalleled.


    Though Noah was the elder cousin, he had always deferred to Bet. And


    Bet, with his excellent upbringing, had always shown him respect.


    Perhaps it was that very respect that had led this foolish woman, Karina, to believe


    they could manipte the heir of the Thompson family.


    "From now on, stop contacting Ynda, and keep your distance from the Walker family. If Bet


    doesn''t want it, this marriage will not


    happen. And stay out of his


    business de respects you because


    you''re family, but don''t mistake that


    for actual influence."


    "If you don''t know how to behave, then go back to the White family and learn before


    youe back," Noah said, ncing at the feast on the table.


    What usually looked like a delicious spread now only filled him with irritation.


    "Clean up this kitchen immediately, and try not to cause any more trouble in the future." With that finalmand, Noah turned and went upstairs.


    Karina was left alone in the dining room, fuming silently with red-rimmed eyes.


    By now, Bet''s car was long gone from Noah''s neighborhood.


    After driving through several city blocks, the car pulled up in front of an old mansion.