Teresa remained seated, remarking coolly, "So you decided toe back. I was beginning to think you didn''t care about this family at all."


    "d we''re on the same page, no need to state the obvious." Yvonne never indulged Teresa, retorting with equal coolness.


    "You..." Teresa started, but Jeffrey cut her off.


    "Mom, let''s just eat. Didn''t you have the housekeeper make a lot of Yvonne''s favorite dishes? You even told her to hold the seafood."


    "Fine, let''s eat then." Acting as if she didn''t want to argue with Yvonne, Teresa was the first to stand and head into the dining room.


    The dining table was alreadyden with food, most of which were indeed Yvonne''s favorites. It was clear some thought had been put into it.


    After the family sat down, before they could even touch their silverware, the doorbell rang abruptly.


    "Are we expecting someone?" Jeffrey asked, confused, and told the housekeeper to get the door.


    The housekeeper went to the door and opened it to find a young man in a sharp suit, holding a gift box.


    "Can I help you?" the housekeeper asked, puzzled.


    "Is Mrs. James in?" the man asked, his tone polite yet arrogant.


    “Ma''am, there''s a gentleman here for you," the housekeeper called out, and Teresa hurried to the door.


    "Mr. Hughes?" Seeing the man outside, Teresa''s face immediately broke into an ingratiating smile. "You mentioned you had a video conference this afternoon and would beingter. Have you eaten dinner yet? We''ve just started, would you care to join us?"


    As Teresa spoke, she instructed a maid to bring the man a pair of guest slippers.


    Steven Hughes changed his shoes and followed Teresa into the apartment, replying politely enough, "The meeting ended early. I came straight from the office, so I haven''t eaten yet."


    Hearing this, Teresa led Steven straight into the dining room, fawning over him.


    "This is Steven Hughes. Jeffrey, you should know him-he''s Mr. Hughes''s eldest son. You two used to y together as kids." After her introduction, she turned to Steven. You''ve met Jeffrey And this is my younger daughter, Yvonne


    Steven''s gaze swept over Yvonne from head to toe before he nodded. “Not bad.


    Much better looking than Queena."


    Yvonne nced up, giving him anguid look without saying a word.


    Teresa seated Steven next to Yvonne, and the housekeeper added another ce setting.


    The group resumed their meal.


    The housekeeper Teresa had hired


    was an average cook, so Yvonne


    only picked at a few of her favorite dishes before setting down her silverware.


    Steven showed no interest in the spread of meat and vegetables either, barely touching his utensils.


    Only Teresa kept up the enthusiastic chatter with Steven, her attitude bordering on sycophantic.


    Jeffrey''s attitude was more reserved, exchanging only a few words with Steven. But Jeffrey was in medical school, while Steven had studied abroad since high school and only returned two years ago to take over the family business. They had little inmon.


    It was a tense meal that left everyone feeling a bit unsettled.


    After dinner, Teresa had the maid clear the table and bring out coffee and tea.


    "Jeffrey brought back these beans. I find them quite good."


    Teresa said to Steven with a smile.


    "You''re too kind, Mrs. James," Steven replied coolly, his gaze asionally drifting to Yvonne.


    But Yvonne kept her head down, fiddling with her phone, not giving him a single nce.