"And is the Moore family''s appetite any smaller?" Bet shot back coldly.


    For the past two years, Ynda, parading around as the future Mrs. Thompson, had leveraged the family''s name to drain at least nine figures from their various businesses. The Thompson family was wealthy enough not to notice, but that didn''t mean Bet was a fool.


    "Ynda is the family I''ve chosen. So what if she spends a little? It''s pocket change for the Thompsons," Emma dered.


    Bet almostughed at her tant double standard. When Ynda spent money, it was a trifle; when Yvonne did, it was naked ambition.


    "I''ll say it again: whoever chose her can marry her."


    Seeing his unyielding stance, Emma felt a surge of anger. "What does that Yvonne possibly have that Ynda doesn''t? She is from a noble family, well-mannered, andpletely devoted to you! You spoke so harshly to her at the hospital that she cried her eyes out. Ynda''s health is already fragile, and you insist on hurting her like this."


    "Fragile health?" Bet scoffed. "A stolen life alwayses at a price."


    "What do you mean, stolen? What are you talking about?" Emma asked, confused.


    "Nothing," Bet said, deftly flicking ash into the crystal ashtray. "What did youe here for?"


    "Tomorrow is Christmas. If you''re not busy, you shoulde home and spend it with your father and me..."


    "I''m busy," Bet cut her off before she could finish.


    "Busy with what now?" Emma asked, annoyed.


    "It''s ssified," he said, letting her assume it was military business.


    Emma didn''t press further, and Bet offered no correction.


    "You have toe back to the family estate with us for that, right?" she asked.


    "Yes," Bet agreed.


    His grandfather had connections in


    his military unit and knew his


    né


    schedule down to the day. If he didnt show up after the holidays,


    there would be no exining it away.


    Emma hade to discuss the holiday ns, and now that they were settled, Bet reached for his phone to call her driver.


    "It''s gettingte. If there''s nothing else, you should head back."


    He picked up his phone, but before he could dial, Emma shot up from the sofa and strode quickly toward the bedroom.


    Bet was on his feet in an instant. With his long legs, he easily intercepted her, blocking her path.


    "You said you aren''t living together. What are you so afraid of me seeing?" she challenged, ring at him.


    Bet flicked his cigarette. "I''m afraid will sh," he said yout with a low chuckle. "And if I defend her, you''ll just use me of being an unfilial son again."


    ét


    "What kind of spell has she put on you!" Emma snapped, then turned on her heel and stormed out, mming the door with a


    resounding bang.


    Bet took out his phone and called Emma''s driver, only hanging up after he confirmed his mother was safely in the car.


    He stubbed out his cigarette and walked into the master bedroom.


    Yvonne was curled up on the sofa by the window, reading a script. When Bet came in, she asked casually, "Is your mother gone?"


    "Yes," Bet said, walking over to the sofa and bending down to embrace her.