The Thompsons were usually busy with their own affairs, each one swamped with work. Mr. Thompson Sr.''s daily life was managed by his aide.


    It was only during the holidays that the Thompson family gathered and the house


    felt lively.


    Unlike previous years, Mrs. Thompson Sr., who had been living in a nursing home, had also returned, bringing Vanessa and her family with her.


    Vanessa had been sent abroad at seven and had been away for over thirty years. She was married with a child. Her husband, Omar Bishop, was in investment banking, but business had been toughtely. Though they weren''t struggling, they were deeply envious of the Thompson family''s immense wealth back home and had finally returned, shamelessly.


    As Frank and Bet entered the small white house, they immediately sensed something was wrong with the atmosphere.


    In the living room, Mr. Thompson Sr. sat on the sofa with an ashen face, gripping his cane, radiating a palpable tension.


    Tobias Thompson and his son Noah sat to Mr. Thompson Sr.''s left, silent, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. sat to his right, with Vanessa and Omar next to her. Mrs. Thompson Sr. was holding Vanessa''s son, Robin Bishop, in herp.


    The six-year-old boy, at a restless and yful age, squirmed in Mrs. Thompson Sr.''sp, chattering nonstop. Mrs. Thompson Sr. couldn''t understand him, so she just offered him cakes and candies from the coffee table.


    The boy ate,ining that the candy wasn''t as good as the kind from abroad, and after a few bites of a cake, he spat it out. He then wriggled out of Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s arms and ran back to his parents.


    It was at that exact moment that Frank and Bet walked in.


    Frank''s face fell the instant he saw Vanessa and her family.


    Vanessa had caused a scene at his estate just yesterday,nding Emma in the hospital. He couldn''t believe she''d now shown up at the old man''s house.


    Vanessa was clearly feeling guilty. She avoided Frank''s gaze and looked pleadingly at Mrs. Thompson Sr.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. patted Vanessa''s hand reassuringly before turning to Frank. "How is your wife?"


    "Still in the hospital," Frank replied.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. snorted in displeasure. Just a few words were exchanged, not a finger wasid on her, and she faints. So delicate. I told you back then not to marry one of those pampered socialites Country girls are much better-simple,


    sturdy, and fertile..."


    No one else spoke, only Mrs. Thompson Sr. rambling on. Frank, annoyed, cut her off, his face cold. "Why are they here?"


    ''They,'' of course, referred to Vanessa''s family.


    Vanessa, clearly afraid of Frank, instinctively shrank behind Mrs. Thompson Sr.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. shielded Vanessa, looking at Frank with a helpless expression.


    "Vanessa is still your own daughter.


    Even if she did something wrong,


    she was so young back then. It wasn''t a capital crime. She was only seven when she was abandoned abroad, all alone. She couldnt even


    Both Mrs. Thompson Sr. and Vanessa''s voices choked with emotion, their eyes red.


    Frank''s face was grim as he remained silent.


    Bet ignored thempletely, walking over to Tobias and sinking into an armchair. He casually lit cigarette and watched their performance with a detached air.