"After the Christmas, I''ll have my secretary book your tickets to leave the country. From now on, your monthly allowance will be cut in half. If I ever see you in this country again, the allowance stopspletely. You''ll be on your own."


    When Frank had sent Vanessa abroad, he had made it crystal clear: she was never to return.


    Though Frank felt no affection for Vanessa, she was still his daughter. He had abandoned her overseas, but he paid a substantial annual allowance to ensure she would never want for anything.


    But now she had returned without permission and put Emma in the hospital. Frank would not tolerate it.


    Hearing this, Vanessa''s eyes instantly reddened, and she was on the verge of tears.


    Omar was annoyed, but the Thompsons were far too wealthy and powerful for him to dare offend them.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s face turned livid with rage. She pointed a finger at Frank and shrieked, "Even a tiger won''t eat its own cubs! You''re worse than an animal! What kind of spell has that bitch Emma cast on you that you''d disown your own flesh and blood..."


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. was about to throw another tantrum, but before she could finish, Mr. Thompson Sr. exploded with fury. He hurled his utensils across the table, striking her square in her old face.


    "Bringing people here to mourn during a holiday celebration. It seems you''ve had it too easy and are looking for trouble."


    With that, Mr. Thompson Sr. summoned his aide and had Mrs. Thompson Sr., Vanessa, and her entire family unceremoniously thrown out.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. was weeping and wailing, starting her whole routine of threats and hysterics all over again.


    But Tobias and Dana merely watched the spectacle. Noah and Karina, being of the younger generation, said nothing. Their young daughter had to stifle augh at Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s antics.


    Frank, long numb to his mother''s tactics, watched with cold detachment.


    Bet kept his head down, eating, not even bothering to look up.


    In the end, Mrs. Thompson Sr. and Vanessa''s family were kicked out.


    The group was escorted out of the militarypound.


    Vanessa supported Mrs. Thompson Sr., wiping her tears and trying to calm her down.


    "Grandma, please don''t cry. It''s all


    my fault. I shouldn''t havee back. But it''s just not fair! Eden and t are Dad''s children too. Why does Bet get to inherit the Thompson


    Group while we''re treated like on


    beggars and given a measly allowance?"


    After saying her piece, Vanessa started crying again.


    "Alright, stop crying," Mrs. Thompson Sr. said, her face contorting with rage. "Unless I''m dead, I won''t let your father send you away Thepany''s money was earned by Frank That bitch. Empa and the brat she spawned can forget about inheriting a single penny!"


    Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s old face was twisted and ferocious.


    The disheveled group stood at the entrance. Before long, Eden arrived by car to pick them up.


    "Grandma Eden stepped out of the


    car. Dressed in a ck suit, he was tall with strong features. He bore a five-point resemnce to


    Frank even more so than Bet did


    And yet, Frank had made both Eden and Vanessa take their mother''s surname.


    "Grandma, are you alright?" Eden asked with concern, taking her hand.


    Seeing her grandson, Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s expression softened considerably.