She had just been deceiving herself.


    Of course, she couldn''t let Yvonne call the police. Her brother already had two broken ribs; if he got arrested on top of that, he''d be a wreck. Her parents only had one son. If anything happened to him, they wouldn''t be able to bear it.


    Karina suppressed her anger, her body trembling uncontrobly.


    "Mommy, I want some vegetables," Nic piped up, tugging on Karina''s sleeve.


    Karina finally had an excuse to back down. She lowered her head and started cooking vegetables for Nic. She ced some fresh spinach into the boiling pot, and it cooked quickly.


    She ced the cooked spinach into Nic''s bowl and carefully added a little bit of dipping sauce.


    "This one isn''t spicy, but it''s still a little salty. Make sure you drink lots of water after you eat, okay?” Karina instructed her daughter with care, showing herself to be a good mother.


    Nic nodded and put the vegetables in her mouth. She then looked at Yvonne, her eyes warning her with a fierce, childish re, "Don''t bully my mommy."


    "Nic, that''s no way to talk," Noah chided her softly.


    Nic pouted and continued to stuff food into her mouth.


    Yvonne didn''t bother arguing with a child. She ignored Karina and went back to cooking her meat.


    Just then, Bet returned with the wine.


    "I cooked somemb for you. Eat it while it''s hot," Yvonne said, her beautiful eyes curving into a smile as she looked at him, showing no trace of the unpleasantness with Karina.


    Bet returned to his seat and opened the wine. Since there were no wine sses, he simply poured the expensive red wine into their bowls.


    Bet drank with Noah and ate the meat Yvonne had cooked for him.


    For a while, the only sounds at the table were the cheerful conversation between the two brothers.


    Yvonne didn''t say much, and Karina didn''t dare act out in front of Bet.


    Although Bet usually respected Karina as family, he was not someone to be trifled with.


    When Bet was angry, he wouldn''t even give face to Mr. Thompson Sr., let alone Karina.


    The rest of the meal passed in rtive peace.


    Though Karina was not a pleasant person, her cooking was genuinely excellent. The dipping sauce she made was better than what you'' find in a high-end hot pot restaurant, the meat was tender, and the vegetables were fresh.


    Her handmade fish and beef balls were absolutely delicious.


    Yvonne ate until she was stuffed.


    After dinner, she volunteered to do the dishes. Naturally, Bet went to help her.


    "Noah, why don''t you take Nic back to your room to rest? We have to get up early to see the sunrise tomorrow," Bet said.


    “Alright, we''ll leave it to you then," Noah said without ceremony, taking his daughter''s hand and heading upstairs.


    Downstairs in the kitchen, it was just Bet and Yvonne.


    Yvonne put the used dishes in the sink, and Bet, standing beside her, had


    already rolled up his shirt sleeves.


    Yvonne asked, "You''re washing?"


    "Who else?” Bet chuckled, his eyes looking at her with affection.


    Vol.ne


    "Well then thank you for your hard work, Mr. Bet Thompson," Yvonne said, standing on her tiptoes to give him a quick peck on the cheek


    Bet was clearly pleased and washed the dishes with extra vigor.


    After they finished the dishes and tidied up the kitchen, they walked upstairs, hand in hand.


    Yvonne went back to her room.


    Bet had intended to take the


    room next to hers, but he found that


    it was


    already upie family.


    by Noah''s