"You are my true treasure. It''s just an object; if it''s broken, it''s broken. But next time you feel like smashing things, pick something lighter. That inkwell was too heavy. I don''t want you to hurt your wrist."


    Even in his fifties, Frank could still dish out cheesy sweet talk effortlessly. He even reached out and began rubbing Emma''s wrist as if he meant it.


    Emma irritably shook his hand off.


    Just then, Bet walked into the living room and sat on the sofa opposite them.


    The servants had already cleaned the floor efficiently and were serving warm cups of tea.


    "Have some tea to cool down." Frank attentively offered a cup to Emma.


    She nced at him without a word, took the cup, and took a sip.


    "I have things to attend to at the base tomorrow, so I need to head back tonight. Are


    you staying, oring with me?" Bet asked, looking at Emma.


    "I''ming with you. I''ll stay at Maple Manor tonight," Emma said.


    Emma owned several properties, though she rarely stayed in them.


    Hearing his wife was leaving, Frank shot his son an angry re. "Did youe back just to cause trouble for me?"


    "I was worried you''d make Mom sick with anger, so I came back to keep an eye on things,” Bet replied matter-of-factly.


    With that, he stood up.


    Emma also put down her teacup, ready to leave with Bet.


    Seeing his wife was actually leaving, Frank grew anxious.


    "No one has stayed at Maple Manor for so long; it feels so empty. I''m not even sure it''s livable. Why don''t you stay in the master bedroom tonight, and I''ll sleep in the guest room."


    "The staff keeps Maple Manor clean; it''s always ready for me," Emma said coldly. "Frank, deal with your mother and that pair of illegitimate children. I''lle back when they are finally out of my sight."


    After tossing out thatst remark, she left with Bet.


    Bet''s car was parked in the courtyard.


    He opened the passenger door. The SUV was a bit high, so he personally helped Emma get in, carefully reminding her to buckle her seatbelt.


    As the car slowly pulled away from Thompson Manor, Frank''s figure could still be seen standing at the doorway in the rearview mirror.


    Neither Bet nor Emma mentioned Frank, not wanting to spoil the mood. Instead, they started talking about the Walker family.


    "I never expected the Walker family to be so ambitious, trying to prop up that


    bastard Eden to take over," Emma scoffed.


    "Mr. Walker failed to get his


    promotion, so of course he''s not


    lyingHe wants


    going to take


    the Thompson family''s vast financial


    backing to help him climb the


    Bet said coolly, his eyes focused on the road ahead.


    "And that Ynda... I thought she was a good person. I really misjudged her," Emma said, her expression grim.


    She had met with Ynda a couple of days ago.


    Emma had been worried that Ynda was being forced to marry Eden by her parents and had wanted to help her.


    But Ynda had told her, "I am


    determined to be the future mistress of the Thompson family. Since Bet won''t marry me, I don''t mind if the Thompson family gets a new heir."


    Emma almost had a heart attack when she heard that.


    She suddenly realized she had never known the real Ynda at all.


    "Why did you even start dating Ynda in the first ce?" Emma suddenly asked, turning to look at Bet.


    Bet''s eyes darkened, and his lips tightened, but he remained silent, his focus on the road.


    "Why aren''t you saying anything?"


    Emma frowned, looking at him with a mix of confusion and scrutiny. " refuse to believe my son wa would be foolish enough to get involved with someone without knowing who she really is."