Cynthia wasn''t particrly close with Ynda, and she didn''t know Eden or Vanessa at all.


    Besides, a family with the history and principles of the Scotts had little regard for illegitimate children like Eden and Vanessa.


    “Ms. Walker, Mr. Monroe,” Cynthia said, her greeting purely a matter of courtesy. Without any further pleasantries, she turned to attend to her other guests.


    It had been a long time since Ynda had been treated so coldly.


    During her years with Bet, she had always been the center of attention, showered with admiration. A woman''s standing reflected her man''s power, and being slighted like this felt like a public deration of Eden''s ipetence.


    Ynda had always looked down on Eden for being an illegitimate son, and now she despised him even more.


    "I see a few friends. I''m going to go say hello. You two can go find people you know," Ynda said, her tone cool and detached.


    Eden, well aware of her disdain, didn''t seem offended. He simply smiled and said, "Your friends will be my friends. Won''t you introduce me?"


    His words were wless, leaving Ynda with no room to refuse. Reluctantly, she agreed.


    Eden smiled warmly, his gaze on Ynda filled with what looked like deep affection.


    With Ynda on his arm, he walked toward her group of friends, leaving Vanessa and Andy standing alone.


    Vanessa had spent most of her life abroad and didn''t know anyone from Istra''s elite families.


    At an ordinary party, some people might have tried to curry favor with her, but the Scotts'' guests were all from established, powerful families who looked down on illegitimate offspring. No one was going to approach her.


    "Andy, are you hungry? I''ll get you some fruit and cake," Vanessa asked her son.


    "Okay," Andy nodded. Without waiting for his mother, he darted toward the food table.


    The hall was crowded, and Andy ran about without watching where he was going. Yvonne was chatting with an acquaintance, a woman who, after more than a decade of marriage and four rounds of IVF, was finally three months pregnant and glowing with happiness.


    "Mr. Cooper used to be out all the time, but ever since I got pregnant, hees home every night, no matter how busy he is just to watch. over my belly. At our age, having this child is truly a blessing from heaven."


    Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were self-made. They had focused on their careers when they were young and had lost two pregnancies along the way.


    Now, with their business thriving, they wanted a child more than anything, but they couldn''t conceive.


    Many people had secretly tried to set Mr. Cooper up with other women, but he had remained loyal to his wife.


    Still, without an heir, their vast fortune was a target for greedy rtives. Unwilling to give up, Mrs. Cooper had endured four rounds of


    vr


    over the years and finall


    Seeded.


    To them, this unborn child was a precious treasure.


    As Yvonne and Mrs. Cooper were talking, a small boy came rushing toward them.


    Fortunately, Yvonne reacted in a


    split second, moving to shield Mrs.


    Cooper A six-year-old child running at full speed could have done serious harm, and a blow to MRS. Cooper''s stomach would have been disastrous for the baby.


    Andy crashed into Yvonne''s back. The force of the impact sent him stumbling backward, and he fell to the ground, dazed. He clutched his forehead and let out a loud wail.


    Hearing her son''s cries, Vanessa rushed over.