Even though Vanessa was just Frank''s illegitimate daughter, she was still his flesh and blood.


    Cynthia didn''t think much of her, but she saw no reason to make an enemy unnecessarily.


    "Is there a problem?" Yvonne pressed when Cynthia remained silent. "The banquet hall is filled with millions of dors worth of art. It''s unrealistic to think there are no security cameras."


    Cynthia''s fine lips tightened; she felt like she was being roasted over an open fire.


    "Cynthia, have the butler pull up the security footage." A stern, deep voice, one that brooked no argument, suddenly came from the top of the stairs.


    Everyone instinctively looked toward the source of the voice and saw Bet apanying a white-haired old man down the staircase.


    The old man was none other than the patriarch of the Scott family, a nationally renowned and respected schr.


    "Grandfather." Cynthia hurried to Mr. Scott Sr.''s side and took his arm.


    "Go get the security footage. We won''t have our invited guests feeling wronged in our home," Mr. Scott Sr. repeated, his sharp eyes sweeping over Yvonne, Eden, Ynda, and then Vanessa and her son.


    "I understand, Grandfather," Cynthia replied, turning to give the butler a meaningful look.


    Soon, the security footage from the banquet hall was disyed.


    The video clearly showed Andy running wild in the hall. He had nearly collided with Mrs. Cooper''s pregnant belly, and disaster was only averted because Yvonne reacted quickly and blocked him.


    "Do you have any further objections?" Cynthia asked Vanessa after ying the video for everyone to see.


    "Andy is just a child. He doesn''t know any better, so it''s understandable that he made a mistake," Vanessa argued stubbornly, her expression shifting as she clutched her son.


    "Since he made a mistake, he should apologize. A child''s ignorance is all the more reason for proper guidance. Wouldn''t you agree, Ms. Monroe?"


    Cynthia''s voice was gentle, yet her words were impossible to refute.


    Vanessa''s face contorted slightly, and Andy squirmed impatiently in her arms.


    Eden''s expression was as dark as a storm cloud.


    That fool Vanessa, always messing things up and never getting anything right.


    Years ago he''d told Vanessa to get rid of the bastard in Emma''s womb. Not only had the foot failed, allowing that bastard Bet to be born, but she had also sold him out.


    Vanessa was exiled from the country, and Eden didn''t fare much better. After all


    these years, Frank still refused to acknowledge him as his son.


    "Vanessa, have Andy apologize to Ms. Jones and Mrs. Cooper."


    Vanessa stubbornly held her chin high, her defiant expression making it clear she wouldn''t back down.


    "Vanessa!" Eden''s voice grew louder.


    "Eden, how could you side with outsiders against me! Bet is


    Dad''s son, but so are we tel


    should we have to bow and scrape, even to a ything?"


    With that, Vanessa turned and stormed out, still carrying her son.


    Vanessa had fled with her child, leaving Eden and Ynda behind in a deeply awkward situation.


    "My apologies, Ms. Jones, Mrs. Cooper Vanessa has lived abroad formany years andcks etiquette Please don''t hold it against her. I apologize on her behalf."


    Eden''s attitude was sincere. He was a man who knew when to bend.


    Mrs. Cooper clearly didn''t want to make an enemy of Eden over such a small matter. No matter how much Frank disliked him, Eden was still his son.


    The Thompson family''s status in Istra was unshakeable.


    "It was a small thing, really. You''re taking it too seriously, Mr. Monroe."