Bet wasn''t in uniform today, opting for a more casual look: a white shirt paired with a dark, rxed zer. He looked handsome and coolly detached.


    Mignon peeked at Bet from behind her mother, her pretty face flushing bright


    red.


    "Mignon, this is Emma and Ben. Come and say hello," Nelly said, pulling her daughter forward.


    "Mrs. Emma. Ben," Mignon murmured softly, her head slightly lowered.


    "Oh, what a sweet girl," Emma said with a smile, taking Mignon''s hand. She then slipped a jade bracelet from her own wrist onto Mignon''s.


    Mignon froze for a moment, instinctively looking at her mother.


    "Since your Emma gave it to you, you should wear it," Nelly nodded.


    "Thank you," Mignon said obediently.


    Emma held her hand and nodded with a smile. "In the blink of an eye, Mignon has grown into such a beautiful young woman."


    "I know, it''s been almost twenty years since west saw each other," Nelly added, sounding sentimental.


    "Mom, Mrs. Zade, let''s sit down first," Bet interjected at the right moment.


    "Yes, let''s sit. We can eat and talk," Emma said, leading Mignon to a seat.


    Bet called for a waiter, who handed menus to everyone at the table.


    "I haven''t been back in Istra for so many years. Sometimes I dream about the food from home," Nelly said, holding the menu with a slight frown. "Ah, it''s been so long, even the menu has changed."


    "Then let Bet order a few of the restaurant''s specialties for you," Emma said with a smile.


    Bet took a menu and asked politely, "Mrs. Zade, Ms. Powell, do you have any dietary restrictions?"


    "Ben, I don''t eattro," Mignon said gently, her eyes looking at Bet with a hint of shyness.


    Bet merely gave her a brief nce before his focus returned to the menu.


    He ordered a few signature dishes, instructing the waiter to hold thetro, and then handed the menu back.


    The waiter left and soon returned with water.


    Bet lowered his eyes and sipped his water, barely speaking.


    Emma and Nelly chatted away, reminiscing about the old days and catching up on what had happened in the years they were apart.


    Mignon seemed to be a shy and introverted girl. She remained quiet, her doe-like eyes stealing timid nces at Bet.


    Nelly noticed and met her daughter''s gaze.


    Mignon''s cheeks turned pink, and she gave her mother a shy nod.


    Nelly understood, and the smile on her lips deepened.


    In recent years, the economic situation abroad had worsened. They had returned this time with the intention of settling down in the country.


    But they had been away for too long. All of Istra''s industries were virtually monopolized by the major families. Who would be willing to share a piece of the pie with them?


    The fastest way they could think of to integrate into Istra''s elite society was through marriage.


    Since Nelly and Emma were old friends, the Powell family''s first choice was naturally the Thompson family.


    As the wealthiest family in Istra, if


    Mignon could marry the Thompson Powell family could


    heir, the Pociety


    smoothly enter Istras high society and establish a firm foothold.


    Nelly had already done her research. Bet was currently in the military, a promising young man with a brilliant future. And he wasn''t engaged.


    In the future, if Mignon married Bet and had a child, that child would be the


    future head of the Thompson Group.


    Although the Powell family was


    eager for a marriage alliance with


    the Thompsons Mignon was Nelly''s


    only daughter, and she didn''t want to


    force her.


    Fortunately, Bet was not only capable but also strikingly handsome, and her


    daughter had taken a liking to him at first sight.