Forcing down his desire, Bet put on a shirt, sat up, and leaned over to pick up the phone from the floor.


    He had no idea what the person on the other end said, but his sharp brows furrowed. After ending the call, he picked up his shirt and coat from the floor and quickly put them on.


    "Do you have to go back to the base?" Yvonne asked, sitting up and pulling the covers around herself. Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing was still unsteady.


    “To the hospital. The olddy is not going to make it. I have to go through the motions," Bet said tly.


    "Okay," Yvonne nodded.


    "I probably won''t be back tonight. You be good," Bet said after he finished dressing. He leaned in, gave her a deep kiss on the cheek, and then left.


    Since Bet had been drinking, he couldn''t drive, so he called his aide, Simon James.


    Simon quickly brought the car around and drove Bet to the hospital.


    When he arrived, Mrs. Thompson Sr. was just being wheeled out of the emergency room and taken to the ICU.


    Frank, Eden, Vanessa, and Omar were all waiting at the hospital.


    No one else was there.


    Ynda was too delicate and frail to be troubled with a trip to the hospital in the middle of the night. What if she bumped into something? That would be a catastrophe.


    Mr. Thompson Sr. and Mrs. Thompson Sr. had never had a good rtionship. He probably wouldn''t even blink if she died.


    Tobias and his family were even less likely to show up. Mrs. Thompson Sr. had abused Tobias when he was young, and the fact that he hadn''t settled that score with her was already an act of immense grace.


    Moreover, Emma wasn''t there either. Not only was she absent, but Frank would likely face another huge fight with her when he got home.


    Bet didn''t want to be there either, but his position was unique. Whether he pursued a political career or not, he couldn''t afford any blemishes on his record.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. was in the ICU, and Vanessa and her husband were wailing outside the door as if she were already dead.


    "How is Grandmother?" Bet asked, walking over to Frank.


    Frank seemed to have aged considerably, and hisplexion was pale.


    He shook his head with a sigh. "The doctors said your grandmother is old and her heart is failing. Even with the best medical team and the best medicine, she has a few months at most." Content befongs to


    Bet nodded. Mrs. Thompson Sr. did look like she was at death''s door; she certainly wasn''t faking it.


    "A hundred years is a long life, and


    few make it past seventy. Grandmother has lived a long life and enjoyed half a century of wealth and luxury. Even in death, it''s a peaceful passing


    Bet offered some words offort.


    Frank nodded, understanding the sentiment.


    Vanessa, however, became agitated and lunged at Bet.


    Simon was by Bet''s side and naturally wouldn''t let Vanessa get anywhere near


    him, easily blocking her.


    Vanessa, undeterred, pointed at


    Bet and screamed, "Bet, you


    can''t wait


    for Grandma to die, can


    you?! Even if she and your mother didn''t get along she is still Dad''s mother and your grandma! How dare you wish for her death! You disrespectful brat!"


    "Are you done yelling?" Bet''s voice was devoid of emotion, but his eyes were chillingly cold.


    "Vanessa, I suggest you choose your words carefully — my patience has its limits." Vanessa was so angry she wanted to say more, but Eden stopped her.