"You came all the way back just for a ne?" Frank asked, puzzled.


    "Yeah. I''m taking Yvonne to watch the meteor shower tonight. I thought the ne would be a nice touch, to fit the asion," Bet replied.


    The national observatory had forecast a once-in-a-century Leonid meteor shower for


    that night.


    All of Istra, from high society to themon folk, was setting up camp on the


    mountain, ready to witness the celestial event.


    Bet had a rare day off and had made ns with Yvonne.


    "I knew you wouldn''te back for no good reason. Always eyeing the things in this house," Frank grumbled, but still answered, "Your mother''s nes, except for the exceptionally valuable ones, are in a drawer in the walk-in closet. Go find it yourself."


    Emma had countless pieces of jewelry, most of which were stored in her closet. The pieces she wore frequently were in her vanity drawer, while the truly priceless ones, worth millions, were kept in a safe.


    After Frank spoke, Bet simply stood there, staring at him.


    "Don''t tell me you want me to get it for you. When your mother finds out, I''ll be the one to take the me. You little rascal, always using that cleverness of yours on your own father."


    Frank red at him.


    "I appreciate it. I''m going to take a shower first," Bet said, then turned and headed upstairs.


    Frank shook his head with a helpless sigh, but he still pushed himself up from the sofa and made his way to the upstairs closet.


    Emma''s walk-in closet was enormous, filled with an overwhelming amount of jewelry. It took Frank quite some time to finally locate the set designed to look like shooting stars.


    It was aplete diamond set, with earrings, a ne, and a pair of matching rings.


    Frank took the jewelry box from the drawer and brought it to Bet''s room.


    The door was closed, so Frank knocked a few times.


    Bet had just finished his shower and was wearing a loose-fitting robe, toweling the dripping ends of his hair.


    Frank handed him the jewelry box. "Dry your hair ande down for lunch."


    "Okay," Bet said, taking the box and nodding.


    He changed out of his military uniform into casual cks and a sweater before joining Frank for lunch.


    Emma was abroad for a magazine shoot and hadn''t returned yet.


    Only Frank and Bet sat at the dining table.


    Frank picked up his utensils and served Bet some food. "I made sure the staff prepared all your favorite dishes."


    "Thanks," Bet nodded, then asked as he ate, "I heard from Noah that you''ve cleared your schedule for the weekend."


    "Yes," Frank sighed. "Your


    grandmother wants to see Eden


    married before she passes. I''m


    nning to apany him to the .


    Walker family this weekend to settle


    his engagement to Ynda.


    Frank then added, "You and Ynda have already broken up, and I can tell you


    don''t have much feeling left for her."


    "Who Ynda marries is none of my business. But for you to go to the Walker family in your capacity as an elder is tantamount to


    acknowledging his status as the eldest son of the Thompson family. They have yed their cards well," Bet scoffed.


    Frank replied, "Your grandmother


    have


    much time left


    This is


    dish. can''t let her die


    her


    regrets."


    with


    Bet retorted, "Her wish is to have that illegitimate son of yours inherit the


    Thompson Group, isn''t it?"