But Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s rough hands gripped her, hurting her delicate skin.


    Ynda''s face showed clear impatience, and she was struggling to hold back her temper.


    Seeing this, Belinda quickly pulled her daughter aside and exined to Mrs. Thompson Sr. with a smile, "Ma''am, that bracelet is pretty vintage-it didn''t really match her dress today, so she decided not to wear it."


    "Who cares? People make such a fuss over weddings these days. When I got married, all I wore was a new dress, and that was that."


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. grumbled, clearly displeased.


    "Grandma, times have changed. We have so many distinguished guests here today. If Ynda wears mismatched jewelry, people might talk," Eden chimed in, trying to smooth things over.


    "Fine," Mrs. Thompson Sr. grunted, still not happy about it.


    "Grandma, let me take you home," Eden offered.


    "No, no, let your father take me," Mrs. Thompson Sr. said, waving her hands. She nced at Ynda, then back at Eden, grabbing his hand and saying with a grin, "You and your wife should head home early. Don''t worry about me. Give me a great- grandson soon, so I can close my eyes in peace when my timees."


    "Grandma, it''s a happy asion. Don''t say things like that," Eden said, squeezing the old woman''s hand gently.


    "Hmph, some people can''t wait for me to be gone," Mrs. Thompson Sr. muttered, shooting a cold re at Frank.


    Just as Eden was about to mediate, he looked up and saw Bet walking down the hotel steps, hand in hand with Yvonne.


    "Bet!" Eden called out with a smile, waving him over.


    In an instant, all eyes turned to them. Bound by politeness and his upbringing, Bet had no choice but to walk over and greet them.


    "Bet, I''m so d you could make it to my and Ynda''s engagement party," Eden said, his arm tightening possessively around Ynda''s waist his eyes glinting with


    challenge


    In Eden''s mind, Bet would never have attended his party. His presence here


    could only mean one thing: he still had feelings for Ynda.


    This thought filled Eden with a strange sense of pride.


    "Bet, what are you doing here?" Frank asked, equally surprised. He also hadn''t expected Bet to show up for Eden''s engagement.


    "He''s probably here to cause trouble," Mrs. Thompson Sr. snorted.


    Bet ignored them, answering Frank in a calm voice, "I''m here to pick up my girlfriend. We''re leaving now."


    "Alright, you two head home then," Frank said, ncing at Yvonne.


    Bet nodded, and after a brief farewell to the elders, he led Yvonne away.


    After they left, Frank instructed his bodyguards to help Mrs. Thompson Sr. into the


    car.


    Eden watched Frank''s and Mrs. Thompson Sr.''s car drive away, the smile on his face fading as his expression darkened.


    "Let''s go home too," Ynda said, her patience worn thin. She grabbed Belinda''s arm, ready to leave.


    "Where are you going?" Belinda


    asked, taking Ynda''s hand. She


    smiled You and Eden are engaged


    now. You''re practically married. From now on your home is with him."


    "Mom, it''s just an engagement! I''m not actually married yet. Are you and Dad kicking me out already?


    AQUMS


    Ynda sard, a note of panic in her voice.