"As soon as possible," Bet replied with a smile, his hand under the table subconsciously finding and holding Yvonne''s.


    Yvonne raised an eyebrow but let him hold her hand obediently.


    Bet was, after all, the heir apparent of the Thompson family. He was the center


    of attention no matter where he went. His arrivalpletely stole the thunder from the newlyweds, Eden and Ynda.


    Noticing this, Vincent cleared his throat and reminded them, "Eden, Ynda, it''s time to toast the elders."


    Eden and Ynda finally snapped out of their daze and proceeded with the wedding reception, toasting the guests.


    However, both of their faces were grim; they looked more like they were at a funeral than a wedding.


    The VIP table was filled with influential figures discussing politics and business. Fearing Yvonne would be bored, Bet stood up to leave after a short while.


    "Leaving so soon?" Frank asked, puzzled.


    "I''m moving to another table. It''s too dull here with you all," Bet said, standing up and taking Yvonne''s hand to leave.


    "That rascal. Let''s just ignore him," Frank said with augh.


    "Mr. Bet Thompson is young and aplished, the most promising of his generation. Frank, you don''t need to be so modest," Mr. Staley teased, and the others chimed in with agreement.


    Bet had already led Yvonne to the table for the younger generation.


    Noah and Karina White were there too.


    Seeing Bet, Karina was not only shocked but also a little embarrassed.


    During Bet''s recent injury, his condition had been kept secret. The outside world, Karina included, believed he was on the verge of death.


    If Bet died, Eden would be Frank''s only son and sole heir.


    A new king brings new courtiers. Once Eden inherited the Thompson family, Noah''s position as president of the Thompson Group would be uncertain.


    Recently, Karina had been diligently trying to ingratiate herself with Eden, the illegitimate son. She had even gone shopping and had meals with Ynda, showering her with expensive gifts.


    Latk


    Noah had warned her not to be so transparently opportunistic, but Karina had gotten into a huge fight with him over it. She was doing, this for Noah''s sake, and instead of appreciating it, he argued with her.


    It was a ssic case of no good deed goes unpunished.


    Karina had also been a great help with the wedding preparations, running around to make a good impression on the future heir.


    But now, before the wedding was even over, Bet had reappeared as if by magic, alive and well.


    With Bet around, Eden, the illegitimate son, would always be just that—an illegitimate son who could never take center stage.


    Now, in Bet''s presence, Karina was on pins and needles, terrified that Bet knew what she''d been up to and would hold it against her.


    Bet pulled Yvonne to sit next to Noah.


    "Are you all better?" Noah turned to Bet, looking him up and down.


    During Bet''s hospitalization, his condition had been kept confidential, so even Noah didn''t know the truth.


    Noah had often visited the hospital


    l.ne


    but could never see him, so he would just sit outside the ICU for


    white which made Bet feel


    dibly guilty.


    "I''m fine. I''m lucky, didn''t die. But I did disappoint some people," Bet said, his cold gaze sweeping over Karina.


    The smile on Karina''s exquisitely made-up face was so stiff it was about to crack.


    Noah felt a pang of embarrassment and cleared his throat, changing the subject.