Dominic: "Love rivals always see red when they meet."


    Letitia pursed her lips. She and Caroline were practically overflowing with sour grapes.


    The heirs of two great families, the Thompsons and the Taylors, were both devoted to Yvonne. They really couldn''t understand what kind of magic she possessed.


    Yvonne had monopolized so many resources, while Caroline and Letitia''s own marriage prospects were going nowhere.


    Caroline, from one of the four great families, was proud and had her heart set on marrying up. But with her mediocre looks and talent, she stood no chance with the heirs of wealthy families, who were pickier than thest.


    She couldn''t reach the high branches she aimed for, but she was unwilling to settle for less. Year after year, she was only getting older.


    As for Letitia, her reputation was so tarnished that any family with a shred of concern for their name wouldn''t want her as a daughter-inw.


    Her parents, the Bishops, now deeply regretted spoiling her. They had let her run wild, and now, even finding a husband had be a major problem.


    "Why do my cousin and Ben always fall for the same girl? And my cousin can never win," Dominicmented.


    Caroline and Letitia remained silent, but they were both thinking the same thing: while Thomas was excellent in every way, Bet always seemed to have the upper hand.


    If they had to choose, they would also pick the crown prince of the Thompson family.


    Bet yed golf with Yvonne for a while, then they went horseback riding at the stables before heading to the restaurant for lunch.


    The others followed them the entire time. What was supposed to be a private date had been crashed by a crowd.


    Bet didn''t show his displeasure—his upbringing was too good for that—but he was certainly unhappy on the inside.


    It was thanks to the Taylors that Caroline and Letitia had the chance to step into the restaurant at the Thompson family''s private estate for the first time.


    The restaurant was the height of luxury, like stepping into a museum.


    Collectibles that ordinary families would lock away in a safe were used as mere decorations here. The worth of Istra''s wealthiest family, the Thompsons, was clearly ever-increasing.


    Caroline and Letitia were bubbling with jealousy. Yvonne was truly born under a lucky star.


    Not only had Yvonne managed tond the Thompson family''s heir, but she also had the ability to make him get a marriage license with her, securing her position as the future matriarch of the family.


    For now, Caroline and Letitia were still putting on airs, refusing to grovel. But once Yvonne officially married into the Thompson family, they would have no choice but to kiss up to her.


    Bet had already given


    instructions, so the restaurant''s manager had prepared a tableden with delicacies, featuring many rare ingredients. But there was anotable absence of seafood.


    Yvonne was allergic to seafood, and Bet wished it would disappear not just from


    the table, but from the entire restaurant.


    With the young masters of both the Thompson and Taylor families present, the manager personally went to the wine cer to select a few vintage bottles.


    Bet was driving, so he didn''t drink.


    Thomas didn''t drink either; he wasn''t in the mood.


    Some obsessions run too deep. They can never be realized, yet they can never be


    let go, destined to be buried in the heart for a lifetime.


    Dominic, ever the carefree one, ate and drank with Caroline and Letitia, making small talk.


    Somehow, the conversation drifted to Nelly and Mignon.


    Nelly was a distant rtive of Mrs.


    James. With her smooth and


    versatile personality, she became quite popr after returning to Istra, even befriending Emma, the matriarch of the Thompson family Mrs. James also grew quite close to


    her.


    Later, when the scandal between Nelly and Marshall broke, Nelly became a social


    pariah overnight. Even Mrs. James started avoiding her like the gue.