Teresa clutched her chest, feeling as if Yvonne''s words had shaved ten years off her life. Helen, perhaps fearing she might actually have a heart attack, quickly brought her a cup of warm tea to calm her down.


    Teresa took a long sip, managing to rein in her temper.


    She set the cup down and continued, “So, are you and Mr. Bet Thompson living together?"


    Yvonne looked at her. "Is that why you came here?"


    Though Yvonne''s tone was far from pleasant, Teresa forced herself to remain calm.


    "I heard from Caroline that you and Mr. Thompson are getting your marriage license soon?"


    "Yes," Yvonne confirmed. She and Bet were getting married, and while she didn''t want a big spectacle, she had nothing to hide.


    "Well, if you''re getting married, living together is normal. It''s good that you''re getting the license first; you need to secure your position. But when are you nning the wedding? A union between our families is a major event. The preparations alone will take at least a year. We should arrange a meeting between our two families to discuss the details and schedule."


    Teresa grew more animated as she spoke, her words tumbling out. "You''re inexperienced in these matters, you need us elders to help guide you."


    Yvonne finished her soup, ced the empty bowl on the coffee table, and then looked up at Teresa. "We''re not nning on having a wedding."


    "No wedding? Why not?" Teresa asked, stunned.


    “We don''t want one. Do I need to give you a reason?” Yvonne said impatiently.


    That was thest straw for Teresa.


    If Yvonne didn''t have a wedding, it would be a secret marriage. No one would know she was married to Bet, and no one would know the James family was connected to the Thompsons. How could they possibly benefit from that?


    "Yvonne, have you lost your mind? Of course you have to have a wedding! Without one, who will know you''re the young mistress of the Thompson family? Who will know we''re their inws? How will we negotiate the marriage settlement? I absolutely forbid it!"


    Yvonne just let out a coldugh. As if she needed Teresa''s permission to


    decide whether or not to have a 1.


    wedding. The woman really thought highly offerself


    Just as Yvonne was about to retort, a deep, cool male voice cut in from behind her.


    "Since when does my marriage require Mrs. James''s approval?”


    Yvonne turned to see Bet walking in, dressed in casual clothes and holding a small cake box from her favorite bakery.


    “Bet, what are you doing back?” she asked, surprised.


    "I went to get you a cake to eat on the ne," he said, cing the box on the coffee table before turning his gaze to Teresa.


    "Does Mrs. James have any other opinions?"


    Teresa bristled. “Bet, you and Yvonne are about to be married. The least you could do is call me your mother-inw.”


    Bet raised an eyebrow with a cold smile.


    don''t think that''s


    necessary. Yvonne is not a James and from this day forward, she will have connection to your family. You can go back and tell Mr James Sr. that as long as I''m here, no one will use her or emotionally ckmail her. And if the James family doesn''t understand its ce, I wouldn''t hesitate to make it disappear from the ranks of the city''s elite."


    “Mr. Thompson........” Teresa tried to argue, but Bet had no patience for it.


    "Helen, see our guest out," hemanded, then took Yvonne''s hand and led her toward the dining room.


    Teresa instinctively tried to follow,


    but Bullet, who had been lying in the corner suddenly stood up and


    stared at her with guard


    eyes,


    looking ready to pounce.


    Terrified, Teresa backed away as the dog advanced on her, forcing her all the way to


    the apartment door.


    Helen stepped forward and mmed the door shut, leaving Teresa outside.