Although Emma disliked Yvonne, now that she and Bet were legally married, what was done was done. Emma had no choice but to ept Yvonne as her daughter-inw, guiding her into the circles of high society and gradually teaching


    her the ropes.


    As elegant music filled the ballroom and the party was in full swing, a piercing scream suddenly erupted from upstairs.


    The festive atmosphere was shattered. The Thompsons and their guests exchanged confused nces, wondering what had happened.


    Ynda''s eyes, however, lit up. "The show''s about to start," she said to Mrs. Walker. "Let''s go see the excitement."


    With that, she pulled Mrs. Walker along and headed toward Emma and Yvonne.


    "Mrs. Thompson, what was that noise? I hope it''s nothing serious."


    "It was probably just a clumsy servant. I''ve already sent the butler to handle it. There''s no need to worry, Mrs. Walker," Emma replied coolly.


    Ever since Ynda had gotten involved with Eden, Emma''s attitude toward Mrs. Walker had be decidedly lukewarm.


    “This is the Thompson family''s banquet, after all. You wouldn''t want a scandal. That would make you aughingstock, wouldn''t it, Mrs. Thompson?"


    Ynda''s gazended on Yvonne, her smile dripping with malice.


    Emma''s expression hardened, and she instinctively nced upstairs.


    The butler had already gone to deal with it. By all rights, any misbehaving servant should have been silenced by now. Yet, anothermotion broke out on the second floor.


    Even Frank, who was discussing business with several shareholders, was disturbed.


    "What''s going on?" he asked with a stern face.


    "If we want to know what''s happening, why don''t we go up and see for ourselves?"


    Mrs. Walker suggested immediately. She was quite intrigued by the "show" Ynda had mentioned.


    Sounds of arguing and screaming


    continued to drift down from


    upstairs. The guests below were already whispering amongst themselves. Even Dana came over to inquire.


    “Emma, what''s happened?"


    Emma shook her head, stillpletely bewildered.


    "We should go take a look. We can''t have a scene on our hands," Dana urged.


    Emma knew she couldn''t ignore it. She nodded and started up the


    stairs with Yvonne and Dana, nét


    for drama, Mrs. Walker and vnda followed night behind.


    Several other socialites who loved gossip tagged along as well.


    Therge group made its way to the upstairs lounge area.


    The butler, Dunn, was standing at the door of a temporary guest room, arguing with


    someone.


    "What are you arguing about? Dunn, what on earth is going on!" Emma demanded, her face cold.


    Dunn saw Emma and the others and immediately came over with Cindy.


    “Ma''am. It''s... it''s.....” Dunn nced at the crowd behind Emma, hesitating to speak.


    Cindy, however, blurted it out,


    "Ma''am, the young master wasn''t feeling well, so I brought him to a quest room to rest whiet went to find a doctor. But when I came back with the doctor, I saw a woman in the young master''s room, and the two of them were... they were..."


    Cindy trailed off, unable to continue, and lowered her head in apparent shame.


    When Emma heard Cindy say "the young master,” she immediately assumed she meant Bet. Her face turned ashen.


    She whipped her head around and shot Yvonne a venomous re, leaving Yvonne utterly confused.


    It was ssic mother-inw logic: no matter what mistake her son made, it was surely the daughter-inw''s fault.