As the car slowly pulled away, Cynthia watched in the rearview mirror as Noah and Karina continued to argue. She touched her stinging cheek, a cold smile touching


    her lips.


    "Are the people I asked you to arrange in ce?" Cynthia suddenly asked the driver in front.


    "Don''t worry, Miss, everything has been arranged. Kevin White has been


    frequenting an underground casinotely. I''ve ced two women inside to sweet- talk him and gamble with him. The stakes have been getting higher and higher, so it shouldn''t be long before he crashes and burns," the driver replied respectfully.


    "Good," Cynthia acknowledged, adding a warning, "Keep it clean. Don''t let it be traced back to us."


    The driver said, "You can count on me, Miss."


    After the Scotts'' car left, Noah and Karina had a few more heated words before they also stormed off.


    Karina''s eyes were red with anger. Seeing a servant pass by, she took her frustration out on them before finally leaving.


    Emma and Yvonne were walking out of the vi and happened to witness the entire argument.


    Emma was clearly uninterested in the affairs of the main branch, her expression lukewarm.


    Yvonne, however, found it all rather amusing, thinking to herself: *If this were a show, Karina wouldn''t evenst three episodes against Cynthia. She''s not even a match for Emma.*


    At least Emma and Frank had genuine feelings for each other, having shared joys and sorrows and spent most of their lives together.


    Karina, on the other hand, had given Noah a daughter and little else of value. She seemed to think that alone was enough to keep Noah in her grasp forever.


    But if Karina could have a child, so could Cynthia. Once Cynthia gave Noah a child, Karina''s daughter would no longer be the favorite, even if she wasn''tpletely ignored.


    She was ying a winning hand into a losing one. Yvonne almost felt sorry for her.


    "The show''s over. What are you still looking at?" Emma''s cool voice broke through Yvonne''s thoughts.


    "Oh, nothing," Yvonne replied softly.


    "Karina is nowhere near as clever as Cynthia. I imagine the position of Mrs.


    Thompson will have a new upant soon enough," Emma remarked.


    Yvonne nodded obediently. Whatever her mother-inw said, her best bet was to just agree.


    "Still, the main branch''s business has nothing to do with us. Just watch your mouth and don''t gossip," Emma continued to advise.


    Yvonne replied, "I know, Mom."


    "Good. It''s gettingte, you and Bet should head home and rest. Oh, I had the servants prepare some health tonics for you." After saying this Emma looked Yvonne and down with a disdainful expression.


    "You''re so thin, not an ounce of meat on your bones. How are you supposed to have a baby for Bet and carry on the Thompson family line? Remember to take the tonics


    I''m sending with very day You


    you


    need to build up your strength first, instead of looking like a gust of wind could blow you over."


    "Okay, I understand. Thank you, Mom," Yvonne nodded meekly.


    With Bet not around, Yvonne wasn''t foolish enough to talk back to


    her Whatever Emma


    said, Yvonne''s responses were responses were a


    chorus of ''yes,'' ''okay,'' and ''you''re right, Mom.'' Her strategy was simple: be agreeable and obedient.


    Emma seemed quite satisfied with her attitude and waved a hand, dismissing her.


    Yvonne walked out of the Thompson family''s main vi, followed by a line of servants carrying bags.


    Bet''s car was already parked in front of the vi. He stood beside it, looking at Yvonne with a puzzled expression.