Jeffrey had only called Yvonne to the hospital in case this was herst chance to see Teresa.


    It seemed the turmoil of the past year had matured him, making him less foolish. Yvonne walked out of the private room into the anteroom, which was far more lively. Marcia and Mrs. James Sr. were huddled together, whispering like they were at a tea party.


    "That little bitch Yvonne really knows what she''s doing, actually bing the Thompson family''s new princess,” Marcia said, her voice dripping with acid. “A woman''s status is all about the man she sleeps with. She got into the heir''s bed and suddenly she''s royalty. A real Cindere story."


    "Well, since you know she''s a phoenix now, you''d better stop provoking her," Mrs. James Sr. warned. “Your father has been losing sleep trying to build a connection with the Thompsons. Yvonne is the apple of Mr. Bet Thompson''s eye right now. If you cross her, your father will be the first one to punish you."


    Marcia, who had clearly heard this lecture before, nodded impatiently. "I know, I know. I''ll treat her like a queen, happy now?"


    "I can''t believe that fool Teresa managed to produce such a capable daughter," Mrs. James Sr.mented. "I''ve spent all these years scheming for you and your brother, and you''re both such disappointments."


    Having schemed her way into the family as the other woman, Mrs. James Sr. had worked tirelessly her whole life, only to have her own children fall short.


    “She''s young and pretty now, so she can keep a man''s attention," Marcia added. "Once she''s old and her looks fade, he''ll just kick her to the curb."


    Mrs. James Sr. nodded, clearly using the same thought to console herself.


    Just as they finished their conversation, they saw Yvonne walk out of the room.


    "Yvonne, dear you''ve seen your


    mother," Mrs. James Sr. said, immediately rushing over and grabbing Yvorme''s hard with exaggerated affection. "Oh, you poor thing, don''t be too sad. You must take care of yourself."


    "You look even thinner than thest time I saw you," she continued, her voice full of concern. "You''re still so young, you probably don''t know how to look after yourself Come back to the James house with me have the cook make you nourishing broths and help you build up your strength. You need to be healthy to produce an heir for the Thompson family. For us women, having a child is the only way to secure our position in our husband''s family."


    Her eyes were filled with a grandmotherly love as she spoke with grave sincerity.


    "Yvonne, just listen to your grandmother. She would never harm you," Mr. James Sr. added, chiming in.


    He was desperate to mend their rtionship with Yvonne. Bing inws with the Thompsons was the only way for the James family to reverse its decline and avoid disappearing from the ranks of the elite.


    Unfortunately for them, Yvonne was immune to their pleas.


    She coldly pulled her arm from Mrs. James Sr.''s grasp, her tone t.


    "If I recall correctly, my mother listened to you and was tricked into marrying into the Spencer family. You saved the better match with the Bishop family for your own daughter. You can never trust a stepmother. Why would she have her stepdaughter''s best interests at heart, let alone her


    step-granddaughter''s? Ma''am, I wouldn''t dare go back with you. What if you put something my


    food, poison me, and have your own granddaughter take my ce with the Thompsons? I''d have no one toin to but the devil himself."


    “Yvonne, how could you say such a thing and use your grandmother so unfairly?” Mrs. James Sr. cried, looking utterly wounded.