Crying, Nic stumbled forward on her short legs, heading in Noah''s direction.


    But she didn''t get far. With a swift movement, Bet reached over, scooped her up, and lifted her off the edge of the stage.


    At that moment, the groom was kissing the bride, and with everyone''s attention on the happy couple, very few people noticed the small interruption with Nic.


    The Whites saw their n foiled and rushed forward to grab the child, but Bet''s bodyguards were faster, pinning them to the ground.


    "Mr. Thompson, what should we do with them?" the head of security asked in a low voice.


    "Lock them in a room upstairs for now. We''ll deal with them after the wedding," Bet replied coldly.


    His men efficiently escorted the Whites out of the hall. Bet, now holding Nic, returned to his seat.


    Nic''s eyes were still red, and she was crying softly.


    Bet, who was hopeless atforting children, was overwhelmed by her tears and promptly handed her over to Yvonne.


    Yvonne cradled Nic in her arms and gave her a piece of candy from the table.


    Nic nibbled on the candy and soon quieted down.


    "Did youe here with your mommy, Nic?" Yvonne asked gently.


    "I came with Mommy, Grandpa, and Grandma," Nic answered in her child-like voice.


    "Was it your mommy who told you to go on stage and find your daddy?" Yvonne continued.


    Too young to realize she was being questioned, Nic answered honestly while chewing her candy "Grandma told me to go find Daddy She said Daddy was going to marry a stepmom and wouldn''t want Mommy and me anymore."


    As she spoke, the memory of her grandmother''s fierce expression seemed to return, and her little mouth trembled as if she were about to cry again.


    Yvonne quickly gave her another piece of candy. "Your grandma was just joking with you," she soothed. "Your daddy will always be your daddy. He would never abandon you."


    "Mhm," Nic nodded emphatically.


    Noah and his daughter had always been close. At her young age, Nic didn''t really understand the concept of stepmothers, and she instinctively believed that her father would never leave her.


    "Is this Mr. Noah Thompson''s daughter from his first marriage?" Mr. James Sr., sitting beside Yvonne, nced at the child in her arms and guessed her identity. "Yes," Yvonne confirmed.


    "The Whites are so clueless. Once they lose their connection to the Thompsons, their lives are going to get much harder," Mr. James Sr. sighed, shaking his head.


    For years, the Whites had leveraged their ties to the Thompsons to act arrogantly, making many enemies Now that Noah and Karina were divorced, those who had previously tolerated them out of respect for the Thompsons would no longer hold back.


    "It''s not that the Whites are clueless, it''s just that they tantly favor their son. If it were their son, Kevin, marrying into a prominent family, you can bet his parents wouldn''t dare sabotage him."


    Yvonne''s tone was sharp and sarcastic.


    Mr. James Sr. was again left speechless. Upon reflection, he realized Yvonne had a point.


    Seeing him silent, Yvonne added another jab. "Speaking of which, your wonderful son, upon hearing that Noah was divorced, actually suggested I help marry off your precious granddaughter to the Thompsons as well."


    "He did what?" The elder Mr. James nearly choked, sputtering as he struggled to catch his breath.


    It was unheard of for a major family to marry two of their daughters into the same family—it was a waste of resources. If the James family married both their granddaughter and great-granddaughter into the Thompson family, with thetter stepping in as Noah''s second wife, they would look incredibly desperate and be a totalughingstock.